Issue - meetings

(i)       approve the draft RES as the strategic framework for economic growth in the North East of Scotland subject to approval of the Strategy by Aberdeenshire Council and Opportunity North East (ONE);

(ii)       note the proposed changes to the Regional Economic Partnership (REP) in the Strategy and approves the proposed Terms of Reference in section 3.18 subject to approval by Aberdeenshire Council and ONE;

(iii)      appoint Councillor Yuill as Co-Leader of the Council to be the Council’s representative on the REP;

(iv)      note the update on the process to deliver Investment Zones in Scotland and instructs the Chief Officer – City Growth to provide an update to the July Committee; and

(v)      instruct the Chief Officer - City Growth to discuss with Aberdeenshire Council and ONE the potential inclusion of a regional Trade Union representative on the proposed REP, noting that this will not delay approval of the RES and the workplan.

With reference to article 5 of the minute of the previous meeting of 29 March 2023, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Commissioning which presented the draft Regional Economic Strategy (RES) for approval and provided an update on the process for the delivery of Investment Zones in the North East.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      approve the draft RES as the strategic framework for economic growth in the North East of Scotland subject to approval of the Strategy by Aberdeenshire Council and Opportunity North East (ONE);

(b)      note the proposed changes to the Regional Economic Partnership (REP) in the Strategy and approves the proposed Terms of Reference in section 3.18 subject to approval by Aberdeenshire Council and ONE;

(c)      appoint a Co-Leader of the Council to be the Council’s representative on the REP; and

(d)      note the update on the process to deliver Investment Zones in Scotland and instructs the Chief Officer – City Growth to provide an update to the July Committee on the application process if the relevant guidance has been published.

The Vice Convener, seconded by the Convener, moved:-

that the Committee –

(1)      approve the recommendations contained within the report;

(2)      appoint Councillor Yuill as the Council representative on the REP; and

(3)      instruct the Chief Officer - City Growth to discuss with Aberdeenshire Council and ONE the potential inclusion of a regional Trade Union representative on the proposed Regional Economic Partnership, noting that this will not delay approval of the RES and the workplan.

Councillor Macdonald, seconded by Councillor Crockett, moved as an amendment:-

that the Committee –

(1)    approve recommendations 2.1, 2.3 and 2.4 within the report; and

(2)    note the proposed changes to the REP in the Strategy and approve the proposed Terms of Reference in section 3.18 of the report with the addition of Trade Union representation on the REP. 

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (10) – the Convener, the Vice Convener and Councillors Fairfull, Farquhar, Greig, Hutchison, Massey, Nicoll, Radley and van Sweeden; for the amendment (3) – Councillors Crockett, Macdonald and Tissera.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.