Issue - meetings

The Committee resolved:-

(i)              to note the current status of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, proposed legislative changes and the review of what other major public institutions have in place;

(ii)             instructs the Chief Executive to develop an Anti Modern Slavery statement that would be included as part of the normal policy review cycle, in areas such as:

a. Human Resources including:

            i. Recruitment

            ii. Use of temporary / casual / fixed-term staff

b. Partner organisations

c. Supply chain / Procurement, including:

            i. IT procurement

ii. Use of consultants, contractors, suppliers, vendors

d. Capital Projects

            i. Use of consultants, contractors, suppliers, vendors

            ii. Materials

e. Whistleblowing

f. Training and development

g. Monitoring & enforcement; and

(iii)      to report the statement back to this committee at the next appropriate time.

The Committee had before it a report by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance (Legal), which updated the Committee on the current status of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and related matters.

The report explained that following a Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Ali to the Council meeting of 26 April 2023, the Council noted that modern slavery affected millions of people globally. The Council also noted that only parts of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 applied to Scotland, but that, as a public body, it should uphold the highest possible ethical standards.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the current status of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, proposed legislative changes and the review of what other major public institutions have in place.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)             to note the current status of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, proposed legislative changes and the review of what other major public institutions have in place;

(ii)            to instruct the Chief Executive to develop an Anti Modern Slavery statement that would be included as part of the normal policy review cycle, in areas such as:

a. Human Resources including:

            i. Recruitment

            ii. Use of temporary / casual / fixed-term staff

b. Partner organisations

c. Supply chain / Procurement, including:

            i. IT procurement

ii. Use of consultants, contractors, suppliers, vendors

d. Capital Projects

            i. Use of consultants, contractors, suppliers, vendors

            ii. Materials

e. Whistleblowing

f. Training and development

g. Monitoring & enforcement; and

(iii)      to report the statement back to this committee at the next appropriate time.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the progress on implementing Participatory Budgeting.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment, which presented information on the impact of Participatory Budgeting in Aberdeen.  The report explained Participatory Budgeting was an innovative process which enabled residents to have direct decision making powers over the allocation of resources in their communities. 

The report recommended:-

that the Committee notes the progress on implementing Participatory Budgeting.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.