Issue - meetings

The Council resolved:-

(i)             to note the current position regarding data publication and compliance; and

(ii)           to note that a report from the Chief Officer - Customer Experience and People and Organisational Development would be provided pending the outcome of Scottish Government consultation and further review.

With reference to Article 7 of the minute of meeting of the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Committee of 27 June 2023, the Council had before it a report by the Director of Customer Services which had been prepared in response to the notice of motion by Councillor Kusznir requesting the preparation of a feasibility study to explore the establishment of a parallel Local Government Transparency Code, similar to the one in place for local authorities in England. The matter had been referred to Council by six members of the Committee in accordance with Standing Order 34.1.

The report recommended:-

that the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Committee -

(a)           note the current position regarding data publication and compliance; and

(b)           note that a report from the Chief Officer - Customer Experience and People and Organisational Development would be provided pending the outcome of Scottish Government consultation and further review.

The Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

Councillor Fairfull moved, seconded by Councillor Bouse:-

That the Council approve the decision of the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Kusznir moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Farquhar:-

          That the Council:-

(1)       understands the current position regarding data publication and compliance in Scotland; and

(2)       instructs the Chief Officer - Customer Experience and People and Organisational Development to come back to committee following the publication of the results of the recent consultation to further consider the progression of a parallel Aberdeen Taxpayers Transparency Code for approval.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion  (24)  -  Lord Provost; Depute Provost; and Councillors Al-Samarai, Allard, Alphonse, Bouse, Hazel Cameron, Clark, Cooke, Copland, Cormie, Davidson, Fairfull, Greig, Henrickson, Hutchison, MacGregor, McLellan, McRae, Mennie, Nicoll, Radley, van Sweeden and Yuill.

For the amendment  (19)  -  Councillors Ali, Blake, Bonsell, Boulton, Brooks, Crockett, Cross, Farquhar, Graham, Grant, Houghton, Kusznir, Lawrence, Macdonald, McLeod, Malik, Massey, Thomson and Watson.

The Council resolved:-

to adopt the motion.