Issue - meetings

The Council resolved:-

(i)             to approve the approach to deliver an assembly on poverty and gender inequality in Aberdeen; and

(ii)           to instruct the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to give authority to conduct a procurement exercise, where the estimated Contract Value was below £50,000 (supplies/services).

With reference to Article 8 of the minute of the meeting of the Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee of 30 August 2023, the Council had before it a report by the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment which detailed plans and costs for a Citizens’ Assembly. 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 Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee -

(a)           approve the approach to deliver an assembly on poverty and gender inequality in Aberdeen; and

(b)           instruct the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to give authority to conduct a procurement exercise, where the estimated contract value was below £50,000 (supplies/services).

The Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee resolved to approve the recommendations.

Councillor Allard moved, seconded by Councillor Bouse:-

That the Council approve the decision of the Anti-Poverty Inequality Committee.

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

          That the Council -

(1)       note progress on plans to facilitate Citizens’ Assemblies on Poverty and Inequality;

(2)       instruct the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment, in consultation with the Chief Officer - Finance and Chief Officer - Customer Experience, to cease further work on Citizens’ Assemblies in light of the complexity, cost and risks regarding the effectiveness of Citizens’ Assemblies; and

(3)       request that the Finance and Resources Committee reallocate any funds previously committed to Citizens’ Assemblies to increasing available crisis grants, including children’s winter clothing grants.

Following various disagreements between members during the course of debate and two adjournments, the Lord Provost called upon members to treat each other with respect at all times. In addition, the Interim Chief Officer - Governance (Assurance) reminded members that they had signed their declaration of acceptance of office and adherence to the Councillors’ Code of Conduct. Furthermore, she underlined that this was a public meeting, as members were aware, and it was for members to regulate their own conduct in the meeting.

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  (21)  -  Councillors Ali, Blake, Bonsell, Boulton, Brooks, Crockett, Cross, Farquhar, Graham, Grant, Houghton, Kusznir, Lawrence, Macdonald, McLeod, Malik, Massey, Mrs Stewart, Thomson, Tissera and Watson.

The Council resolved:-

to adopt the motion.