Issue - meetings

(a)      note the progress made over the last 12 months in forming partnerships with city centre stakeholders to deliver activity in line with the Action Plan, as set out in Sections 3.2 to 3.3; and Section 3.10 to 3.13;

(b)      note the progress made since the launch of the Union Street Empty Shops Grant Scheme in July 2023 as set out in Sections 3.14 to 3.19;

(c)      note that Aberdeen City Council approved an additional £500,000 towards the Grant Scheme at its Budget meeting on 6 March 2024;

(d)      approve the updates to Union Street Empty Shops Grant Scheme Guidance as outlined in Section 3.20;

(e)      note the progress made over the last 12 months in supporting repopulation of empty units on Union Street in line with the Action Plan, as set out in Section 3.6; and Sections 3.21 to 3.26;

(f)       instruct the Chief Officer – City Development and Regeneration to progress the priority activities set out in Section 3.27 over the next 12 months; and

(g)      instruct the Chief Officer – City Development and Regeneration to provide an annual update on progress.

With reference to article 10 of the minute of meeting of 5 July 2023, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Commissioning which provided an update on the Union Street Empty Shops Action Plan, including the improved figures for vacant units and footfall against 2022 benchmarks.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the progress made over the last 12 months in forming partnerships with city centre stakeholders to deliver activity in line with the Action Plan, as set out in Sections 3.2 to 3.3; and Section 3.10 to 3.13;

(b)      note the progress made since the launch of the Union Street Empty Shops Grant Scheme in July 2023 as set out in Sections 3.14 to 3.19;

(c)      note that Aberdeen City Council approved an additional £500,000 towards the Grant Scheme at its Budget meeting on 6 March 2024;

(d)      approve the updates to Union Street Empty Shops Grant Scheme Guidance as outlined in Section 3.20;

(e)      note the progress made over the last 12 months in supporting repopulation of empty units on Union Street in line with the Action Plan, as set out in Section 3.6; and Sections 3.21 to 3.26;

(f)       instruct the Chief Officer – City Development and Regeneration to progress the priority activities set out in Section 3.27 over the next 12 months; and

(g)      instruct the Chief Officer – City Development and Regeneration to provide an annual update on progress.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Greig, moved:-

that the Committee approve the recommendations contained within the report.

Councillor Malik, seconded by Councillor Watson, moved as an amendment:-

that the Committee –

(1)    note the recommendations contained within the report; and

(2)    agree that regardless of any incentives, Union Street and our City Centre will never reach its potential without pedestrianisation of the middle section of Union Street.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (5) – the Convener, the Vice Convener and Councillors Allard, Cooke and Greig; for the amendment (4) – Councillors Brooks, Farquhar, Malik and Watson.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.