Issue - meetings

The Council resolved:-

(i)           to note the list of instructions from the meeting of Council in August 2024 and agree the proposed reporting method for each of these as noted in the report;

(ii)          to note that the Health and Safety of residents remains a priority and that inspections continue to be carried out as part of our mitigation strategy;

(iii)         to note the progress with the voluntary acquisition process of privately owned accommodation, the next steps in the process;

(iv)         to note the options available for CPO and agree that the measures are not in place at this time to support a CPO and that the voluntary acquisition process remains the preferred option;

(v)          to note the alternative options proposed by the Torry RAAC Campaign Group Management Committee and instruct officers to explore the feasibility, benefits and risks associated with each option, alongside any other identified opportunities to support owners, and report the findings to a future meeting of the Communities Housing and Public Protection Committee;

(vi)         to note that further reports on the subject will be brought to the budget meeting and the next meeting of the Communities Housing and Public Protection  Committee as outlined from paragraph 3.2; and

(vii)       to note that officers would liaise with their counterparts at Dundee City Council with regard to RAAC and provide any updates as appropriate.

The Council had before it a report by the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord which provided a formal update on the progress being made implementing Council instructions relating to RAAC in Balnagask, including the options available to the Council to compulsorily acquire properties, and provided an indicative timeline for the completion and reporting of outstanding instructions. 

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)           note the list of instructions from the meeting of Council in August 2024 and agree the proposed reporting method for each of these as noted in the report;

(b)           note that the Health and Safety of residents remains a priority and that inspections continue to be carried out as part of our mitigation strategy;

(c)           note the progress with the voluntary acquisition process of privately owned accommodation, the next steps in the process;

(d)           note the options available for CPO and agree that the measures were not in place at this time to support a CPO and that the voluntary acquisition process remained the preferred option;

(e)           note the alternative options proposed by the Torry RAAC Campaign Group Management Committee and instruct officers to explore the feasibility, benefits and risks associated with each option, alongside any other identified opportunities to support owners, and report the findings to a future meeting of the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee; and

(f)            note that further reports on the subject would be brought to the budget meeting and the next meeting of the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee as outlined from paragraph 3.2 of the report.

Councillor Radley moved, seconded by Councillor Henrickson:-

That the Council approve the recommendations contained within the report.

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

          That the Council -

(1)       note the list of instructions from the meeting of Council in August 2024 and agree the proposed reporting method for each of these as noted in the report;

(2)       note that the Health and Safety of residents remains a priority and that inspections continue to be carried out as part of our mitigation strategy;

(3)       agree Aberdeen Labour set out the position of Compulsory Purchase Order on 29 February 2024 at the Urgent Business Committee and 21 August 2024 at Council; and that whilst voluntary acquisition of properties is the preferred option at this time, instruct Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to take forward the necessary steps for the Council to make a decision on a Compulsory Purchase Order. To also note that the Council has powers under the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 which they have not used despite claiming this matter is urgent;

(4)       note the alternative options proposed by the Torry RAAC Campaign Group Management Committee and instruct officers to explore the feasibility, benefits and risks associated with each option, alongside any other identified opportunities to support owners, and report the findings to a  meeting of Council within 2 cycles;

(5)       note that further reports on the subject will be brought to the budget meeting and the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3