Issue - meetings

(i)       to note that officers would provide the ART route map to Councillor Nicoll outwith the meeting;

(ii)       to note the work ongoing to progress the Aberdeen Rapid Transit project.

2.2 Instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to bring a report on the ART Strategic Business Case to the Committee in June 2025;

(iii)      to instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to bring a further update on the development of a Bus Services Improvement Partnership Plan (BSIP) to the Committee in June 2025, including further development of the proposed BSIP Schemes, being promoted jointly with Aberdeenshire Council, identified at paragraph 3.13 of the report; and

(iv)      to instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to report back to the Committee in June 2025 on the Scottish Government’s proposed Bus Infrastructure Fund and £2 flat bus fare pilot, as referenced at paragraphs 3.17-3.19 of the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director City Regeneration and Environment which provided an update on the various workstreams being undertaken as part of the Aberdeen Rapid Transit Project, including development of the Strategic Business Case, a Bus Services Improvement Partnership Plan and planning for engagement activities.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the work ongoing to progress the Aberdeen Rapid Transit project;

(b)      instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to bring a report on the ART Strategic Business Case to this Committee in June 2025;

(c)      instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to bring a further update on the development of a Bus Services Improvement Partnership Plan (BSIP) to this Committee in June 2025, including further development of the proposed BSIP Schemes, being promoted jointly with Aberdeenshire Council, identified at paragraph 3.13 of the report; and

(d)      instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to report back to this

Committee in June 2025 on the Scottish Government’s proposed Bus Infrastructure Fund and £2 flat bus fare pilot, as referenced at paragraphs 3.17-3.19 of the report.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Greig, moved the recommendations as set out in the report.

Councillor Tissera, seconded by Councillor Ali, moved as an amendment:-

That the Committee –

(a)      agree the recommendations within the report; and

(b)      agree the Vision for the Aberdeen Rapid Transport Project stated unequivocally that “The project kicked off after securing funding as a result of a successful bid from the North East Bus Alliance for £12 million of funding from the Scottish Government’s Bus Partnership Fund. This has also helped to deliver improvements to South College Street and implement city centre bus priority.”  Given the Aberdeen Rapid Transport Project has not progressed because of the Scottish Government cancelling/postponing the funding it would be politically unethical for the Scottish Government to reclaim the £12 million grant back from the Council which the SNP administration have relied upon to force through The Aberdeen City Council (City Centre, Aberdeen) (Traffic Management) (Experimental) Order 2023.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (6) – the Convener; and Councillors Greig, Henrickson, McLellan, Nicoll and van Sweeden; for the amendment (2) – Councillors Ali and Tissera; declined to vote (1) – Councillor Massey.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to note that officers would provide the ART route map to Councillor Nicoll outwith the meeting; and

(ii)       to adopt the motion.