Agenda, decisions and minutes

(A)       The person undermentioned was admitted into the presence of the Council and passed as a Burgess of Guild in respect of their Act of Admission in the Guild Burgess Book:-

Charles Shepherd, Chartered Civil Engineer, Aberdeen

(B)       The person undermentioned was admitted into the presence of the Council and passed as a Burgess of the Burgh of Aberdeen of their own craft only:-

Alan David Law, Hammerman, Aberdeen

The Council was requested to determine that the following item of business, which contained exempt information as described in Schedule 7(A) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, be taken in private:-

9(a)     Accelerate Aberdeen - Digital Connectivity Update

The Council resolved:-

in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the aforementioned item of business (Articles 12 of this minute refers) so as to avoid disclosure of exempt information of the class described in paragraph 9 of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

The Council had before it the minute of meeting of Aberdeen City Council of 25 June 2014.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the minute.

The Council had before it a statement of Council business which had been prepared by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.

The Council resolved:-

to note the business statement.

With reference to Article 17 of the minute of its meeting of 14 May 2014, the Council had before it a report by the Chief Executive which recommended changes to the second tier level of the organisational structure.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)       approve the second tier structural model as set out in appendix 1 to the report;

(b)       instruct the Chief Executive and her respective Directors to report phase three structural proposals to the appropriate committee within two committee cycles from 20 August 2014, where possible;

(c)        note that the process for filling posts would be that which the Council approved at its meeting of 14 May 2014;

(d)       approve the establishment of the necessary number of Appointment Panels comprising nine members in total (3+3+1+1+1) to appoint to vacant Head of Service posts in accordance with the process agreed for filling posts which are new roles or where no job matches can be established and to delegate powers to the Appointment Panel to agree all matters relating to the recruitment process, including role profile, person specification and salary, and to appoint a Convener from within their membership. In addition, to approve the establishment of a further Appointment Panel with the same composition to appoint to the vacant post of Director of Corporate Governance, delegating powers to agree all matters relating to the recruitment process as for Heads of Service, and to appoint, as part of the membership, the Convener of Finance, Policy and Resources as Convener of this Appointment Panel;

(e)       approve the appointment of external recruitment consultants for the purposes of supporting the recruitment to the vacant Director of Corporate Governance and Heads of Service posts where appropriate and:-

·         invoke Standing Order 1(6)(a) of the Council’s Standing Orders relating to Contracts and Procurement to dis-apply the requirements of Standing Order 5, thereby allowing a contract to be entered into with the recruitment consultants to support the recruitment process for those posts without the need to undertake a competitive tendering exercise; and

·         note the expenditure associated with these recruitment exercises, which was estimated to be no more than £100,000, and that these costs be met from contingencies; and

(f)        suspend Standing Order 22(1) and amend the title of the Director of Communities and Infrastructure to Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure, and amend the service title from Communities and Infrastructure to Communities, Housing and Infrastructure, consistent with the proposed title of the service’s parent committee.

Councillor Laing moved, seconded by Councillor Boulton:-

That the Council approve the recommendations contained within the report.

Councillor McCaig moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Dickson:-

That the Council approve the recommendations contained within the report with the exception that the post of Head of Communications and Promotion be deleted from the structure and that the functions beneath that post transfer to the post of Head of Service, Office of Chief Executive.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion  (23)  -  Lord Provost; Depute Provost; and Councillors Allan, Boulton,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Addendum

The Council had before it a report by the Chief Executive which sought approval of a new committee structure and addressed the review of Senior Councillors’ allowances, Orders of Reference, Standing Orders and the committee diary.

The report recommended:-

that the Council –

(a)      approve the following revised committee structure, to be effective from immediately after the Council meeting on 8 October 2014:-

(b)      approve the Orders of Reference for each committee at appendix B to the report and agree that the Education and Children’s Services Committee shall undertake that part of the Social Care and Wellbeing remit to transfer to the Health and Care Integration Joint Board from 1 April 2015 until such time as the Health and Care Integration Joint Board is operational;

(c)      agree the size and composition of committees as set out in appendix C to the report with the membership of the current Appeals Committee remaining unchanged and on the understanding that the membership of the Health and Care Integration Joint Board is subject to further discussion with partners;

(d)      appoint a Convener and Vice Convener to each of the core committees set out in the table at (a) above and to as many of the regulatory bodies as it deems appropriate, on the understanding that appointments to the Health and Care Integration Joint Board is to be subject to further discussion with partners;

(e)      agree the senior allowances to be paid, bearing in mind that 19 such allowances can be paid within the approved total (separate provision being made for the Civic Head and the Leader of the Council);

(f)       agree that the existing church, education and parent representatives be appointed to the Education and Children’s Services Committee for those  items of business  contained in the Education section of the agenda;

(g)      agree to reappoint an Urgent Business Committee and appoint a Convener thereto;

(h)      instruct a report on amendments to Standing Orders and the Scheme of Delegation to Council on 8 October 2014 as part of a wider report on Council governance;

(i)       agree the Council diary of meetings to June 2015 at appendix E to the report; and

(j)       appoint the sub committees, working groups and boards shown in the diagram at appendix A to the report, based on the current proportionality shown in appendix F and subject to the approval of reports on the remit and membership of the Corporate Parenting Champions Board and the Sistema Partnership Board to Council on 8 October 2014, and agree that all such bodies shall in future be appointed by Council and to amend Standing Orders accordingly.

The Council also had before it an addendum to the report which recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)      agree that responsibility for the following community  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

With reference to Article 12 of the minute of its meeting of 20 August 2014, the Council had before it a report by the Director of Corporate Governance which provided an update on progress on the proposed byelaw to prohibit camping in designated places.

The report recommended:-

that the Council note the report.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

The Council had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which advised of the investment opportunities for the SIP project to enable the delivery of affordable housing.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)      approve the investment opportunities for the new build housing project;

(b)      authorise investment of up to £3million to finance the cash flow enabling the delivery of this project which would be met from the Council’s reserves and Non Housing Capital Programme; and

(c)      authorise the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure to conduct any tendering or competitive quotes processes as may be necessary for the purposes of delivering the SIP housing project(s) and to award contracts following on from such tendering or competitive quotes processes, subject to this being contained within the £3million budget envelope.

Councillor Laing moved, seconded by Councillor Boulton:-

That the Council approve the recommendations contained within the report, note that details regarding tenure mix had still to be determined and agree that this be considered at the appropriate point.

Councillor Delaney moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Jennifer Stewart:-

That the Council approve the recommendations contained within the report, and agree to work towards delivering housing which is truly affordable by specifying that at least 60% of homes are built for social rent.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion  (36)  -  Lord Provost; Depute Provost; and Councillors Allan, Blackman, Boulton, Cameron, Carle, Cooney, Corall, Cormie, Crockett, Dickson, Donnelly, Lesley Dunbar, Finlayson, Forsyth, Graham, Grant, Ironside, Jaffrey, Kiddie, Laing, Lawrence, McCaig, Malik, May, Milne, Jean Morrison, Nathan Morrison, Noble, Samarai, Sandy Stuart, Taylor, Thomson, Townson and Young.

For the amendment  (5)  -  Councillors Delaney, Greig, Malone, Jennifer Stewart and Yuill.

The Council resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

The Council had before it a report by the Transitional Director - Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure - which requested members to give consideration to overseas visits to Oklahoma and Mozambique, which were over and above the Council’s approved International Trade Plan activities for 2014/2015.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)      consider authorisation of an extension to the existing approval of an overseas trade visit to Louisiana to allow the Depute Provost, or his nominated substitute, accompanied by an officer, to visit Oklahoma City in October 2014 to address an energy conference, as described in the report;

(b)      consider authorisation of an overseas trade visit to Mozambique in November/December 2014 by the Depute Provost, or his nominated substitute, accompanied by an officer, as described in the report; and

(c)      agree to receive an information bulletin report on each visit within one month of return if the visits are approved.

Councillor Laing moved, seconded by Councillor Boulton:-

That the Council approve the recommendations contained within the report, granting authorisation for visits to Oklahoma and Mozambique.

Councillor Yuill moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Jennifer Stewart:-

That the Council -

(1)      remove the overseas trade visit to Louisiana from the International Trade Plan activities for 2014/15, and therefore do not extend it to incorporate a visit to Oklahoma City;

(2)      authorise an overseas trade visit to Mozambique in November/December 2014 by the Depute Provost, or his nominated substitute, accompanied by an officer, as described in the report; and

(3)      agree to receive an information bulletin report on the Mozambique visit within one month of return.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion  (23)  -  Lord Provost; Depute Provost; and Councillors Allan, Boulton, Carle, Cooney, Crockett, Donnelly, Lesley Dunbar, Finlayson, Forsyth, Graham, Grant, Ironside, Laing, Lawrence, Malik, Milne, Jean Morrison, Nathan Morrison, Taylor, Thomson and Young.

For the amendment  (18)  -  Councillors Blackman, Cameron, Corall, Cormie, Delaney, Dickson, Greig, Jaffrey, Kiddie, McCaig, Malone, May, Noble, Samarai, Jennifer Stewart, Sandy Stuart, Townson and Yuill.

The Council resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

“That this Council:

(1)  Restates its commitment to the Local Authority Community Covenant        which ensures that Aberdeen City Council supports the local armed forces community.

(2)  Recognises the enormous contribution that the Armed Forces make and the sacrifices that the Armed Forces and their families make every day for the safety and security of our country.

(3)  To recognise the contribution made by our Armed Forces agrees to request a report examining what more Aberdeen City Council can do to support our armed forces and veterans community across the services it provides.

(4)  Instructs officers to engage with neighbouring authorities on their allocation of housing to members of the Armed Forces.

(5)  Instructs officers to meet with Legion Scotland and to establish a protocol for an ongoing relationship between the Council, Legion Scotland and other pertinent organisations.

(6)  Congratulates and welcomes the Armed Services Advice Project  (ASAP) provided by the Scottish Citizens Advice Bureau which is a focal point for the city’s armed forces community for access to advice, information and support.”

The Council had before it the following notice of motion by Councillor Thomson:-

“That this Council:-

(1)       Restates its commitment to the Local Authority Community Covenant which ensures that Aberdeen City Council supports the local armed forces community.

(2)       Recognises the enormous contribution that the Armed Forces make and the sacrifices that the Armed Forces and their families make every day for the safety and security of our country.

(3)       To recognise the contribution made by our Armed Forces, agrees to request a report examining what more Aberdeen City Council can do to support our armed forces and veterans community across the services it provides.

(4)       Instructs officers to engage with neighbouring authorities on their allocation of housing to members of the Armed Forces.

(5)       Instructs officers to meet with Legion Scotland and to establish a protocol for an ongoing relationship between the Council, Legion Scotland and other pertinent organisations.

(6)       Congratulates and welcomes the Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP) provided by the Scottish Citizens Advice Bureau which is a focal point for the city’s armed forces community for access to advice, information and support.”

The Council resolved:-

(i)        to instruct officers to submit a report to the next Council meeting; and

(ii)        to accept the offer from ASAP, as intimated by Councillor Yuill, to deliver a presentation to members at a future meeting.

"That this Council, as a matter of urgency, instructs Council officers to investigate the feasibility of the former Summerhill Academy site in Stronsay Drive to become the preferred site for the construction of the ASN School."

The Council had before it the following notice of motion by Councillor Cameron:-

“That this Council, as a matter of urgency, instructs Council officers to investigate the feasibility of the former Summerhill Academy site in Stronsay Drive to become the preferred site for the construction of the ASN School.”

There was circulated a briefing note by the Director of Education and Children’s Services regarding progress with the Centre of Excellence (the new ASN school).

Councillor Cameron moved, seconded by Councillor Noble:-

That the Council approve the terms of the motion.

Councillor Laing moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Boulton:-

That the Council -

(1)       confirm its support for the construction of the new ASN school at the former Bucksburn Farm site as previously agreed;

(2)       note the extensive work already carried out by officers to ensure that the new ASN school becomes a reality;

(3)       note that the capital expenditure on the project at the Bucksburn Farm site to date totalled some £560,000;

(4)       note that the Council’s capital budget for 2014/15 to 2017/18 included an allocation of £18.5million for this project; and

(5)       instruct officers to bring proposals to the next meeting of Council for the Summerhill Academy site, such proposals to include options for (a) remarketing the site; (b) making the site available for affordable housing as part of the Strategic Infrastructure Plan; (c) building Council housing on the site; and (d) a combination of (b) and (c).

Councillor Delaney moved as a further amendment, seconded by Councillor Greig:-

That the Council -

(1)       confirm its support for the construction of the new ASN school at the former Bucksburn Farm site as previously agreed;

(2)       note the extensive work already carried out by officers to ensure that the new ASN school becomes a reality;

(3)       note that the capital expenditure on the project at the Bucksburn Farm site to date totalled some £560,000;

(4)       note that the Council’s capital budget for 2014/15 to 2017/18 included an allocation of £18.5million for this project; and

(5)       consult widely with the general public in Summerhill, Mastrick and Sheddocksley seeking their views on the redevelopment of the former Summerhill centre, with a view to bringing an options appraisal to the appropriate committee.

There being a motion and two amendments, the Council first divided between the amendment by Councillor Laing and the amendment by Councillor Delaney.

On a division, there voted:-

For the amendment by Councillor Laing  (23)  -  Lord Provost; Depute Provost; and Councillors Allan, Boulton, Carle, Cooney, Crockett, Donnelly, Lesley Dunbar, Finlayson, Forsyth, Graham, Grant, Ironside, Laing, Lawrence, Malik, Milne, Jean Morrison, Nathan Morrison, Taylor, Thomson and Young.

For the amendment by Councillor Delaney  (5)  -  Councillors Delaney, Greig, Malone, Jennifer Stewart and Yuill.

Declined to vote  (13)  -  Councillors Blackman, Cameron, Corall, Cormie, Dickson, Jaffrey, Kiddie, McCaig, May, Noble, Samarai, Sandy Stuart and Townson.

The Council then divided between the motion and the amendment by Councillor Laing.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion  (  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

In accordance with the decision recorded under Article 2 of this minute, the following item was considered with the press and public excluded.

Addendum

The Council had before it a report, together with addendum, by the Transitional Director - Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure - which provided an update on the Accelerate Aberdeen programme and delivery of the Department of Media, Culture and Sport Super Connected Cities Programme, and sought approval to award contracts to the preferred bidders in two procurements.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)      note the content of the report and the progress made to date with the delivery of the Accelerate Aberdeen programme;

(b)      approve the award of a Concession Contract to Company A following the completion of the procurement process and subject to satisfactory legal negotiations to deliver a wireless concession in Aberdeen;

(c)      approve the award of a contract for the In-Building Wi-Fi procurement to the preferred bidder, Company 2; and

(d)      agree that officers work collaboratively across and outwith the Council to pursue the other projects outlined as part of the overall Accelerate Aberdeen programme.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

- GEORGE ADAM, Lord Provost.