Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Lord Provost noted with great sadness the recent passing of Professor John Mallard OBE. The Lord Provost advised that Professor Mallard  was a freeman of the city and had played a world changing role which fortified Aberdeen’s reputation as a place of great medical innovation. The Lord Provost extended his sympathies to Professor Mallard’s family and stated that the Council would be marking his funeral in the normal manner by flying the Town House flag at half mast as a mark of respect.

The Council resolved:-

to concur with the Lord Provost’s remarks.

The Lord Provost advised that he had accepted a notice of motion by the Depute Provost as a matter of urgency in terms of Section 50B(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, which would be considered as the last item of business on the agenda.

The Council resolved:-

to note the position.

Councillor Jackie Dunbar declared an interest in agenda item 10.1 (Notice of Motion by the Lord Provost) by reason of a family connection. Councillor Jackie Dunbar did not anticipate that she would have to leave the meeting but would do so if the Council was to consider the item in any detail.

Councillor Grant declared an interest in agenda item 8.1 (Council Business Planner) by virtue of his employment by Aberdeen Inspired. Councillor Grant did not anticipate that he would have to leave the meeting but would do so if the Council was to discuss the relevant item in any detail.

Councillor Laing also declared an interest in relation item 8.1 by virtue of her position as a member of the Board of Aberdeen BID Company Limited. Councillor Laing did not anticipate that she would have to leave the meeting but would do so if the Council was to discuss the relevant item in any detail.

Councillor Mason MSP declared a general interest as a Member of the Scottish Parliament for North East Scotland.

The Council had before it the minute of meeting of Aberdeen City Council of 14 December 2020.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the minute.

The Council had before it the minute of meeting of the Urgent Business Committee of 12 January 2021.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the minute.

The Council had before it the business planner as prepared by the Chief Officer - Governance.

The Council resolved:-

to note the business planner.

The Council had before it a report by the Chief Officer - Governance which presented the annual review of the Scheme of Governance and made recommendations for improvement.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)           approve Appendix A, the introduction to the Scheme of Governance, with effect from 1 April 2021;

(b)           approve Appendix B, Committee Terms of Reference, with effect from 1 April 2021;

(c)           approve Appendix C, Powers Delegated to Officers, with effect from 1 April 2021;

(d)           approve Appendix D, Standing Orders for Council, Committee and Sub Committee Meetings, with effect from 1 April 2021;

(e)           approve Appendix E, Financial Regulations, with effect from 1 April 2021;

(f)             approve Appendix F, Procurement Regulations, with effect from 1 April 2021;

(g)           approve Appendix G, Member - Officer Relations Protocol, with effect from 1 April 2021; and

(h)           agree to disband the Special Licensing Objections Committee with immediate effect as outlined in paragraphs 4.7.2 and 4.7.3 of the report.

Councillor Houghton moved, seconded by Councillor Malik:-

          That the Council –

(1)       approve recommendations (a), (d), (e), (f) and (g) as contained within the report;

(2)       in relation to Appendix B, Committee Terms of Reference, approve the appendix with effect from 1 April 2021, subject to deletion of the proposed addition to the Terms of Reference for the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Committee in relation to business continuity planning (1.1 on page 72) and therefore retains business continuity planning within the Terms of Reference for the Public Protection Committee;

(3)       in relation to Appendix C, Powers Delegated to Officers, approve the appendix with effect from 1 April 2021 subject to the following amendments:-

·       General Delegations to Chief Officers - number 4 (page 96) - replace with the following:-

To offer services of staff to other local authorities, public bodies or statutory bodies in emergencies where the protection of the public is at risk or where such services are otherwise deemed by the Chief Executive to be essential in the circumstances and thereafter report the matter to a future meeting of committee detailing the costs and circumstances of such action.

·       General Delegations to Chief Officers - number 43 (pages 99 and 100) - retain the status quo; and

(4)       agree to retain the Special Licensing Objections Committee and approves the Terms of Reference attached to this motion.

SPECIAL LICENSING OBJECTIONS COMMITTEE - TERMS OF REFERENCE

PURPOSE OF COMMITTEE

To consider whether the committee should submit an objection or representation to an application for a premises licence or occasional licence.

REMIT OF COMMITTEE

The Committee will hear from elected members who wish for an objection or representation to be lodged against any application for a premises licence or an occasional licence.

PROCESS

1.1 A meeting of the Committee will be called by the Chief Officer - Governance on the instruction of the Convener, if the Convener is satisfied that the request by an elected member for the Committee to be convened is competent. A request will be deemed competent if the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Council had before it a report by the Chief Officer - Finance which outlined the Council’s Treasury Management Policy 2021/22 to 2023/24 for approval.

The report recommended:-

that the Council approve the Council’s Treasury Management Policy for 2021/22 to 2023/24 as detailed at Appendix 1, this included the Treasury Management Policy Statement, Borrowing Policy, Investment Policy and the Counterparty list.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the Council’s Treasury Management Policy for 2021/22 to 2023/24 as detailed at Appendix 1, subject to an error being corrected on page 5 of the policy - 70% to 100% to be changed to 30% to 100% within the third paragraph. This included the Treasury Management Policy Statement, Borrowing Policy, Investment Policy and Counterparty list.

The Council had before it a report by the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning which sought approval of the Climate Change Plan 2021-2025: Towards a Net Zero and Climate Resilient Council, which set a net zero target for Council assets and operations; and outlined actions for this period to reduce carbon emissions and increase resilience to climate change.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)           approve the Climate Change Plan 2021 - 2025 (Appendix 1) and note the scope, approach, governance and milestones in the plan for Council managed assets and operations;

(b)           note the ultimate and interim targets within the plan to achieve net zero corporate carbon emissions by 2045, against the plan’s defined reporting boundary;

(c)           approve the Project Register Summary (Appendix 2) and instruct the Chief Operating Officer to (i) progress the delivery of existing projects on the Project Register; (ii) make any changes which are necessary to those projects which are required, or would contribute to the delivery of the plan; and (iii) develop new projects which are required or which would contribute to the delivery of the plan (always in consultation with relevant Chief Officers, and in accordance with the Council’s Scheme of Governance);

(d)           note the pilot of a Carbon Budget during the financial year 2021-22;

(e)           instruct the Chief Operating Officer to report back to Full Council with a revised 5 year plan in 2025, or earlier if required.

The Council resolved:-

(i)             to note that the United Kingdom Government will host the 26^th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP26) in Glasgow from 1 to 12 November 2021;

(ii)           to note the “A Climate-Positive city at the heart of the global energy transition - A vision and prospectus for Aberdeen” policy document adopted at the May 2020 Urgent Business Committee;

(iii)          to agree that Aberdeen City Council is committed to working with the UK Government, devolved governments, other public sector partners, civil society, companies and people on the frontline of climate change to inspire climate action before and after COP26 within the boundaries as demonstrated by (ii) above;

(iv)          to authorise the Council Leader to sign the Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration on behalf of Aberdeen City Council;

(v)           to approve the Climate Change Plan 2021 - 2025 (Appendix 1) and note the scope, approach, governance and milestones in the plan for Council managed assets and operations;

(vi)          to note the ultimate and interim targets within the plan to achieve net zero corporate emissions by 2045, against the plan’s defined reporting boundary;

(vii)        to approve the Project Register Summary (Appendix 2) and instruct the Chief Operating Officer to (i) progress the delivery of existing projects on the Project Register; (ii) make any changes which are necessary to those projects which are required, or would contribute to the delivery of the plan; and (iii) develop new projects which are required or which would contribute to the delivery of the plan; (always in consultation with relevant Chief Officers, and in accordance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

The Council had before it a report by the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment which presented the Fairer Aberdeen Fund Annual Report for 2019-20.

The report recommended:-

that the Council note the Annual Report for 2019-20 at Appendix 1 and instruct the Director of Customer Services to report the Council’s feedback to the Fairer Aberdeen Board as appropriate.

The Council resolved:-

(i)             to note the Annual Report for 2019-20 at Appendix 1;

(ii)           to note funding of £1,640,000 was made available via the Administration’s approved budget proposals in 2019/20 to support work in priority areas and across the city with vulnerable groups and individuals;

(iii)          to note funding was awarded to 41 projects supporting 34,431 people of which 9,327 of them were under 16 years old;

(iv)          to note 973 volunteers contributed 145,324 hours of volunteering with an estimated value to the community and city of £2.2m;

(v)           to note the funding helped 270 people into work with 62 young people moved on to employment, education or training with 23 weekly employment sessions supported;

(vi)          to note funding enabled 36 sensory impaired people to stay in employment with 2,126 people receiving money advice;

(vii)        to note funding supported 9,327 children and young people with 469 parents and families with complex needs supported;

(viii)       to note funding allowed for 359 young people to access 3,076 counselling services;

(ix)          to note, despite Scotland having the highest number of rough sleepers in the UK, funding provided for 130 volunteers to provide meals and facilities for rough sleepers;

(x)           to note 484 tonnes of free food was distributed which equated to 1.4m meals with 3 community pantries established with 205 members;

(xi)          to note 5 community project/flats supported in disadvantaged areas;

(xii)        to note the evidence of those who have benefitted from the work of Fairer Aberdeen throughout the report;

(xiii)       to acknowledge the contribution to the board of committee member Arthur Forbes as detailed in the report;

(xiv)       to agree from within the report that “No one in Aberdeen will go without food due to poverty by 2026” (the LOIP stretch outcome) and “Increasing food resilience at individual and community level by establishing self-governing community co-operatives to offer further supportive ways of providing food.” Therefore, to instruct the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to work with the Fairer Aberdeen Board to use the £75,000 allocated within the Administration’s 2020/21 agreed budget proposals to establish a co-operative and report back to the next City Growth and Resources Committee on how this can be progressed; and

(xv)        to instruct the Director of Customer Services to thank, on behalf of the Council, the Fairer Aberdeen Board and their volunteers for their many successes and for their contribution to the wider communities they represent.

The Council had before it a report by the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord which outlined the process and timeline for delivering the School Estate Plan.

The report recommended:-

that the Council note the process and timeline required to be followed in delivering the School Estate Plan, as set out in the report, and instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to present the finalised School Estate Plan to the Education Operational Delivery Committee in Summer 2022, in line with the timetable.

Councillor Laing moved, seconded by Councillor Lumsden:-

          That the Council -

(1)       approve the recommendation contained within the report; and

(2)       instruct the Chief Officer - Education and Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to arrange a meeting with the non-Council elected members on the Education Operation Delivery Committee before 17 March 2021 to advise them of this report and to explain to those members why officers cannot deliver the School Estate Plan until Summer 2022.

Councillor Greig moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Mennie:-

That the Council supports and agrees the decision made by the Education Operational Delivery Committee on 20 January 2021 to instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to report back on the School Estate Plan to the next meeting of the Committee in March 2021.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion  (22)  -  Lord Provost; Depute Provost; and Councillors Allan, Bell, Boulton, Cross, Lesley Dunbar, Duncan, Graham, Grant, Houghton, Imrie, John, Laing, Lumsden, Macdonald, MacKenzie, Malik, Mason MSP, Reynolds, Sellar and Wheeler.

For the amendment  (22)  -  Councillors Al-Samarai, Allard, Alphonse, Cameron, Cooke, Copland, Cormie, Delaney, Jackie Dunbar, Greig, Henrickson, Hutchison, MacGregor, McLellan, McRae, Mennie, Alex Nicoll, Audrey Nicoll, Noble, Radley, Townson and Yuill.

There being an equality of votes, in terms of Standing Order 32.7 the Lord Provost exercised his casting vote in favour of the motion.

The Council resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

Council -

1)      Notes the significant investment in Provost Skene's House;

2)      Notes the plan is for Provost Skene’s House to have a section dedicated to those heroes that have contributed to the success of Aberdeen throughout the world;

3)      Agrees Aberdeen City Council should approach the Denis Law Legacy Trust with a view to enabling the bronze statue of Denis Law to be sited outside/near vicinity of Provost Skene’s House; and

4)      Instructs the Chief Executive to bring forward a report on the cost and feasibility of enabling 3) above to happen to the next meeting of City Growth and Resources Committee.

The Council had before it a notice of motion by the Lord Provost in the following terms:-

          “That Council -

(1)       Notes the significant investment in Provost Skene’s House;

(2)       Notes the plan is for Provost Skene’s House to have a section dedicated to those heroes that have contributed to the success of Aberdeen throughout the world;

(3)       Agrees Aberdeen City Council should approach the Denis Law Legacy Trust with a view to enabling the bronze statue of Denis Law to be sited outside/near the vicinity of Provost Skene’s House; and

(4)       Instructs the Chief Executive to bring forward a report on the cost and feasibility of enabling (3) above to happen to the next meeting of the City Growth and Resources Committee.”

The Council resolved:-

to approve the notice of motion.

That Council -

(1)    agrees to call on the Scottish Government and the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to prioritise vaccinations for all Police Scotland officers, Scottish Fire and Rescue Firefighters and Teachers, along with other front-line workers, as a matter of urgency to protect those dealing with most at risk groups on a daily basis; and

(2)    notes with agreement the UK Government’s pledge to ensure all adults in the UK are offered a vaccine by July 2021.

The Council had before it an urgent notice of motion by the Depute Provost in the following terms:-

“That Council -

(1)    Agrees to call on the Scottish Government and the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to prioritise vaccinations for all Police Scotland officers, Scottish Fire and Rescue Firefighters and Teachers along with other front-line workers as a matter of urgency to protect those dealing with most at risk groups on a daily basis; and

(2)    Notes with agreement the UK Government’s pledge to ensure all adults in the UK are offered a vaccine by July 2021.”

The Depute Provost moved, seconded by Councillor Boulton:-

          That the Council approve the urgent notice of motion.

Councillor Cooke moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor McLellan:-

          That the Council -

(1)       note that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises UK Health Departments on Immunisation;

(2)       note that the Scottish Government are rolling out the vaccination in line with the JCVI recommendations;

(3)       note that Scotland will be following the same approach for vaccinating those under 50 as the rest of the UK;

(4)       understand that once those over 50 are vaccinated, people aged 40-49 will be prioritised in the next phase of the programme, followed by those aged 30-39 and then those 18-29 as recommended by the JCVI, the expert group who advise the UK Government;

(5)       commend NHS Scotland for their efforts to see all over 50s and the most vulnerable vaccinated, which is expected to be carried out by mid April.

During the course of summing up, the Depute Provost agreed to incorporate part (5) of the amendment into her urgent notice of motion.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion  (25)  -  Lord Provost; Depute Provost; and Councillors Allan, Bell, Boulton, Cross, Delaney, Lesley Dunbar, Duncan, Graham, Grant, Greig, Houghton, Imrie, John, Laing, Lumsden, Macdonald, MacKenzie, Malik, Mason MSP, Reynolds, Sellar, Wheeler and Yuill.

For the amendment  (19)  -  Councillors Al-Samarai, Allard, Alphonse, Cameron, Cooke, Copland, Cormie, Jackie Dunbar, Henrickson, Hutchison, MacGregor, McLellan, McRae, Mennie, Alex Nicoll, Audrey Nicoll, Noble, Radley and Townson.

The Council resolved:-

to adopt the motion and part (5) of the amendment as outlined above.