Agenda, decisions and minutes

(A)      The Lord Provost advised that it would shortly be one year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine which resulted in many Ukrainians fleeing their homeland, with a number coming to the United Kingdom. The Lord Provost stated that Aberdeen had welcomed more than 1,900 Ukrainians and Ukrainian families. He noted that whilst he loved having the Ukrainians in the city and he did not want them to leave, he understood that they may want to return to Ukraine when it was safe to do so.

(B)      The Lord Provost highlighted that Derek McGowan, Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment, had played a key role in the Ukrainian resettlement scheme, however this would be his last Full Council meeting before leaving the Council for a role at the City of Edinburgh Council. The Lord Provost paid tribute to Mr McGowan and wished him well for the future, and his comments were echoed by Councillors Nicoll, Crockett, Greig, Houghton and Boulton, who each paid their own tributes.

(C)      The Lord Provost noted that a group of students from the University of Aberdeen were in the public gallery, along with their lecturer, observing the meeting as part of their studies for an MSc in Sustainability Transitions, and welcomed them to the meeting.

The Lord Provost advised that he had accepted an urgent notice of motion by Councillor McLellan onto the agenda as a matter of urgency in terms of Section 50B(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and that it would be considered at the end of the notices of motion.

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:-

11.1    Workplan & Business Cases - Revenue - exempt appendices

The Council resolved:-

in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of item 11.1 so as to avoid disclosure of exempt information of the class described in paragraph 8 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

Councillor Yuill advised that he had a connection in relation to agenda item 9.6 (Aberdeen City Integration Scheme) by virtue of being appointed by the Council to the Board of NHS Grampian, however having applied the objective test, he did not consider that he had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

Councillor Hutchison advised that he had a connection in relation to agenda item 10.7 (Urgent Notice of Motion by Councillor McLellan) by reason of being a member of the National Union of Journalists, however having applied the objective test, he did not consider that he had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

Councillor Brooks advised that he had a connection in relation to agenda items 9.3 (Climate Change (Place) Governance Proposals) and 10.3 (Notice of Motion by Councillor Houghton) by reason of his involvement in carbon capture and storage in the renewable and transition within an EPC operator, however having applied the objective test, he did not consider that he had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

Councillor Cooke advised that he had a connection in relation to agenda item 10.7 by reason of his spouse being an employee of DC Thomson, however having applied the objective test, he did not consider that he had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

Councillor Alphonse advised that she had a connection in relation to agenda item 10.7 as a former employee of Aberdeen Journals, however having applied the objective test, she did not consider that she had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

Councillor Ali advised that he had a connection in relation to agenda item 9.3 by reason of working for an oil and gas contracting organisation, however having applied the objective test, he did not consider that he had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

The Council had before it the minute of meeting of Aberdeen City Council of 14 December 2022.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the minute.

The Council had before it the minute of the special meeting of Aberdeen City Council of 11 January 2023.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the minute.

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

The Council resolved:-

(i)             to remove item 4 (Natural History Museum Aberdeen) from the business planner;

(ii)           to note in respect of item 5 (Wellington Road Multimodal Corridor) that the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning would circulate an update to members;

(iii)          to note in respect of item 6 (Street Occupation Policy) that the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord anticipated that the matter would be reported to the next cycle;

(iv)          to note that item 15 (Population Needs Assessment) would be delayed to the beginning of 2024 and that the Chief Officer - Data and Insights would meet with Councillor Houghton outwith the meeting;

(v)           to note that item 16 (Locality Based Approach to Deliver Net Zero) would be delayed to a future committee meeting;

(vi)          to note that item 24 (Scheme of Governance Review) would be delayed to the Council meeting in June 2023;

(vii)        to note that a report on the planting of a million trees in Aberdeen by 2032 would be reported to the relevant committee once funding had been confirmed; and

(viii)       to otherwise note the business planner.

The Council had before it a report by the Director of Commissioning which informed members in terms of s2(4) of Schedule 1 to the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 (“the 2005 Act”) of a vacancy in the membership of the Licensing Board and sought the appointment of a member to fill the vacancy.

The report recommended:-

that the Council elect a member to fill the vacancy on the Licensing Board.

The Council resolved:-

to elect Councillor McLeod to fill the vacancy on the Licensing Board.

The Council had before it a report by the Director of Commissioning which sought to appoint Councillor Crockett as Convener of the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Committee in place of Councillor Macdonald.

The report recommended:-

that the Council appoint Councillor Crockett as Convener of the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Committee with immediate effect.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

The Council had before it a report by the Director of Commissioning which sought approval for revised governance proposals for city based climate change work, as set out in the Net Zero Aberdeen Routemap and Aberdeen Adapts: Climate Adaptation Framework.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)           approve the climate change (place) governance proposals and refreshed Terms of Reference (Appendix A), updating the Leadership Board to a Net Zero and Adaptation Board and setting out the pilot process to expand the Delivery Unit to collaborative Delivery Hubs;

(b)           appoint an elected member as Chair of the Net Zero and Adaptation Board for a period of 12 months in the first instance;

(c)           instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning, following consultation with the appointed Chair of the Net Zero and Adaptation Board, to invite additional external members to the Board to reflect the range of net zero and adaptation themes for Aberdeen;

(d)           instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to engage with other north east local authorities on place-based climate activity, to share knowledge; and enable dialogue on challenges and opportunities across existing and emerging climate collaborations and partnerships;

(e)           note the proposed approach to developing place-based net zero and adaptation work programmes for Aberdeen; and

(f)             note the continued Council support for place-based net zero and adaptation work in the city through the Core-Co-ordination Group; and the development and delivery of Council and Council partnership projects.

Councillor Yuill moved, seconded by Councillor Radley:-

          That the Council -

(1)       approve the recommendations contained within the report and the appointment of Councillor Radley as Chair of the Net Zero and Adaptation Board for a period of 12 months in the first instance; and

(2)       agree that any future reports in relation to the net zero and adaptation work programmes or the work of the Net Zero and Adaptation Board which may be required would be reported to the Net Zero, Environment and Transport Committee in line with its remit to monitor the delivery of all services and functions relating to net zero and the environment; and to ensure that the Council had robust arrangements for the delivery of the Council’s environmental targets.

Councillor Crockett moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Grant:-

          That the Council -

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

(2)       follow other local authorities, national and international organisations in recognising the climate emergency while stressing that this Council’s approach would continue to be, as it has been, firmly based on strong practical measures rather than vacuous sound bites.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion  (24)  -  Lord Provost; Depute Provost; and Councillors Al-Samarai, Allard, Alphonse, Bouse, Hazel Cameron, Clark, Cooke, Copland, Cormie, Davidson, Fairfull, Greig, Henrickson, Hutchison, MacGregor, McLellan, McRae, Mennie, Nicoll, Radley, van Sweeden and Yuill.

For the amendment  (19)  -  Councillors Ali, Blake, Bonsell, Boulton, Brooks, Crockett, Farquhar, Graham, Grant, Houghton, Kusznir, Macdonald, McLeod, Malik, Massey, Mrs Stewart, Thomson, Tissera and Watson.

The Council resolved:-

to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

The Council had before it a report by the Director of Commissioning which presented procurement work plans where expenditure was included for the Children’s and Family Services and Resources Functions for review and sought approval of the total estimated expenditure for the proposed contracts as contained in the Procurement Business Cases appended to the report.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)           review the workplan as detailed in the appendices for the Children’s and Family Services and Resources Functions; and

(b)           approve the procurement business cases, including the total estimated expenditure for the proposed contracts.

The Council resolved:-

(i)             to note the workplan as detailed in the appendices for the Children’s and Family Services and Resources Functions; and

(ii)           to approve the procurement business cases, including the total estimated expenditure for the proposed contracts.

The Council had before it a report by the Director of Resources which outlined the Council’s Treasury Management Policy for 2023/24 to 2025/26 for approval.

The report recommended:-

that the Council approve the Council’s Treasury Management Policy, including the Treasury Management Policy Statement, Borrowing Policy, Investment Policy and Counterparty list, for 2023/24 to 2025/26 as detailed at Appendix 1.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

The Council had before it a report by the Chief Officer, Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership, which sought endorsement of the revised Aberdeen City Integration Scheme prior to submission to Scottish Ministers for approval.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)           endorse the revised Aberdeen City Integration Scheme;

(b)           instruct the Chief Executive to submit the Aberdeen City Integration Scheme to Scottish Ministers for approval; and

(c)           delegate authority to the Chief Executive to agree any minor changes proposed by the Scottish Government for the revised Integration Scheme to be approved.

The Council resolved:-

(i)             to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)           to thank officers for their work in relation to the Integration Scheme.

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

Council -

Notes the success of the Aberdeen City Region Deal, a 10-year deal signed in 2016 by the former Leader of Aberdeen City Council, noting the key themes within the Aberdeen City Region Deal are innovation, internationalisation and diversification. Its key projects areas are:-

·       Innovation - including NZTC (former name OGTC), Agri-Food and Nutrition Hub and Bio-Therapeutic Hub

·       Digital Connectivity

·       Road infrastructure supporting the Aberdeen South Harbour Expansion

·       Strategic Transport Appraisal of priority regional projects

Agrees that Aberdeen has been let down by the Scottish and UK Governments who have made decisions detrimental to the North East economy despite Aberdeen having the skills, expertise and infrastructure which could accelerate the energy transition.

Agrees that it is now essential that the Council approaches the UK Government to start negotiating on a new Aberdeen City Region Deal or an extension of the Aberdeen City Region Deal which is due to expire in 2026 in order for the city to remain competitive as it moves towards Green and renewable energy.

Therefore, agrees to the setting up of a cross party working group comprising the 4 group leaders to discuss and agree a Council strategy in order for the council to start the process to either extend or renew the Aberdeen City Region Deal with the UK Government.

The Council resolved:-

to refer the notice of motion to the Finance and Resources Committee.

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

Council:-

Notes the unanimous decision by the Council to support the Local Development Plan at the Council meeting in December 2022.

Notes the proposals by the SNP to effectively abandon the Local Development Plan following their announcement to not proceed with Greenferns Landwards development despite voting for that development to proceed less than 8 weeks ago.

Notes this proposal could have a serious impact on development in and around this area as the Local Development Plan indicates that any proposals for development of an adjacent or nearby site will generally be resisted if this would jeopardise the delivery of this site.

Agrees that the hypocrisy of the SNP knows no bounds whereby in the space of 8 short weeks they have in effect abandoned their own Local Development Plan 2023.

Instructs the Chief Officer - Capital, Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord and Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to provide members with the following:- (a) a detailed financial cost of the work to date by officers on taking forward Greenferns Landward including all costs associated with work done to get the project to this stage since the Council first decided to build 2,000 new houses; (b) what impact, if any, this proposal by the SNP if supported by Council would have in terms of any statutory review by those unsuccessful in their bid for allocation in the Local Development Plan; and (c) how many affordable homes will no longer be built if the Council agrees to the SNP proposals to no longer move forward with this site.

The Council also had before it a notice of motion by Councillor Radley in the following terms:-    

That Council:-

1.    Note the decision of the Finance and Resources Committee on 1February 2023 ‘to instruct Chief Officer - Capital to report to next appropriate Finance and Resources Committee his findings following a review of next steps options for the delivery of the new housing sites at Craighill and Kincorth’;

2.    Note the instruction of the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee on 17January 2023 'to instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to consolidate and refresh all asset management strategies for the HRA estate and report back to this Committee on this matter by late 2024’;

3.    Note the ongoing volatility in the construction industry in relation to development demand and price certainty;

4.    Approve that the Greenferns Landward site remains in the property of the Common Good;

5.    Note that external contracts are in place to deliver planning permission in principle for the Greenferns Landward site. This design development is well advanced and expected to be complete in the coming months; and

6.    Following the conclusion of the current planning process, instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to cease detailed design work on Council housing at the Greenferns Landward site, in the context that the site cannot be developed in its  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

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

1.         That the Council notes the release of the Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan by the Scottish Government on 10 January 2023.

2.         Notes the statements on page 9 that “We want to see the fastest possible just transition for the oil and gas sector” and on pages, 14, 55, 97 that “there should be a presumption against new exploration for oil and gas”.

3.         Recognises the reaction to the Plan from Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce who stated the presumption “has been met with complete disbelief in the North-East of Scotland” and that it is “a breath-taking betrayal of one of Scotland’s biggest industries” by the Scottish Government.

4.         Believes that the thousands of workers in the oil and gas industry deserve the Council’s full support.

5.         Agrees to instruct the Chief Executive to:

5.1      write to the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport; and (b) Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work re-affirming Council’s view that there should be ongoing financial and training support for the oil and gas industry as part of a managed transition.

5.2      invite the Cabinet Secretary for a meeting with Council Co-Leaders and Group Leaders in 2023 to discuss the Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan fully.

5.3      formally respond to the Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan consultation by 4 April 2023, re-affirming the Council’s commitment to the oil and gas sector as part of the managed transition and noting the concerns of Council about the “breath-taking betrayal of one of Scotland’s biggest industries”.

5.4      write to the Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work to ask the Scottish Government to collect and monitor renewable energy sector job creation data at a local authority level to ensure that a Just Transition is taking place in Aberdeen. With the North East region making up 30,000 (46%) of direct Scottish energy sector jobs, Aberdeen is more exposed to job losses from this energy transition, it is only morally right that there is an additional focus on renewable job creation for our region.

The Council resolved:-

to refer the notice of motion to the Net Zero, Environment and Transport Committee.

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

          That the Council:

(a)       notes the requirements of the Local Government Transparency Code on local authorities in England; and

(b)       instructs the Chief Executive to prepare a feasibility report on the establishment of a parallel Code for Aberdeen, where analogous data publishing is not already in place for consideration by Council.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the notice of motion and agree that a report be submitted to the May meeting of the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Committee.

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

This Council notes:

1.    That the global climate and nature crises are evidenced and recognised to be crucial challenges for our time, requiring rapid response.

2.    That the climate and nature crises are inextricably linked and must be tackled together, without one negatively affecting the other.

3.    The progress the Council is making through its own actions, influencing others and collaborative working to drive action and ambition around net zero targets, carbon reduction, climate resilience and nature recovery. Examples of this include reducing its own emissions; contributing to a reduction in area-wide emissions; adapting to climate change; and protecting and enhancing the natural environment.

4.    That there is an urgent need for continued work at even greater pace and scale with relevant agencies, partners and the community to fulfil commitments for the city.

This Council agrees to:

1.    Join local authorities across the world which have responded to the twin crises of climate change and nature loss and declare a “Climate and Nature Emergency”; acknowledging the urgency of the crises, their cascading impacts and commit to address these emergencies.

2.    Commit to tackling the climate and nature emergencies together; recognising the many and various societal, economic and environmental co-benefits that can be achieved from taking action on climate change and nature recovery; including for skills, products, services, placemaking, health and wellbeing.

3.    Reaffirm its commitment to take effective action through the current and successive Council Climate Change Plans to limit the impact from Council assets and operations and meet the Council’s net zero targets, climate resilience and nature recovery priorities.

4.    Commit to continuing proactive work with other public, private, third and community sector partners towards Aberdeen becoming a net zero city by 2037 and to build climate resilience and nature recovery, delivering the Net Zero Aberdeen Routemap, enabling strategies; and Aberdeen Adapts, Climate Adaptation Framework.

5.    Plan, develop and manage a Just Transition response to the climate and nature emergencies to ensure fair and positive societal change, tackling inequality and injustice.

6.    Consider and address the impact, challenges and opportunities of climate and nature in all Council decisions, policies, strategies, plans and projects.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the notice of motion.

With reference to Article 2 of the minute of this meeting, the Council had before it an urgent notice of motion by Councillor McLellan in the following terms:-

          That the Council:

(1)       Notes the media reports on 9 February that 300 staff at DC Thomson could be made redundant and the company’s response that 100 roles are at risk of redundancy;

(2)       Notes that the Aberdeen Press and Journal is the leading regional daily newspaper in the UK and the role of the Press and Journal and Evening Express have in promoting Aberdeen;

(3)       Recognises that, depending where in the business these redundancies occur, there could be a potential impact on people, communities and businesses in Aberdeen;

(4)       Notes the response by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) to the reports; and

(5)       Instructs the Chief Officer - City Growth to monitor the situation and to update the Convener and Vice Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee on any relevant developments.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the urgent notice of motion subject to amending part 5 to reflect that the Chief Officer - City Growth provide a Service Update to all Councillors on any relevant developments.

In accordance with Article 3 of the minute, the Council considered the

following item of business with the press and public excluded

With reference to Article 11 of this minute, the Council had before it exempt appendices relating to the Work Plan & Business Cases - Revenue report.

The Council resolved:-

to note the exempt appendices.