Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Lord Provost highlighted that pupils from Airyhall and Hanover Street Primary Schools were in attendance as a result of their support for the Final Straw campaign and thanked them for their contributions.

The Lord Provost welcomed the following Chief Officers who had recently started in their respective roles.

·         Andrew Howe - Chief Officer - Digital and Technology

·         John Wilson - Chief Officer - Capital

·         Jonathan Belford - Chief Officer - Finance

·         Graeme Simpson - Chief Officer - Integrated Children’s and Family Services

·         Eleanor Sheppard - Chief Education Officer

·         Sandra Ross - Chief Officer - Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership

The Council resolved:-

to concur with the Lord Provost’s remarks.

The persons undermentioned were admitted into the presence of the Council and passed as Burgesses of Guild in respect of their respective Acts of Admission in the Guild Burgess Book:-

            Dr Colette Backwell, Charity Chief Executive, Aberdeen

            William W Mitchell, Chartered Surveyor, Aberdeen

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

Councillor Hutchison declared an interest in relation to item 9(e) (Refreshed Community Covenant and Covenant with Armed Forces) (Article 15 of this minute refers) by virtue of his position as a serving member of the Armed Forces Reserves. Councillor Hutchison considered that the nature of his interest required him to leave the meeting prior to consideration of the item and take no part in the Council’s deliberations thereon.

Councillors Henrickson, Houghton and Hunt also declared interests in item 9(e) as former members of the Armed Forces but did not consider that the nature of their interests required them to leave the meeting.

The Council had before it the minute of the special meeting of Aberdeen City Council of 2 July 2018.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the minute.

The Council had before it the minute of meeting of Aberdeen City Council of 2 July 2018.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the minute.

The Council had before it the minute of meeting of the Urgent Business Committee of 6 July 2018.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the minute.

The Lord Provost intimated that it was his intention to consider the report on the ‘Final Straw’ as the first main item of business for the benefit of the school pupils in attendance, and this was agreed.

With reference to Article 32 of the minute of its meeting of 5 March 2018, the Council had before it a report by the Chief Operating Officer which provided an update on progress in the past six months and sought approval to back the Final Straw campaign.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)          note the progress which has been made by services to reduce plastic straw (and other single use plastics) usage to date;

(b)          instruct the Head of Commercial and Procurement Services to continue working with Scotland Excel and the supply chain to source products which either require no drinking straw or with bio-degradable drinking straws where they are necessary;

(c)          commit to backing the Final Straw campaign by instructing all Council services and ALEOs to cease using plastic straws wherever this is practicably possible, recognising the needs of some disabled people who require a fully flexible drinking straw to consume liquids; and

(d)          commit to going further than the Final Straw campaign by phasing out the use of all single use plastics in Council owned properties where it is practicable to do so.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

At this juncture, the Depute Provost and Councillor Reynolds declared interests by virtue of their position as Council appointed members on Scotland Excel. The Depute Provost and Councillor Reynolds did not consider that the nature of their interests required them to leave the meeting.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)           to note the progress which has been made by services to reduce plastic straw (and other single use plastics) usage to date;

(ii)          to instruct the Head of Commercial and Procurement Services to continue to work with Scotland Excel and the supply chain to source products which either require no drinking straw or with biodegradable drinking straws where they are necessary subject to (iv) and (v) below, and that this also include the Council’s purchasing of services, requesting that those services avoid single use plastics where possible;

(iii)         to commit to backing the Final Straw campaign by instructing all Council services and ALEOs to cease using plastic straws, provided that a procedure can be identified that will enable people with disabilities to have access to a fully flexible drinking straw should they require it;

(iv)         that a report outlining the proposed procedure, that will enable people with disabilities to have access to a fully flexible drinking straw should they require it, be identified, be it an opt-in or opt-out service, and to instruct the Chief Operating Officer to report to the next meeting of Full Council following consultation with the Disability Equity Partnership; and

(v)          to commit to going further than the Final Straw campaign by phasing out the use of all single use plastics in Council owned properties, following consultation with the Disability Equity Partnership.

With reference to Article 2 of the minute of meeting of the Guildry and Mortification Funds Committee of 6 September 2018, the Council had before it, by way of remit, a recommendation that the allowances paid from the Guildry fund to Burgesses of Guild, widows and widowers of Burgesses and children of Burgesses be increased by 3% to be backdated from 1 May 2018.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the 3% increase in annual allowances to be backdated from 1 May 2018.

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

The Council resolved:-

(i)           to note that the report on Civic Leadership and Urban Governance - Terms of Reference would be delayed to the Council meeting on 4 March 2019 and combined with the report on the Scheme of Governance Review;

(ii)          to agree to delete the proposed report on the Annual Investment Strategy as it would be covered in the annual report on Treasury Management Policy & Strategy; and

(iii)         to otherwise note the content of the business planner.

The Council had before it the minute of meeting of the Communities, Housing and Infrastructure Committee of 16 January 2018.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the minute subject to amending Article 3 to reflect that it was the Bay of Nigg.

The Council had before it the minute of meeting of the Education and Children’s Services Committee of 25 January 2018.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the minute.

Amended versions of Appendices B and C - only the rows for Aberdeen City Council Charitable Trusts in Appendix B and The Aberdeen Music Festival Trust in Appendix C have been amended.

With reference to Article 20 of the minute of its meeting of 23 August 2017, the Council had before it a report by the Chief Officer - Governance which provided an update on the work to review, wind up and/or amalgamate uneconomic or obsolete Trusts.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)          note the progress made in relation to phase 1 as set out in Appendix A; and

(b)          in respect of the Trusts outlined in Appendix B - phase 2 and Appendix C - phase 3 (i) instruct the Chief Officer - Governance, following consultation with the Chief Officer - Integrated Children’s and Family Services to develop proposals for the future of these Trusts; and (ii) instruct the Chief Officer - Governance to report back to Council by September 2019.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Council had before it a report by the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning which advised that the Aberdeen City & Shire Strategic Development Planning Authority (SDPA) had agreed the content of a Proposed Strategic Development Plan for the City Region at its meeting on 24 August 2018, and presented the Proposed Strategic Development Plan for ratification.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)          ratify the Proposed Aberdeen City & Shire Strategic Development Plan and associated supporting documents as the settled view of Aberdeen City Council;

(b)          note the arrangements set out for public consultation on the Proposed Aberdeen City & Shire Strategic Development Plan and associated supporting documents; and

(c)          note that the SDPA shall submit the Proposed Aberdeen City & Shire Strategic Development Plan to Scottish Ministers for Examination in Public if no significant modifications are proposed to the Proposed Plan following the period of public consultation.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Council had before it a report by the Chief Officer - Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership which presented the Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership’s Annual Report 2017-18, following approval by the Integration Joint Board at its meeting on 28 August 2018.

The report recommended:-

that the Council endorse the Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership’s Annual Report 2017-18.

The Council resolved:-

(i)           to endorse the Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership’s Annual Report 2017-18 and thank the staff for their work; and

(ii)          to request the Chief Officer - Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership to provide members with additional information in terms of a breakdown of life expectancy in the city on an area by area basis, as well as premature mortality rates and what was being done to address avoidable deaths, particularly in the most deprived parts of the city.

In accordance with Article 3 of this minute, Councillor Hutchison left the meeting prior to consideration of the following item of business.

With reference to Article 13 of the minute of its meeting of 11 October 2017, the Council had before it a report by the Director of Customer which sought approval of the refreshed Community Covenant with the Armed Forces.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)          approve the refreshed Community Covenant with Armed Forces;

(b)          agree that the Lord Provost remain as the Armed Forces Champion;

(c)          instruct the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to ensure up to 1% of our new 2,000 Council houses are offered to those leaving the armed forces. With up to a further 0.5% being adapted for those injured in service; and

(d)          agree to establish an Advisory Working Group, with its purpose being to ensure the commitments contained in the Community Covenant are met, to appoint three Councillors (2 Administration/1 Opposition) to the Advisory Working Group and invite the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to appoint three officers from education services, housing services and social work services to join the Advisory Working Group.

The Council resolved:-

(i)           to approve recommendations (a), (b) and (d);

(ii)          to instruct the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to ensure that up to 1% of our new 2,000 Council houses are offered to those leaving the regular armed forces or the spouse and/or dependents of those who have died while serving in the armed forces. With up to a further 0.5% being adapted for those injured in service;

(iii)         to agree that Aberdeen is a forces friendly city that recognises the service of all British Armed Forces personnel, those of the Commonwealth of Nations and those within NATO;

(iv)         to donate £10,000 to the Poppy Scotland Appeal to be met from the corporate contingency fund to support their ongoing activities, and that a letter be written to Poppy Scotland suggesting that the donation be focused around Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire;

(v)          to instruct the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to report back to Full Council annually on the work of the Advisory Working Group in meeting the objectives set out in the report;

(vi)         to request the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to ensure that the relevant policies within the forthcoming Local Development Plan take account of the housing commitments made above; and

(vii)       to note that the refreshed Community Covenant with Armed Forces would be added to the Council website now that it had been approved.

“Council welcomes the investment that Aberdeen City Council, in partnership with the Scottish Government, OLEV and FCHJU, have made in hydrogen buses and facilities in Aberdeen.

Believes that this investment has signified the intent of Aberdeen to promote low-carbon vehicle use and welcomes the additional commitment of the Council to introduce a low-emission zone.

Further believes that more can, and should, be done to improve air-quality in our city and evidence our commitment to tackling climate change.

Therefore, instructs officers to report to the next meeting of Full Council with a strategic appraisal outlining how the Council intends to increase the number of electric vehicle charging points across the city through the development of existing infrastructure (i.e. car parks, lampposts etc.) or creation of new facilities. And, that this report include potential cost implications and funding sources available.”

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

“Council welcomes the investment that Aberdeen City Council, in partnership with the Scottish Government, OLEV and FCHJU, have made in hydrogen buses and facilities in Aberdeen.

Believes that this investment has signified the intent of Aberdeen to promote low-carbon vehicle use and welcomes the additional commitment of the Council to introduce a low-emission zone.

Further believes that more can, and should, be done to improve air-quality in our city and evidence our commitment to tackling climate change.

Therefore, instructs officers to report to the next meeting of Full Council with a strategic appraisal outlining how the Council intends to increase the number of electric vehicle charging points across the city through the development of existing infrastructure (i.e. car parks, lampposts etc.) or creation of new facilities. And, that this report include potential cost implications and funding sources available.”

The Council resolved:-

to approve a joint notice of motion by Councillors Flynn and Grant in the following terms:-

“Council welcomes the investment that Aberdeen City Council, in partnership with the Scottish Government, OLEV and FCHJU, have made in hydrogen buses and facilities in Aberdeen.

Believes that this investment has signified the intent of Aberdeen to promote low-carbon vehicle use and welcomes the additional commitment of the Council to introduce a low-emission zone.

Notes the Aberdeen City Region Hydrogen Strategy and action plan 2015-25, which aims to maintain and build on Aberdeen’s existing standing in the hydrogen sector and as a leading hydrogen hub in Scotland, the UK and Europe.

Further believes that more can, and should, be done to improve air-quality in our city and evidence our commitment to tackling climate change.

Therefore, instructs the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to include EV and Hydrogen fuelling infrastructure as a Main Issue in the upcoming Main Issues Report consultation on the review of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan. Views are to be sought on how new developments brought through the planning system could help to expand the charging and refuelling infrastructure across the city.  And that, the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning be further instructed to report back to the first Operational Delivery Committee following that consultation with an outline strategic appraisal on how the Council intends to increase charging and refuelling infrastructure across the city including potential funding sources available and estimated cost implications.”

“That Council:-

(1)      Notes that in 1319 King Robert the Bruce granted Aberdeen the ‘Stocket’ Charter.

(2)      Notes that under the terms of the charter, King Robert the Bruce granted Aberdeen the Forest of Stocket and as a result of the finances generated from the forest, the Common Good Fund was created to benefit the people of Aberdeen.

(3)      Notes the Common Good Fund helped to fund, amongst other things, Marischal College, Aberdeen Art Gallery, Central Library, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Hazlehead Park.  

(4)      Agrees that the Lord Provost should mark the 700^th anniversary of the Stocket Charter by holding a dinner in 2019. Invitees would include citizens from all 13 wards in Aberdeen.

(5)      Agrees that holding the dinner be subject to suitable funding being identified and approved through the 2019/20 budget process.”

The Council had before it the following notice of motion by Lord Provost Barney Crockett:-

“That Council:-

(1)      Notes that in 1319 King Robert the Bruce granted Aberdeen the ‘Stocket’ Charter.

(2)      Notes that under the terms of the charter, King Robert the Bruce granted Aberdeen the Forest of Stocket and as a result of the finances generated from the forest, the Common Good Fund was created to benefit the people of Aberdeen.

(3)      Notes the Common Good Fund helped to fund, amongst other things, Marischal College, Aberdeen Art Gallery, Central Library, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Hazlehead Park.  

(4)      Agrees that the Lord Provost should mark the 700^th anniversary of the Stocket Charter by holding a dinner in 2019. Invitees would include citizens from all 13 wards in Aberdeen.

(5)      Agrees that holding the dinner be subject to suitable funding being identified and approved through the 2019/20 budget process.”

The Lord Provost moved, seconded by Councillor Houghton:-

            That the Council approve the notice of motion.

Councillor Yuill moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Delaney:-

That the Council approve parts (1), (2) and (3) of the notice of motion; and (4) agree that the 700^th anniversary of the Stocket Charter should be appropriately marked and instruct the Chief Officer - Governance to report to the Council meeting in December 2018 on how this could be achieved in a way that delivers a direct benefit to citizens in Aberdeen.

Councillor Flynn moved as a further amendment, seconded by Councillor Jackie Dunbar:-

That the Council approve parts (1), (2) and (3) of the notice of motion, remove parts (4) and (5) and replace with - instruct the Chief Officer - Governance to report to the next meeting of Full Council with an options appraisal on an event(s) which could be held to mark the occasion, with this event(s) being freely accessible to all. This report will identify cost and funding options.

There being a motion and two amendments, the Council first divided between the two amendments.

On a division, there voted:-

For the amendment by Councillor Yuill  (4)  -  Councillors Delaney, Greig, John and Yuill.

For the amendment by Councillor Flynn  (19)  -  Councillors Allard, Alphonse, Cameron, Cooke, Copland, Cormie, Jackie Dunbar, Flynn, Henrickson, Hutchison, MacGregor, Catriona MacKenzie, McLellan, McRae, Nicoll, Noble, Samarai, Sandy Stuart and Townson.

Declined to vote  (20)  -  Depute Provost; and Councillors Allan, Bell, Boulton, Lesley Dunbar, Duncan, Graham, Grant, Houghton, Hunt, Imrie, Laing, Lumsden, Macdonald, Avril MacKenzie, Malik, Mason MSP, Reynolds, Sellar and Jennifer Stewart.

Absent from the division  (1)  -  Councillor Wheeler.

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

On a division, there voted:-

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

For the amendment by Councillor Flynn  (22)  -  Councillors Allard,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

“That this Council, at the request of former members of the Aberdeen Amnesty International Group, agrees to remove the plaque honouring Aung San Suu Kyi erected in Hazlehead Park, in view of her continuing failure as leader of Myanmar to act in the face of international pressure following the ongoing violence against the Rohinga Muslims and the resultant humanitarian crisis.”

The Council had before it the following notice of motion by Lord Provost Barney Crockett:-

“That this Council, at the request of former members of the Aberdeen Amnesty International Group, agrees to remove the plaque honouring Aung San Suu Kyi erected in Hazlehead Park, in view of her continuing failure as leader of Myanmar to act in the face of international pressure following the ongoing violence against the Rohinga Muslims and the resultant humanitarian crisis.”

The Council resolved:-

to approve the notice of motion and instruct officers to investigate and report on the cost of placing a new plaque, in place of the removed plaque, dedicating the tree to all the peoples of Myanmar in their continuing struggle for human rights, freedom and democracy.

- BARNEY CROCKETT, Lord Provost.