Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

(A)      The Lord Provost advised that he had accepted an urgent notice of motion by Councillor Greig onto the agenda which would be considered as the last item of business. The reason for urgency was the recent news concerning the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in various Council buildings and the work that had to be undertaken at relatively short notice to address concerns.

(B)      Councillor Mrs Stewart expressed her dissatisfaction at various matters, including the seating arrangements being changed within the Chamber without consultation and the decisions taken at the last Council meeting which meant she continued to have fewer committee places than the other Independent Councillors, and underlined that she felt she was being treated unfairly. The Lord Provost encouraged Councillor Mrs Stewart to discuss the matters with relevant colleagues outwith the meeting.

At this juncture the press and public were excluded from the meeting following Councillor Malik raising various issues concerning library closures and the closure of Bucksburn Swimming Pool, so as to avoid the disclosure of exempt information of the class described in paragraph 12 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

The press and public were then readmitted to the meeting.

With reference to Article 19 of the minute of its meeting of 14 December 2022, the Council had before it a report by the Director of Commissioning which provided updates on the delivery of the Beachfront medium term interventions - Beach Park, Events Park and Broadhill.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)           note the update from the Chief Officer - Commercial and Procurement on progress of the medium-term interventions: Beach Park, Events Park and Broadhill, and approve the Final Business Case in Appendix D;

(b)           instruct the Chief Officer - Commercial and Procurement to proceed with the appointment of Hub North Scotland to deliver the Beachfront medium-term interventions, and to report to the Finance and Resources Committee on a six monthly basis from the date of the report; and

(c)           instruct the Chief Officer - Commercial and Procurement to liaise with Aberdeen Health and Determinants Research Collaboration (AHDRC) to explore possible options for additional evaluation of the social and health and wellbeing impacts of the project and report back to committee within the first year of the Beach Park, Events Park and Broadhill projects being operational.

The Chief Officer - Commercial and Procurement introduced a short video which demonstrated the level of engagement from children and young people in the Beach Masterplan.

Councillor Yuill moved, seconded by Councillor McLellan:-   

          That the Council approve the recommendations.

Councillor Malik moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Macdonald:-

          That the Council -

(1)       approve the recommendations;

(2)       note the exclusive in the Press and Journal on 25 March 2022, just six weeks before the May election, where the SNP made a Council election pledge to bring back tourism glory days to Aberdeen beach - and make the football stadium happen. A pledge that was contained within the Administration’s policy document passed in May 2022 at the Statutory Council meeting;

(3)       note the economic report prepared by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce and MKA Economics, the catalytic impact of a community sports stadium as the anchor project in the Aberdeen Beach Masterplan which projected that the facilities could inject at least £1billion into the local economy over the next 50 years;

(4)       agree that what the SNP are actually offering the public is a watered-down project that on its own fails to inspire or enhance the beachfront without the necessary promised sports facilities and Aberdeen Football Club Stadium, whilst breaking their election pledge to the citizens of Aberdeen; and

(5)       agree to instruct the Chief Executive to work with Aberdeen Football Club and Sport Aberdeen to bring forward a report to the December 2023 Council meeting with proposals and costs to allow real regeneration of our Beach to take place rather than the watered-down offering from the SNP.

Councillor Boulton moved as a further amendment, seconded by Councillor Mrs Stewart:-

          That the Council -

(1)       instruct the Chief Officer - Commercial and Procurement not to progress with the award of a construction contract for the following elements of the Beach  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

The Council had before it a report by the Director of Resources which presented the Outline Business Case (OBC) for the redevelopment of the Queen Street area as an urban park.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)           note the conclusion of the OBC and agree the recommendation to progress with Option 5: Urban Park with landscaping to north-west development area and development to south-east on site of former Police HQ; and

(b)           instruct the Director of Resources to:

(i)             proceed with the detailed design, consultation and engagement with stakeholders, obtain necessary consents, negotiate parking and access changes and develop a detailed cost and delivery programme required to deliver Phase 1 of the Urban Park as detailed in the OBC;

(ii)            update the business case for the site of the former Police HQ to determine suitability for refurbishment, rebuild, or as Urban Park Phase 2, depending on the outcome of market testing; and

(iii)          report progress to Council in December 2023.

Councillor Hutchison moved, seconded by Councillor Bouse:-

          That the Council approve the recommendations.

Councillor Malik moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Watson:-

That the Council note the conclusion of the OBC and agree to market the site and to report progress to Council in December 2023.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion  (25)  -  Lord Provost; Depute Provost; and Councillors Al-Samarai, Allard, Alphonse, Boulton, 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 by Councillor Malik  (19)  -  Councillors Ali, Blake, Bonsell, Brooks, Crockett, Cross, Farquhar, Graham, Grant, Kusznir, Lawrence, Macdonald, McLeod, Malik, Massey, Mrs Stewart, Thomson, Tissera and Watson.

Absent from the division  (1)  -  Councillor Houghton.

The Council resolved:-

to adopt the motion.  

The Council had before it a report by the Director of Commissioning which sought approval for the new construction information design for the City Centre and Beach Masterplan Projects.

The report recommended:-

that the Council approve the adoption of the new construction information design for the City Centre and Beach Masterplan Projects: GENERATIONABERDEEN.

Councillor Allard moved, seconded by Councillor Greig:-

          That the Council approve the recommendation.

Councillor Boulton moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Mrs Stewart:-

          That the Council agree not to proceed with GENERATIONABERDEEN.

Councillor Blake moved as a further amendment, seconded by Councillor Thomson:-

That the Council approve the adoption of the new construction information design for the City Centre and Beach Masterplan Projects GENERATIONABERDEEN subject to the following:

·       Market testing of the sub brand with the target audience being conducted and research/workshop outputs already conducted being shared; and

·       Performance KPIs for the sub brand being developed.

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

On a division, there voted:-

For the amendment by Councillor Boulton  (3)  -  Councillors Boulton, Crockett and Mrs Stewart.

For the amendment by Councillor Blake  (11)  -  Councillors Ali, Blake, Bonsell, Graham, Grant, Lawrence, Macdonald, Malik, Thomson, Tissera and Watson.

Declined to vote  (30)  -  Lord Provost; Depute Provost; and Councillors Al-Samarai, Allard, Alphonse, Bouse, Brooks, Hazel Cameron, Clark, Cooke, Copland, Cormie, Cross, Davidson, Fairfull, Farquhar, Greig, Henrickson, Hutchison, Kusznir, MacGregor, McLellan, McLeod, McRae, Massey, Mennie, Nicoll, Radley, van Sweeden and Yuill.

Absent from the division  (1)  -  Councillor Houghton.

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

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion  (30)  -  Lord Provost; Depute Provost; and Councillors Al-Samarai, Allard, Alphonse, Bouse, Brooks, Hazel Cameron, Clark, Cooke, Copland, Cormie, Cross, Davidson, Fairfull, Farquhar, Greig, Henrickson, Hutchison, Kusznir, MacGregor, McLellan, McLeod, McRae, Massey, Mennie, Nicoll, Radley, van Sweeden and Yuill.

For the amendment by Councillor Blake  (14)  -  Councillors Ali, Blake, Bonsell, Boulton, Crockett, Graham, Grant, Lawrence, Macdonald, Malik, Mrs Stewart, Thomson, Tissera and Watson.

Absent from the division  (1)  -  Councillor Houghton.

The Council resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

With reference to Article 16 of the minute of its meeting of 14 December 2022, the Council had before it a report by the Director of Resources which provided an update on progress with the re-development of the site as 91 - 93 Union Street and 3 - 6 Market Street.

The report recommended:-

that the Council note the report in relation to progress with the Project.

The Council resolved:-

(i)             to note the report in relation to progress with the project;

(ii)           to note that the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord would provide members with the detailed Heads of Terms that had been agreed and approved by the Council’s commercial property adviser for the site, on a confidential basis; and

(iii)          to instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to report to the July 2024 Council meeting with an update on the capital project.

At this juncture, the Council agreed to suspend Standing Order 40.2 to enable the meeting to continue beyond six hours.

The Council had before it a report by the Director of Resources which provided an update on the planning status of sites under Council ownership at Aberdeen South Harbour, and options to collaboratively develop three strategic sites within a strategic partnership with Energy Transition Zone Ltd (ETZ Ltd) and Port of Aberdeen (POA), owned and operated by Aberdeen Harbour Board (AHB) to drive a transition towards renewable energy technologies and sustainable practices.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)           note that the Aberdeen Local Development Plan had now been approved and had designated sites at St Fittick’s, Gregness and Doonies for development as part of the Energy Transition Zone (ETZ). The three strategic sites make up around 10% of the total ETZ area;

(b)           note that Gregness OP62 and part of St Fittick’s OP62 was under the ownership of Aberdeen City Council but leased to the Aberdeen Harbour Board who had an option to purchase this land;

(c)           approve that St Fittick’s OP56 and Doonies OP61 be made available to support future investment and development in the ETZ, whilst also improving local amenity;

(d)           instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord that the St Fittick’s OP56 and Doonies OP61 sites were only to be made available for lease and must remain in Council ownership and that, furthermore, any such lease agreement was only to be entered into at the point where financial close was reached on a particular development;

(e)           instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to enter formal dialogue with ETZ Ltd and POA to discuss the optimum partnership arrangements to take forward the future development of the sites and ensure the delivery of the outcomes identified by ETZ Ltd in their masterplan and in Aberdeen’s Regional Economic Strategy;

(f)            instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord, following consultation with the Chief Officer - Finance and Chief Officer - Governance, to consider as part of such potential partnership arrangements how returns from the sites could be re-invested in both the further development of the ETZ and in the local community; and

(g)           instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to report the outcome of these discussions to the meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee in December 2023.

Councillor Allard moved, seconded by Councillor Greig:-

          That the Council -

1.    instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord, in Aberdeen City Council’s capacity as land owner, that St Fittick’s OP56 and Doonies OP61 sites were only to be made available for lease and must remain in Council ownership and that, furthermore, any such lease agreement was only to be entered into at the point where an end user was agreed by Aberdeen City Council and financial close was reached;

2.    instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to enter formal dialogue with ETZ Ltd and PoA to discuss the optimum partnership arrangements to take forward the future development of the sites and ensure the delivery of the outcomes identified by ETZ Ltd in their masterplan and in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

That the Council:

1.    Notes the negative impact since 2022 of the South College Street Junction Improvements Project works on the businesses based on and around Palmerston Road, Palmerston Place and The Arches on South College Street;

2.    Believes that small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of the UK, Scottish and Aberdeen economy; and

3.    Therefore, instructs the Chief Officer - Finance to prepare a report outlining the options available to Councillors in encouraging businesses to remain within the area, including but not limited, to Non-Domestic Rate discounts for approval by Council.

(Deferred from Council meeting of 14 June 2023)

With reference to Article 23 of the minute of its meeting of 14 June 2023, the Council had before it a notice of motion by Councillor Kusznir in the following terms:-

          That the Council:

1.    Notes the negative impact since 2022 of the South College Street Junction Improvements Project works on the businesses based on and around Palmerston Road, Palmerston Place and The Arches on South College Street;

2.    Believes that small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of the UK, Scottish and Aberdeen economy; and

3.    Therefore, instructs the Chief Officer - Finance to prepare a report outlining the options available to Councillors in encouraging businesses to remain within the area, including but not limited to Non-Domestic Rate discounts for approval by Council.

Councillor Kusznir moved, seconded by Councillor Farquhar:-

          That the Council approve the notice of motion.

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

That the Council note that its meeting on 14 June 2023, the Council agreed to:

(i)         note the inclusion of both the King George VI Bridge repairs and the South College Street junction improvements within the Council’s Capital Programme; and acknowledge the impact the works may have had on the businesses based on and around Palmerston Road, Palmerston Place and The Arches on South College Street;

(ii)        acknowledge the South College Street junction improvement project had received £10million funding through the Scottish Government’s Bus Partnership Fund;

(iii)       agree the South College Street junction improvements were an important step to provide a transport network to meet Aberdeen’s needs, including our city centre and bus priority aspirations, as well as improving traffic flow in the area and encouraging more walking and cycling;

(iv)      recognise that the works associated with this investment by the Council and the Bus Partnership Fund in our city’s roads and public transport networks had at times les to frustration and travel delays for both individuals and businesses; and

(v)        instruct the Chief Officer - Operations and Protective Services to report to the Net Zero, Environment and Transport Committee on lessons learned from delivering these projects.

During the course of debate, Councillors Nicoll and Hutchison advised that they had a connection by reason of knowing Mr Lewis Thomson, the owner of Results Gym which had been referred to, however having applied the objective test they did not consider that they had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

Councillor Allard advised that he also had a connection by reason of a family member having taken part in the consultation process in relation to the matter, however having applied the objective test he did not consider that he had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion  (18)  -  Councillors Ali, Blake, Bonsell, Boulton, Brooks, Cross, Farquhar, Grant, Kusznir, Lawrence, Macdonald, McLeod, Malik, Massey, Mrs Stewart, Thomson, Tissera and Watson.

For the amendment  (24)  -  Lord Provost; Depute Provost; and Councillors Al-Samarai, Allard, Alphonse, Bouse, Hazel Cameron, Clark,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

That this Council:

(1)          Recognises that the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in city schools is causing families, young people, communities, and Council staff genuine concern.

(2)          Reaffirms its commitment to the safety of young people, staff, and visitors in city schools.

(3)          Notes the position of the Scottish Government and CoSLA that robust guidance has been put in place to ensure the safety of school settings.

(4)          Welcomes the proactive action by Council staff in surveying schools to identify and monitor the presence of RAAC in schools and notes that further testing and monitoring of school buildings will continue to be carried out.

(5)          Notes that the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord has instructed qualified experts to undertake appropriate and further structural investigations.

(6)          Will continue to work with Headteachers and staff to monitor any possible factors that could increase risk and report to the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord.

(7)          Agrees that costed proposals will be considered within the ongoing School Estate Plan to address the presence of RAAC in city schools.

(8)          Instructs the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to issue regular service updates.

(9)          Instructs the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to report to the Education and Children's Services Committee on the outcome of inspections and identified risks.

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

          That this Council:

(1)       Recognises that the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in city schools is causing families, young people, communities and Council staff genuine concern.

(2)       Reaffirms its commitment to the safety of young people, staff, and visitors in city schools.

(3)       Notes the position of the Scottish Government and CoSLA that robust guidance has been put in place to ensure the safety of school settings.

(4)       Welcomes the proactive action by Council staff in surveying schools to identify and monitor the presence of RAAC in schools and notes that further testing and monitoring of school buildings will continue to be caried out.

(5)       Notes that the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord has instructed qualified experts to undertake appropriate and further structural investigations.

(6)       Will continue to work with Headteachers and staff to monitor any possible factors that could increase risk and report to the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord.

(7)       Agrees that costed proposals will be considered within the ongoing School Estate Plan to address the presence of RAAC in city schools.

(8)       Instructs the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to issue regular service updates.

(9)       Instructs the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to report to the Education and Children’s Services Committee on the outcome of the inspections and identified risks.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the urgent notice of motion.