Agenda and minutes

Councillor Graham was in attendance for articles 7 and 8 only. Councillor Jennifer Stewart was in attendance for article 10 only. Councillor Farquharson was in attendance for article 15 only.

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be found at:-

http://councilcommittees/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=140&MId=2283&Ver=4

The Committee had before it, in accordance with Standing Order 10(1), the following seven requests for deputation:-

            (1)       Mr. Kinnear – in relation to item 3.5 (Motion by Councillor Yuill – Broomhill Road – Heavy Goods Vehicles) on the agenda (article 11 refers);

            (2)       Mrs. Rasmussen – in relation to item 3.5 (Motion by Councillor Yuill – Broomhill Road – Heavy Goods Vehicles) on the agenda;

            (3)       Mrs. Morrison – in relation to item 3.6 (Motion by Councillor Yuill – Morningside Road, Cranford Road and Duthie Terrace – Heavy Goods Vehicles) on the agenda (article 12 refers);

            (4)       Mr. Lane – in relation to item 3.6 (Motion by Councillor Yuill – Morningside Road, Cranford Road and Duthie Terrace – Heavy Goods Vehicles) on the agenda;

            (5)       Mr. Farquhar - in relation to item 3.6 (Motion by Councillor Yuill – Morningside Road, Cranford Road and Duthie Terrace – Heavy Goods Vehicles) on the agenda; 

            (6)       Mr. Webster – in relation to item 3.6 (Motion by Councillor Yuill – Morningside Road, Cranford Road and Duthie Terrace – Heavy Goods Vehicles) on the agenda;

(7)       Mr Rose - in relation to item 3.6 (Motion by Councillor Yuill – Morningside Road, Cranford Road and Duthie Terrace – Heavy Goods Vehicles) on the agenda;

(8)       Mr Den - in relation to item 3.6 (Motion by Councillor Yuill – Morningside Road, Cranford Road and Duthie Terrace – Heavy Goods Vehicles) on the agenda;

(9)       Mr Saville in relation to item 3.6 (Motion by Councillor Yuill – Morningside Road, Cranford Road and Duthie Terrace – Heavy Goods Vehicles) on the agenda; and

(10)     Mr Henderson in relation to item 6.2 – International Partnerships and Twinning Applications.

The Convener advised that the final request for deputation from Mr Henderson had been withdrawn.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to hear each of the requests for deputation prior to consideration of the relevant reports; and

(ii)        to note that the request for deputation from Mr. Henderson had been withdrawn.

The Convener proposed that item 8.7 (Driveway Application Appeals At 150 Bonnyview Drive And 40 Longview Terrace, Aberdeen) be considered following item 3.3 (Motion by Councillor Graham), to allow Councillor Graham as a local member to address the Committee regarding the two applications.

The Committee resolved:-

to concur with the proposal of the Convener in respect of the order of the agenda.

The Committee had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 15 November, 2011.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute as an accurate record.

The Committee had before it a statement of pending and outstanding Committee Business, which had been prepared by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)     in relation to item 7 (Update on the Numbers and Impact of Economic Migrants on the City of Aberdeen):- (a) to note that a bulletin report on this item was available, and to request officers to circulate this, by email, to all Councillors; (b) to request officers to provide an annual update on this matter via the information bulletin; and (c) to otherwise delete this item from the business statement;

(ii)    to delete items 10 (Environmental Strategy – Progress Report), 11 (Driveway Application Appeals at 150 Bonnyview Drive and 40 Longview Terrace, Aberdeen), 14 (Natural Heritage and Archaeology Draft Supplementary Guidance Documents), 19 (Internal Audit – Summary of Audit Findings – Report by Pricewaterhouse Coopers), subject to the matters being dealt with later on the agenda;

(iii)   to request that an information bulletin report on the AECC be submitted to the next meeting of Committee on 31 May, 2012; and

(iv)   to otherwise note the updates contained within the list.

The Committee had before it a statement of outstanding motions under the Committee’s remitwhich had been prepared by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)     to delete motion 1 (Motion by Councillor Kevin Stewart MSP – Referendum on Future of Union Terrace Gardens);

(ii)    to note that reports on motions 2 (Motion by Councillor Yuill – The Pictish Way), 3 (Motion by Councillor Yuill – HGVs on Broomhill Road), 4 (Motion by Councillor Yuill –  Extension of 30mph Speed Limit on Northcote Road), 5 (Motion by Councillor Yuill – HGVs on Morningside Road, Cranford Road, Duthie Terrace, and section of Hammerfield Avenue), 6 (Motion by Councillor Yuill – Removal of Bollards on Deeside Drive), and 7  (Motion by Councillor Farquharson –  Traffic Speed Controls) were to be considered later on today’s agenda and a decision would be taken on consideration of each report; and

(iii)   to otherwise note the updates contained within the outstanding list.

“That officers are instructed to prepare a report on proper access for disabled people using mobility scooters at Marischal College, and such a report be remitted to the appropriate Committee.”

With reference to article 19 of the minute of the meeting of Council of 14 December, 2011, the Committee had before it the following motion which had been submitted by Councillor Leslie:-

            “That officers are instructed to prepare a report on proper access for disabled people using mobility scooters at Marischal College, and such a report be remitted to the appropriate Committee.”

Councillor Leslie was in attendance, and moved his motion during which he explained the rationale behind his request.

The Committee resolved:-

to request officers to submit a report on the terms of the motion to a future meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee and to request that the Disability Advisory Group be consulted on this matter.

“That the relevant department consults with the residents of Bonnyview Drive to ascertain the requirement to install traffic calming measures and reports back to Committee.”

With reference to article 21 of the minute of the meeting of Council of 14 December, 2011, the Committee had before it the following motion which had been submitted by Councillor Graham:-

            “That the relevant department consults with the residents of Bonnyview Drive to ascertain the requirement to install traffic calming measures and report back to Committee.”

Councillor Graham was in attendance, and moved his motion during which he explained the rationale behind his request.

The Committee resolved:-

to request officers to undertake traffic surveys on Bonnyview Drive and to report back to the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee with the findings, and in particular whether there was a requirement for traffic calming measures at this location.

“That officers provide a report to advise Aberdeen City Council on what current measures are in place and what further measures need to be undertaken to promote / ensure competition in the bus routes of Aberdeen, thus ensuring a more competitive price for buses for the citizens of Aberdeen that are comparable with other cities in Scotland.”

With reference to article 22 of the minute of the meeting of Council of 14 December, 2011, the Committee had before it the following motion which had been submitted by Councillor Graham:-

            “That officers provide a report to advise Aberdeen City Council on what current measures are in place and what further measures need to be undertaken to promote/ensure competition in the bus routes of Aberdeen, thus ensuring a more competitive price for buses for the citizens of Aberdeen that are comparable with other cities in Scotland.”

Councillor Graham was in attendance, and moved his motion during which he explained the rationale behind his request.

The Committee resolved:-

to request the Convener to write to both the Westminster and Scottish Governments promoting a change in legislation regarding bus routes to encourage competition and deliver fair prices.

With reference to article 22 of the minute of the meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee of 15 November, 2011, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which advised of the details of appeals against officer decisions to refuse applications to form driveways at both 158 Bonnyview Drive and 40 Longview Terrace, and also provided the further information as requested previously by the Committee.

The Committee heard from Councillor Graham, one of the local members, who supported both applications and advised that he did not agree that the implementation of either driveway would be detrimental to existing on-street parking spaces.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee refuse both the applications for a driveway at 158 Bonnyview Drive and 40 Longview Terrace, as access in both cases would be from a public parking area which was against the approved policy for driveways and would be detrimental to the general parking provision for the area.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice-Convener, moved:-

            that the recommendation in the report be approved.

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

            that the Committee approve the applications for a driveway at both 158 Bonnyview Drive and 40 Longview Terrace. 

On a division, there voted:-   for the motion (10) – the Convener;  the Vice-Convener;  and Councillors Cormack, Cormie, Donnelly, Jaffrey, MacGregor, McCaig, Penny and Yuill;  for the amendment (5) – Councillors Adam, Allan, Boulton, Crockett and Leslie.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

"That this Council agrees to run a robust recruitment campaign to increase the number of school crossing patrollers, the costs to be met through budget underspend.”

The Committee had before it the following motion which had been submitted by Councillor Jennifer Stewart:-

            “That this Council agrees to run a robust recruitment campaign to increase the number of school crossing patrollers, the costs to be met through budget underspend.”

Councillor Jennifer Stewart was in attendance, and moved her motion and explained the rationale behind her request.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the terms of the motion and to request the Director to implement this accordingly.

(A)       In terms of Standing Order 10(2), and as agreed at the beginning of the meeting (see article 1 above), the Committee received a deputation from Mr Kinnear in relation to the above-named report.

Mr Kinnear advised that he was representing the views of both Ashley and Broomhill Community Council and Ashley Road School Parent Teacher Association (PTA). He highlighted the long standing concern of the Community Council, PTA and residents of the health and safety risk to pedestrians, in particular children, from the vast number of HGVs using Broomhill Road, which was very narrow. Mr Kinnear supported the proposal to introduce an ‘except for access’ weight or width restriction on Broomhill, as sought by Councillor Yuill’s motion, to alleviate the current problem.

Mr Kinnear then went through various sections in the report during which he posed a number of questions regarding the validity of the content.

Members asked questions of Mr Kinnear and thanked him for his contribution.

(B)       The Committee then received a deputation from Mrs Rasmussen.

Mrs Rasmussen advised that she was a long term resident of Broomhill Road; that she was a guide dog user; a member of a number of disability groups; and was a grandmother of eleven children who she had cared for regularly from her home on Broomhill Road. Given this, Mrs Rasmussen explained she was able to speak on behalf of a number of sections of the population, all of whom, she felt were negatively impacted on as a result of the high volume of HGVs using Broomhill Road.

Mrs Rasmussen provided the Committee with a detailed account of incidents on Broomhill Road with HGVs that she had either directly been involved in, or had witnessed. She emphasised her concern for pedestrian safety on Broomhill Road whilst HGVs continued to use this route on a regular basis. Mrs Rasmussen also brought the Committee’s attention to a number of statements within the report which she questioned the validity of.

Finally, she advised that she supported the introduction of an ‘except for access’ weight or width restriction being introduced on Broomhill Road.

Members thanked Mrs Rasmussen for her contribution.

(C)       With reference to article 12 of the minute of the meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee of 13 September, 2011, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure regarding the following motion which had been submitted by Councillor Yuill:-

            “That, given the ongoing difficulties caused by HGVs using Broomhill Road as a through route, Council instructs officers to report to the appropriate Committee on the introduction of an “except for access” weight or width restriction on some or all of the Broomhill Road between Holburn Street and South Anderson Drive.”

The report recommended:-

that given the strategic importance of Broomhill Road within the road network and hierarchy, the Committee agree that a width or weight restriction would not be appropriate.

The Committee resolved:-

to request officers to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

(A)       In terms of Standing Order 10(1), and as agreed at the beginning of the meeting (see article 1 above), the Committee received a deputation from Mrs Morrison, in relation to the above-named report.

Mrs Morrison advised the Committee that she supported the terms of Councillor Yuill’s motion to introduce an ‘except for access’ weight or width restriction on Morningside Road, Cranford Road and Duthie Terrace, plus that part of Hammerfield Avenue not already covered by such a restriction, to prevent access to HGVs and other larger vehicles, and requested the Committee to reject the officers recommendations contained in the report. Mrs Morrison provided an overview of the current situation with HGVs using these roads on a frequent basis, and highlighted the implications this had on residents, pedestrians and other road users.

Members asked questions of Mrs Morrison and thanked her for her contribution.

(B)       The Committee then received a deputation from Mr Lane.

Mr Lane advised that he had been a long term resident of Morningside Road and had witnessed the volume of HGVs using the road increase over the years. He explained his concern for the health and safety of residents and pedestrians of the increased volume of HGVs on these roads and advised that he supported the introduction of an ‘except for access’ weight or width restriction to alleviate the problems currently experienced.

Members thanked Mr Lane for his contribution.

(C)       The Committee then received a deputation from Mr Farquhar.

Mr Farquhar explained that he had written to the Council on numerous occasions highlighting his concern at the volume of HGVs using the roads concerned and the implications this had for residents and pedestrian safety. Mr Farquhar also explained that in his view previous traffic calming measures introduced on the road had not been successful. Mr Farquhar supported the introduction of an ‘except for access’ weight or width restriction to alleviate the problems currently experienced.

Members asked questions of Mr Farquhar and thanked him for his contribution.

(D)       The Committee then received a deputation from Mr Webster.

Mr Webster advised the Committee that he had been a resident of Morningside Road for 41 years and that over the years he had witnessed a large increase in the volume of HGVs using Morningside Road.

He emphasised the importance of this matter being addressed as soon as possible and in the most practicable manner, however he appreciated that it was a complex problem. Mr Webster outlined the problems experienced by the increased volume of HGVs and highlighted that safety concerns increased during the winter months. Mr Webster supported the introduction of an “except for access” width or weight restriction on Morningside Road, Cranford Road and Duthie Terrace, plus that part of Hammerfield Avenue not already covered by such a restriction, to prevent access to HGVs and other larger vehicles.

Members asked questions of Mr Webster and thanked him for his contribution.

(E)       The Committee then received a deputation from Mr Rose.

Mr Rose advised the Committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

With reference to article 15 of the minute of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee of 13 September, 2011, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure regarding the following motion which had been submitted by Councillor Yuill:-

            “That given the significant inconvenience and difficulties caused to householders and others by bollards opposite the entrance to Deeside Drive to the near lane lying between the rear of properties on Deeside Drive and Deeside Crescent, Council instructs officers to report to the appropriate Committee on the removal of these bollards.”

The report recommended:-

that the Committee agree that no further action should be taken with regard to the removal of the bollards due to the associated costs of the work.

The Committee resolved:-

to defer consideration of the report and to request officers to explore alternative solutions to the difficulties experienced by the bollards opposite the entrance to Deeside Lane and report back to a future meeting of the Committee in this regard.

With reference to article 11 of the minute of the meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee of 13 September, 2011, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure regarding the following motion which had been submitted by Councillor Yuill:-

            “That Aberdeen City Council agrees to instruct officers to prepare a report on both the feasibility of developing, in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council and Perth and Kinross Council, a long-distance footpath, the Pictish Way, from Footdee to Perth via Deeside and ways in which this project might be funded.”

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       instruct officers to monitor developments on the Pictish Way by partners and attend Steering Group meetings (so far held in Forfar) where resources allowed;  and

(b)       instruct officers to report back to the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee after the summer recess on the findings of a report that Angus Council intended to commission into the development of the route.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations contained in the report.

With reference to article 5 of the minute of the meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee of 15 November 2011, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure regarding the motion submitted by Councillor Farquharson which had requested that officers explore the possibility of changing the whole structure of traffic speed controls within the City of Aberdeen.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee instruct officers to undertake a review of speed limits in residential areas in conjunction with the review of A and B Class roads and note that the completion of the task was expected in the autumn of 2012.

The Committee resolved:-

to request officers to report back a future meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee with further information on:- (a) the blanket city wide 20mph for residential uses implemented by Portsmouth Council; (b) traffic controls implemented by other comparable cities; and (c) the prosecution rates for motorists exceeding the existing 20mph speed limit in the city.

With reference to article 18 of the minute of the meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee of 13 September, 2011, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided an update on progress and performance with the implementation of the Service’s Business Plan 2011-2014.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the performance data and underlying trends in relation to the implementation of the Service’s Business Plan 2011-2014.

With reference to article 9 of the minute of the meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee of 15 November, 2011, the Committee had before it a joint report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure and the Head of Finance, which highlighted the current year revenue budget performance to date for the Services which related to the Committee and advised on any areas of risk and management action taken.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the performance to date; the forecast outturn, and the information on risks and management action that was contained therein;

(b)       instruct officers to continue to review budget performance and report on Service strategies as required to ensure a balanced budget;  and

(c)        instruct officers to report, in due course, on the actual outturn compared to budget following completion of the 2011/2012 financial statements.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations as contained in the report.

With reference to article 10 of the minute of the meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee of 15 November, 2011, the Committee had before it a joint report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure and the Head of Finance, which provided an update on the capital spend to date for the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure projects included within the Non-Housing Capital Programme.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the current position.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which sought approval for the Council’s planned international trade development activities for 2012/2013, and in particular attendance at overseas trade events, in order to help deliver the economic development priorities of the Council.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the report and the activities described therein, subject to the necessary budget being allocated by the Council in February, 2012, and also to their approval by the Scottish Government in the normal manner;  and

(b)       to request officers to submit a bulletin report to the Committee on each event undertaken in the International Trade Plan.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations as contained in the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which presented applications for financial assistance from the International Twinning Budget 2011/2012. 

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve a grant of £3,900 towards the popular Aberdeen Jazz Festival to be held between 14-18 March, 2012;

(b)       approve a grant of £2,000 towards the project being carried out by Operation Florian in Bulawayo, between 15 March and 4 April, 2012;

(c)        approve a grant of £5,000 towards the visit to Stavanger by the Aberdeen Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) to understand the work of similar international support organisations overseas;

(d)       approve a grant of £7,425 towards the participation of two youth football teams from Clermont-Ferrand at the 2012 Denis Law Tournament, being held between 15 and 21 July, 2012 at the Aberdeen Sports Village;  and

(e)       approve a grant of £6,116 towards the participation of two groups of performers, one from Gomel and one from Clermont-Ferrand, to help mark the 40^th Anniversary of the Aberdeen International Youth Festival (AIYF), between 1 and 11 August, 2012.

In relation to the application from the Aberdeen Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender, the Committee heard from the Economic/Business Development Project Director who advised that the LGBT had now changed their travel dates so that they would no longer be visiting Stavanger during the ONS conference and therefore the overall cost of the trip would be substantially cheaper. 

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve recommendations (a), (b), (c) and (e);  and

(ii)        to note the change to the travel arrangements for the LGBT to Stavanger, in particular the reduced cost, and therefore to allocate up to £3,000 to the LGBT visit to Stavanger and that final approval of the exact funding be delegated to the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure in consultation with the Convener and Vice-Convener of the Committee.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which outlined feedback from the 2011 Offshore Europe event, and sought approval for the proposed direction of the Council’s involvement in Offshore Europe 2013.  

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       support  the Council’s involvement in the Offshore Europe exhibition in 2013, and as such, commit the necessary funding of £35,000 per annum being maintained in the budget for 2012-13 and 2013-14 subject to the budget process;

(b)       support the proposed direction for the promotion of Aberdeen City and Shire at Offshore Europe 2013;  and

(c)        to otherwise note the contents of the report.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations as contained in the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which sought approval to re-negotiate or terminate the International Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) in order to better manage relationships which would deliver mutual economic benefit to signatories.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       support the revisions to the current list of International MoU;

(b)       agree the strategic purpose of International MoU;

(c)        agree the use of alternative methods for relationship management with strategic international partners;

(d)       support the development of a new template for International MoU;  and

(e)       agree the development of measures by which International MoU might be assessed and reviewed in the future.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations contained in the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which sought approval for the extension of the existing Service Level Agreement with the North East Scotland Biological Records Centre (NESBReC). 

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve a three year, Council-wide, Service Level Agreement with NESBReC at a cost of £6,845 per annum to be met from existing budgets;

(b)       approve the NESBReC agreement between partners as set out in Appendix 2 to the report;  and

(c)        instruct officers to revise the existing Service Level Agreement on the basis of the above with Legal and Democratic Services.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations as contained in the report.

With reference to article 12 of the minute of the meeting of the Audit and Risk Committee of 29 March, 2011, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which responded to the findings of an audit report undertaken by PriceWaterhouseCooper; explained why there was no requirement for a Service Level Agreement with Aberdeen Forward, and sought agreement of this.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee accept that there was no requirement for a Service Level Agreement with Aberdeen Forward, and otherwise note the content of the report.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation as contained in the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which outlined the Scotland’s Cities Strategy, entitled “Scotland Cities Delivering for Scotland”;  considered the proposed delivery of this strategy;  and sought approval of an annual financial contribution over three years to share the costs towards the strategy’s delivery.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve an annual contribution of £15,000 towards the delivery of the strategy for the next three financial years;  and

(b)       to otherwise note the contents of the report.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations as contained in the report.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Dean declared an interest in the subject matter of the following article by virtue of her position as a Board member of NHS Grampian, but chose to remain in the meeting as NHS Grampian was a devolved public body (as set out in paragraph 5.18(2)(i)(a) of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct). 

The Committee heard from the Convener who drew Members’ attention to a number of existing Masterplans and Planning Briefs.   She explained that the existing Plans and Briefs had previously been agreed by the Council under the 2008 Aberdeen Local Plan, albeit some even pre-date that Plan.   The policies in these Plans and Briefs require to be updated to reflect the latest SPP, Structure Plan and new Local Development Plan which was anticipated to be adopted on 29 February, 2012.   She explained that other than the policy updates, officers did not intend on making any changes to the contents, development requirements or any planned layouts or other matters contained in the Plans and/or Briefs.   However, in order to meet Scottish Government requirements officers were required to consult on the updated Plans and/or Briefs for a minimum six week period and send them to the Scottish Government before the Council could adopt them.   As officers on this occasion simply intend on updating the policies rather than changing their content, now sought authority to make these changes and to go through the adoption procedures without bringing them before the Committee.   In the event that issues were raised which merited further change to the content of the Briefs, these would indeed be referred back to the Committee for consideration.  

Finally, the Convener detailed the Plans/Briefs affected, namely:-

• Balgownie Centre
• Bon Accord Centre
• Broadford Works
• Cattofield Reservoir
• Cornhill Hospital
• Cove Charette
• Davidsons Mill
• Denburn and Woolmanhill
• Dyce Drive
• Fire Station North Anderson Drive
• Forresterhill
• Greenferns Masterplan
• Greenferns Development Framework
• Hillhead Campus
• Kingswells Development Framework
• Murcar
• Oakbank
• Pinewood and Hazledene
• RobertGordons University
• Urquhart Road

The Committee resolved:-

toauthorise officers to update the existing Masterplans and Planning Briefs and to complete the adoption procedures without reporting to Committee for approval.   However, should the content of the Plans or Briefs require an alteration to their content, these should be reported to the Committee for approval.  

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which presented the fourth Aberdeen Local Development Plan Scheme, as well as a detailed timetable and programme for local development planning in Aberdeen;  and sought approval of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan Scheme 4 which, following approval, was required to be published, sent to Scottish Ministers and placed in libraries in accordance with the Planning Etc. (Scotland) Act 2006.  

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the adoption of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan Scheme 4, its publication (including electronically) and sending it to Scottish Ministers;  and

(b)       approve officers sending the Scheme to, or informing, the key agencies and consultees listed in Appendix 2 of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan Scheme 4.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations as contained in the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which outlined the Dubford Development Framework, prepared as a guide for the future development of land identified as Opportunity Site OP25 in the Proposed Aberdeen Local Development Plan (ALDP).   

The report recommended:-

that the Committee approve the Dubford Development Framework as interim planning advice and, pending Council approval for the adoption of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan, agree for officers to implement the process to ratify the framework as Supplementary Guidance by the Scottish Government.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendation as contained in the report;  and

(ii)        to approve the amendment of the diagram contained in Appendix 3 to show the delivery of 550 units by 2016 in line with the proposed Aberdeen Local Development Plan.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which outlined the Aberdeen Harbour Development Framework, prepared as a guide to explore how the relationship between the Harbour and the City could be developed over the next 20 years.  

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the Aberdeen Harbour Development Framework as interim planning advice;  and

(b)       pending Council approval for the adoption of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan, agree for officers to implement the process to ratify the framework as Supplementary Guidance by the Scottish Government;  and that this include the results of an Appropriate Assessment Screening report, as well as the addition of any necessary mitigation measures.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations as contained in the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which outlined the Oldfold Farm Development Framework, prepared as a guide for the future development of land identified as Opportunity Site OP62 in the Proposed Aberdeen Local Development Plan (ALDP).  

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       adopt the Oldfold Farm Development Framework as interim planning advice, subject to the document being amended to accord with the adopted Core Path Plan in relation to Aspirational Path 10; and

(b)       pending Council approval for the adoption of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan, agree for officers to implement the process to ratify the framework as Supplementary Guidance by the Scottish Government;  and that this include the results of an Appropriate Assessment Screening report, as well as the addition of any necessary mitigation measures.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations as contained in the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which outlined the Friarsfield Development Framework, which had been prepared as a guide for the future development of land safeguarded for development as Opportunity Site OP5 in the Aberdeen Local Plan 2008, and carried forward as site OP51 in the Proposed Aberdeen Local Development Plan. 

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the Friarsfield Development Framework as interim planning advice subject to additional detail being provided to the satisfaction of the Head of Planning and Sustainable Development to the following sections of the Framework:

 •   Transport and Accessibility;

•    Planning and Design Principles;

•    Drainage and Water; and

•    Phasing and Delivery;  and

(b)       pending Council approval for the adoption of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan, agree for officers to implement the process to ratify the framework as Supplementary Guidance by the Scottish Government, and that this include the results of an Appropriate Assessment Screening report and the addition of any necessary mitigation measures.

The Head of Planning and Sustainable Development advised that following circulation of the report she had received additional detail regarding the following sections of the Framework:

•   Transport and Accessibility;

•    Planning and Design Principles;

•    Drainage and Water; and

•    Phasing and Delivery.

Dr Bochel confirmed that she was satisfied with the additional detail, and therefore recommended that the Committee approve the Friarsfield Development Framework as interim planning advice.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the Friarsfield Development Framework as interim planning advice; 

(ii)        to agree, pending Council approval for the adoption of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan, for officers to implement the process to ratify the framework as Supplementary Guidance by the Scottish Government, and that this include the results of an Appropriate Assessment Screening report as well as the addition of any necessary mitigation measures; 

(iii)       to request officers to replace the word “considered” on page 19, paragraph 6 to “addressed”, so that the sentence should read:- “The provision of safe crossing places on the road network would be addressed at the planning application stage to facilitate this and would ensure priority to pedestrians and cyclists.”;  and

(iv)       to commend the Masterplanning Team for the immense level of work undertaken in preparing the Masterplans, and also local communities for their engagement in the process.  

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which advised of the Council’s progress in 2011 on actions to meet the commitments of the Scottish Climate Change Declaration.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note and endorse the actions and commitments set out in Aberdeen’s 2011 report on the Scottish Climate Change Declaration;  and

(b)       instruct officers to submit the annual report, as required by the Declaration, to the Sustainable Scotland Network (SSN).

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations as contained in the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which sought approval for a new item of draft Supplementary Guidance, the River Don Corridor Framework, to be issued for public consultation for a minimum of six weeks. 

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the draft River Don Corridor Framework Supplementary Guidance document for a minimum of six weeks’ public consultation;  and

(b)       agree that following completion of a public consultation, any comments received and subsequent amendments to the draft Supplementary Guidance be presented to a future meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee for approval.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations as contained in the report.

With reference to article 29 of the minute of the meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee of 13 September, 2011, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which presented the representations received on the following eight Supplementary Guidance documents which had been out for public consultation;  and sought approval for the adoption of these documents:-

• air quality;
• harmony of uses;
• low and zero carbon buildings;
• shop front security;
• shop front and advertisements design guide;
• transport and accessibility;
• archaeology and planning;  and
• natural heritage.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the representations received on the draft Supplementary Guidance documents;

(b)       approve officers’ responses to representations received on the draft Supplementary Guidance documents;

(c)        adopt the Supplementary Guidance documents listed in the report as interim planning advice and pending adoption of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan, agree for officers to send the Supplementary Guidance documents to be ratified by the Scottish Government;  and

(d)       agree that, if further significant amendments were required to any of the Supplementary Guidance documents following the publication of the Reporters’ Report into the Examination of the Local Development Plan, officers re-consult on the amended documents prior to final adoption by Committee. 

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations as contained in the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which sought approval for the continuation of financial support for the North East Scotland Local Biodiversity Action Plan over the next three financial years from 2012 to 2015.  

The report recommended:-

that the Committee approve the funding of £4,620 for the North East Scotland Local Biodiversity Action Plan for each of the next three financial years.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation as contained in the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which sought approval for a new item of draft Technical Advice, on Retail Impact Assessments, to be issued for public consultation.  

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the Retail Impact Assessment Technical Advice Note document for public consultation;  and

(b)       agree that following completion of the relevant consultation, any comments received and subsequent amendments to the draft advice be presented to a future meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations as contained in the report.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

During consideration of the following item Councillor Cormack declared a non-pecuniary interest as a member of Aberdeen City Heritage Trust, but did not consider it necessary to withdraw from the meeting.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which presented the amendments recommended by Reporters on the Supplementary Guidance in relation to Union Street frontages and also sought approval of the draft Supplementary Guidance regarding Union Street frontages as interim planning guidance.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the representations received on the draft Supplementary Guidance;

(b)       approve officers’ responses to representations received on the draft Supplementary Guidance document;  and

(c)        adopt the Supplementary Guidance document as interim planning advice and, pending Council approval for adoption of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan, agree for officers to send the Supplementary Guidance documents to be ratified by the Scottish Government.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendations as contained in the report;  and

(ii)        to request officers to provide contact details for the Business Improvement District team to all Members of the Committee.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which summarised the findings of Audit Scotland’s recent assessment of reform and modernisation of the Scottish planning system and sought endorsement of the actions taken by the Council in pursuit of modernising the planning service and implementing the recommendations.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the findings and key recommendations of the Audit Scotland report and endorse the actions taken by the Council in pursuit of modernising the planning service and implementing the recommendations of the audit;  and

(b)       agree that the Convener write to the Scottish Ministers outlining the concerns that a fee increase was required to help cover the costs of delivering a modernised planning service.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations as contained in the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which proposed various small scale traffic management measures for the above locations.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the proposals, in principle, and instruct officers to commence the necessary legal procedures of preliminary statutory consultation for the traffic regulation orders required, and if no significant objections were received, then to progress with the public advertisement and report the results to a future meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee;  and

(b)       instruct officers to commence the combined statutory consultation for the traffic order for the list of Blue Badge parking spaces and to report back to a future meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations as contained in the report, with the exception that officers promote the proposed ‘at any time’ waiting restrictions on both sides of Kettlehills Lane, Northfield.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which advised of the results of the proposed traffic management scheme

The report recommended:-

that the Committee acknowledge the responses received as a result of the Statutory Consultation and thereafter instruct officers to progress to the public advertisement stage and report the results to a future meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations as contained in the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Corporate Governance which presented the outcome of the following eight traffic orders, all at the final statutory stage:- 

            (i)         The Aberdeen City Council (North Deeside Road, Aberdeen) (Extension of 30mph Speed Limit) Order 2011; 

            (ii)        The Aberdeen City Council (Leslie Terrace, Allenvale Road and Great Western Lane, Aberdeen) (Exemption For Cyclists) Order 2011;

            (iii)       The Aberdeen City Council (Guild Street, Exchange Street, Aberdeen) (Traffic Management) Order 2011;

            (iv)       The Aberdeen City Council (Marischal College Multi-Storey Off-Street Car Park) Order 2011;

            (v)        The Aberdeen City (Chapel Street, Denburn, West North Street and Virginia Street Off-Street Car Parks) (Exemption for Certain Residential Parking Permits) Order 2011;

            (vi)       The Aberdeen City Council (Castle Terrace, Justice Street and Marischal Street, Aberdeen) (Pay and Display) Order 2011;

            (vii)      The Aberdeen City Council (Motorcycle Bays Off-Street Car Parks) Order 2011;  and

            (viii)     The Aberdeen City Council (Access Road Serving Craigshaw Business Park) Order 2011.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       in relation to The Aberdeen City Council (Guild Street, Exchange Street, Aberdeen) (Traffic Management) Order 2011, approve the proposed relaxation to the order, as detailed in section 5.3 of the report and approve that the order be introduced on that basis;  and

(b)       approve all of the orders that did not attract objection, and that all the orders be made as originally envisaged and implemented accordingly.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendations as contained in the report; and

(ii)        to delete motion 4 (Motion by Councillor Yuill –  Extension of 30mph Speed Limit on Northcote Road) from the outstanding motions list.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which advised of the findings of the Audit Scotland Report on Transport for Health and Social Care and provided an update on the performance of the Council and other partner organisations in this regard.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the key messages and recommendations from the Audit Scotland report as set out in Appendix A to the report; 

(b)       note the current performance by the Council following the self assessment;  and

(c)        request officers to report back to the Committee at its meeting on 31 May, 2012, with a detailed action plan setting out how the Council and partner organisations would tackle the areas for development following self assessment and how the Council would meet the recommendations as set out by the Audit Scotland report.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendations as contained in the report;  and

(ii)        to request officers to advise members, by way of email, of:- (a) the level of demand for use of school and social care transport during periods their vehicles were not being utilised by the Council;  and  (b) whether a social impact study of the changes in social care transport had been undertaken.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Dean declared an interest in the subject matter of the following article by virtue of her position as a Board member of NHS Grampian, but chose to remain in the meeting as NHS Grampian was a devolved public body (as set out in paragraph 5.18(2)(i)(a) of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct). 

With reference to article 4 of the minute of the meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee of 15 March, 2011, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided an update on the implications of the implementation of the proposed pricing structure for the Foresterhill and Garthdee on-street parking zones.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the content of the report and the options that officers had considered;

(b)       instruct officers to refer, for discussion, the proposed revised charges to the next meeting of the Controlled Parking Working Group on 3 February, 2012;

(c)        instruct officers to carry out further consultation with both NHS Grampian and Robert Gordon University;

(d)       instruct officers to implement a further seven pay and display machines at strategic locations in the immediate streets surrounding the hospital campus;  and

(e)       instruct officers to expand the existing 18 month trial period for the implementation of a mobile telephone payment system to operate in relation to the on-street parking within the Foresterhill Zone.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendations as contained in the report;  and

(ii)        to request officers to investigate the possibility of installing the mobile telephone payment system into the Garthdee area.

With reference to article 41 of the minute of the meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee of 13 September, 2011, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which advised of the progress made to date in relation to the introduction of the regulation of on-street disabled parking places across the city and sought approval for the promotion of the necessary Traffic Regulation Order.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the commencement of the Traffic Regulation Order for the promotion of the existing on-street disabled parking places;

(b)       instruct officers to undertake the necessary procedures;  and

(c)        refer the report to the Finance and Resources Committee for consideration of allocating funding in 2012/2013 for the implementation of the on-street disabled parking places.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendations as contained in the report; 

(ii)        to request the Convener to write to the Scottish Government, and all political parties, advising of the cost and impact to the Council of the introduction of the new Disabled Persons Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009;  and

 (iii)      to request officers to explore the possibility of introducing temporary city centre disabled parking bays in light of the removal of disabled spaces from Flourmill Lane and the temporary loss of spaces on Netherkirkgate/St Catherine’s Wynd.

With reference to article 23 of the minute of the meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee of 15 November, 2011, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which advised of the progress to date on the various strategic transportation projects within the city and the wider area.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the attendance of an Elected Member at the CARE North (Carbon Responsible Transport Strategies) final conference in Bremen;

(b)       note the recommendations of the feasibility reports for on-street ticketing and on-street public bike hire;

(c)        instruct officers to prepare a draft response to the 2012 Rail Consultation to be agreed by the Convener and Vice-Convener of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee prior to submission by the deadline of 20 February, 2012;

(d)       as per the decision of the Strategic Development Planning Authority of 15 December, 2011, ratify the approval of the Supplementary Planning Guidance for the Strategic Transport Fund as detailed in Section 11 of the report; 

(e)       endorse development through Nestrans as detailed in Section 12 of the report;  and

(f)         to otherwise to note the content of the report.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendations as contained in the report;  and

(ii)        to agree that the Vice-Convener attend the CARE North (Carbon Responsible Transport Strategies) final conference in Bremen.

With reference to article 22 of the minute of the meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee of 26 November, 2009, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided an update on the progress of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) and sought approval of refined governance arrangements which, it was proposed, would apply to the AWPR and its associated projects to ensure a robust and efficient decision making process once the scheme had entered its procurement and construction phase.  

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the on-going legal appeal against the AWPR;

(b)       endorse the proposed project governance and project management structures as detailed at Appendix 2 to the report;

(c)        note the key role for Members from both Councils with regards to investment decision making within Stage 4 of the Independent Project Assurance Model being used on the project as set out at paragraph 5.39 of the report;

(d)       endorse the delegation of the remaining decision making powers within Stages 1 to 3 of the Independent Project Assurance Model to the Chief Executive, or her nominated representatives, as set out at paragraph 5.38 of the report;  and

(e)       per Standing Order 1(3), approve the commencement of procurement for the provision of a variety of bat mitigation measures as detailed at paragraph 5.3 of the report.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations as contained in the report.

The Convener alluded to the fact that this was the final meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee prior to the local government elections in May, and thanked all staff for their hard work and achievements since the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Directorate had been established. She continued that it had been a privilege to be Convener of this Committee, and thanked the various Vice-Conveners for their support throughout this time.

The Vice-Convener and Councillor Donnelly echoed the comments of the Convener.

- COUNCILLOR KATE DEAN, Convener.