Agenda and minutes

Also in attendance:  Councillor Malone (for article 9), Councillor Stewart (for article 11) and Councillor Townson (for article 10).

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

http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=140&MId=2523&Ver=4

The Convener proposed that item 2.1 (Request for Deputation) and item 9.1 (West Huxterstone, Kingswells Masterplan) be considered earlier on the agenda.

The Committee resolved:-

to concur with the proposal.

The Committee had before it two requests for deputation, one from Mrs Barrie Buchan on behalf of Kingswells Community Council; and the other from John Findlay on behalf of Ryden, both relating to item 9.1 (West Huxterstone, Kingswells Masterplan) on the agenda.

The Committee heard from the Head of Planning and Sustainable Development who advised that there were a number of stages to be completed in the masterplanning process, including public consultation and third party scrutiny.  In the case in question, both developer and objector had requested a deputation, meaning that the justification from both parties could be heard.  Otherwise, the Committee could potentially be asked to hear only one argument, and this could be perceived as prejudicial to the planning process.  The Head of Planning and Sustainable Development advised the Committee to decline the deputation requests, and to instruct officers to devise an appropriate protocol for the purposes of hearing future representations on masterplans.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to hear the deputations; and

(ii)        to instruct officers to develop a protocol for hearing representations as part of the masterplanning process, and to report back.

In terms of Standing Order 10(1), and as agreed at the beginning of the meeting (article 2 refers), the Committee received a deputation from Mrs Barrie Buchan and Dr Tom Straiton on behalf of Kingswells Community Council and Mr John Findlay on behalf of Ryden in relation to the recommendations contained within the West Huxterstone, Kingswells Masterplan report (article 5 refers).

Mrs Buchan advised that initially, she had not been against the development, however she raised concerns in relation to the number of houses which were proposed to be built which would impact on the primary school pupil roll.  Mrs Buchan referred to the current set up of the school buildings which included the use of portacabins.  She also sought clarification on the number of houses that could be built as part of the development, which could rise from 138 to 146.  She indicated that Kingswells Community Council strongly objects to the building of houses on the old Lang Stracht facing the valley.  She urged the Committee not to approve the recommendations for the masterplan today, and to defer the start date of the development until 2016.

Members were invited to ask questions of Mrs Buchan and Dr Straiton and then thanked them for their contribution.

Mr Findlay provided background information in relation to the site masterplan and outlined the development framework.  He indicated that at the commencement of the framework there was capacity within the primary school for additional pupils.  He intimated that extensive consultation had been undertaken which included two events and meetings with Kingswells Community Council, following which 25 written representations were received.  Mr Findlay indicated that many of the issues were addressed in appendix one of the masterplan.  He advised that only a short section of the old Lang Stracht would be upgraded and that the frontage development was a key requirement which had been respected.  He concluded by indicating that there were a number of ongoing issues which would be negotiated to accommodate any shortfall in educational provision and these would be addressed through the detailed planning process.

Members were invited to ask questions of Mr Findlay and then thanked him for his contribution.

With reference to article 24 of the minute of the previous meeting of 11 September 2012, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which updated members on the principles and clarified administrative aspects of the Aberdeen Masterplanning Process, adopted as Supplementary Guidance to the Aberdeen Local Development Plan.

The Committee received a presentation by Sandy Beattie, Team Leader, Enterprise Planning and Infrastructure Service in relation to the Aberdeen Masterplanning Process.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       retain the adopted Aberdeen Masterplanning Process;  and

(b)       note the administrative changes to the community engagement in the process namely:-

(i)         Action Note to be circulated immediately following public meetings;

(ii)        Community councils to be given advance copy of draft masterplans a minimum 14 days prior to the relevant Committee meeting;  and

(iii)       Written response from statutory consultees, including community councils, to be appended to Committee reports following public consultation.

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

that the recommendations as contained within the report be approved.

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

that the Committee -

(i)         consult with all relevant statutory consultees on finalised masterplans prior to them being considered by Committee and incorporate their comments into the Committee report;

(ii)        agree recommendation (b);  and

(iii)       retain the provisions of the adopted Aberdeen Masterplanning Process in all other respects.

On a division, there voted:-  for the motion (13) – the Convener, the Vice-Convener and Councillors Allan, Boulton, Cameron, Cormie, Finlayson, Jaffrey, Laing, MacGregor, McCaig, Jean Morrison MBE and Thomson;  for the amendment (2) – Councillors Delaney and Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to adopt the motion;  and

(ii)        to note that the presentation could be delivered to all political groups if requested.

With reference to article 24 of the minute of the previous meeting of 11 September 2012, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which outlined the West Huxterstone, Kingswells Masterplan, prepared as a guide for the future development of land identified as Opportunity Site OP42 in the Aberdeen Local Development Plan (2012).  The report also outlined the results of the public consultation.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee adopt the West Huxterstone, Kingswells Masterplan as Supplementary Guidance subject to endorsement by the Scottish Government.

The Convener indicated his intention to move approval of the recommendation.

Councillor Delaney indicated that it was his intention to move an amendment in the following terms:-

that the recommendation be approved, subject to the following revisions:-

(a)       two exits will be made onto Fairley Road and none onto the old Lang Stracht;

(b)       X-Type (West One) houses are not acceptable for the affordable housing provision on this site;  and

(c)        development of this site be postponed until satisfactory capacity has been identified to provide for the schooling of children from this development.

The Committee heard from the Head of Planning and Sustainable Development on the terms of the amendment, specifically that if agreed by the Committee this would in all likelihood prejudice the planning application process, the stage at which this level of detail would actually be determined.

On this basis and in terms of Standing Order 18, the Convener ruled that the above amendment would be incompetent and invited Councillor Delaney to adjust its terms based on the advice given by officers.

Councillor Delaney then indicated his intention to move the following as an amendment:-

that the recommendation be approved, subject to the following revisions:-

(a)       allow for the possibility of two exists to be made onto Fairley Road as a possible alternative to exiting onto the old Lang Stracht;

(b)       instruct officers to look at a range of options for affordable housing rather than restrict this to any one type;  and

(c)        phase the site development in conjunction with advice from the Education, Culture and Sport Service.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation, subject to the following revisions:-

(i)         allow for the possibility of two exists to be made onto Fairley Road as a possible alternative to exiting onto the old Lang Stracht;

(ii)        instruct officers to look at a range of options for affordable housing rather than restrict this to any one type;  and

(iii)       phase the site development in conjunction with advice from the Education, Culture and Sport Service.

Prior to considering the matters before the Committee, the Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the press and public from the meeting for articles 39, 40 and 41 so as to avoid disclosure of exempt information of the class described in paragraphs 6 and 8 (article 39), 1 and 6 (article 40) and 8 (article 41) of Schedule 7(A) to the Act.

The Committee had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 11 September, 2012.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice-Convener moved as a procedural motion:-

that the minute be amended at article 24 resolution (i) to read:-

“to delay consideration of the report until the next meeting of the Committee during which time officers to consult on the masterplan”, thus deleting the words “with Kingswells Community Council”.

On a division, there voted:-  for the procedural motion – (6) the Convener, the Vice Convener and Councillors Allan, Boulton, Jean Morrison MBE and Thomson;  against the procedural motion – (5) Councillors Cormie, Delaney, Finlayson, Jaffrey and Yuill;  declined to vote – (4) Councillors Cameron, Laing, MacGregor and McCaig.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to adopt the procedural motion;  and

(ii)        to otherwise approve the minute.

The Partnership acts as an advisory body to the Councils of North East Scotland and the industry and provides support to fishing dependent communities.

(5 Members to be appointed).

The Committee had before it a request to appoint five members to the North East Scotland Fisheries Development Partnership and an agenda providing details of the next meeting of the Partnership.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to agree the allocation as three administration and two opposition members (including Councillor Corall);  and

(ii)        that remaining nominations for the Partnership be submitted to the Head of Democratic Services.

“To instruct the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure to support the request by the International School of Aberdeen and install a safe pedestrian crossing similar to other crossings on North Deeside Road at the entrance of the school. At present there is no safe crossing and pupils and community members must negotiate a very busy road”

In terms of Standing Order 21, the Committee had before it the following motion by Councillor Malone which had been referred from Council at its meeting on 13 June, 2012:-

" To instruct the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure to support the request by the International School of Aberdeen and install a safe pedestrian crossing similar to other crossings on North Deeside Road at the entrance of the school.  At present there is no safe crossing and pupils and community members must negotiate a very busy road"

Councillor Malone was in attendance and formally moved her motion and explained the rationale behind her request.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to note that a pedestrian crossing island would be installed;  and

(ii)        agree that the motion be discharged and removed from the motions list.

“Council agrees to develop a youth employment strategy for Aberdeen in consultation with relevant public and private organisations.”

In terms of Standing Order 21, the Committee had before it the following motion by Councillor Townson which had been referred from Council at its meeting on 13 June, 2012:-

“Council agrees to develop a youth employment strategy for Aberdeen in consultation with relevant public and private organisations”

Councillor Townson was in attendance and formally moved his motion and explained the rationale behind his request.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         that officers submit a report to the Committee to include (1) the extension of 'job sharing' to school leavers in respect of appropriate positions and that such 'job sharing' should be for the first year only and at the end of said year one person be offered full time employment and the other be released onto the job market with the advantage of training, experience and development of a work history and a work ethic;  (2)  the consideration of opportunities for increasing employment of young people and to research the feasibility and financial implications of Aberdeen City Council taking the lead amongst its partners in applying a ‘job sharing’ principle to suitable job vacancies in respect of school leavers for the first year of such posts, thereby reducing unemployment within the 16-19 year old age group and affording them training and development of a work history;  and

(ii)        that the above report also include consideration of the apprenticeship scheme in the city.

“That this Council considers the possibility of scheduling future meetings of the Development Management Sub Committee so as to avoid meetings being held in July, with a suggestion that meetings be held in late June and early August instead to assist with meeting performance indicators for dealing with planning applications.”

In terms of Standing Order 21, the Committee had before it the following motion by Councillor Jennifer Stewart which had been referred from Council at its meeting on 10 October, 2012:-

“That this Council considers the possibility of scheduling future meetings of the Development Management Sub-Committee so as to avoid meetings being held in July, with a suggestion that meetings be held in late June and earl August instead to assist with meeting performance indicators for dealing with planning applications”

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

The Committee resolved:-

that officers be instructed to submit a report to the next meeting of the Committee on this matter.

With reference to article 14 of the minute of meeting of 31 January 2012, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure relating to a motion submitted by Councillor Yuill which proposed the creation of a new long distance path route between Aberdeen and Perthshire.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the content of the report;  and

(b)       support the principle of the long distance route but take no further action until all authorities along the route are engaged in the project.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations contained within the report.

(Please refer to separate appendix at item 12.1 on the agenda)

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided indicative details of the approach being taken within the Asset Management and Operations Service to enable the service to deliver the level of efficiencies identified within the Council’s Business Plan.

A supplementary report on Delivering Transformational Change in Asset Management and Operations Services dated October 2012 was appended to the report and contained in the exempt section of the agenda (article 39 of this minute refers).

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the findings from the soft market testing and soundings undertaken by the services to date;

(b)       agree that the capability exists within the in-house workforce to achieve similar levels of efficiencies through transformational changes and appropriate investment in services;

(c)        note the range of change options identified within the report;  and

(d)       instruct officers to report back in six months to update the Committee on progress.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations contained within the report.

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 report recommended:-

that the Committee note the current position.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

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 along with forecast outturns for the services which related to the Committee and advised on any areas of risk and management action.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

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

(b)       approve the virement proposals detailed within Appendix A;

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

(d)       instructs officers to report, in due course, on the actual outturn compared to budget following completion of the 2012/13 financial statements.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendations;  and

(ii)        to thank the Director and his staff for managing the budget effectively.

(Please refer to separate appendix at item 12.2 on the agenda)

With reference to article 21 of the minute of meeting of 11 September 2012, the Committee had before it for consideration a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided details of the current position regarding the establishment of Visit Aberdeen, an Aberdeen Destination Marketing Organisation for the city, and detailed the funding requirements to build on past investment to further drive the promotion of Aberdeen as a destination for business and leisure tourism.

The business plan submitted by Visit Aberdeen was appended to the report and contained in the exempt section of the agenda (article 40 refers).

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the current position with regard to the establishment of Visit Aberdeen and the production of their business plan;

(b)       acknowledge the support needed from Aberdeen City Council to enable Visit Aberdeen to undertake the activities, and deliver the outputs, set out in their business plan;

(c)        agree the allocation of £200,000 towards Visit Aberdeen’s destination marketing activities from 6 November, 2012 to 31 March, 2013;

(d)       agree the allocation of £520,000 towards future destination marketing activities from 1 April, 2013 to 31 March, 2014, then annually for a further four years subject to the council’s normal budgetary process;  and

(e)       agree that Visit Aberdeen provides Aberdeen City Council with an annual Service Level Agreement and an updated Business Plan detailing their planned activities, plus regular progress reports, to enable the agreed monies to be released on a quarterly basis.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided an update in relation to the UK and Scottish Government activities and an outline of this Council’s activities to date.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)       notes the details within the report;

(b)       endorses the bid to the Department of Culture Media and Sport’s second round of Urban Broadband Funding;

(c)        instructs that officers, that should the bid be successful, undertake the processes required to implement the plan within this bid, taking into account any changes that are required by the funder;  and

(d)       instructs officers to procure the necessary additional technical advice at an estimated £330,000, in order to prepare for the procurement of private sector development partners to implement the city wireless and open access broadband projects within this plan.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

With reference to article 15 of the minute of its previous meeting of 11 September, 2012, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which sought approval of applications for financial assistance from the International Twinning Budget 2012/13.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee approve the following applications –

(a)       £1,790 towards the participation of two entertainers from Stavanger, Clermont-Ferrand and Regensburg in Aberdeen City’s Christmas Light Switch-on Parade, 24 to 26 November, 2012;

(b)       £3,410 maximum contribution towards the participation of traditional Norwegian singers from Stavanger to enhance the Christmas Tree Light Switch-on Ceremony, Aberdeen, 29 November, to 01 December, 2012;

(c)        £2,400 contribution towards the visit of three Aberdeen City Council officers to the Festival du Court Metrage, Clermont-Ferrand, 01 to 08 February, 2013;

(d)       £3,960 towards the participation of an Aberdeen delegation in the Social Initiative Market in Regensburg, 04 to 11 December, 2012;  and

(e)       £6,800 contribution towards the inclusion of two musical elements from Regensburg and Stavanger twin cities in the Aberdeen Jazz Festival 2013, 15 to 17 March, 2013.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendations;  and

(ii)        to note that the Committee would receive an annual report on these activities in due course.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which highlighted the needs and potential benefits of supporting local employability training providers.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       agree that officers within Employability, Skills and Community Enterprise further investigate and consult on the optimum means of supporting local employability training providers;  and

(b)       agree that officers submit a further report to Committee once further investigation and consultation has been completed.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which outlined the Loirston Development Framework, prepared as a strategy for the future development of land identified in the Aberdeen Local Development Plan as Opportunity Sites OP77, OP80 and OP78.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

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

(b)       agree for officers to implement the process to ratify the Development Framework as Supplementary Guidance.  This will include a four week public consultation with results reported to Committee prior to submission to Scottish Government.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations contained within the report

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which outlined the Maidencraig Masterplan, prepared as a guide for the future development of land identified as Opportunity Sites OP43 Maidencraig South East and OP44 Maidencraig North East in the adopted Aberdeen Local Development Plan.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the Maidencraig Masterplan as interim planning advice;  and

(b)       agree for officers to implement the process to ratify the Masterplan as Supplementary Guidance.  This will include a four week public consultation with results reported to Committee prior to submission to Scottish Government.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to commend the meaningful public engagement which has taken place as an example of good practice to which others should aspire;

(ii)        that a potential site for a new primary school be identified;

(iii)       that officers look at alternatives to re-opening Core Path 93 in the interests of residential amenity for the residents of Lewis Court;

(iv)       that a desire to achieve connectivity with existing residential areas must not be done at the expense of compromising privacy, security and safety;  and

(v)        to otherwise welcome the proposals and approve the recommendations

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which presented twelve draft supplementary guidance documents for adoption alongside the Local Development Plan, and outlined the results of a six week consultation period on these, including a summary of the representations received on each document.  An appendix detailed officer responses to these representations and any resulting action.

The supplementary guidance documents, which had been made available to members separately, were:-

(1)       Bon Accord Baths Planning Brief;

(2)       Cove Charette Report and Masterplan;

(3)       Dyce Drive Planning Brief;

(4)       Foresterhill Development Framework;

(5)       Fire Station Site, North Anderson Drive Planning Brief;

(6)       Greenferns Development Framework and Masterplan;

(7)       Kingswells Development Framework;

(8)       Murcar Development Framework;

(9)       Pinewood Hazledene Planning Brief;

(10)     Aberdeen Harbour Development Framework;

(11)     Kingswells Development Framework and Phase One Masterplan (OP40);  and

(12)     Kingswells Prime Four Business Park (Phase Two and Three)

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the representations received on the draft supplementary guidance documents;

(b)       approve officer responses to representations received on the draft supplementary guidance documents;

(c)        agree, where appropriate, for officers to send the requested supplementary guidance documents to be ratified by the Scottish Government;  and

(d)       agree, where appropriate, that the requested supplementary guidance documents remain as Local Planning Advice and do not get sent to the Scottish Government for ratification.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations contained within the report.

With reference to article 23 of the minute of meeting of 31 May 2012, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure presenting four draft supplementary guidance documents for adoption alongside the Local Development Plan, which had recently been subject to public consultation.  The four guidance documents were as follows:-

(1)       Infrastructure and Developer Contributions Manual;

(2)       Bats and Development;

(3)       Children’s Nurseries and Sports Facilities;  and

(4)       Gypsy and Travellers Sites.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the representations received on the draft supplementary guidance documents concerned with the consultation undertaken;

(b)       approve officer responses to representations received on the draft supplementary guidance documents;  and

(c)        approve the revised draft Infrastructure and Developer Contributions Manual Supplementary Guidance, Children’s Nurseries and Sports Facilities Supplementary Guidance, Gypsy and Traveller Sites Draft supplementary guidance and draft supplementary guidance document – Bats and Development to allow officers to submit the documents to Scottish Ministers for ratification as supplementary guidance to the Aberdeen Local Development Plan.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which sought approval to consult on supplementary guidance to provide further detail on applications for Wind Turbines.  The supplementary guidance was appended to the report.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the draft Wind Turbines supplementary guidance document for a six week public consultation;  and

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

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 16 of the minute of meeting of 15 November 2011, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which sought approval for a revised draft of Technical Advice on the Repair and Replacement of Windows and Doors to be issued for a six week period of public consultation.  The revised draft was appended to the report.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the Repair and Replacement of Windows and Doors Technical Advice Note document for a six week public consultation;  and

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

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided information relating to the draft proposed Strategic Development Plan prior to its consideration by the Strategic Development Planning Authority (SDPA) on 9 November 2012.  The report indicated that after consideration and agreement by the SDPA, the proposed plan would be referred to both Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council for ratification, following which there would be a period for representations prior to submission to Scottish Ministers.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the contents of the draft Proposed Strategic Development Plan (appended to the report);

(b)       note the contents of the draft minute of the SDPA on 21 September 2012 (appended to the report);  and

(c)        agree to attach the minute of this Committee to the report to Council following approval of the draft proposed plan by the SDPA.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided an update on the MUSIC (Mitigation in Urban Areas: Solutions for Innovative Cities) Project.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the positive progress of the MUSIC project to date;

(b)       approve the attendance of a Councillor to represent the Council at the MUSIC Partnership meeting and Midterm Conference in Ghent, 19-21 November 2012;

(c)        approve the selected Councillor to continue to participate as a ‘Frontrunner’ for the duration of the project to April 2014;  and

(d)       instruct officers to report back to this Committee with progress on the MUSIC Project twice annually, following the reporting schedule set by the European Union Fund.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendations;  and

(ii)        to agree that the Convener, whom failing, would attend the MUSIC Partnership meeting in Ghent.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure relating to various small scale traffic management measures identified by officers, residents, local members, emergency services, etc and verified as necessary through surveys by officers.  The report also outlined proposals associated with new developments as part of the development management process.  Finally, the report included proposals for individual parking spaces for Blue Badge holders which now require to be progressed through the normal legal process for the required Traffic Regulation Order.

The report related to proposals at the following locations in the city:-

• Proposals to be funded from Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets budget -

Braeside Place;

Garvock Wynd;

Girdleness Road;

Maberley Street/George Street;

Maryville Place;

Union Street/Crown Street Junction;

Westburn Road;

• Proposals to be funded by the Developer -

Earlspark Avenue;

Mugiemoss, Davidson Mills;

Wellington Road;

• Proposals to be funded from the Disabled Parking Revenue budget -

Various On-Street Parking (28 spaces);  and

Various Off-Street Parking (12 spaces).

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the proposals in principle;

(b)       instruct the appropriate officers to commence the necessary legal procedures of preliminary statutory consultation for the traffic regulation orders required as described in the report.  If no significant objections were received, then progress with the public advertisement and report the results to a future meeting of this Committee;  and

(c)        instruct the appropriate officers to commence the combined statutory consultation for the traffic regulation order for the list of Blue Badge parking spaces and report back to a future meeting of this Committee.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations contained within the report.

With reference to article 36 of the minute of meeting of 13 September 2011, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which outlined the results of the initial statutory consultation on the proposed traffic management scheme on Justice Mill Lane and the request to include a cycling provision.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee acknowledge the responses received as a result of the statutory consultation and instruct the appropriate officials to progress to public advertisement and report the results to a future Committee.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendations contained within the report;  and

(ii)        that officers be instructed to look at a possible exemption from the right hand ban for cyclists and report back to the Committee.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Corporate Governance which advised of the outcome of the final statutory stage of the following two traffic orders and presented objections which had been received where relevant in each case:-

(i)         The Aberdeen City Council (A96/ Old Meldrum Road/ Mugiemoss Road, Aberdeen) (Redetermination of Means of Exercise of Public Right of Passage) Order 2012;  and

(ii)        The Aberdeen City Council (North Grampian Circle, South Grampian Circle, Aberdeen) (One-Way) Order 2012.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve The Aberdeen City Council (A96/ Old Meldrum Road/ Mugiemoss Road, Aberdeen) (Redetermination of Means of Exercise of Public Right of Passage) Order 2012 and agree that this order be made as originally envisaged;  and

(b)       approve The Aberdeen City Council (North Grampian Circle, South Grampian Circle, Aberdeen) (One-Way) Order 2012, and agree that this order be made as originally envisaged.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve recommendation (a) of the report outlined above.

(Please refer to separate appendix at item 12.3 on the agenda)

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided details of the outcome of the appeal process and which sought approval to procure the works and services required in advance of the main works construction of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) including approval of the estimated expenditure relating to advance works and services.

An appendix listing the works and services to be procured was contained in the exempt section of the agenda (article 41 refers).

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the disposal of the appeal against the decision of Scottish Ministers to approve the AWPR scheme by the United Kingdom Supreme Court;

(b)       note the conclusion of the statutory approvals process for AWPR by Scottish Ministers in accordance with the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984;  and

(c)        in accordance with Contracts and Procurement Standing Order 1(3), approve the procurement of the advance works and services detailed within the exempt information (appendix A to the report), deemed necessary to expedite the commencement of construction of the AWPR, and also approve the estimated expenditure for each contract (with a +10% allowance to account for variation in tender estimates).

The Convener proposed that recommendation (c) be determined at a later stage of the agenda when the exempt appendix was under consideration.  The Committee agreed with this proposal.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Young, moved:-

that recommendations (a) and (b) contained within the report be approved.

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

that in addition the Committee –

(1)       welcome the end of the uncertainty and delays caused to the commencement of work on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route;

(2)       condemn those associated with the succession of appeals against the decision of Scottish Ministers to approve the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route scheme;  and

(3)       deplore the multi million pound increase in the cost of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route resulting directly from the delays caused by the series of unsuccessful appeals.

On a division, there voted:-  for the motion (8) – the Convener;  and Councillors Allan, Boulton, Finlayson, Laing, Jean Morrison MBE, Thomson and Young;  for the amendment (7) – Councillors Cameron, Cormie, Delaney, Jaffrey, MacGregor, McCaig and Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

With reference to article 35 of the minute of the previous meeting of 11 September 2012, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which advised members of the progress to date of various strategic and local transportation projects within Aberdeen City and the wider area which flow from the development of the Regional Transport Strategy produced by Nestrans, and the Council’s own Local Transport Strategy (LTS).

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the contents of the report;  and

(b)       endorse development through Nestrans as outlined in section 5 of the report, including Board decisions and progress on the 2012/13 programme of works;  and

(c)        instruct officers to initiate a refresh of the LTS and to report back to this Committee with a suggested programme of activity including public and stakeholder engagement.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendations;  and

(ii)        to instruct that officers issue to Committee members a synopsis of the paper (referred to at item 6 (iii) of the minute), which was considered by Nestrans at its meeting on 20 June 2012.

With reference to article 33 of the minute of the previous meeting of 11 September 2012, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which advised on the development of a formal policy for dealing with misuse of all parking permits within the city, such as residents permits, business permits, contractors permits and Blue Badges.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)       note the levels and type of Blue Badge misuse and instructs officers to deal with such misuse by adopting the policy detailed at appendix A to the report;  and

(b)       instruct officers to undertake an additional three month monitoring period for residential parking permits and to report back to this Committee in January 2013 regarding the progress of the monitoring period.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided information in relation to the current legal agreement with Robert Gordon University to meet the administration and enforcement costs for the controlled parking area within Garthdee expired on the 30 September 2012 and recommended that consideration be given to the introduction of charges for residents permits.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the introduction of residential parking permit charges for the existing Garthdee controlled parking area in line with existing peripheral parking areas;  and

(b)       instruct officers to amend the Garthdee Controlled Parking Traffic Regulation Order through the legislative process to include the agreed permit charges.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Boulton, moved:-

that the recommendations contained within the report be approved.

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

that the Committee –

(1)       take no action on the recommendations in the report;

(2)       continue to provide resident parking permits free of charge to those living in the Garthdee controlled parking area;  and

(3)       meet the costs associated with this from contingencies and refer this to the Finance and Resources Committee for approval.

On a division, there voted:-  for the motion (13) – the Convener and Councillors Allan, Boulton, Cameron, Cormie, Finlayson, Laing, Jaffrey, MacGregor, McCaig, Jean Morrison MBE, Thomson and Young;  for the amendment (2) – Councillors Delaney and Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided an update on recent city wide flooding incidents and outlined the ongoing work necessary to assess and manage the risk of flooding.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the extent of the flooding problem as experienced on 25 August 2012;

(b)       note the progress made to investigate and alleviate the causes of flooding;  and

(c)        approve that a briefing session is arranged to update elected members on the national and local strategy to risk manage and alleviate flooding.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendations contained within the report;

(ii)        that officers be instructed to report back to the Committee with an update on progress in due course, which should include consideration of installing a weather station within the city centre;  and

(iii)       to congratulate officers on the work undertaken in the Denburn/Jacks Brae area.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided details of a proposal to improve the capacity and operational efficiency of the traffic signal controlled junction of Market Street and Guild Street through the rationalisation of turning movements.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       instruct the appropriate officers to introduce a temporary ban on the movement of vehicles westbound from Virginia Street into Guild Street over the period 19 November, 2012 until 28 January, 2013;  and

(b)       instruct the appropriate officers to commence the necessary legal procedures for the introduction of a permanent ban on the movement of vehicles westbound from Virginia Street into Guild Street.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendations contained within the report;  and

(ii)        that officers be authorised to remove the temporary ban if problems arise and to report back to the next meeting of the Committee on the impact of the temporary ban after undertaking consultation with relevant stakeholders.

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)         to delete item 7 (Greenbrae Cycle Project), item 9 (Technical Advice Note: The Repair and Replacement of Windows and Doors) and item 10 (Supplementary Guidance: Wind Turbine Development in Aberdeen City) from the statement;  and

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

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

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         that a report be submitted to the next meeting in relation to item 6 (Motion by Councillor Yuill – Snow Clearing);  and

(ii)        that in relation to item 10 (Motion by Councillor Delaney – Kingswells Park and Ride), that officers  be instructed to seek a meeting with the Transport Minister as a matter of priority.

In accordance with the decision recorded under article 6 of this minute, the following items of business were considered with the press and public excluded.

The Committee had before it a supplementary report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure relating to item 6.1 on the agenda (article 13 of this minute refers).

The Committee resolved:-

to note the supplementary report.

The Committee had before it a draft business plan submitted by Visit Aberdeen relating to item 8.1 on the agenda (article 16 of this minute refers).

The Committee resolved:-

to note the draft business plan.

In accordance with the decision taken earlier in the meeting (article 31 of this minute refers), the Committee had before it (1) recommendation (c) from the report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure relating to Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) – Advance Works and Services;  and (2) the annexe containing estimated expenditure for works and services from each contract.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(c)        per Standing Order 1(3), members approve the procurement of the advance works and services detailed within the exempt information (Annexe A to this report), deemed necessary to expedite the commencement of construction of the AWPR, and also approve the estimated expenditure for each contract (with a +10% allowance to account for variation in tender estimates).

Councillor McCaig, seconded by Councillor Yuill, moved:-

to approve the recommendation (c) contained with the report.

Councillor Boulton, seconded by Councillor Finlayson, moved as an amendment:-

that a report be submitted to this Committee prior to any demolition works of major buildings associated with the AWPR.

Following advice received from the Head of Planning and Sustainable Development, the Convener ruled in terms of Standing Order 18 that the amendment was not competent as the buildings referred to would not necessarily fall within the Council’s ownership.  On this basis, the amendment fell from consideration.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve recommendation (c) contained within the report.

COUNCILLOR CROCKETT, Convener.