Agenda and minutes

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

http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=140&MId=2758&Ver=4

“Following the end of the legal challenge against the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR), the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee agrees to renew the commitment to ‘lock in’ the benefits of the AWPR by progressing with the Third Don Crossing on the route previously agreed by Council, and the dualling of the Berryden Corridor as quickly as possible.”

In terms of Standing Order 31(4) the following four members of the Committee had called for a special meeting of the Committee to meet this day to discuss the motion set out in article 2 to this minute:-  Councillors Corall, Jaffrey, MacGregor and McCaig.

With reference to article 1 of this minute, the Convener invited the members who had requisitioned the special meeting to put forward their proposal.

Councillor Corral moved, seconded by Councillor Yuill:-

Following the end of the legal challenge against the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR), the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee agrees to renew the commitment to “lock in” the benefits of the AWPR by progressing with the third Don crossing on the route previously agreed by Council, and the dualling of the Berryden corridor as quickly as possible”

Councillor Thomson moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Forsyth:-

Council recognises its commitment to the existing policy for the third don crossing and recognises that the Council needs to bring forward a balanced budget for 2013/2014 and agrees the third Don crossing will be part of that process.  Council further notes the complete failure of the SNP Administration to include the Berryden corridor in their capital budget plan for 2011/12 and further notes the complete hypocrisy of the SNP who when in Administration with the Liberal Democrats between May 2007 and May 2012 failed to build the third Don crossing, failed to proceed with the Berryden corridor and failed the people of Aberdeen.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion (7) – Councillors Corral, Cormie, Delaney, Jaffrey, MacGregor, Townson and Yuill.  For the amendment (8) – the Convener;  the Vice-Convener;  and Councillors Boulton, Finlayson, Forsyth, Grant, Laing and Thomson.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the amendment.

In terms of Standing Order 36(3) Councillor Yuill intimated that he wished the matter dealt with in the preceding article to be referred to Council for final decision.  He was supported by Councillors Corall, Cormie, Delaney, Jaffrey and Townson in this respect.

MATTER OF URGENCY

The Convener intimated that he had directed in terms of Section 50(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the following emergency notice of motion be considered as a matter of urgency in order that the Committee could consider the information at the earliest opportunity.

The Committee had before it the following emergency Notice of Motion by Councillor Thomson:-

The Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee welcomes the United Kingdom Government’s decision to award Aberdeen a share of the £50million Super Connected Cities funding which will hugely improve broadband speeds and 4G Wi-Fi coverage across the city.

Committee fully recognises that this decision shows the UK Government’s recognition of Aberdeen as the UK’s economic powerhouse and as a global energy hub.  Committee also recognises that the provision of superfast broadband will boost business confidence in the North East, secure jobs, secure investment and ensure new business growth.

Committee further notes that the UK Government’s decision is further evidence of how Aberdeen benefits from being part of a strong United Kingdom.

Committee instructs officers to bring forward a report to the next meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee noting the benefits to Aberdeen having superfast broadband.

The Committee then discussed the motion and were advised by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure that further details on the exact amount Aberdeen city would receive from the fund and how the funding would be spent in the city would be detailed in the report instructed within the terms of the emergency Notice of Motion.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the terms of the emergency Notice of Motion.

- BARNEY CROCKETT, Convener.