Agenda, decisions and minutes

Also in attendance:- Councillor Delaney (for article 27) and Jennifer Stewart (for articles 27 and 28).

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

http://councilcommittees/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=140&MId=2896&Ver=4

Please note that if any changes are made to this minute at the point of approval, these will be outlined in the subsequent minute and this document will not be retrospectively altered.

In terms of Standing Order 9(2), the Convener advised that there was an additional item which required Committee approval as a matter or urgency, and that it was his intention to consider this with the press and public excluded from the meeting.

In terms of Standing Order 10, the Committee had before it a request for a deputation from Derek Williams and Alison Davies on behalf of Aberdeen Cycle Forum relating to item 8.10 (Roads Winter Service Plan) on the agenda.

The Convener proposed that the deputation be heard and that this item be considered earlier on the agenda.

The Committee resolved:-

to hear the deputation and to concur with the proposal.

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 32 and 33 so as to avoid disclosure of exempt information of the class described in paragraph 8 (article 32), and paragraph 6 (article 33) of Schedule 7(A) to the Act.

The Committee had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 21 May, 2013.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute.

The Committee had before it, by way of a referral, a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which had been considered by the Housing and Environment Committee at its meeting of 27 August 2013.

The report sought approval to establish an Environmental Policy Monitoring Group which would assist in overseeing and taking forward relevant cross-cutting Council environmental strategies, policies and plans.

The report recommended to the Housing and Environment Committee:-

(a)      that the Committee approve the establishment of the Monitoring Group and agree that, in addition to officers and stakeholders, there should be three elected members drawn from the Housing and Environment Committee and the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee and that the group should be chaired by one of these elected members; and

(b)      that this report is referred to the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee for approval.

The Housing and Environment Committee had resolved:-

to approve the recommendations and to recommend to the Enterprise, Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee that the Conveners of both Committees be appointed as well as one opposition member, Councillor Corall.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation in the report and from the Housing and Environment Committee.

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 Mr Derek Williams and Ms Alison Davies on behalf of Aberdeen Cycle Forum in relation to the recommendations contained within the report on the Roads Winter Service Plan 2013-14.

Ms Davies made reference to the Howes Road route in particular, advising that this route was her cycle link to work each day. She indicated that there had been a number of crashes/accidents on the road due to ice. She explained that the lack of gritting had affected those who choose to cycle to work using this route and intimated that the Roads Winter Service Plan did not include explicit consideration of gritting for cycle routes. She requested that the Committee consider cycle routes as part of the service plan. 

Mr Williams advised that cycle paths were key transport links which were relied upon for journeys which have no safe or viable alternative. He indicated that they are part of a vital city transport network which the Council has invested upon and he supported the inclusion of the main off-road cycle routes within the service plan.

Members were invited to ask questions of Ms Davies and Mr Williams and then thanked them for their contribution.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which outlined the proposed Winter Service Plan and explained significant changes.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the content of this report; and

(b)      approve the “Roads Winter Service Plan” for 2013 – 2014. Appendix A, The Roads Winter Service Plan will be sent to Councillors electronically.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to note the content of the report;

(ii)       to approve the Roads Winter Service Plan for 2013-14 (Appendix A);

(iii)      to agree in principle to include in the Roads Winter Service Plan 2013-14 the scheduled gritting of Aberdeen’s main off-road cycle routes where appropriate:-

·       The Deeside Line;

·       The Westhill path (from City boundary to Hazlehead Roundabout);

·       Howes Road;

·       The Shell path;

·       The A96 path, from Great Northern Road to Aberdeen Airport;

·       Cycle paths along Stoneywood Road (section of National Cycle Network);

·       Wellington Brae to Wellington Road via Wellington Bridge (section of National Cycle Network);

·       Cove Road to Duthie Park;

·       Wellheads Drive cycle path;

·       Cycle paths along Wellington Road;

·       Don Terrace to Persley Walled Garden (section of National Cycle Network)

(iv)      to request officers to report back to the next meeting of this Committee on how the above routes could be included and implemented within the Roads Winter Service Plan 2013-14.

With reference to article 7 of the minute of the previous meeting of 21 May, 2013 and in terms of Standing Order 21, the Committee had before it the following motion by Councillor Malone:-

“With reference to the petition received from 108 residents expressing their dismay at the poor condition of Earlspark Drive Bieldside:  Request that the section of Earlspark Drive, Bieldside from number 1 – 22 be resurfaced.  This to be funded from the 600k under spend in the general fund.”

The Committee resolved:-

to suspend Standing Order 21(4) and to defer consideration of this item until the next meeting of the Committee in Councillor Malone’s absence.

Aberdeen City Council welcomes the announcement that the 2014 Scottish Open is to be staged at Royal Aberdeen in 2014 and looks forward to working with partners to ensure that this opportunity to promote Aberdeen on an international stage is not missed.

In terms of Standing Order 21, the Committee had before it the following motion by Councillor McCaig:-

"Aberdeen City Council welcomes the announcement that the 2014 Scottish Open is to be staged at Royal Aberdeen in 2014 and looks forward to working with partners to ensure that this opportunity to promote Aberdeen on an international stage is not missed"

The Committee resolved:-

to instruct officers to submit a report to the next meeting of the Committee on the terms of the motion.

With reference to article 10 of the minute of the previous meeting of 21 May 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure, which responded to the motion by Councillor Malone to review the speed limits at Countesswells, Baillieswells and Blacktop area and to review rural speed limits.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the content of this report and that officers have undertaken the review/assessment in line with Scottish Government and Department for Transport guidance; and

(b)      agree that no further action should be taken with regard to the implementation of a lower speed limit.

The Convener advised that officers had submitted an amended set of recommendations as follows:-

that the Committee:-

(a)      note the content of this report and that officers have undertaken the review/assessment in line with Scottish Government and Department for Transport guidance; and

(b)      agree that no further action should be taken with regard to the implementation of a lower speed limit in the following locations on the following routes:-

·       C128 Kirk Brae (Route 2);

·       C127 Blacktop Road (Route 3);

·       C127 Countesswells Road (Route 4);

·       C129 Baillieswells Road (Route 5).

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to approve the amended recommendations by officers, with the addition that officers report back to the Committee on the feasibility of installing flashing speed limit signs at C127 Blacktop Road (East to West bound); and

(i)       that officers report back to the Committee in twelve months time on the speed limits across rural roads.

With reference to article 8 of the minute of the previous meeting of 21 May, 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which responded to a motion raised by Councillor Malone in relation to recent floods experienced by many households throughout the city.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)      agrees to the instigation of a grant for the provision of flood guards;

(b)      agrees that, subject to suitable funds being made available through the annual budget process, a sum up to a maximum of £50,000 be provided for the next 5 years to manage the project and approve the grant expenditures;

(c)      agrees that, subject to a budget provision, a grant of 50% of the cost of installation of flood guards up to a maximum of £1,250 per property be made to affected property owners on receipt of proof of expenditure; and

(d)      to instruct officers to monitor the take up on this provision and to report back to the committee at a future date

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations..

With reference to article 6 of the minute of the previous meeting of 21 May, 2013 the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which responded to a joint notice of motion by Councillors Kiddie and Cormie relating to suicide prevention measures on Union Bridge.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

a)       agree to instruct officers to proceed with the development of option A and to submit applications as necessary for the relevant permissions; and

b)       agree that the project be funded from the Capital Project ‘City Centre Transport Infrastructure’

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

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 outlined the current year revenue budget performance to date along with the forecast outturns for the services which relate 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 herein;

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

(c)      instruct officers to report, in due course, on the actual outturn compared to budget following completion of the 2013/14 financial statements.

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 of applications for financial assistance from the International Twinning Budget 2013/14.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee approve the following grants from the International Twinning Budget 2013-2014 -

(a)      £1,180 towards the visit of two curators from Gomel Museum of Military Glory to undertake learning workshops from museums in Aberdeen, 7^th to 12^th October 2013;

(b)      £3,500 towards an educational delegation to undertake a working visit to  Academie Clermont to continue developing Franco-Scottish school links between the cities, Clermont-Ferrand,16^th to 20^th September 2013;

(c)      £1,590 towards the participation of a Stavanger music group in the annual ‘Christmas Light Switch-On Parade’, 24^th to 25^th November 2013, Aberdeen;

(d)      £4,050 towards the participation of the Umdumo Wesizwe from Bulawayo in the Aberdeen International Youth Festival, Aberdeen, 25^th July to 4^th August 2013;

(e)      £5,590 towards the visit of film and visual students and teaching staff of the University of Aberdeen to participate in Court Metrage 2014, and reciprocal visit by Court Metrage staff to Directors’ Cut, Aberdeen, 1^st February  2013 to 1^st December 2014; and

(f)       £4,789 towards the visit of music groups from Gomel and Regensburg for their participation in the International Concert during Offshore Europe, Aberdeen, 2^nd to 5^th September 2013.

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 for the Council to be represented at the Kommunenes Intrnasjonale Miljooganisasjon (KIMO) Annual General Meeting taking place in the Faroe Islands on 13 to 15 September 2013.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the Council’s long standing membership of KIMO; and

(b)      approve travel for Councillor Donnelly to attend the AGM to represent Aberdeen City Council.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to approve the recommendations;

(ii)      to appoint Councillors Donnelly and Corall as substitute members to Councillor Milne on Kimo UK;

(iii)      to request officers to review the method of calculating the subsistence rate for foreign travel and report to the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee on the outcome; and

(iv)      that officers be requested to contact Torshavn to raise concerns in relation to the trade dispute and to consider how trade could be improved.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which outlined proposals to run a business start-up competition for a business to operate from within an Aberdeen secondary school.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee - 

(a)      give approval for officers in Enterprise Planning and Infrastructure to deliver the pilot competition as described in this report;

(b)      give approval that current finances available within existing Employability, Skills and Community Enterprise budgets to a maximum of £30,000 be used to fund this proposed pilot; and

(c)      that the committee refer this report to the September Education, Culture and Sport Committee for final approval to run a pilot “Enterprising Academies” within Northfield Academy as per the guidance in this report.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided details of progress and sought approval for officers to make decisions timeously through having defined delegated powers relating to flood risk management.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)      approve the delegation of decision making powers, on behalf of Aberdeen City Council, for technical and operational matters, relating to the progression and development of Flood Risk Management Plans to the Head of Service, Asset Management and Operations;

(b)      Instruct officers to report back to Committee when the draft short list of flood management measures for the North East Local Plan District has been progressed to approval stage.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which sought permission for Councillors, the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure and officers to travel to overseas to attend various events.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee approve travel and attendance at the following events and for exhibition space at the Hannover Show -

·                 Brussels – EU Open days 8^th to 11^th October – Two Officers;

·                 Riga – Riga City Council Conference on “Smart Cities” 15^th to 17^th October – Two Officers – 50% costs covered by Riga City Council;

·                 China – ICEI’s 1^st Annual Conference of emerging Industries – 5^th and 6^th November 2013 - Two Officers – 25% of costs covered by ICEI with possibility of balance costs be covered by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs in China;

·                 Maastricht, Netherlands- The European Public Sector Awards- 25^th -27^th  November 2013, a member and an officer;

·                 Tokyo – 10^th International Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Expo – 26^th to 28^th February 2014 – Council Leader or nominee, HyTrEc Project Officer and Two Officers;

·                 Hannover – The world’s Leading Trade Fair and Exhibition for Industry Technology – 7^th to 11^th April 2014 – Council Leader or nominee, HyTrEc Project Manager, Officer from the Trade Development Team and Two Officers from the Partnerships, Performance and Funding team – 50% of costs recovered from the EU HyTrEc project; and

·                 Hannover – To take Exhibition space up to a maximum value of £10,000.00. 50% of costs recovered from the EU Funded HyTrEc project.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided details in relation to the progress of various strategic and local transportation projects within Aberdeen City and the wider area.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)      note the contents of this report;

(b)      endorse development through Nestrans including Board decisions and progress on the 2013/14 programme of works;

(c)                agree that the policy for Complementary Uses of Park and Ride Sites approved at this Committee on 15th March 2011 be maintained as the method of managing events at Park and Ride sites; and

(d)      ratify the Convener/Vice Convener approved response to Nestrans on the Regional Transport Strategy Re-Fresh.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)      to report back to the next meeting of the Committee on the production of  a policy for the management of events at park and ride sites and open spaces.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which sought approval of supplementary guidance for low and zero carbon buildings for adoption as supplementary guidance to the Local Development Plan.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee approve Supplementary Guidance: Low and Zero Carbon Buildings and agree that officers undertake the statutory process for adoption of supplementary guidance. 

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

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 -

Ardarroch Road;

Ashgrove Road;

Berryden Mills

Binghill Crescent, Milltimber;

Davidson Drive;

Esplanade;

Golden Square;

Marquis Road;

Strathmore Drive;

·       Proposals to be funded by Housing and Environment -

Access Road to Marischal/Virginia Court;

Stewart Park Place;

·       Proposals to be funded from the developer –

Beechgrove Place (Old Mile-End School Site);

Froghall Terrace;

Hardgate (Rear of no. 325 Holburn Street);

West North Street Car Park;

Woodside Health Centre, Marquis Road;

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

Various On-Street Parking (63 spaces);

Various Off-Street Parking (6 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 this report. If no significant objections are received, then progress with the public advertisement and report the results to a future meeting of this Committee;

(c)      instruct the appropriate orders 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; and

(d)      note for information the suspension of the off-street car parking bays on the ground floor of the West North Street Car Park in order for them to be utilised for market trading on a Saturday / Sunday mornings, except Saturdays throughout the month of December between the hours of 08:00 to 13:00 hours.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which advised of the outcome of the final statutory stage of the following 17 traffic orders and presented which had been received where relevant in each case:-

(1)      The Aberdeen City Council (Charleston Road North Area, Cove, Aberdeen) (Traffic Management and Waiting Restrictions) Order;

(2)      The Aberdeen City Council (Portland Street, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order;

(3)      The Aberdeen City Council (Craigieburn Park, Aberdeen) (20mph Speed Limit) Order;

(4)      The Aberdeen City Council (Urquhart Road, Aberdeen) (Various Waiting Restrictions) Order;

(5)      The Aberdeen City Council (Westburn Crescent, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order;

(6)      The Aberdeen City Council (Earlspark Avenue, Earlspark Circle, Earlspark Way, Bieldside, Aberdeen) (20mph Speed Limits) Order;

(7)      The Aberdeen City Council (Kingswood Drive, Kingswells, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order;

(8)      The Aberdeen City Council (Parking Places in Kingswells Park and Ride Car Park, Kingswells, Aberdeen) (Charging Points for Electric Vehicles) Order;

(9)      The Aberdeen City Council (Parking Places) (Parking Places in Sclattie Park Car Park, Bucksburn, Aberdeen) (Charging points for Electric Vehicles) Order;

(10)    The Aberdeen City Council (Parking Places) (Parking Places in Kingswells Park and Ride Car Park, Kingswells, Aberdeen) (Charging points for Electric Vehicles) Order;

(11)    The Aberdeen City Council (Dubford Gardens/Cypress Grove) (Redetermination of Means of Exercise of Public Right of Passage) Order;

(12)    The Aberdeen City Council (Scotstown/Jesmond Area) (Various Footways) (Redetermination of Means of Exercise of Public Right of Passage) Order;

(13)    The Aberdeen City Council (Disabled Persons’ Parking Places in Aberdeen) (Regulatory Parking Places) (No 3) Order;

(14)    The Aberdeen City Council (Disabled Persons’ Parking Places in Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen) (Regulatory Parking Places) Order;

(15)    The Aberdeen City Council (Duthie Park, Aberdeen) (Parking Management) Order;

(16)    The Aberdeen City Council (Craigie Street, Aberdeen) (Pay and Display) Order;

(17)    The Aberdeen City Council (Powis Lane, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)      in relation to The Aberdeen City Council (Powis Lane, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X) overrule the objections received and approve this order be made as originally envisaged. Furthermore, to instruct the appropriate officers to commence the necessary legal procedures of preliminary statutory consultation for the traffic regulation order required for the introduction of daytime parking on the lengths of Powis Lane highlighted in Appendix 6. If no significant objections are received, then progress with the public advertisement and report the results to a future meeting of this Committee;

(b)      in relation to the Aberdeen City Council (Kingswood Drive, Kingswells, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X) approve the modified waiting restrictions as shown in the plan in Appendix 4; and

(c)      approve the orders that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which outlined the results of the initial statutory consultation along with the results of the public advert relating to Market Street/Guild Street Junction.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee in relation to The Aberdeen City Council (Market Street / Guild Street, Aberdeen) (Rationalisation of Turning Movements) Order 201(X), overrule the objection received and approve this order be made as originally envisaged.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       in relation to the Aberdeen City Council (Market Street/Guild Street, Aberdeen) (Rationalisation of Turning Movements) Order 201(X), uphold the objection received and refuse the making of this order, reverting to the status quo position from January 2014 after the Christmas and New Year period;

(ii)      that officers review this in twelve months’ time and report back to the Committee; and

(iii)      that officers be requested to investigate the positioning and/or instruction of the road signs around the railway station, which may be directing people the wrong way.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided information on the actions taken to date with regard to addressing the ongoing practice of commercial bins being left on the public road and to consider further enforcement measures to control the indiscriminate obstructions.

The report recommended:-

that the committee -

(a)      endorse the previously approved policy and approve the proposed course of action to actively take enforcement action; and

(b)      approve the proposed charge of £500 for monitoring, uplift, storage, and return or destruction of commercial waste bins.

The Committee resolved:-

to defer consideration of this report until the next meeting of the Committee to allow officers time to consult with Housing and Environment colleagues and Aberdeen Inspired on the proposals.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which sought approval of the updated Service Asset Management Plans for Enterprise Planning and Infrastructure.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee approve the updated Service Asset Management Plans for Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation..

With reference to article 5 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 provided details on the possibility of changing the whole structure of traffic controls within the city of Aberdeen which included having all housing sub divisions designated 20mph traffic zones within arterial or main roads being designated as 30mph or 40mph maximum speed zones.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the contents of the report and the assessment criteria of the Mandatory andAdvisory 20mph speed limit zones.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Finlayson, moved:-

          that the recommendations contained within the report be approved.

Councillor Yuill, seconded by Councillor McCaig moved as an amendment;

          that the Committee –

(a)            agrees in principle to replace all 20mph advisory zones with 20mph mandatory speed limits;

(b)            recognises that there are significant budgetary implications in making this change and instructs officers to report to a future meeting with recommendations for the phased implementation of the mandatory 20mph speed limits; and

(c)            agrees to undertake informal consultation with community councils and other partners on the desirability of introducing a 20mph speed limit on all residential roads in Aberdeen.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (14) – the Convener, Vice-Convener and Councillors Boulton, Finlayson, Jaffrey, Kiddie, Laing, May, MacGregor, McCaig, Milne, Jean Morrison MBE, Thomson and Young; for the amendment (1) – Councillor Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

With reference to article 4 of the minute of meeting of 11 September 2012, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided information in relation to the Speed Limit Review on A944 Westhill to Hazlehead/Skene Road as a result of the West Huxterstone, Kingswells Development and the A93 from Bieldside to Milltimber.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)      note the content of this report and the results of the follow up surveys/analysis that had been carried out; and

(b)      agree that no further action should be taken with regard to the implementation of a lower speed limit.

Councillors Delaney and Jennifer Stewart as local members addressed the Committee under Standing Order 32.

Councillor Delaney requested that the Committee consider reducing the speed limit from 50mph to 40mph on the B9119 Skene Road and to introduce speed cameras on this road.

Councillor Jennifer Stewart requested that the Committee consider reducing the speed limit from 50mph to 40mph on the A944 at Westhill to Hazlehead.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       that officers carry out a detailed road speed survey on the A944 and B9119 and report back to the Committee in twelve months; and

(ii)      that officers make the necessary arrangements to extend the current 30 mile per hour speed limit on the A93 to the section between Old Ferry Road and 153 North Deeside Road at Bieldside and report back to the Committee.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which made reference to the decision of the Development Management Sub Committee of 18 April, 2013 which requested that a report be submitted to this Committee to consider designating the surrounding area as a controlled parking zone to alleviate pressures on residential parking likely to be caused by the development around the Hill of Rubislaw area.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)      instruct officers not to proceed with the introduction of a Controlled Parking Zone;

(b)      instruct officers to continue to work with the companies based at the Hill of Rubislaw complex to encourage a modal shift in transport, reducing traffic to and from the site, and consequently reducing levels of on-street commuter parking;

(c)      instruct officers to investigate further the potential to introduce a Priority Parking Scheme, detailing estimated income/expenditure following further surveys and to report back to a future Committee with these findings.

Councillor Jennifer Stewart as local member addressed the Committee under Standing Order 32, suggesting that officers continue to work with companies in the area in terms of a modal shift in transport and that during this, they consult with residents in the wider area on the proposals to introduce a priority parking scheme.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Thomson, moved:-

          that the recommendations contained within the report be approved.

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

          that the recommendations contained within the report be approved with the addition that officers also be instructed to proceed with informal consultation with residents in the Hill of Rubislaw area on the possible introduction of a controlled parking zone in the area and report back to the Committee with the findings.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (9) – the Convener, Vice-Convener and Councillors Boulton, Finlayson, Laing, Milne, Jean Morrison MBE, Thomson and Young; for the amendment (6) – Councillors Jaffrey, Kiddie, MacGregor, May, McCaig and Yuill

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

With reference to article 41 of the minute of the meeting of 13 September 2011, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which updated members on the impact of blue badge reform upon the close proximity parking scheme.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)      note the reform of the Blue Badge scheme and the introduction of the Disabled Persons Parking Spaces (Scotland) Act 2009;

(b)      instruct officers to continue to standardise all Disabled Persons Parking Spaces within the City by signing and lining these in accordance with the Act and enforcing the spaces in accordance with the Act, whereby they may be used by any Blue Badge holder;

(c)      instruct officers to discontinue the issue of any new or renewal of Green Badges with immediate effect;

(d)      instruct officers to convert the existing Green Badge parking bays to Blue Badge bays and introduce a 3 hour max stay, with no return within 1 hour, to allow turnover at these prime city centre bays and prevents all day commuter parking; and

(e)      acknowledge that due to the amount of disabled parking spaces within the city, it will take a number of months to complete the re-lining to the new standards, and that Green Badge holders be entitled to continue using these Badges until such time as the Green Badge parking bays have been converted to Blue Badge spaces.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)      to note that the Director would provide members of the Committee with timescales for implementation of the reforms.

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 5 (Green Badge Scheme), item 13 (Speed Limit Review), item 14 (Masterplanning – Representations to Committee), item 24 (Hill of Rubislaw Area – Controlled Parking Zone) and item 26 (Winter Services Plan) from the statement; and

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

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:-

to delete item 1 (Park and Ride Service at Kingswells), item 4 (Review of Rural Speed Limits at Countesswells, Baillieswells and Blacktop Area), item 7 (Union Bridge Suicide Prevention Measures) and item 8 (Flood Guard Grant Scheme) from the Motions List.

In accordance with the decision recorded under article 3 of this minute, the following items of business were considered with the press and public excluded.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which sought approval to tender and award school, social work and client contracts with a set procurement process.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)            instruct the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure to proceed with the combined school and social work transport invitation to tender and award for 2014/15; and

(b)            approve the related estimated expenditure of £6.3M for the two, four year periods, as set out at paragraph 5.11 of the report.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

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 item of business be considered as a matter of urgency as the decision was required timeously.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillors Milne and Jean Morrison MBE declared a non-pecuniary interest in the subject matter of the following article by virtue of them both being Board Members of the organisation under consideration.  They did not feel it necessary to withdraw from the meeting during consideration thereof.

The Committee had before it  correspondence dated 1 July and 8 August, 2013 which had been referred from the meeting of the Housing and Environment Committee on 27 August, 2013 (article 23 refers) to this Committee to allow time for officers to submit additional information relating to travel costs. The effect of the correspondence, which was under press embargo at the time of consideration, was that approval was required for a member to travel overseas.

A brief adjournment was held to enable further written information to be provided by officers to enable the Committee to take a decision. . 

The Committee resolved:-

(i)           to approve the recommendation in the embargoed information presented by officers; and

(ii)     to congratulate the third party referred to.

COUNCILLOR BARNEY CROCKETT, Convener.