Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=140&MId=2898&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 36(17) the Convener advised that the Housing and Environment Committee had referred to this Committee an item relating to the Review of Parking Charges and proposed that it be considered at item 3.2 on the agenda (article 4 of this minute refers).

In terms of Standing Order 32(1) the Convener advised that Councillors Cormie and Jennifer Stewart had intimated that they would like to address the meeting in relation to agenda item 7.1 (Flood Risk Management Scotland Act 2009 – Progress report), and in this regard, he proposed that this item would be considered after item 4.1 on the agenda (article 6 of this minute refers).

The Committee resolved:-

to concur with the proposals.

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 article 35 so as to avoid disclosure of exempt information of the class described in paragraph 6 of Schedule 7(A) to the Act.

The Committee had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 12 November, 2013.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute.

With reference to article 4 of the minute of the previous meeting of 12 November 2013, the Committee had before it by way of referral, a minute extract from the Housing and Environment Committee of 14 January, 2014 relating to the Review of Parking Charges which had been previously referred by this Committee to the Housing and Environment Committee.

The Housing and Environment Committee had resolved:-

to recommend to the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Service that they manage all parking across the city, and if agreed, to request that a report be submitted to this Committee in twelve months providing an update on how the service was operating.

The Committee resolved:-

to instruct the Director to report to the Committee on the proposal that the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Service manage all parking across the city.

With reference to article 6 of the minute of meeting of 19 March, 2013 the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided information relating to the support offered to small and medium enterprises.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the recent and current work carried out by the Business Growth team in support of Small and Medium Enterprises; and

(b)       approve the proposed outline plans to continue to support Small and Medium Enterprises in a range of ways, including with partner organisations.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)        to thank the Director and the relevant officers for the work undertaken in relation to the report.

With reference to article 17 of the minute of meeting of 29 August 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided an update on the progress with the Flood Risk Management Plan and the Integrated Catchment Study in terms of the specific flood protection and drainage initiatives identified for the city.

The Convener advised that recommendation 2.6 in the report had been withdrawn.

The Committee heard from Councillor Cormie as ward member who welcomed the proposals outlined with the report, however he indicated that he had concerns that the scheme would not prevent problems persistently experienced in the Denburn, specifically the debris and raw sewage blockages to the two hakes at Jacks Brae/Mackie Place.  He requested that action be taken to address the problem.

The Committee then heard from Councillor Jennifer Stewart as ward member in relation to the proposals outlined within the report for a detention pond in the Stronsay/ Kingsgate area, who indicated her support for this course of action and requested that fencing and signage be put in place around the area concerned to alert the public.  Councillor Stewart also asked officers to look at upgrading the footpath in this area which was in a poor condition and suggested that consideration be given to installing warning signs in the Woodend area near the old Roman Bridge.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the content of the report;

(b)       note that ultimate responsibility for avoiding or managing flood risk still lies with land and property owners;

(c)        note the key outputs which underpin the approach to Flood Risk Management;

(d)       note that local authorities and Scottish Water have a joint responsibility for surface water drainage which can be difficult to unravel; and

(e)       approve the proposed flood protection scheme for the Denburn.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendations;

(ii)        to instruct officers to write to Scottish Water expressing the Committee’s concerns in relation to the recurring sewage and debris blockages to the Denburn hakes near Jacks Brae/ Mackie Place and to seek an early response in this regard;

(iii)       that officers produce a single sheet guide for all elected members providing appropriate contact details to report potential flooding issues; and

(iv)       to indicate its support for the establishment of an additional Engineer post to assist with flooding and drainage duties.

The Committee had before it a joint report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure, 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 the 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; and

(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 joint report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure, 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 report by the Director of Corporate Governance which provided details on the arrangements that the Council proposes to be put in place to design a positive framework of governance with Arm’s Length External Organisations.  The report also described within the framework the roles and responsibilities for Service Committees and the Audit and Risk Committee.

Committee members had received a presentation from the Director of Corporate Governance on the proposed arrangements, prior to the meeting.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the arrangements for scrutiny of the Arm’s Length External Organisations as set out in the report, with specific reference to the creation of a Council Governance Hub for the Service and its relationship with the Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

The Committee received a presentation from Nicolas Ellison, Senior Officer, International Trade and Investment in relation to the 2012/2013 Export Survey Results.

Mr Ellison (a) advised that an initial survey was issued electronically to over 2,000 business contacts and generated 105 valid answers which was a very low response rate; (b) explained that a second round of surveys had been conducted by telephone; (c) outlined the results of the current international and target markets; (d) indicated that the results would be used to inform the proposed 2014/2015 International Trade Plan; (e) intimated that there has been discussion with partners to establish a North East Export Forum with 100 Top Exporters; and (f) advised that additional considerations to ensure higher response rates would be used in future.

The Committee resolved:-

to note and thank Nicolas Ellison for the presentation.

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 2014/15, and in particular the attendance at overseas trade events in order to help deliver the economic development priorities of the Smarter Aberdeen Vision.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)       approve the report and the activities described therein, subject to their approval by the Scottish Government in the normal manner;

(b)       approve the relevant travel by officers and Elected Members for the activities as described in the appendix; and

(c)        receive a bulletin report on each international event undertaken in the plan.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 15 of the minute of meeting of the 29 August 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided information in relation to the membership of Kommunenes Internasjonale Miloorganiasjon (KIMO) (Local Authorities International Environmental Organisation).

The report recommended:-

that the Committee agree to cease membership of KIMO.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to agree to continue membership of KIMO; and

(ii)        to review the decision in twelve months’ time.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which outlined a proposal for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Aberdeen and Mokpo, South Korea.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve in principle the signing of a three year Memorandum of Understanding between the cities of Aberdeen and Mokpo, including an annual action plan, annual review and one annual meeting alternating between the cities (e.g. 2014 in Aberdeen; 2015 in Mokpo etc); and

(b)       request officers to report annually to Committee on outcomes achieved as a result of the Memorandum of Understanding.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which outlined a proposal for the Council’s involvement in the Offshore Northern Seas Festival on 25-27 August 2014 in Stavanger, Norway.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the content of the report;

(b)       approve the Council’s involvement in the Offshore Northern Seas Festival in 2014 and commit existing funding of £20,000 from the Economic and Business Development Budget;

(c)        approve the proposed direction for the promotion of Aberdeen at Offshore Northern Seas in 2014; and

(d)       approve the participation of the relevant staff as detailed in the Trade Development report to support both the management of a joint Aberdeen City and Shire stand at the exhibition and deliver a strong festival presence.

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)       £5,000 towards the “Doppelganger Writing Project” to celebrate the Sixtieth anniversary of the twinning of Aberdeen and Regensburg in 2015.  This project element will take place during March to August 2014;

(b)       £3,540 contribution towards the visit of six conference committee attendees from the twin city of Clermont Ferrand to attend the 9th joint symposium between The Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen and INRA-Theix, Clermont Ferrand in Aberdeen, 16 to 19 June 2014; and

(c)        £1,000 contribution towards premiere of the film festival of short films the Court Metrage Festival, Clermont – Ferrand, 5 February 2014.  The Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Aberdeen City Councillors, consuls and representatives from international societies will be attending this premiere.

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 Council’s support of Routes Europe which is to be held in Aberdeen City and Shire on 12-14 April 2015 and detailed the actions the stakeholder group were required to support and deliver in advance of the event.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the content of the report; and

(b)       approve the attendance of the Lord Provost, Council Leader and a relevant officer from the Economic and Business Development service to support a strong, joint Aberdeen City and Shire presence in Marseilles, France, 6-8 April 2014.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 20 of the minute of meeting of 11 September 2012, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure relating to the management of events within Council owned parks and open spaces.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)       note the current arrangements in place within City Events to manage Aberdeen’s parks and open spaces;

(b)       support the revised pricing structure detailed in this report and acknowledge the agreed working relationship between City Events, the Grounds Maintenance Management Team and Environmental Services that ensures that Aberdeen’s parks and open spaces are maintained to the highest standard for ongoing event use; and

(c)        agree a 10% increase in charges annually from April 2014 onwards, until a further report is brought to this committee in the future seeking an amendment to this agreement.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)        to note that, in determining whether charges would apply to Friends Groups of Parks, it was at the Council’s discretion and that the appropriate decision making mechanism would be followed.

With reference to article 14 of the minute of the previous meeting of 12 November 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which sought approval of the required match funding for this project to proceed and for the Hydrogen Station to be built in the south of the city within close proximity to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the request to confirm match funding of £1,136,500 from the year marked reserve identified for regeneration of the south of the City.  This reserve currently stands at £1.35 million; and

(b)       approve the request to sign the Charter on HighVloCity.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)        that any contribution received from Scottish Enterprise be put back to the identified reserve for regeneration south of the city.

With reference to article 13 of the minute of meeting of 21 May 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which sought approval for the attendance of elected members and officers at the European World Energy Cities Annual Conference on 4-5 April 2014, in Esjberg, Denmark, the Energy Cities Annual Rendezvous on 23-25 April 2014, in Riga, Latvia and the North Sea Commission 25^th Anniversary Conference in Aalborg on 12-14 March 2014.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)       approve the travel and visit of the Lord Provost and three officers to attend the Mayors Meeting in Esbjerg, South Denmark which is organised by World Energy Cities;

(b)       approve the travel for an Aberdeen City Council delegation to attend the Energy Cities Annual Rendezvous, Riga, Latvia to represent the City and attend relevant parallel meetings, conferences, events, and to gain knowledge for the conference layout for the event in Aberdeen 2015;

(c)        approve the request to nominate Aberdeen City Council Leader to the Executive Committee of Energy Cities;

(d)       note the success of Aberdeen City Council in its bid to host the Annual Rendezvous in the city in 2015; and

(e)       approve the travel for two Officers and Council Leader to Aalborg for the North Sea Commission Conference.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 17 of the minute of meeting of 22 January 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which presented the second Development Plan Scheme for the next Aberdeen Local Development Plan and set out a detailed timetable and programme for the preparation and adoption of the plan.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

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

(b)       inform the key agencies and consultees.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 20 of the minute of meeting of 29 August 2013, 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 the Supplementary Guidance for 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 which sought approval of Supplementary Guidance for Infrastructure and Developer Contributions for public consultation.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee agree the Draft Supplementary Guidance for public consultation.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendation; and

(ii)        to note that a presentation would be delivered at a future meeting of the Committee in relation to community facility developer contributions.

With reference to article 22 of the minute of the previous meeting of 12 November 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which outlined the results of a public consultation exercise undertaken for the Persley Den (Woodside) Masterplan Supplementary Guidance.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)       note the representations received (appendix 2) on the draft Persley Den (Woodside) Masterplan: proposed Supplementary Guidance document;

(b)       approve appendix 1, which includes officers’ responses to representations received and any necessary actions; and

(c)        agree for officers to send the finalised Supplementary Guidance document to be ratified by the Scottish Government as Supplementary Guidance after the following two key issues have been satisfactorily resolved:-

·         Confirmation Scottish Environment Protection Agency is satisfied with the findings of the finalised Flood Risk Assessment; and

·         Confirmation Aberdeen City Council Planning Authority is satisfied that the development would be served by adequate public transport provision.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 19 of the minute of meeting of 29 August 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided details of the progress to date of various strategic and local transportation projects within Aberdeen City and wider area.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the contents of the report;

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

(c)        note the information contained within Section 2 of the main body of the report pertaining to the Bridge of Don Park and Ride and instruct the relevant officers to feed into the Masterplanning process for the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) site and subsequent processes in the delivery of the development;

(d)       note the discussions that have taken place to date between the Quality Partnership for Public Transport partners on the possibility of entering into a Statutory Quality Partnership and instruct officers to work with partners to develop a draft agreement for approval by Members and to report back to this Committee in six months time on progress; and

(e)       approve the Council’s participation in CARE North Plus.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)        that in terms of the decision by Nestrans to remove the Westhill to Aberdeen Cycle Route improvements from the project, to note that if a solution to the drainage problems was to be found, officers would request that Nestrans reinstate the route improvements to the project.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided feedback from the Scottish Government in relation to the second annual Planning Performance Framework covering the period April 2012 to March 2013.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the findings of the report and delegate authority to officers to take appropriate actions to address the issues raised.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which outlined the Communication Strategy that sought to ensure that elected members, frontagers, local communities and public services were kept appraised of construction activities that may impact upon them.

The report recommended:-

to approve the communications strategy outlined within the report.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation subject to the following additions to the strategy:-

(1)     paragraph 4.2(d) that an up to date programme of works shall be made available for members of the public to view in the local Council offices throughout the city; and

(2)     paragraph 4.2(g) that the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Vice Convener, shall issue where appropriate regular updates recording progress on the bridge.

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 -

Palmerston Road/Stell Road and Taxi Rank;

Kittybrewster Access Road;

Seafield Court;

Margaret Street;

Souterhead Road;

Lewis Road.

• Proposals to be funded from CARE North (Carbon Responsible Transport for the North Sea Region) budget –

Various Car Club spaces (15 spaces)

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

Various On-Street Parking (2 spaces);

Various Off-Street Parking (7 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; 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.

This item had been included on the agenda in error.  The report included in the papers related to the report circulated at item 8.4 (article 30 below).

With reference to article 23 of the minute of meeting of 22 January 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which advised that the main statutory advertisement period was now over in respect of the Prohibition of Driving Order relating to The Bush, Peterculter, Aberdeen and presented the objections (where relevant) in each case.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee approve the order and that the order shall be made and implemented accordingly.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

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 19 traffic orders and presented the objections which had been received where relevant in each case:-

(1)       The Aberdeen City Council (Beechgrove Place, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order;

(2)       The Aberdeen City Council (Froghall Terrace, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order;

(3)       The Aberdeen City Council (Hardgate, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order;

(4)       The Aberdeen City Council (Marquis Road/ Western Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order;

(5)       The Aberdeen City Council (Frederick Street, Aberdeen) (Traffic Management) Order;

(6)       The Aberdeen City Council (East North Street, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Stopping) Order;

(7)       The Aberdeen City Council (Powis Place, Aberdeen) (On-Street Parking Places and Revocation of Prohibition of Waiting) Order;

(8)       The Aberdeen City Council (Ardaroch Road, Aberdeen) (Revocation of Prohibition of Waiting) Order;

(9)       The Aberdeen City Council (Ashgrove Road) (Revocation of Prohibition of Waiting) Order;

(10)     The Aberdeen City Council (Berryden Mills, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order;

(11)     The Aberdeen City Council (Binghill Crescent, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order;

(12)     The Aberdeen City Council (Davidson Drive, Aberdeen) (Revocation of Prohibition of Waiting) Order;

(13)     The Aberdeen City Council (Esplanade, Aberdeen) (Limited Waiting On-Street Parking Places) Order;

(14)     The Aberdeen City Council (Golden Square, Aberdeen) (Loading Area) Order;

(15)     The Aberdeen City Council (Strathmore Drive, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order;

(16)     The Aberdeen City Council (Access Road Linking Hazledene Road to Countesswells Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Driving) Order;

(17)     The Aberdeen City Council (Access Road Serving Marischal Court and Virginia Court, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order;

(18)     The Aberdeen City Council (Stewart Park Place, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order; and

(19)     The Aberdeen City Council (Disabled Persons Parking Places in Aberdeen) (Regulatory Parking Places) (No 5) Order.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee approve the orders that did not attract objections and that all the orders be made and implemented accordingly.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided information on the progress (by Planning and Sustainable Development acting as agents for Nestrans) with the preparation of a project to provide an improved means of access to Dyce railway station for the airport shuttle bus, and to seek approval to award a contract to allow construction work to commence before the end of the financial year 2013-14.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)       note that tenders would be invited (by Planning and Sustainable Development acting as agents for Nestrans) for a Dyce Shuttle Bus New Access Road construction contract, to deliver this project as part of the Nestrans capital projects programme for 2013/14; and

(b)       give approval for the award of a contract to the lowest valid tenderer to enable the construction to commence in the remainder of this financial year (2013-14).

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 the appeal against officers’ decision to refuse the application to form a driveway at 12 Bervie Brow, Cove, Aberdeen.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee rejects the application for a driveway at 12 Bervie Brow, Cove, Aberdeen due to the proposed access being taken from a public parking area, which is against the approved policy for driveways, and the allowing of said driveway would be detrimental to the general parking provision for the area.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the application for a driveway at 12 Bervie Brow, Cove, subject to agreement with the applicant that he meet the costs of reinstating the front garden should he vacate the property.

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 (Extension of Pay by Phone Parking) that officers be instructed to submit a report to the next meeting of the Committee; and

(ii)        to delete item 12 (Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group), item 13 (2012 International Trade Plan Survey – Presentation), item 16 (Flood Risk Management), and item 24 (Governance Arrangements for Arms Length External Organisations) from 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 2 (Notice of Motion by Councillor Greig – Small and Medium Enterprises) from the list.

In accordance with the decision recorded under article 2 of this minute, the following item of business was considered with the press and public excluded.

With reference to article 31 of the minute of meeting of 22 January 2013, the Committee had before it for consideration a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which outlined the Council’s approach to renewable energy along with its priority activities.  In particular, the report considered the role of Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG).

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)       note the content of the report;

(b)       note that funding for AREG of £200,000 for the 2013/2014 financial year was approved by Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee at its meeting of 22 January 2013;

(c)        approve that funding to AREG will cease after the end of the 2013/2014 period and any future assistance with Aberdeen City Council provides for AREG will be set down within a Service Level Agreement;

(d)       instruct officers to put in place the processes to return Council staff currently on secondment to AREG, to their substantive posts. These officers will undertake renewable energy related programmes and projects with Aberdeen City Council as part of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure of the £200k per annum budget;

(e)       agree that AREG continues to operate as a membership organisation with AREG Board being responsible for overseeing and contributing to the development of membership services;

(f)        instruct officers to work with legal advisers to ensure that the necessary governance arrangements are put in place to effect the change in relationship between AREG and Aberdeen City Council; and

(g)       agree that Aberdeen City Council exit from the East Coast Renewables Group.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

COUNCILLOR BARNEY CROCKETT, Convener.