Agenda, decisions and minutes

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be located at the following link:-

http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ielistdocuments.aspx?cid=146&mid=2903&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 altered retrospectively.

The Convener proposed that the Committee consider item 11.6 (Haudagain Upgrade (Middlefield) Update) (article 2 refers) as the first item of business on today’s agenda following the statement by the Minister for Transport and Veterans.  The Convener further proposed that the media be permitted to record the Committee’s proceedings today for this item of business only.

The Committee resolved:

to concur with the proposals.

The Committee welcomed the Minister for Transport and Veterans, Keith Brown MSP, to today’s meeting who was present to speak on the programme of construction for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) and to reassure the Council and the residents of Middlefield that the Scottish Government was committed both to commencing the Haudagain junction upgrade project following the completion of the AWPR and to following the same process as for all of its other infrastructure projects undertaken.

Members were afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the Minister and then thanked him for his attendance at the meeting.

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 be considered as a matter of urgency to enable the Committee to determine the matter without delay.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Jackie Dunbar declared interests in the following item of business by virtue of (1) being a resident of Middlefield; and (2) her membership of the Middlefield Community Project Management Committee.  Councillor Jackie Dunbar considered that the nature of her interests did not require her to leave the meeting.

With reference to article 25 of the minute of its meeting of 5 December 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Housing and Environment which provided an update on progress in relation to the regeneration of Middlefield and the proposed Haudagain junction improvements.

The report recommended:–

that the Committee -

(a)       note the letter of comfort received from Transport Scotland;

(b)       note the indicative costs (£8m) for the regeneration of Middlefield without the proposed Haudagain improvements should the Scottish Government or one of its agencies refuse to commit to the project;

(c)        note the risk profile;

(d)       agree to continue with the current Asset Management Strategy established since 2008 to discontinue capital investment in area 1 on the attached zonal map until such time as plans for the Haudagain upgrade were finalised;

(e)       instruct the Directors of Housing and Environment and Corporate Governance to report back in September 2014 with a feasibility study and proposals to re-house the directly affected tenants in Middlefield and to regenerate the wider Middlefield Area; this should include proposals to relocate affected community facilities;

(f)        instruct the Directors of Housing and Environment and Corporate Governance, to report back in September 2014 with potential funding solutions for the new build and regeneration proposals, noting that the Council had previously expressed the view that the Scottish Government should meet the cost of relocating the affected community facilities.  The Scottish Government should also be asked to consider what additional financial support could be given to the new build and regeneration proposals for Middlefield; and

(g)       instruct officers to consult with the residents of Middlefield on new housing and regeneration matters and that the results of the consultation be reported back in September 2014.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice Convener moved:

that the Committee –

(1)       thank the Minister for Transport and Veterans, Keith Brown MSP, for attending today’s meeting;

(2)       note the letter of comfort from Transport Scotland and the risk analysis set out at paragraph 4.5 of the report, noting that the letter fell short of providing a legal guarantee should the Scottish Government renege on its verbal promise in relation to the Haudagain upgrade and Middlefield regeneration;

(3)       in the offered spirit of co-operation to instruct officers to approach the Minister of Housing and Welfare to discuss Scottish Government support in the event of a shortfall arising between the compensation paid and the replacement of the lost homes; and

(4)       approve the recommendations as contained in the report.

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

that the Committee approve the recommendations as contained in the report; and in the offered spirit of co-operation to instruct officers to approach the Minister of Housing and Welfare to discuss Scottish Government support in the event of a shortfall arising between the compensation paid and the replacement of the lost homes.

On a division, there voted:- For the motion (9) - the Convener; the Vice Convener; and Councillors  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

The Convener proposed that the Committee consider those reports identified on the agenda as being for determination in private, with the press and public excluded.

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 from item 12.1 of the agenda (article 29 of this minute) onwards so as to avoid disclosure of information of the classes described in the following paragraphs of Schedule 7(A) to the Act: article 29 (paragraphs 6 and 9), article 30 (paragraph 9), article 31 (paragraph 6 and 9), and article 32 (paragraphs 8 and 10).

The Committee had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 20 February 2014.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute as a correct record.

The Committee had before it a statement of pending and outstanding committee business, as prepared by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         in relation to item 3 (Tillydrone Project), to note the update and that an information bulletin report was available and therefore to remove this item from the statement;

(ii)        in relation to item 5 (Impact and Potential for Social Media), to note that an information bulletin report was available and therefore to remove from the statement;

(iii)       in relation to item 6 (Corporate Parenting Policy), to note that a report on this matter would be considered by Council on 14 May 2014, and therefore to remove this item from the statement;

(iv)       to note that reports on items 1 (North East Scotland Japan Trust), 4 (Trade Union Facility Time), 10(i) (Cost of Living Challenges), and 12 (Small Financial Assistance Applications), were to be considered on today’s agenda and to remove them subject to the decision taken;

(v)        to note that a report on item 9 (Haudagain Upgrade (Middlefield) Update), had already been determined today and therefore to remove this item; and

(vi)       to otherwise note the updates provided.

Reference was made to article 3 the minute of the meeting of the Older People’s Advisory Group of 19 February 2014, at which time the Group considered an updated remit and agreed to approve the amendments for its interest and to refer the revised remit to this Committee for approval.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the updated remit.

The Committee had before it by way of referral, a report from the Audit and Risk Committee of 27 February, 2014 relating to the Internal Audit Plan 2014/15.

The Audit and Risk Committee had resolved:

to agree that the Internal Audit Plan be referred to each Service Committee for their information.

The Committee resolved:

to note the Internal Audit Plan 2014/15.

Reference was made to article 18 of the minute of the meeting of the Housing and Environment Committee of 11 March 2014, at which time the Committee approved the revised Aberdeen City Waste Strategy 2014/2015 for its interest and referred it to this Committee for approval.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the revised Aberdeen City Waste Strategy 2014-2025.

Reference was made to article 16 of the minute of the meeting of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee of 27 March 2014, at which time, the Committee recommended that this Committee agree to allocate £25,000 from the Common Good Budget underspend to support the Games Legacy through ensuring that local communities celebrated Glasgow 2014 at a grassroots level during 2014/2015.

The Committee resolved:-

to agree that £25,000 from the Common Good Budget underspend be allocated to support the Games Legacy through ensuring that local communities celebrate Glasgow 2014 at a grassroots level during 2014/15.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Corporate Governance which advised of the revised process for future reporting of performance information collated from across the Corporate Governance Directorate.

The report recommended:–

that the Committee -

(a)       note the content of the report and the format for future performance reporting to the Committee; and

(b)       direct any further action as appropriate.

At this juncture the Committee received a demonstration of the new performance dashboard.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve recommendation (a); and to ask that the information on the dashboard be recirculated to all members.

With reference to article 8 of the minute of its meeting of 20 February 2014, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Corporate Governance which provided information to date on the current year’s revenue budget for the Corporate Governance Service, and advised of any areas of risk and management action being taken in this regard.

The report recommended –

that the Committee –

(a)       note the information on management action and risks contained within the report; and

(b)       instruct officers to continue to review budget performance and report on Service strategies.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations contained in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

During the course of consideration of the following item Councillors Dickson, Jackie Dunbar and McCaig declared interests by virtue of their employment by Kevin Stewart MSP, who was referred to during the debate.  None of the Councillors considered that the nature of their interest required them to leave the meeting.

With reference to article 9 of the minute of its meeting of 20 February 2014, the Committee had before it (1) a report by the Director of Corporate Governance which presented the revenue position for the Council for 2013/2014 and advised as to any areas of risk that had been highlighted by Directors; and (2) an addendum to the report which provided updated information on the Council’s revenue position.

The report recommended –

that the Committee note the report.

The Convener moved, seconded by the Vice Convener:-

that the Committee -

(1)       note the forecast financial outturn for the financial year 2013/14 and to agree that the political policies adopted by the Council’s Administration from May 2012 had contributed had contributed greatly to the stability of the city’s financial position;

(2)       thank officers from all Directorates for their hard work throughout the year ensuring good quality public service was the key to providing economic stability; and

(3)       agree that the underspend be set aside to aid the funding of capital investment requirements, as agreed at the October meeting, with the exception of the funding allocations noted below and subject to consideration of item 13.2 (Thomas Blake Glover House) and its financial implications:

·         £100,000 for unadopted roads with the Council contributing up to a maximum of 50%;

·         £20,000 for a study into flood prevention measures for the Culter Burn;

·         £65,000 for pavement improvements on Harlaw Road (Queen’s Lane South to Forest Avenue);

·         £165,000 for resurfacing footways on North and South Printfield Walk and Tanfield Avenue West and East;

·         £10,000 for providing lighting at the steps which run from Gilcomstoun Land down to Skene Street (next to the recycling point opposite Gilcomstoun School);

·         £12,000 for enhancing the lighting on Esslemont Avenue between Skene Street and Northfield Place;

·         £30,000 for road resurfacing at the top of Binghill Road and the Meadows;

·         £60,000 for road resurfacing at Lewis Road at Taransay Court; and

·        £100,000 for Regent Walk.

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

that the Committee approve the motion by the Convener as detailed above and agree to allocate £2 million to additional road and pavement maintenance and repair works as determined by officers and reported to the Enterprise, Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee, by way of the information bulletin.

Councillor McCaig moved as a further amendment, seconded by Councillor Noble:-

that the Committee approve the recommendation contained in the report and agree to utilise £250,000 to make a contribution to the efforts of the Aberdeen Foodbank Partnership.

There being a motion and two amendments, the Committee first divided between the amendment by Councillor Yuill and the amendment by Councillor McCaig.

On a division, there voted:-  for the amendment by Councillor Yuill (1) –Councillor Yuill;  for the amendment by Councillor McCaig (5) – Councillor Cameron, Dickson, Jackie Dunbar, McCaig and Noble; and declined to vote (9) – the Convener; the Vice Convener and Councillors Allan, Donnelly, Grant, Ironside, Laing, Milne and Reynolds.

The Sub Committee then divided between  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

With reference to article 10 of the minute of its meeting of 20 February 2014, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Executive which presented information on income and expenditure of the Common Good budget for the period to 28 February 2014, and outlined the forecast position of the cash balances as at 31 March 2014.

The report recommended –

that the Committee –

(a)       note the income and expenditure position as at 28 February 2014, and the forecast outturn for the year to 31 March 2014; and

(b)       note the forecast cash balances as at 31 March 2014, of £7,000,000 based on the current estimates, which was within the recommended levels indicated by the Head of Finance.

The Committee resolved:-

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

(ii)        to note that the exact, not budgeted, cost of the youth tickets for the Scottish League Cup final would be reported in the year end accounts.

With reference to article 12 of the minute of its meeting of 20 February 2014, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Corporate Governance which (a) proposed a revision to the criteria for small financial assistance applications; and (b) presented one application for financial assistance.

The report recommended:–

that the Committee -

(a)       agree to update the criteria for small financial assistance applications as described in paragraph 5.2 of the report; and

(b)       agree to award the Wallace 700 Association a maximum of £2500.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice Convener moved:

that the Committee approve recommendation (a) contained within the report only.

Councillor Noble moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Dickson:-

that the Committee approve the recommendations as contained in the report.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (10) - the Convener; the Vice Convener; and Councillors Allan, Donnelly, Ironside, Grant, Laing, Milne, Reynolds and Yuill; for the amendment (5) - Councillors Cameron, Dickson, Jackie Dunbar, McCaig and Noble.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which presented an application for financial assistance from the International Twinning budget 2014/2015.

The report recommended:–

that the Committee agree to award £600 towards the visit of a jazz group from Regensburg who would perform with a local musician in Aberdeen between 8 and 10 May 2014, from the International Twinning budget 2014/2015.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Corporate Governance which sought approval of the updated Managing Leavers procedure.

The report recommended:–

that the Committee approve the revised procedure as detailed in appendix A.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation and note that feedback on the procedure would be sought in twelve months.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Corporate Governance which (a) sought approval of a revised method of calculating and reporting sickness absence, as well as the updated Maximising Attendance policy and (b) provided an update on sickness absence performance across the organisation.

The report recommended:–

that the Committee –

(a)       note the recent improvement in sickness absence across the Council and the breakdown of sickness absence by Directorate as detailed in appendix 1;

(b)       approve the revised method of calculating and reporting sickness absence statistics for internal purposes as detailed in paragraph 5.2 of the report; and

(c)        approve the Maximising Attendance policy as detailed in Appendix 3.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 1 of the minute of the meeting of Council of 6 February 2014, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Corporate Governance which examined some of issues associated with geographical weighting allowances, including the methodology used in determining London weighting allowances.

The report recommended:–

that the Committee instruct the Director of Corporate Governance (or appropriate representative) to participate on behalf of the Council in a pan-public sector group which was to be established to consider the feasibility of introducing a weighting allowance and to report back on the outcomes to a future meeting of the Committee.

The Committee resolved:-

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

(ii)        to note that a major problem that the city had in relation to the cost of living was the price of housing and to instruct officers to consider, with its public sector partners, if the delivery of more affordable housing might have greater benefit for employees and employers, in both public and private sectors, than the introduction of an Aberdeen weighting allowance.

With reference to article 35 of the minute of its meeting of 21 April 2011, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Corporate Governance which sought approval of the proposed amendments to the criteria for the allocation of devoted trade union facility time.

The report recommended:–

that the Committee approve the proposed amendments to element 2 of Framework Agreement for Industrial Relations (FAIR) which changes the criteria for the allocation of devoted trade union facility time.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice Convener moved:

that the Committee approve the recommendation contained in the report, subject to paragraph 5.2 of appendix 1 to the report being amended to read:  “A trade union with less than 300 members, with the exception of UCATT where the number of members will be placed at 200 due to the need for specialised knowledge required for the building trade, will not normally qualify for DTUFT”.

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

that the Committee approve the recommendation as contained in the report.

On a division, there voted:- For the motion (14) - the Convener; the Vice Convener; and Councillors Allan, Cameron, Dickson, Donnelly, Jackie Dunbar, Grant, Ironside, Laing, McCaig, Milne, Noble and Reynolds.  For the amendment (1) – Councillor Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

The Committee had before it a business case by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which sought approval of the creation additional posts to support the delivery of capital road improvement projects.

The business case recommended:–

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the establishment of the following permanent jobs:

·         1 Principal Resident Engineer

·         1 Engineer

·         2 Technical Officers

·         3 Inspector of Works; and

(b)       approve the establishment of the following fixed term, project specific posts:

·         1 Engineer

·         2 Inspector of Works.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations contained in the business case.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Grant declared an interest in the following item of business by virtue of his position as ambassador/ Project Manager for Aberdeen Inspired.  Councillor Grant considered that the nature of his interest required him to leave the meeting and took no part in the deliberations thereon.

With reference to article 1 of the minute of the meeting of the Urgent Business Committee of 17 March 2014, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which advised of the intention to tender for festive lighting for a maximum of three years and sought approval of the estimated expenditure as detailed in the report. 

The report recommended:–

that the Committee -

(a)       note that the officers were preparing to tender for the design, supply, installation, removal and maintenance of festive lighting;

(b)       approve the estimated expenditure for the design, supply, installation, removal and maintenance of festive lighting, of approximately £105,000 per annum from the Common Good Fund, for the three-year period 2014-2017 giving a total estimated expenditure of £315,000 from the Common Good Fund, in accordance with Standing Order 1(3) of the Council’s Standing Orders relating to Contracts and Procurement;

(c)        subject to best value being shown and a suitable budget being available, approve the purchase of the festive lighting at the end of the three year period, for the value given in the awarded tender;

(d)       approve the expenditure up to a maximum of £8,000 per annum from the Common Good Fund for the three year period 2014-2017 for the provision of electricity to power the festive lighting in accordance with Standing Order 1(3) of the Council’s Standing Orders relating to Contracts and Procurement; and

(e)       agree that any residual money between the festive lighting contract and the provisions approved within the relevant annual budget be used to install up-lighters or similar to Rubislaw Terrace Gardens, Union Terrace Gardens, Schoolhill Pocket Park etc over the next three years.

The Committee resolved:-

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

(ii)        to instruct officers to work with Aberdeen Inspired to maximise the festive experience within the city centre for residents and visitors to Aberdeen and to report back to the next meeting of the Committee with a detailed join vision for the festive period, including any financial commitments required to enhance the city’s reputation as a place to invest, live and visit.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Corporate Governance which sought approval of the provisional ICT investment programme which was included in the approved Revenue Budget for 2014/2015.

The report recommended:–

that the Committee -

(a)       approve the programme listed in appendix A;

(b)       approve the estimated expenditure in respect of each item in accordance with Standing Order 1(3) of the Council’s Standing Orders relating to Contracts and Procurement;

(c)        instruct officers to implement the detailed programme;

(d)       delegate authority to the Head of Customer Service and Performance, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Convener and Vice Convener of the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee, to amend the programme should priorities change during the year; and

(e)       grant approval to appropriate officers to award contracts on receipt of a valid tender submission, where appropriate, subject to necessary funding in the approved revenue budget.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations contained in the report.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Reynolds declared an interest by virtue of his position as a Trustee of the North East Scotland Japan Trust in a personal capacity.  Councillor Reynolds considered that the nature of his interest required him to leave the meeting and took no part in the Committee’s deliberations thereon.

With reference to article 19 of the minute of its meeting of 20 February 2014, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided an update on progress to date and advised of the next steps in relation to the development of an Aberdeen-Japan strategy.

The report recommended:–

that the Committee note the update and agree that a further update be submitted to the Committee at its meeting on 19 June 2014, with the findings of the final study being reported to Committee on 30 September 2014.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation as contained in the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which advised of an invitation to join a grouping of Local Authorities called the East Coast Mainline Authorities (ECMA) which had been established for Local Authorities and Regional Transport Partnerships located along this cross border train line and franchise to develop a business case to highlight the need for further investment along this strategic corridor.

The report recommended:–

that the Committee -

(a)       agree that the current arrangements in place, as detailed in the report, were proving successful and were an efficient and effective use of available resources;

(b)       agree subject to the above, to decline the invitation to Aberdeen City to individually join the East Coast Mainline Authority (ECMA) and contribute to the business case at a cost of £4,400; and

(c)        instruct the appropriate officers to continue to update members on future progress and outcomes on rail matters as they affect Aberdeen via reports to the Enterprise, Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations as contained in the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which advised of public Salix funding, specifically how the Salix Energy Efficiency Loans Scheme Scotland operated and outlined the benefits of the scheme to the Council.

The report recommended:–

that the Committee -

(a)       note that officers had commenced the process for the provision of interest free funds amounting to £608,406 to finance the energy savings from street lighting projects by way of the Salix Energy Efficiency Loans Scheme.  The projects were as follows:-

·         upgrade Union Street to LED type lighting - £149,578.00

·         upgrade Union Terrace to LED type lighting - £8,828.00

·         city wide upgrade to “Cosmo” light fitting - £440,000;

(b)       agree that officers enter into a loan agreement with Salix Finance Limited for the interest free funds and for the drawdown of the said funds within 20 days after the agreed completion date;

(c)        approve the expenditure of the funds towards the above mentioned projects; and

(d)       delegate authority to the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure in consultation with the Convener of the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee to bid for additional Salix Energy Efficiency Loans Scheme interest free funds when appropriate energy efficiency projects could be identified and where it could be demonstrated to be financially beneficial to the Council and to inform the Committee, by way of the information bulletin, when this power had been exercised.

The Committee resolved:-

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

(ii)        to request officers provide the Committee, by way of email, with a description of a “Cosmo” light fitting.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

The Convener declared an interest in the following item of business by virtue of his appointment by the Council as a Director of Aberdeen Sports Village.  The Convener considered that the nature of his interest did not require him to leave the meeting.

Councillor Cameron declared an interest in the following item of business by virtue of his appointment by the Council as a Director of Aberdeen Sports Village.  Councillor Cameron considered that the nature of his interest required him to leave the meeting and took no part in the deliberations thereon.

Councillor Dickson declared an interest as a Council appointed Board member of Sport Aberdeen but chose to remain in the meeting as Sport Aberdeen was a body being a company established wholly or mainly for the purpose of providing services to the local authority, and which had entered into a contractual arrangement with the local authority for the supply of goods and/or services to the local authority, as set out in paragraph 5.18(2)(d)(i) and (ii) of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which sought approval of the revisions to the Access to Leisure (A2L) Scheme.

The report recommended:–

that the Committee -

(a)       note the work undertaken to date to review the Access to Leisure (A2L) Scheme;

(b)       approve the following policy recommendations as set out below:

(a)       Confirm the requirement to have a scheme in Aberdeen that sought to reduce health and wellbeing inequalities in Aberdeen, with an aim to facilitate access to increased regular participation in health and wellbeing for those whom affordability or disability was a barrier;

(b)       That the A2L scheme was re-aligned to fit with, reflect, and contribute to, appropriate corporate, strategic and SOA priorities including the Welfare Reform and new benefit system, and linked to reducing health and wellbeing inequalities within the city;

(c)        Eligibility for discounted coffee and tea should cease, instead the Accord Card should be used as a vehicle to continue targeted discounted offers on teas and coffees;

(e)       Subsidised childcare should remain within the scheme;

(f)        The scheme should facilitate access to regular participation in physical activity for all those with an evidenced physical or learning disability or a long term health condition (linked to benefits);

(g)       The scheme should be linked to a robust, evidence based health referral/ social prescription scheme;

(h)       Consideration should be given to linking the scheme in with the national retirement age (to be implemented on a phased basis);

(i)         The scheme should be available for off-peak activities only, except for family swimming which should also be available during peak periods;

(j)         A review should be carried out on the impact of the provision of free swimming.  In the meantime, free swimming should continue at existing designated community swimming pools; and

(k)        A2L should be available at all ACC leisure facilities across the city, including those operated by partners; and

(c)        note that a short term working group would be set up to implement the recommended operational changes to the scheme, namely:

(a)       To revise and re-launch a more focussed and targeted A2L scheme;

(b)       To undertake detailed work on the impact of the changes;

(c)        A new, more targeted and integrated approach to marketing is adopted;

(d)       The application and administrative processes for A2L were simplified;

(e)       A new monitoring approach for the A2L Scheme was developed so that the outcomes could be clearly understood; and

(f)        The new scheme should be implemented on a phased basis taking into consideration individuals who had a current entitlement, but would not be entitled under the new scheme criteria.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve recommendation (b), subject to a further report on the proposed implementation of the changes being considered by the Committee: and

(ii)        to approve recommendations (a) and (c) as contained in the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which sought approval for the Council Leader to travel to the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston between 5 and 8 May 2014, and Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) in Stavanger between 25 and 28 August 2014.

The report recommended:–

that the Committee -

(a)       retrospectively approve the travel and associated arrangements necessary to enable the Council Leader to participate fully in the OTC 2014 programme retrospectively; and

(b)       approve the travel and associated arrangements necessary to enable the Council Leader to participate fully in the ONS 2014 programme.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations as contained in the report.

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

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

The Convener and Councillor Cameron declared an interest in the following item of business by virtue of their appointment by the Council as Directors of Aberdeen Sports Village.  Both Councillors considered that the nature of their interest required them to leave the meeting and took no part in the deliberations thereon.

Reference was made to article 8 of the minute of the meeting of the Property Sub Committee of 22 April 2014, at which time the Sub Committee approved the proposed extension of the leased area at Aberdeen Sports Village at a market rental value to be agreed and referred the matter to this Committee for determination of the funding of the rent for the additional area of land.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the decision of the Property Sub Committee and that a report seeking determination of funding for the rent of the additional area would be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

The Convener declared an interest in the subject matter of the following article by virtue of his position as a member of the Board of the North East Scotland Japan Trust.  Councillor Reynolds declared an interest by virtue of his position as a Trustee of the North East Scotland Japan Trust in a personal capacity.  Both of the Councillors considered that the nature of their interest required them to leave the meeting and took no part in the Committee’s deliberations thereon.

The Convener was substituted by Councillor Taylor and Councillor Reynolds was substituted by Councillor Lesley Dunbar for this item only.

At this juncture, the Vice Convener assumed the Chair.

With reference to article 19 of the minute of its meeting of 20 February 2014, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided an update on the actions related to the transfer of ownership Thomas Glover House from the North East Scotland Japan Trust to the Council.

The report recommended –

that the Committee –

(a)       instruct the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Head of Finance and the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure, to conclude negotiations with the Trust regarding the terms and conditions of the transfer including the proposed future use of the asset, and ensuring that the Council was protected from any further claims against legal title of the asset;

(b)       authorise appropriate officers to incur the expenditure set out in section 3.5 of the report, utilising the underspend in the Council’s 2013/2014 General Services revenue budget;

(c)        approve the transfer of responsibility of operating the building to the Council; and

(d)       instruct officers, once transfer was complete, to advise the Trust of the successful transfer and support the Trust in winding up. 

The Vice Convener, seconded by Councillor Milne moved:

that the Committee approve the recommendations contained in the report.

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

that the Committee earmark the expenditure set out in section 3.5 of the report from the underspend in the Council’s 2013/2014 General Services revenue budget and instruct officers to submit a further report detailing the full terms of the condition of transfer to a future meeting of the Committee.

On a division, there voted:- For the motion (9) - the Vice Convener; and Councillors Allan, Donnelly, Lesley Dunbar, Grant, Ironside, Laing, Milne and Taylor.  For the amendment (6) - Councillors Cameron, Dickson, Jackie Dunbar, McCaig, Noble and Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to adopt the motion; and

(ii)        to instruct officers to advise the Committee, by way of email, of the previous and projected running costs of Thomas Blake Glover House.

In terms of Standing Order 36(3), Councillor McCaig intimated he would like this matter to be referred to full Council in order for a final decision to be taken.  Councillor McCaig was supported by Councillors Cameron, Dickson, Jackie Dunbar, Noble and Yuill.

At this point the Convener resumed the Chair.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which advised members of the requirement to relocate the existing storage and minor repairs facility at 54 Park Road, Aberdeen.

The report recommended:–

that the Committee -

(a)       approve the proposed terms of lease for a two year (included option to extend for a further period of one year) full repairing and insuring lease of the warehouse unit at Potterton, Aberdeen; and

(b)       subject to approval of (a) above, instruct the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to formally conclude the lease, incorporating various qualifications as were necessary to protect the Council’s interest.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations contained in the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Corporate Governance which sought approval of expenditure to enable two contracts for maintenance of the Council’s voice switches to be tendered and awarded.

The report recommended:–

that the Committee in accordance with Standing Order 1 (3) of the Council’s Standing Orders relating to Contracts and Procurement, approve the expenditure outlined in section 3 of the report and the tendering of two contracts to cover (i) the maintenance of smaller voice switches and (ii) the main corporate contract.  Both tenders would be procured through existing Crown Commercial Service (formerly Government Procurement Service) Framework Agreements; with the subsequent award of contracts for a two year period, with an option to extend for a further two year period on an annual basis.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation contained in the report.

 COUNCILLOR YOUNG Convener.