Agenda 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=3090&ver=4

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 to enable the matter to be considered prior to Bon Accord Care Limited and Bon Accord Support Services Limited becoming operational on 1 August 2013.

With reference to article 27 of the minute of Council of 6 March 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Social Care and Wellbeing which sought approval for revision to arrangements for transfer of property to Bon Accord Support Services Ltd, as previously approved by Council on 6 March 2013.

The report recommended –

that the Committee -

(a)       agree to the appropriate accommodation within Archibald Simpson House being leased to Bon Accord Support Services, on terms and conditions to be agreed by the Head of Asset Management and Operations;

(b)       agree to the transfer of Hillylands to Bon Accord Support Services under a licence agreement, within one week of receipt of a Certificate of Practical Completion of all works to bring the building to standard fit for the purpose of occupancy; and

(c)        note the remaining five properties which would transfer to Bon Accord Support Services as narrated in 6.4 of the report.  

Further to advice from the clerk, the Committee agreed to suspend Standing Order 22 to enable the Committee to consider the recommendations contained in the report.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

Councillors Jackie Dunbar and Graham declared an interest in the application by Middlefield Community Project by virtue of their appointment to Middlefield Community Project Management Committee.  Both Councillors considered that the nature of their interest required them to leave the meeting and they took no part in the Committee’s deliberations on the Middlefield Community Project.  Councillor Jackie Dunbar was substituted by Councillor Townson and Councillor Graham was substituted by Councillor Grant for consideration of the Middlefield Community Project application only.

The Committee had before it a report by the Head of Finance which presented three applications for financial assistance.

The report recommended –

that the Committee

(i)         agree to award the following grants:

·          Project Hawker - £1,250

·          Powis Residents Group Fundraising – amount to be decided by the Committee

(ii)        agree not to award a grant to the following applications:

·            Middlefield Community Project Polish Trip

·            Tillydrone Vision Uganda Trip

·            Powis Residents Group Fundraising

The Convener moved, seconded by Councillor Milne:-

that the Committee award  £1500 to the Tillydrone Vision Uganda trip.

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

            that the Committee take no action on the Tillydrone Vision application.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion by the Convener (8) – the Convener; and Councillors Graham, Ironside, Laing, Milne, Jean Morrison, Reynolds and Thomson; For the amendment by Councillor Yuill (7) – Councillors Cormie, Jackie Dunbar, Greig, McCaig, Noble, Stuart, and Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

The Convener moved, seconded by Councillor Milne:-

that the Committee award £591 to the Middlefield Community Project Polish trip.

.

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

that the Committee take no action on the Middlefield Community Project application.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion by the Convener (8) – the Convener; and Councillors Grant, Ironside, Laing, Milne, Jean Morrison, Reynolds and Thomson; For the amendment by Councillor Yuill (7) – Councillors Cormie, Jackie Dunbar, Greig, McCaig, Noble, Stuart, and Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion

The Committee further resolved:-

(i)         to agree to award the following grants:

·        Project Hawker - £1250

·        Powis Residents Group Fundraising - £1000; and

(iii)       to request officers to remind applicants of the requirement to submit applications in a timely manner.

With reference to article 15 of the minute of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee of 13 June 2013 the Committee had before it (1) a report by the Director of Housing and Environment which advised of the outcomes of the first meeting of Council and NESTRANS officers with Transport Scotland on the future progress and delivery of the Haudagain Junction Improvements by the Scottish Government and the Council’s regeneration proposals for the wider Middlefield area, taking into account the instructions of  this Committee of 13 June 2013, which were subsequently approved by Full Council on 26 June 2013; and (2) an addendum to appendix 2 contained in the report.

The report recommended –

that the Committee -

(a)       note the minutes contained at appendix 1 of the report of the meeting held by officers of the Council, NESTRANS, Transport Scotland and their consultants on 28 June 2013;

(b)       acknowledge that Transport Scotland had agreed to arrange a meeting with the District Valuer and Aberdeen City Council to discuss financial compensation arrangements for Council assets as soon as possible;

(c)        note the Council’s proposed plan to start the regeneration project within the next two years contained at appendix 2;

(d)       note that a further Equality Human Rights Impact Assessment was required in light of the Council’s proposal to shorten the project timescales and that this was currently being developed, and

(e)       note that officers in the project team were developing a communications strategy for local residents that would provide regular updates on progress as the project develops.

The Convener moved, seconded by Councillor Thomson:-

That the Committee:

(1)       agree (a), (b) and (d)  of the recommendations contained within the report;

(2)       note the decision of the Council on 26 June 2013 and instruct officers to continue to work to that timescale;

(3)       instruct Councillor Crockett, Leader of the Council, to write to all council tax payers within the Middlefield regeneration area setting out the Council’s objectives for regeneration, taking into consideration the fact that the Scottish Government had not yet agreed a compensation package despite this matter being discussed by Council on 25 June 2008 as an emergency item in order that the decision of Council could be referred to the Scottish Government at the earliest opportunity;

(4)       note the complete failure of the previous SNP/Liberal Democrat administration and its own two Lead Councillors for Regeneration, Councillor Jackie Dunbar and Kevin Stewart MSP, who, despite both representing the area did absolutely nothing to implement regeneration;

(5)       note that the policy of the SNP was to allow the good people of Middlefield to continue to be treated as second class citizens given their failure to deliver new kitchens and bathrooms despite the Scottish Housing Quality Standard to be met by 2015;

(6)       instruct officers to continue to push the Scottish Government to enter into a legally binding contract with the Council to fully fund the project noting the decision of the previous administration on 19 November 2009 at the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.