Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=334&MId=4066&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 Council minute and this document will not be retrospectively altered.

In terms of Standing Order 28(6)(vi), and in accordance with Section 50(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the Committee was informed that it had to determine (1) that the item on the agenda was of an urgent nature; and (2) that the Committee required to consider the item and take a decision thereon.

Councillor Jackie Dunbar moved as a procedural motion, seconded by Councillor Townson:-

That the item was not urgent and did not require to be considered this day.

On a division, there voted:-  for the procedural motion (5) - Councillors Cameron, Dickson, Jackie Dunbar, Nicoll and Townson;  against the procedural motion  (8) - Convener; and Councillors Crockett, Graham, Grant, Taylor, Thomson, Young and Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

to reject the procedural motion, and thereby agree that the item was of an urgent nature, and required to be considered this day and a decision taken thereon.

“Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and the Chief Constable of Police Scotland reiterating Aberdeen City Council’s opposition to the proposal to create a single division in the north east from the existing A (Aberdeen City) & B (Aberdeenshire & Moray) Divisions.

Disagrees with the statement of the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, that the creation of a single division will facilitate more flexible deployment of officers and enhance capability at an operational level.

Further instructs the Chief Executive to include within the letter a request that the SPA and the Chief Constable of Police Scotland attend a meeting of the Urgent Business Committee at their earliest convenience to discuss this motion fully and in public.

Notes with concern that the SPA and the Chief Constable of Police Scotland have decided to proceed with amalgamation despite not being in possession of all known facts by not including within the “Strengthening local policing” report, presented to the SPA on 27^th October 2015, information relating to the decision of Aberdeen City Council on the 13^th January 2015 and the opposition expressed.

That decision being:  “That Committee note the report, but that officers be instructed to provide feedback to the Scottish Police Authority that Aberdeen City Council welcomed efficiency savings but supported the continuation of an independent Police Division within Aberdeen City.”

Instructs the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to seek an opinion on a judicial review of the decision by the SPA and or the Chief Constable of Police Scotland and to report back to the Leader of the Council on the potential of a successful challenge to the decision by the SPA to create a single division within the north east in order for the Council Leader to determine if a further Urgent Business Committee meeting is required.  

Notes the Inspector of Constabulary Report, was ordered after the deaths of Lamara Bell and John Yuill, who lay unattended for three days after crashing off the M9, published on Tuesday 10^th November which has recommended that merger plans be halted stating that Police Scotland needs to focus on stabilising its existing arrangements before making any further changes.

Further notes that the report’s other findings included that: “governance of the change process has been weak with key risks and project issues not being highlighted through existing structures” and that the merger programme “focused on meeting deadlines and increasing productivity and savings at the expense of effective staff engagement”.”

The Committee had before it the following urgent notice of motion by Councillor Graham:-

“Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and the Chief Constable of Police Scotland reiterating Aberdeen City Council’s opposition to the proposal to create a single division in the north east from the existing A (Aberdeen City) & B (Aberdeenshire & Moray) Divisions.

Disagrees with the statement of the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, that the creation of a single division will facilitate more flexible deployment of officers and enhance capability at an operational level.

Further instructs the Chief Executive to include within the letter a request that the SPA and the Chief Constable of Police Scotland attend a meeting of the Urgent Business Committee at their earliest convenience to discuss this motion fully and in public.

Notes with concern that the SPA and the Chief Constable of Police Scotland have decided to proceed with amalgamation despite not being in possession of all known facts by not including within the “Strengthening local policing” report, presented to the SPA on 27^th October 2015, information relating to the decision of Aberdeen City Council on the 13^th January 2015 and the opposition expressed.

That decision being:  “That Committee note the report, but that officers be instructed to provide feedback to the Scottish Police Authority that Aberdeen City Council welcomed efficiency savings but supported the continuation of an independent Police Division within Aberdeen City.”

Instructs the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to seek an opinion on a judicial review of the decision by the SPA and or the Chief Constable of Police Scotland and to report back to the Leader of the Council on the potential of a successful challenge to the decision by the SPA to create a single division within the north east in order for the Council Leader to determine if a further Urgent Business Committee meeting is required.  

Notes the Inspector of Constabulary Report, was ordered after the deaths of Lamara Bell and John Yuill, who lay unattended for three days after crashing off the M9, published on Tuesday 10^th November which has recommended that merger plans be halted stating that Police Scotland needs to focus on stabilising its existing arrangements before making any further changes.

Further notes that the report’s other findings included that: “governance of the change process has been weak with key risks and project issues not being highlighted through existing structures” and that the merger programme “focused on meeting deadlines and increasing productivity and savings at the expense of effective staff engagement”.”

Councillor Graham moved, seconded by Councillor Thomson:-

            That the Committee approve the terms of the urgent motion.

Councillor Nicoll moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Townson:-

That the Council fully supports the Chief Constable of Police Scotland in his operational decision to merge the Aberdeen City Division and Aberdeenshire and Moray Division into a single entity to be known as A Division with local headquarters based at Queen Street, Aberdeen.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.