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=3369&Ver=4

It was agreed that Councillor Young chair the meeting in the absence of Councillor Crockett.

In terms of Standing Order 28(5)(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 items on the agenda were of an urgent nature; and (2) that the Committee required to consider the items and take decisions thereon.  

The Committee resolved:-

to agree that the items were of an urgent nature and required to be considered this day.

The Committee was requested to determine that the following items of business, which contained exempt information as described in Schedule 7(A) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, be taken in private:-

• 3Rs Project
• European Airesis Project

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 during consideration of the aforementioned items of business (Articles 4 and 5 of this minute refer) so as to avoid disclosure of exempt information of the classes described in paragraphs 6 and 9 of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

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

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Corporate Governance which sought authority to investigate opportunities that had recently emerged in relation to the outstanding debt held against the schools built under the 3Rs project.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)       invoke the provisions of Standing Order 1(6)(b) of the Standing Orders Relating to Contracts and Procurement, and in doing so agree to dis-apply the provisions of Standing Order 1(3) in relation to approval of estimated expenditure, and Standing Orders 4, 5 and 6 in relation to the need for a competitive tender process and thereafter appoint Caledonian Economics as financial advisers to the Council in relation to the opportunity set out in the report;

(b)       invoke the provisions of Standing Order 1(6)(b) of the Standing Orders Relating to Contracts and Procurement, and in doing so, agree to dis-apply the provisions of Standing Order 1(3) in relation to approval of estimated expenditure, and Standing Orders 4, 5 and 6 in relation to the need for a competitive tender process and thereafter appoint Brodies LLP as legal advisers to the Council in relation to the opportunity set out in the report;

(c)        instruct officers to enter into discussions with the Scottish Government, the Scottish Futures Trust, Landsbanki and any other relevant parties in relation to the opportunity set out in the report; and

(d)       instruct officers to report back to committee as required, and upon conclusion of the discussions set out at recommendation (c) above.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Corporate Governance which advised of an invitation to the Council by the University of Aberdeen to form a partnership in a bid for funding under the European Airesis Project, operated under the auspices of the European Regional Research and Innovation Network and which offered a platform to allow local communities to participate in direct democracy.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee agree in principle to collaborate in the project and authorise the Chief Executive to sign the letter appended to the report, noting that this would be amended slightly to reflect the University’s role so that both partners would sign one letter.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

- WILLIAM YOUNG, Acting Convener.