Agenda, decisions and minutes

The press and public were excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following two items which dealt with confidential information in terms of Section 50A 3(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

The Convener explained that the meeting had been brought forward to consider a particularly urgent matter in connection with the Financing Strategy for the Capital Programmes, and proposed that the Committee thereafter adjourn until the original scheduled time to consider the report it had originally been called to consider.

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

The Committee resolved:-

to agree that the item was of an urgent nature due to the imminent deadline that had been set, and required to be considered this day.

With reference to Article 26 of the minute of the meeting of Council of 17 August 2016, the Committee received an oral update by the Head of Finance regarding the issue of the Bond and the offers that been received.

The Head of Finance advised that the Council decision had given him authorisation to issue up to £350million in nominal value of Bonds to assist in the funding of the Capital Programmes, however the offers that been received were in excess of £350million, therefore a higher level of authorisation was required if the Committee was willing to grant it.

The Committee resolved:-

to suspend Standing Order 22(1) and authorise the Head of Finance to issue up to £400million in nominal value of Bonds to assist in the funding of the Capital Programmes in accordance with the Heads of Terms set out in Appendix 1 of the report to Council on 17 August 2016.

At this juncture the Committee adjourned and agreed to reconvene at the original time it had been called for.

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

The Committee resolved:-

to agree that the item was of an urgent nature due to the imminent deadline that had been set, and required to be considered this day.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Executive which sought approval for changes to polling place allocations following the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland’s Fifth Statutory Review of Electoral Arrangements.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee agree the changed allocations outlined in the report.

The Council resolved:-

to agree the changed allocations outlined in the report, namely:-

(a)   in relation to Ward 1 (Dyce/Bucksburn/Danestone) and Ward 2 (Bridge of Don), to merge the part of polling district DG0106 (Danestone North) with polling district DG0201 (Jesmond);

(b)   in relation to Ward 6 (Tillydrone/Seaton/Old Aberdeen) and Ward 8 (George Street/Harbour), that polling district CN0606 (Pittodrie North) be renumbered CN0809; and

(c)    in relation to Ward 9 (Lower Deeside) and Ward 10 (Hazlehead/Queens Cross/Countesswells), to merge parts of polling districts SS0904 (Bieldside) and SS0906 (Cults East) with polling district SS1001 (Hazlehead).

- JENNIFER LAING, Convener.