Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

https://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=334&MId=5802&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) of the Council’s Standing Orders from 2014, which had been retained, 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.

Councillor Yuill moved as a procedural motion, seconded by Councillor Flynn:-

That item 3, Election of Depute Provost, was not urgent and did not require to be considered this day.

On a division, there voted:-   for the procedural motion (6) - Councillors Allard, Cameron, Jackie Dunbar, Flynn, Nicoll and Yuill;  against the procedural motion (7) - Convener; Vice Convener; and Councillors Donnelly, Duncan, Grant, Houghton and Reynolds.

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, in order that a replacement for Councillor Mason MSP could be in place at the earliest opportunity.

The Committee further resolved:-

to agree that items 2 and 4, Appointments to Outside Bodies and Amendment to Standing Orders, were of an urgent nature and required to be considered this day, in order to comply with the decision of Council of 21 June 2017 in connection with those items.

With reference to Article 16 of the minute of meeting of Council of 21 June 2017, the Committee had before it a list of outside bodies prepared by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services which required to be appointed to.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the following compositions/appointments to outside bodies and request that Group Leaders submit names to the Head of Legal and Democratic Services by 7 July 2017:-

The Committee was advised that Councillor Mason MSP had submitted a letter to the Chief Executive which confirmed his resignation from the role of Depute Provost. Accordingly, the Convener sought nominations for the role of Depute Provost.

The Vice Convener proposed, seconded by Councillor Houghton:-

            That Councillor Donnelly be appointed Depute Provost.

Councillor Flynn further proposed, seconded by Councillor Jackie Dunbar:-

            That Councillor Cormie be appointed Depute Provost.

Councillor Donnelly spoke in support of his candidacy. The Committee noted that Councillor Cormie was unable to be in attendance and therefore could not speak in support of his candidacy.

There being two nominations, the Committee voted as follows:-  for Councillor Donnelly (7) - Convener; Vice Convener; and Councillors Donnelly, Duncan, Grant, Houghton and Reynolds;  for Councillor Cormie (6) - Councillors Allard, Cameron, Jackie Dunbar, Flynn, Nicoll and Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

to appoint Councillor Donnelly to the role of Depute Provost with immediate effect.

In terms of Standing Order 29.7, Councillors Allard, Cameron, Jackie Dunbar, Flynn, Nicoll and Yuill intimated their dissent against the foregoing decision.

With reference to Article 16 of the minute of meeting of Council of 21 June 2017, the Committee had before it a report by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services which proposed that the Council’s Standing Orders be amended to include a Standing Order with regard to the cancellation, advancement or postponement of ordinary meetings of Committees and Sub Committees.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee approve that Standing Orders be amended to incorporate the following additional Standing Order to the Ordinary Meetings heading within the Council and Committee Meetings section:-

6.3       It shall be within the discretion of the Convener of a Committee or the Convener of a Sub Committee to cancel, advance or postpone to a later date an ordinary meeting if in his/her opinion there is good reason for doing so.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

- JENNIFER LAING, Convener.