Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

In terms of Section 1.3 of the Committee Remit 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 agenda was of an urgent nature; and (2) that the Committee required to consider the item and take decisions thereon.

The Committee resolved:-

to agree that the item of business was of an urgent nature and required to be considered this day to enable the Committee to consider the matter at the earliest available opportunity and take decisions thereon.

The Committee had before it a joint report by the Chief Officer - Data & Insights and the Chief Officer - Governance which sought approval of proposed actions ahead of Aberdeen moving into Level 4 of the Scottish Government’s Strategic Framework for supressing Covid-19.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)           approve the proposed actions set out in Appendix 1;

(b)           instruct the Chief Education Officer to make a request to the Scottish Government for an additional closure day for all Aberdeen City Council schools on 5 January 2021;

(c)           agree that, during the period of 23 December 2020 to 5 January 2021 inclusive, the Covid-19 Duty Emergency Response Coordinators (DERCs) should take any action necessary in terms of General Delegation 37 to Chief Officers set out in the Powers Delegated to Officers, to ensure compliance with the law and guidance with such decisions, where possible, being taken following consultation with the co-leaders, relevant convener and relevant vice-convener; and

(d)           note that any said action taken by a Covid-19 DERC in terms of recommendation (c) would be reported to the meeting of the City Growth and Resources Committee on 3 February 2021.

The Convener moved, seconded by the Vice Convener:-

That the Committee approve the recommendations contained within the report.

Councillor Alex Nicoll moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Yuill:-

          That the Committee:-

(1)         approve recommendations (a) and (b); and

(2)         agree that, during the period of 23 December 2020 to 5 January 2021 inclusive, the Covid-19 Duty Emergency Response Coordinators (DERCs) should take any action necessary in terms of General Delegation 37 to Chief Officers set out in the Powers Delegated to Officers, to ensure compliance with the law and guidance with such decisions, where possible, following the calling of a meeting of the Urgent Business Committee.

On a division, there voted:-  for the motion (5) - Convener; Vice Convener; and Councillors Boulton, Grant and Houghton; for the amendment (4) - Councillors Jackie Dunbar, McRae, Alex Nicoll and Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.