Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

The Convener acknowledged the sad passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on 9 April, and highlighted that he had been a great servant to the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth, including his work with over 900 charities. The Convener added that the Duke of Edinburgh’s affection for Scotland was well known and that he had spent a lot of time in the North East of Scotland.

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 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 (1) the report on Support to Businesses for Outdoor Trading was of an urgent nature and required to be considered this day to enable members to consider the matter at the first available opportunity; and (2) the report on the Aberdeen City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) Proposal 2021-2026 was of an urgent nature and required to be considered this day in view of the imminent deadline the Council had to determine whether it wished to veto the BID renewal proposals.

The Committee was requested to determine that the item of business below, which had been identified as containing exempt information as described in Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, be considered in private.

·       Aberdeen City Centre Bid Proposal 2021-2026 - BID Proposal and Business Plan

The Committee resolved:-

in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the above item so as to avoid disclosure of exempt information of the class described in paragraph 6 of the Act.

The Committee had before it a joint report by the Chief Officers - Capital, Strategic Place Planning and Operations and Protective Services which provided an update on arrangements to support businesses reopening, particularly in relation to trading on outdoor spaces.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)           note the support provided to hospitality businesses by the Council over the last year in line with guidance from Scottish Government related to temporary outdoor trading and structures;

(b)           note the Scottish Government’s advice for the easing of restrictions as contained within its Covid-19 Timetable for Easing Restrictions (March 2021);

(c)           note that the supports for business in terms of Building Standards exemptions remain in place until 30 September 2021 and that the relaxation in Planning controls are in place until such time as these are changed by the Minister and Chief Planner;

(d)           in recognition of the ongoing difficulties for businesses caused by Covid-19, instruct the Chief Officer of Capital, following consultation with the Chief Officer of Strategic Place Planning and the Chief Officer of Operations and Protective Services, to determine requests from businesses for outdoor trading, provided that any approvals so granted will be on a temporary basis and subject to any such conditions as the authorising Chief Officer considers appropriate; 

(e)           instruct the Chief Officers of Capital, Strategic Place Planning and Operations and Protective Services to continue to update the business guidance document provided on the Council’s website and in line with any changes from the Scottish Government; and

(f)             instruct the Chief Officers of Capital, Strategic Place Planning and Operations and Protective Services to report back to the City Growth and Resources Committee in due course with an update of the requirement or otherwise for the measures to assist businesses to remain in place.

In accordance with Standing Order 16.1, Councillor Stewart, the Depute Provost, addressed the Committee expressing her concern at what was happening in the city in terms of the number of businesses closing as a result of the pandemic, and emphasised that the Council needed to do everything it possibly could to assist businesses and work together with them to provide the confidence that they required to continue operating.

The Convener moved, seconded by Councillor Houghton:-

That the Committee approve the recommendations contained within the report subject to amending recommendation (f) to the effect that the report be submitted to the next meeting of the City Growth and Resources Committee with a list of all decisions that had been taken under recommendation (d) and an update of the requirement or otherwise for the measures to assist businesses to remain in place.

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

          That the Committee agree not to delegated the powers to officers proposed within recommendation (d) and that decisions be taken by the relevant committee instead.

On a division, there voted:-  for the motion  (5)  - the Convener; Councillor Crockett, the Lord Provost; and Councillors Boulton, Houghton and Malik;  for the amendment  (4)  -  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer - City Growth which considered the Council’s option to veto the Business Improvement District (BID) proposals 2021-2026; and, if the ballot was to proceed, the date on which it would be held.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)           resolve not to veto the BID Proposals 2021-2026 drawn up by Aberdeen Inspired in respect of the Aberdeen City Centre Business Improvement District and instruct the Chief Officer – City Growth to arrange for the issuing of the requisite notices under section 42 of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006; and

(b)           in the event of recommendation (a) being approved, to instruct the Chief Officer – Governance as Returning Officer to arrange for the holding of a BID ballot on 24 June 2021 in relation to the BID Proposals and to take any other actions may be necessary in connection with this process.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.  

In accordance with Article 3 of this minute, the following item was considered with the press and public excluded.

With reference to Article 5 of this minute, the Committee had before it the Business Proposal and Business Plan for the BID 2021-2026.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the appendices.