Agenda and minutes

The Sub Committee had before it, the minute of the previous meeting of 3 October, 2012.

The Sub Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute as a correct record.

With reference to article 3 of the minute of the previous meeting, the Sub Committee had before it, an update in relation to the Zero Waste Management Project, which advised that full Council had approved recommendations in the Outline Business Case with one addendum.

With reference to article 14 of the minute of Council of 10 October 2012, the report advised that the addendum agreed at Council was to instruct officers to engage fully with Aberdeen’s citizens and communities throughout the process of the Zero Waste Management Project and the procurement of a local Energy from Waste Combined Heat and Power plant for Aberdeen.

The report went on to explain that since the approval at Council, work had progressed in a number of areas, which included the project resources and structure and the delivery of resources.  Also included was an outline work programme which advised of the estimated duration of the various stages of the project.

The report recommended:-

that the Sub Committee note the contents of the report.

The Sub Committee resolved:-

to note the content of the report.

The Convener declared the meeting open for any other competent business,

whereby Councillor Dunbar asked if there was any update on the Hazlehead Recycling Centre.  Pete Lawrence provided an update whereby he explained that a tree survey had recently been undertaken and work had also been carried out on assessing noise levels, which would be progressed in due course.  Pete also advised that the design of the centre had been agreed and would go out to tender in the next few weeks, with work due to commence in March 2013 with an anticipated completion date of October 2013.

Finally, the Convener raised the issue of recycling facilities within Council buildings. The Sub Committee discussed the lack of recycling facilities in the Town House, and other Aberdeen City Council offices and noted that at present there were no facilities for recycling bottles, glass, plastic containers and food waste, and further that paper material that was shredded was not recycled but included in the industrial waste bins.  Peter Lawrence, Waste and Recycling Manager, advised that a report was currently being prepared which would be submitted to the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee in March 2013, which would present a new policy to be implemented by the end of 2013 to take account of new legislation. Officers advised that whilst some costing work had been undertaken, they were not aware of the full extent of this.  

Members expressed concern that this issue had previously been raised on a number of occasions; however no action had been taken to date.

The Sub Committee resolved:

to refer the matter to the Finance and Resources Committee of 6 December, to request that it be included as part of the budget process.

The Sub Committee noted that the next meeting was due to be held on Wednesday 27 February 2013 at 2pm.

- COUNCILLOR JEAN MORRISON MBE, Convener.