Agenda, decisions and minutes

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be located at the following link:-

http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=503&MId=3453&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 minute and this document will not be retrospectively altered.

The Convener proposed that the Committee consider item 14.1 (A96 Park and Choose Car Park / Dyce Drive Link Road) on the agenda with the press and public excluded.

The Committee resolved:-

In terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the press and public from the meeting for item 14.1 on the agenda (article 31 of this minute) so as to avoid disclosure of information of the class described in paragraphs 6 and 8 of the Act.

The Committee had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 28 October 2014 for approval.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute as a correct record.

The Committee had before it a statement of Committee business and a list of annual reports prepared by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to remove item 2 (Duthie Park Restoration – Heritage Lottery Funding Bid) as the project was now complete; and

(ii)        to otherwise note the updates contained within the business statement and annual reports list.

The Committee had before it a motions list prepared by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.

The Committee resolved:-

to note that reports on both outstanding motions would be presented to the March Committee.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure and the Director of Corporate Governance which set out the current year general fund revenue and capital budget performance to date and provided advice on any areas of risk and management action required.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)          consider and note the report and the information on management action and risks that was contained therein;  and

(b)          instruct that officers report the year end position to the appropriate Committee.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure and the Director of Corporate Governance which provided an update on income and expenditure for the 2014/2015 Housing Revenue Account and Housing Capital Programme as at 31 October 2014.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)          note the financial information contained within; and

(b)          instruct that the Head of Finance continue to update the Committee in consultation with the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure on the actual outturn position for 2014/2015 following completion of the year end statutory accounts.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure and the Director of Corporate Governance which set out the current year trading services’ budget performance to date for the services which fell under the remit of the Communities, Housing and Infrastructure Committee, and advised on any areas of risk and management action required.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)          consider and note the report and the information on management action and risks that was contained therein;

(b)          instruct that officers report the year end position to the appropriate Committee; and

(c)          approve the virements outlined in Appendix B of the report.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 5 of the minute of the Council meeting of 20 August 2014, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which presented proposals for the restructure of service manager posts across the Communities, Housing and Infrastructure service.  Appended to the report were structure charts and contextual information relating to each proposed structure.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)          note the proposed service manager structure for Communities, Housing and Infrastructure;

(b)          note the timeline for implementing the proposals in accordance with the scheme of delegated powers of 8 October 2014 and general delegations to chief officers, item 23:

To permit Directors to undertake restructuring including establishing new posts, converting posts, changing grades and changing job titles, all in consultation with the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development, provided that such changes are within the approved service budget and that the required consultation with trades unions has been undertaken; and

(c)          note that a further progress report would be issued to Committee on 18 March 2015 detailing the work undertaken in the development of job profiles, the evaluation of posts and the associated involvement and consultation undertaken with staff and trade unions.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)           to approve the recommendations;  and

(ii)          to send best wishes to Donald Urquhart for a speedy recovery.

With reference to article 15 of the minute of its previous meeting, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which set out key performance measures and progress of key improvement work within the Service.  The report advised that the format of the document would continue to be developed by officers.

The Committee heard from the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure who highlighted key pieces of work and success within the Service since the last meeting.

Members then asked a number of questions of officers.

The report recommended:-

that Committee provide comments and observations on both the performance information and on the format and layout of the report.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to instruct officers to determine if the Town House has been selected for the installation of free public Wi-Fi;

(ii)       to request a briefing note on the integration of digital schemes;

(iii)      to request that voids performance reporting be broken down to include further information on voids performance at different stages of the process with particular reference to void timescales and further detail on overall and emerging trends; and

(iv)      to otherwise note the performance information contained in the performance report.

The Convener indicated that he had directed in terms of Section 50(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the Committee consider the following item as a matter of urgency to enable the various proposals set out within the report to be actioned timeously.

With reference to article 11 of the minute of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee of 30 May 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which sought approval for a number of recommendations in relation to a number of individual Community Centres across the city.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)          agree that Froghall Community Centre move to the “Learning Centre” Model, and note that officers would work with a new entity to be established by St Stephen’s Church and Sunnybank Management Committee to develop an appropriate programme of activities that would meet the needs of the local community;

(b)          agree that Cummings Park Community Centre move to the “Learning Centre” Model and note that officers would work with members of the local community to form an associated Management Committee and develop an appropriate programme of activities that would meet the needs of the local community;

(c)        note the successful bid to the Scottish Government Regeneration Fund for the development of the Henry Rae Community Centre to form a community hub, comprising space for supporting the provision of a range of recreational and learning activities, including those activities delivered by Middlefield Community Project;

(d)       agree that the existing lease for Inchgarth Community Centre be extended to encompass an increased area as set out in Appendix A to the report; and

(e)       agree that Torry Learning House be returned as Housing Stock.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by Chief Superintendent Adrian Watson, Police Scotland, which provided information on emerging thinking by the Local Police Commander to strengthen local policing which it was suggested could lead to a restructuring of Aberdeen City Division and Aberdeenshire and Moray Division into what was felt to be a more cohesive policing Division in the North East.  The report advised that both Local Police Commanders had concluded that Aberdeen City Division and Aberdeenshire and Moray Division effectively operated as one single division at present, albeit not in name.  It was therefore suggested that operating as a single division would create wider benefits and would ensure that efficiencies could be reinvested into the front line.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee consider the contents of the report and provide feedback.

The Convener moved, seconded by Councillor Greig:-

“That Committee note the report, but that officers be instructed to provide feedback to the Scottish Police Authority that Aberdeen City Council welcomed efficiency savings but supported the continuation of an independent Police Division within Aberdeen City.”

Councillor Townson moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Cameron:-

“That Committee note the report, thank Police Scotland and support the proposal to merge the two Divisions.”

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (12) – the Convener; Vice Convener Graham; Vice Convener Jean Morrison; and Councillors Allan, Crockett, Finlayson, Greig, Laing, Milne, Thomson, Young and Yuill; for the amendment (7) – Councillors Blackman, Cameron, Corall, Jackie Dunbar, McCaig, Noble and Townson.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the motion.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Executive which introduced the Police Scotland Aberdeen City Division Scrutiny Board report for the period to 30 September 2014.

The Committee then heard from Chief Superintendent Adrian Watson who spoke to the report and answered a number of questions from Members.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)          provide feedback to the Divisional Commander on the report;  and

(b)          make recommendations to support continuous improvement.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)           to request a report on the number and profile of Police Divisional and support staff within Aberdeen City;

(ii)          to request further information on the number of applications disclosed under the Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme;

(iii)         to request further performance information to include quarterly data and year on year comparative data for the past 2 years;

(iv)         to request a briefing on counter terrorism within Aberdeen City; and

(v)          to note the content of the report and thank the Aberdeen Police Division for their work across the city and to commend them for their holistic partnership approach that has led to Aberdeen becoming Scotland’s safest city. 

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Executive which introduced the Local Fire and Rescue Plan Performance report for the period 1 April to 30 September 2014.

The Committee heard from Duncan Smith, Local Senior Officer, and Fraser Burr, Senior Manager, who spoke to the report and answered questions from Members.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)          provide feedback to the Local Senior Officer on the performance report; and

(b)          make recommendations to support continuous improvement.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)           to request further performance information on the number of Fire and Rescue visits to schools and other such presentations to children in future performance reports;

(ii)          to request that a workshop be organised to brief members on the Local Fire and Rescue Plan and all relevant legislation; and

(iii)         to note the report and thank the Fire and Rescue Service for their people focussed approach and their professionalism and to commend the service for continually going the extra mile in service to the public.

Members, please note that due to the size of the appendices, these have been issued as a separate circulation

With reference to article 21 of the minute of its previous meeting, the Committee had before a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which presented the draft Supplementary Guidance to the proposed Local Development Plan for approval.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)          approve the Draft Supplementary Guidance;

(b)          authorise publication, subject to any minor drafting changes, of the Supplementary Guidance alongside the proposed Local Development Plan for a 10 week period for representations; and

(c)          authorise publication of the Environmental Report.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)           to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)          to thank officers for their efforts in relation to the preparation of the supplementary guidance and the revisions to the proposed Local Development Plan.

Members, please note that due to the size of the appendix, it has been issued as a separate circulation

With reference to article 21 of the minute of its previous meeting, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which sought approval of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan.  The report advised that although the draft plan had been approved at the previous meeting of 28 October 2014, the document had required to be updated to take account of advice given by the Scottish Government at the National Development Plan Forum of 5 December 2014 which related to the Council’s ability to adopt statutory Supplementary Guidance to the Local Development Plan.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)          approve  the proposed Aberdeen Local Development Plan as amended, to include specific reference to Supplementary Guidance as advised by the Scottish Government;  and

(b)          agree that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Sustainable Development to make any further amendments to the Plan to ensure it is consistent with any further guidance from the Scottish Government relating to the adoption of the supplementary guidance in order to ensure that the guidance, as determined by the Committee in Committee Report CHI/14/064 (article 14 refers), is adopted without ministerial objection.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations, and thereby suspend Standing Order 22(2) to enable the amendment to be made.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which presented and sought approval for the third Development Plan Scheme for the forthcoming Aberdeen Local Development Plan 2016.

The report recommended:-

that Committee approve the adoption and publication of the Local Development Plan Scheme, which would include sending the document to Scottish Ministers and informing key agencies and consultees.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which presented the consultative draft of the Local Transport Strategy 2015-2020 and sought authorisation to commence a consultation process with the public and stakeholders subject to any comments from Members.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)          approve the content of the report and the Council’s consultative draft Local Transport Strategy, following the incorporation of comments by Members;

(b)          approve a period of consultation on the draft Local Transport Strategy and Strategic Environment Assessment with members of the public and stakeholders; and

(c)          note that officers would prepare a report back to Committee with the results of the public consultation and a final draft Local Transport Strategy in May 2015.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which sought approval of proposals for the sponsorship of business awards in 2015 by Aberdeen City Council.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)          agree the continued sponsorship (jointly with Aberdeenshire Council)  of an award category at the Enterprise North East Trust Grampian Awards for Business Excellence in 2015, at a cost of £7,500;

(b)          agree the continued sponsorship of an award at the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce Northern Star Awards in 2015, but replace sole sponsorship of an award with shared/joint sponsorship with Aberdeenshire Council of the Green Award, at a cost of £4,500;

(c)          agree the continued sponsorship of the Grampian Food Forum Awards for Innovation in 2015 to enable Aberdeen City food and drink sector businesses to enter the awards scheme, at a cost of £1,000; and

(d)          to receive an annual report on the impact of this business award sponsorship activity.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 12 of the minute of the Enterprise, Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee of 21 January 2014, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which had been prepared in response to the ESP&I Committee request that the Council’s membership of KIMO (Kommunenes Internasjonale Miljoorganisasjon) (Local Authorities International Environmental Organisation) be reviewed after a year.  The report set out the objectives of KIMO and provided an overview of the Council attendance at the 24^th Annual KIMO Conference and AGM.

The report recommended:-

that Committee approve retention of Aberdeen City Council’s membership of KIMO.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which sought approval for the Council’s planned international trade development and inward investment activities for 2015/2016, particularly the attendance of officers and Elected Members at key overseas trade events in order to help deliver the economic development priorities of the Smarter Aberdeen vision.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       approve the report and the activities described therein, subject to the 2015/2016 budget-setting process;

(b)       approve the relevant travel by officers and Elected Members for the activities as described in Appendix 1 of the report;

(c)        receive a bulletin report on each international event undertaken in the plan;

(d)       note the process for approving overseas travel in Appendix 2 of the report, including, where required, a fast-track process to enable officers to respond to short-notice opportunities that are deemed high-value, but still ensuring the same high level of senior management scrutiny; and

(e)       approve the proposed criteria on page 7 of the report for the International Trade and Investment team to assess the level of resources to dedicate to inward delegation requests, including the option to refer activities, by agreement, to other teams, services and / or external partner organisations, where the activity insufficiently matches the International Trade and Investment priorities described in this report, but is deemed a priority for the Council or City overall.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which provided an update on various European funding and projects and sought approval for project development and any associated travel for project workshops and meetings.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       approve the participation of Aberdeen City Council in the Horizon 2020 ‘Cultural Heritage’ funding call;

(b)       approve the participation of Aberdeen City Council in the Horizon 2020 ‘Making Scientific Subjects and Careers more attractive to young people’ funding call;

(c)        note the assistance provided for the Europe for Citizens Town Twinning funding call;

(d)       note the announcement of DAPHNE funding and plans to submit an application under this funding call; and

(e)       approve any associated travel for project workshops and meetings.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Convener indicated that he had directed in terms of Section 50(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the Committee consider the following item as a matter of urgency to enable the various travel arrangements set out within the report to be progressed timeously should the report be approved.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which presented the external funding plan for approval, as well as the future associated travel necessary to support the implementation of the plan.

The report recommended:-

that Committee approve –

(a)       the External Funding Plan (Appendix 1 to the report) and travel identified within, valid up to and including 2020 (Councillor Crockett to travel for CPMR and NSC related work as Council’s elected member);

(b)       travel in connection with HyEr of one officer and Councillor Crockett (Board Chair) for up to four meetings per year within the EU, up to and including 2020 (ref. 5.1);

(c)        travel in connection with the European Innovation Partnership of Smart Cities for 1 officer.  A maximum of 4 meetings per year within the EU up to and including 2020 (ref 5.2);

(d)       travel in connection with the CPMR Energy and Maritime Group for one officer for up to four meetings per year, up to and including 2020 (ref 5.3);

(e)       travel for two officers to attend the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Conference February 2015, including a visit to Toyota and Nagasaki, Japan (ref 5.4);

(f)        travel for two officers to attend the Hannover Messe, Europe’s largest hydrogen, fuel cell and battery exhibition, in April 2015 (ref 5.5); and

(g)       travel in April 2015 for two officers to attend the Canadian Hydrogen Fuel Cell conference in Vancouver in April 2015 (ref 5.6).

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations, subject to altering recommendations (a) and (b) to approve travel for ‘the relevant Councillor’, rather than specifying a particular Elected Member as in the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which set out various small scale traffic management measures for approval.  The report also brought forward proposals associated with new developments as part of the development management process and included proposals for individual disabled parking bays which required to be progressed.

The report related to proposals at the following locations in the city:-

Proposals to be funded from the Cycling, Walking, Safer Streets budget

·         Arnhall Junction (A944 at B9119)

·         Auchinyell Terrace

·         Blackness Road

·         Cherry Road

·         Kirkhill Drive, Dyce

·         Newburgh Drive

·         Wellington Road – slip road

·         Westray Road

·         Quarry Court / Road, Cults

Proposals to be funded by developers

·         The Core, Murcar

·         45-46 Sinclair Road, Torry

Proposals to be funded by the Housing Service

·         Stockethill Court Car Park, North Anderson Drive (inset road)

Proposals to be funded by the Disabled Parking Revenue budget

·         Disabled parking bays to be provided through the Disabled Persons’ Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009

-       On-street parking (44 spaces) at various locations set out in the report

-       Off-street parking (14 spaces) at various locations set out in the report

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)          note the purpose of the proposals and approve them in principle;

(b)          instruct the appropriate officers to commence the necessary legal procedures of preliminary statutory consultation for the traffic regulation orders required as described in the report, and if no significant objections were received, to progress with the public advertisement and report the results to a future meeting of the Committee; and

(c)          instruct the appropriate officers to commence the combined statutory consultation for the traffic regulation order for the list of Blue Badge parking bays and report back to a future meeting of the Committee.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which advised of the outcome of the final statutory stage of the following 18 orders and presented the objections which had been received where relevant in each case:-

(1)          The Aberdeen City Council (Bellfield Road / Simpson Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)

(2)          The Aberdeen City Council (Broomhill Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)

(3)          The Aberdeen City Council (Craigievar Cresent, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)

(4)          The Aberdeen City Council (Donbank Terrace / Don Street / Hayton Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)

(5)          The Aberdeen City Council (Duthie Terrace, Aberdeen) (Exemption for Cyclists) Order 201(X)

(6)          The Aberdeen City Council (Elmfield Avenue, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)

(7)          The Aberdeen City Council (Ladywell Place / Kirkhill Place, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)

(8)          The Aberdeen City Council (St Ronan’s Place / North Deeside Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)

(9)          The Aberdeen City Council (Stronsay Drive / Stronsay Place Area, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting / Stopping) Order 201(X)

(10)       The Aberdeen City Council (Victoria Street, Dyce, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)

(11)       The Aberdeen City Council (Wellington Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)

(12)       The Aberdeen City Council (Willowbank Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)

(13)       The Aberdeen City Council (Hazledene Road, Aberdeen) (20mph Speed Limit) Order 201(X)

(14)       The Aberdeen City Council (Merkland Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)

(15)       The Aberdeen City Council (A93 North Deeside Road, Milltimber / Peterculter, Aberdeen) (30mph Speed Limit) Order 201(X)

(16)       The Aberdeen City Council (Disabled Persons’ Parking Places) (Regulatory Parking Places) (Revocation) Order 201(X)

(17)       The Aberdeen City Council (Ellon Road area, Aberdeen) (Various footways) (Redetermination of means of exercise of public right of passage) Order 201(X)

(18)       The Aberdeen City Council (Disabled Persons’ Parking Places in Aberdeen City) (Regulatory Parking Places) (No 3) Order 201(X)

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)          approve the orders that did not attract objections, and that all the orders be made and implemented accordingly;

(b)          in relation to The Aberdeen City Council (Duthie Terrace, Aberdeen) (Exemption for cyclists) Order 201(X), and The Aberdeen City Council (Broomhill Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X), overrule the objections received and approve these orders be made as originally envisaged; and

(c)          request that officers provide costing for the implementation of the orders contained in the report.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which proposed that sufficient land should be reserved by the Council to ensure that Wellington Road could be widened to provide improvements to the transport corridor at the development opportunity site (OP104) which had arisen following the closure of Craiginches Prison by the Scottish Government.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       approve the land identified on the site of the former Craiginches Prison for the purposes of improving the transport corridor A956 Wellington Road; and

(b)       refer the matter to the Council budget process to take forward the purchase of the site.

The Convener proposed an alternative recommendation (b), namely:-

“To instruct officers to enter into negotiations with the Scottish Government to seek transfer of the land into Council ownership at no cost to the Council, noting that provision would be made within the capital programme as a contingency.”

The Committee resolved:-

to approve recommendation (a) and the amended recommendation (b) as set out above.          

With reference to article 29 of the minute of the meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee of 11 September 2012, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which sought approval for the re-tendering of two contracts in respect of a mobile telephone payment system and the removal and immobilisation of vehicles.  The report also dealt with the outstanding request from the EP&I Committee that consideration be given to upgrading pay and display machines to accept card payments.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)          approve re-commissioning of the mobile telephone payment contract;

(b)       approve re-commissioning of the immobilisation, removal and storage of illegally parked vehicles contract; and

(c)       agree that pay and display machines should not be upgraded to accept card payments.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which set out proposed revisions to the bus lane timings on Great Northern Road.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       note the results of the bus lane surveys;

(b)       agree to the principle of a revision of bus lane timings/loading restrictions on Great Northern Road on the approach to the Haudagain Roundabout so that lanes were operational from 0730-0930 and 1500-1830;

(c)       instruct the appropriate officers to commence the necessary legal procedures of preliminary statutory consultation for the traffic regulation orders required, and if no significant objections were received, to progress with the public advertisement and report the results to a future meeting of the Committee.

The Convener, seconded by Vice Convener Graham, moved the recommendations as contained in the report, with an additional recommendation (d), namely:-

“To instruct officers to review the size of the numbering and lettering on bus lane signage.”

Councillor Blackman moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Corall:-

“To approve recommendation (a) and amend recommendation (b) to request that officers review bus lane timings across the city and consult on these with a view to standardising them as far as possible.”

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (10) – the Convener; Vice Convener Graham; Vice Convener Jean Morrison; and Councillors Allan, Crockett, Finlayson, Laing, Milne, Thomson and Young; for the amendment (9) – Councillors Blackman, Cameron, Corall, Delaney, Jackie Dunbar, McCaig, Noble, Townson and Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the motion.

In accordance with the decision recorded under article 1 of this minute, the following item was considered with the press and public excluded.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which provided information in relation to the procurement of a contractor to construct the A96 Park and Choose car park and Dyce Drive link road and gave an update on the negotiation to secure the necessary land from adjacent developers.  The report also sought approval for land agreements; the nomination of the preferred bidder; and for the award of the contract.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       note the content of the report;

(b)       instruct officers to nominate the preferred bidder, and consequently award the contract when the various agreements for land, contributions etc were in place;

(c)       approve the re-imbursement of costs for the Junction Works which equates to £750,000 in total as more particularly detailed in paragraph 2 of the Financial Implications from the Developer; and

(d)       approve the purchase of additional land required for the road from one of the developers and delegate powers to officers to agree a value for the purchase of the land up to £896,000 as a credit to be used against any future roads mitigation that was required in relation to any subsequent planning applications for any future development on the developer’s site adjacent to the road.

The Convener advised that recommendation (d) would require to be referred to the Property Sub Committee as the purchase of land fell under its remit.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve recommendations (a) to (c) as contained in the report and refer recommendation (d) to the Property Sub Committee.

-        COUNCILLOR NEIL COONEY, Convener