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=3593&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 items 14.1 and 14.2 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 items 14.1 and 14.2 (articles 38 and 39 of this minute) so as to avoid disclosure of information of the class described in paragraphs 8 (item 14.1) and 9 (item 14.2).

The Convener advised that a request for deputation had been received from Mr William Lonsdale in relation to item 12.3 on the agenda (Garthdee / Kaimhill – Proposed Controlled Parking Zone – Stage 3 Public Advert).  A copy of the deputation request and the action sought by Mr Lonsdale had been circulated to Members via email prior to the meeting and hard copies were also provided at the meeting. 

The Convener explained to Committee that the deadline for submission of deputation requests had been close of business on Friday 15 May, and that Mr Lonsdale’s request had been submitted on Sunday 17 May, thus not allowing a clear working day between submission and receipt of the request as specified in Standing Order 10(1) and that he therefore suggested the Committee refuse the request on that basis.

The Convener subsequently noted that while the Committee had previously heard some late requests for deputation, each request was considered on its own merits and added that at its previous meeting of 18 March 2015, the Committee had agreed a position in respect of the offer from the Robert Gordon University in respect of the payment of residents’ parking permits and the administration of the controlled parking zone.

At this juncture, Councillor Yuill moved as a procedural motion, seconded by Councillor Delaney, that Standing Orders be suspended and the deputation be heard on this day.

On a division, there voted:- for the procedural motion (2) – Councillors Delaney and Yuill; against the procedural motion (16) – the Convener; Vice Convener Graham; Vice Convener Jean Morrison; and Councillors Allan, Corall, Cormie, Dickson, Jackie Dunbar, Finlayson, Laing, Lawrence, Malik, Milne, Noble, Samarai and Thomson.

The Committee resolved:-

to reject the procedural motion and thereby not hear the request for deputation.

The Committee had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 18 March 2015 for approval.

In respect of article 5 (Police Performance Reporting), the Convener advised that the short term reference group had met and that positive discussions had been held.

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 Senior Democratic Services Manager.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to agree to remove items 26 (Welfare Reform), 27 (Berryden Corridor) and 28 (Access from the North / Third Don Crossing) from the business statement as future updates would be provided through the information bulletin;  and

(ii)       to otherwise note the updates provided.

The Committee had before it a motions list prepared by the Senior Democratic Services Manager.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        in respect of item 2 (Cash Machine in Marischal College), to note that discussions were ongoing with banks and that the work around this would be reported to a future meeting of the Committee;  and

(ii)       to otherwise note the updates provided in the motions list.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure and the Interim 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)       note the report and the information on management action and risks contained therein;

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

(c)       approve the write off of fleet stock for the value of £60,434.08 in 2014/2015.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure and the Interim Director of Corporate Governance which provided an update on income and expenditure for the 2014/15 Housing Revenue Account and Housing Capital Programme as at 28 February 2015.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       note the financial information contained within the report;  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 out-turn position for 2014/15 following completion of the year end statutory accounts.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to request that officers provide further information to Councillor Delaney on the underspend in relation to 2.2 (Upgrading of Flat Roofs General), 2.3 (Upgrading Flat Roofs Multi Storey), 2.5 (Mono Pitched Types), 3.1 (General Houses Loft Insulation), 6.9 (Housing for Varying Needs – Amenity / Adaptations) and 6.10 (Housing for Varying Needs – Extra Care / Adaptations); and

(ii)       to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure and the Interim 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)       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.

With reference to article 14 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 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 in relation to various aspects of the report.

In relation to arrears action, Members were pleased to note the decrease in second warning letters but questioned whether the increase in repossessions was having an effect on other services, particularly the homelessness service.  Officers advised that this was closely monitored, but that there was no significant effect and that officers did everything they could to try to ensure that people were helped to remain in their properties.  It was noted that the introduction of universal credit would have an impact in future, but that officers were undertaking positive work with the Department of Work and Pensions.  The Committee would receive updates on this work through the performance report.

Members asked questions around the voids performance.  Officers noted that this would be discussed later on the agenda but advised that even one long-term let could often affect the statistics.  It was advised that the proposed new parallel tracking method of reporting voids would allow the Committee to more clearly see that interventions were working.

In relation to new tenant visits, Members queried what action was being taken to address the performance in this area, and officers advised that four new members of staff had been appointed to work on a shift basis, and that this should help to improve performance.  It was noted that early contact helped and recent early intervention had assisted in reducing arrears.

In relation to the year to date percentage of homeless decision notifications issued to homeless applicants within 28 days of presentation, officers advised that work was ongoing to clear historic cases and that future reports should therefore see improved performance in this area.

Members congratulated staff on the recent opening of Victoria House, as well as the good performance in relation to indicator 28 (the percentage of all cases closed in the month where the Council had offered or secured permanent accommodation to those applicants it had a duty to re-house).

In relation to the indicators for Street Scene and the high levels of detritus and staining, officers advised that as the figures were from March 2015, the performance was affected by the build up of staining from the winter period.  The Committee heard that cleaning was ongoing and so there should be an improvement in the figures in future reports.  Officers were considering the use of new types of equipment, and also advised Members that parking could make it difficult for staff to access areas which required to be cleaned.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

provide comments  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

With reference to article 9 of the minute of the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Committee of 23 September 2014, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which presented the Service Risk Register for the Communities, Housing and Infrastructure Service.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       approve the service risk register for Communities, Housing and Infrastructure;

(b)       to note the risks contained within the document and the mitigating actions being taken by the service to address the risks;  and

(c)       to note that the service risk register would form an integral part of the service business plan for Communities, Housing and Infrastructure.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations

With reference to article 16 of the minute of its meeting of 13 January 2015, the Committee had before it a report by the Local Senior Officer, Aberdeen City Fire and Rescue Service, which set out the Local Fire and Rescue Plan performance report for the period 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015.  Mr Duncan Smith was in attendance and spoke to the report.

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.

Members asked questions in relation to the reduction in fire risk, and the role of targeting work and home safety visits in helping to reduce the risk.  The Local Senior Officer advised that partnership working was key, and that his staff continued to foster and develop partnership to help in reaching the most vulnerable in society.  Numerous case studies showed that the development of referral pathways through partnership work was key in relation to preventable fire deaths.  He advised that over 86% of fires in the home were now being confined to the item which had caught on fire.  Home safety visits and the provision of smoke alarms had helped in this regard.  Mr Smith also informed Committee of the work the Fire and Rescue Service was doing in relation to its role around preventing cardiac arrest.

Members asked Mr Smith if there was anything further the Council could do to assist, and he asked that Members continue to champion the local fire and rescue service, and to keep in mind the wider role the service could play, for example the work currently being done with the Community Safety Partnership in respect of trips and falls.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)     to note that the inspection report of the Fire and Rescue Service was still to be published and would therefore come back to a future meeting of Committee;

(ii)    to note the report and the good work being undertaken by the Fire and Rescue Service in respect of house visits and provision of smoke alarms, as well as through partnership working.

The Committee had before it a report by the Fire and Rescue Service Local Senior Officer which presented a summary review of the current Local Fire and Rescue Plan for Aberdeen City.

The report recommended:-

that Committee provide feedback to the Local Senior Officer on the summary review.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the report and to agree that the priorities were properly targeted and therefore that no amendments were required to the current plan.

With reference to article 15 of the minute of its meeting of 13 January 2015, the Committee had before it a report by the Divisional Commander which set out the Aberdeen City Division performance against the Aberdeen City Local Policing Plan 2014-2017.

Chief Superintendent Adrian Watson was in attendance at the meeting and spoke to the report.  He advised that housebreaking, car theft and violent incidents were all down, and highlighted that partnership working was key to making improvements. 

Members noted that figures in relation to prostitution, human trafficking, internet crime, stalking and fraud were not included in the report and the Convener advised that much of this information was received via the Community Safety Partnership, and that he had requested that updates on this be provided in future information bulletins to Committee.

Councillor Yuill referred to information that had been requested as part of the discussion of the Police performance at the Committee meeting in January and advised that he did not think this had been issued to Members.

There was also a brief discussion in relation to anti-social behaviour caused by alcohol and legal highs, and the Convener advised that statistics on this were available through the Community Safety Partnership.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to note that updates on human trafficking, prostitution, internet crime, stalking, fraud and anti-social behaviour as a result of alcohol and ‘legal highs’ were usually provided to the Community Safety Partnership and would be included in the information bulletin from August 2015; and

(ii)       to otherwise note the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Local Police Commander which advised that Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland would publish their report on the inspection of Aberdeen City Division Police Scotland in May 2015.

Members noted that the report had been published in the time since the committee report had been submitted.

The report recommended:-

that Committee note that the recommendations in the report would be the subject of a local action plan upon which the Local Police Commander would update the Committee in due course.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to note the report;  and

(ii)       to congratulate Chief Superintendent Adrian Watson and his team on the very positive inspection report.

With reference to article 13 of the minute of its meeting of 13 January 2015, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which provided an update on the compliance monitoring process being undertaken with the management committees of leased community centres in respect of the Management Agreement with Aberdeen City Council and recommended a number of actions as a result of the initial monitoring process.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       to note the position of the Management Committees of leased community centres in relation to their obligations within the Management Agreement; and

(b)       to approve the development of the compliance monitoring process as follows:-

(i)        Audit visits will be made to Management Committees on a random basis to check the robustness, and the understanding, of certain policies.  This would be similar to the recent child protection audits that were carried out at the community centres which were operating under the old style lease

(ii)       Management Committees should be required to have at least one training session per year, to be attended by all Committee Members.  This training session would be delivered or arranged by Council Officers and relate to the operation of the community centre, and be tailored to meet the needs of each centre.  It would include matters such as committee governance, good practice, policy development etc.  Given the extensive experience within the Management Committees across the city it is anticipated that detail of this training should be developed with input from Management Committees.  This will allow the good practice that takes place to be shared across the city.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to approve the recommendations contained in the report, subject to the removal of the phrase “on a random basis” from recommendation b(i) above;  and

(ii)       to note the concerns raised by Councillor Finlayson about the amount of paper used by including the EHRIA forms in respect of this report and others on the agenda, and while noting the duty on Councillors to consider the impact of proposals when taking decisions, to request that officers consider whether a shorter document could be used instead.

The Convener intimated that he had directed in terms of Section 50(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the following item could be considered as a matter of urgency so that the Committee could be made aware of the current performance in relation to the management of empty properties, and to enable urgent consideration of the proposal to let identified shelter / amenity blocks to care workers where it was deemed appropriate.

With reference to article 16 of the minute of its previous meeting, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which provided an update on the review of performance in the management of empty properties for the year 2014/15.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       note the content of the report;

(b)       approve the letting to care workers in identified sheltered / amenity blocks where officers deemed appropriate;  and

(c)       agree that reporting of voids be split into pre and post 1 July 2015 to aid performance management and monitoring.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to note that work would be undertaken to ensure that the public was clearly aware of the reasons for the above;

(ii)       to request a report back on how the letting to care workers was progressing;  and

(iii)      to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 16 of the minute of its meeting of 28 October 2014, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which provided an update on the meeting held with all interested parties to identify the main issues in relation to the current provision of HMOs in the Old Aberdeen Community Council area.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       note the contents of the report; and

(b)       request that an update on the provision of HMOs in the Old Aberdeen Community Council area be included in the report instructed by Committee in August 2013 on the review of the city wide position of HMOs (due to be submitted to Committee in August 2015).

At this juncture, the Convener proposed an alternative set of recommendations, namely:-

(a)       to note the contents of the report;

(b)       to instruct officers to investigate an over-provision scheme for Aberdeen based on the Dundee model of a cut-off percentage per locality (other than in the exempt city centre), and using a traffic light system of differentiation; and

(c)       to instruct officers to report back to the August Committee on the feasibility of such a scheme and on the process of consultation required to enable such a scheme to be operational as quickly as possible.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the amended recommendations proposed by the Convener.

Councillor Delaney declared an interest in the following article by virtue of his role as Chair of the Board of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, and withdrew from the meeting during consideration of the item.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which provided an update on the current position in relation to Section 75 financial contributions for affordable housing and the income received from the reduction in the Council Tax Discounts for Second Homes and Long Term Empty Properties, and provided details of affordable houses completed in 2014/15 and those expected to be completed in 2015/16 through to 2016/17.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       note the contents of the report;  and

(b)       instruct officers to continue to develop proposals for affordable housing projects to utilise the relevant funding (i.e. Section 75 financial contributions for affordable housing and the income received from the reduction in the Council Tax Discounts for Second Homes and Long Term Empty Properties), whether such projects are to be led by the Council or Registered Social Landlords.

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 for the development of a project to install feature lighting to multi-storey blocks at Balnagask.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       instruct officers to develop the proposed project in detail;

(b)       instruct officers to consult with the private owners of flats within the blocks, and seek their consent for the proposals;  and

(c)       request a report back to Committee on the outcomes.

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 for the development of environmental improvements to two ‘backies’ within the Seaton area.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       instruct officers to develop the proposed project in detail;

(b)       instruct officers to conclude the grant applications with the grant funders who had indicated support for the project;

(c)       instruct officers to consult with the private owners of flats within the blocks and seek their consent for the proposals;  and

(d)       request a report back to Committee on the above as soon as possible.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to ask officers to continue to look for additional funding opportunities which might enable the project to be rolled out elsewhere;  and

(ii)       to approve the recommendations contained in the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which sought authorisation to enter into a Service Level Agreement with Aberdeenshire Council to provide the City Council with an archaeological service, including archaeological advice and assistance in relation to local development plans, master plans, planning and other applications, as well as ongoing maintenance and updating of the Sites and Monuments Record for Aberdeen City.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       approve the proposal for the City Council to enter into an SLA with Aberdeenshire Council for them to provide an archaeological service for an initial period of 3 years, subject to review at the end of that period as to whether it would be continued thereafter;  and

(b)       approve the total estimated expenditure of £90,000 over 3 years for Aberdeenshire Council to provide the archaeological service during that period.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

Members, the draft masterplan can be viewed in the Members’ Library

Web link:-

http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/documents/s46683/Draft%20Rowett%20North%20Masterplan.pdf

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which sought approval for the Draft Rowett North Masterplan to be issued for public consultation over a 6 week period.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       approve the Draft Rowett North Masterplan to be issued for public consultation over a 6 week period;  and

(b)       instruct the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure to report the results of the public consultation and any proposed revisions on the Draft Masterplan to a subsequent meeting of the Committee.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

Members, the draft framework can be viewed in the Members’ Library

Web  link :-

http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.asp?lID=64900&sID=2991

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which outlined the AECC site, Bridge of Don Development Framework and sought approval for the framework to be issued for public consultation over a 6 week period.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       approve the Draft AECC Site, Bridge of Don Development Framework for public consultation over a 4 week period; and

(b)       instruct the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure to report the results of the public consultation and any proposed revisions to the Draft Development Framework to a subsequent meeting of the Committee.

At this juncture, the Convener advised Committee that there was an error in the recommendations, and that the draft framework would be issued for a 6 week period, and not 4 weeks as stated 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 sought approval for the extension of the Service Level Agreement with the North East Scotland Biological Records Centre (NESBReC).

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       approve a three year, Council-wide, Service Level Agreement with NESBReC at a cost of £6,485 per annum from existing budgets;

(b)       instruct officers to review the existing SLA with Legal Services;  and

(c)       note the NESBReC terms of reference between Advisory Group supporters as set out in Appendix 1 of 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 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 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

·         A944 / Skene Road / Queens Road / Lang Stracht – proposed 40MPH speed limit

·         Esplanade – revocation of taxi rank spaces

·         Esplanade – proposed ‘At Any Time’ waiting restrictions

·         Kenfield Crescent – proposed lengths of prohibition of waiting at any time at the junction between Kenfield Crescent and Countesswells Road

·         Mansfield Road – proposed ‘At Any Time’ waiting restrictions

·         Migvie Gardens / Kingswells Avenue – proposed ‘At Any Time’ waiting restrictions

·         Nigg Kirk Road – proposed lengths of prohibition of waiting ‘Monday to Friday 8am-6pm’ and ‘At Any Time’ waiting restrictions

·         Taransay Road – proposed ‘At Any Time’ waiting restrictions

·         Usan Ness / Marchmont Street – proposed ‘At Any Time’ waiting restrictions

·         Craigton Road – proposed length of prohibition of waiting operational between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday

Proposals to be funded by developers

·         C89C – proposed extension of 40MPH speed limit

·         New Brimmond School – various ‘At Any Time’ and timed restrictions

·         279-281 North Deeside Road, Peterculter – formation of parking layby

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 (8 spaces) at various locations as set out in the report

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       approve the proposals 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.  If no significant objections were received, to instruct officers 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 Convener, seconded by Vice Convener Jean Morrison, moved the recommendations as contained in the report, with the request that officers report back to Committee in relation to the speed limits in the A944 / Skene Road / Lang Stracht area once the new signal controls were in place for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Councillor Dickson moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Noble:-

“(i)  To approve the recommendations contained in the report with the exception of the recommendation in respect of 5.01 (A944 / Skene Road / Queens Road / Lang Stracht);  and (ii) to reverse the decision of the Enterprise, Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee of September 2014 in respect of the A944/B9119 40MPH  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

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 13 orders and presented the objections which had been received where relevant in each case.

(1)          The Aberdeen City Council (A944 Kingswells to Westhill, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of U-turns) Order 201(X)

(2)          The Aberdeen City Council (Auchinyell Road and Auchinyell Terrace, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)

(3)          The Aberdeen City Council (Blackness Road and Souterhead Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)

(4)          The Aberdeen City Council (Cherry Road and Plane Tree Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)

(5)          The Aberdeen City Council (Kirkhill Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)

(6)          The Aberdeen City Council (Newburgh Drive, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)

(7)          The Aberdeen City Council (Quarry Court and Quarry Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)

(8)          The Aberdeen City Council (C8K (Old part of) Wellington Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Driving) Order 201(X)

(9)          The Aberdeen City Council (Westray Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)

(10)       The Aberdeen City Council (Crombie Place, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)

(11)       The Aberdeen City Council (Bus Lanes in Aberdeen) (Amendment) Order 201(X)

(12)       The Aberdeen City Council (Car Park serving 1-100 Stockethill Court, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)

(13)       The Aberdeen City Council (Disabled Persons’ Parking Places) (Citywide) (No 2) Order 201(X)

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)   approve the orders that did not attract objections and to instruct officers to make and implement all orders accordingly;  and

(b)   in relation to “The Aberdeen City Council (Quarry Court and Quarry Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)”, “The Aberdeen City Council (C8K (Old part of) Wellington Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Driving) Order 201(X)”; “The Aberdeen City Council (Crombie Place, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)” and “The Aberdeen City Council (Disabled Persons’ Parking Places) (Citywide) (No. 2) Order 201(X)”, to overrule the objections received and to approve these orders to be made as originally envisaged.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)     in relation to “The Aberdeen City Council (C8K (Old Part of) Wellington Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Driving) Order 201(X)”, to defer any action until such time as the junction could be reappraised following the implementation of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route;  and

(ii)    to otherwise approve the recommendations contained in the report.

With reference to article 7 of the minute of its previous meeting, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which dealt with outcome of the main statutory advertisement period for the proposed Garthdee / Kaimhill Controlled Parking Zone Traffic Regulation Order.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       over-rule the objections where the proposals had not been amended;

(b)       approve the amended proposals (as shown in Appendix 5 of the report) in response to the objections received from the businesses on Ruthrie Terrace and Ruthrie Road;  and

(c)       instruct officers to make “The Aberdeen City Council (Garthdee / Kaimhill Area, Aberdeen) (Zone YY) (Controlled parking and waiting restrictions) Order 201(X)” with amendments and commence implementation of the Controlled Parking Zone.

At this juncture, Councillor Yuill put forward a proposed amendment to the report recommendations, namely:-

            “That Committee –

(a)      approve the recommendations contained in the report;

(b)      agree that business parking permits should be provided at zero cost to qualifying businesses within the CPZ and recommend to Finance, Policy and Resources Committee that any costs associated with this be met from contingencies;  and

(c)       instruct officers to report back to a future meeting of the Committee on the provision of a third residents’ parking permit for households in both the existing Garthdee CPZ and the extension to it.”

Following further discussion, the Committee agreed to request a report back on the feasibility of providing business parking permits at zero cost to qualifying businesses within the CPZ and on the suggestion of the provision a third residents’ parking permit for households in both the existing Garthdee CPZ and the extension to it.  Councillor Yuill therefore withdrew his amendment.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to note that there was an error at page 355 of the report, and that the text should read, “Although Robert Gordon University has indicated that there would be further discussions in year 8…” rather than “agreed to further discussions” as stated in the report;

(ii)       to approve the recommendations contained in the report;

(iii)      to request a report back in relation to the feasibility of providing business parking permits at zero cost to qualifying businesses within the CPZ;  and

(iv)      to instruct officers to report back to a future meeting of the Committee on the suggestion of the provision of a third residents’ parking permit for households in both the existing Garthdee CPZ and the extension to it.

With reference to article 23 of the minute of the meeting of the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Committee of 26 February 2015, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which provided an overview of the work which had been undertaken to address the outcomes of the Traffic Commissioner’s public inquiry into the Council’s Goods Vehicles Operators Licence and to improve service delivery.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       note the contents of the report;  and

(b)       instruct the Head of Public Infrastructure and Environment to update future meetings of the Committee of progress made on the Fleet Services Action Plan.

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 the external funding which had been obtained for a range of transportation projects and sought approval for the expenditure of these funds.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       note the award of £34,000 received by Aberdeen City Council from the Scottish Government’s Air Quality Grant Scheme and approve the expenditure, for the purposes described in the report, of the funds so obtained;

(b)       note the additional award of £7,120 made to the Council from the Scottish Government’s Smarter Choices, Smarter Places fund and to approve the expenditure of this sum in accordance with the approved delivery plan;

(c)       note the award of £1,317,545 from Transport Scotland, via the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route Managing Agent, for AWPR Offset Mitigation projects and to approve expenditure of this sum for the purposes described in the report; and

(d)       note the successful submissions made to Sustrans Scotland’s Community Links Fund 2015/16.

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 to reduce the number of pay and display machines for efficiency reasons in relation to the modernisation of the Council’s parking service.

The report recommended:-

that Committee approve a reduction in the number of pay and display machines in accordance with the policy considerations set out in the report.

The Convener, seconded by Vice Convener Jean Morrison, moved the recommendation contained in the report.

Councillor Yuill, seconded by Councillor Delaney, moved as an amendment:-

(i)            that the Committee agree the recommendation contained in the report;  and

(ii)          that the Council bear the cost of the service charge for those using the Pay by Phone mobile phone app from contingencies.

Councillor Dickson, seconded by Councillor Noble, moved a further amendment:-

            That the Committee take no action at this time.

There being a motion and two amendments, in terms of Standing Order 12(9) the Council first divided between the motion and the amendment by Councillor Dickson.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (11) – the Convener; Vice Convener Graham; Vice Convener Jean Morrison; and Councillors Allan, Delaney, Lawrence, Laing, Malik, Milne, Thomson and Yuill; for the amendment (7) – Councillors Corall, Cormie, Dickson, Jackie Dunbar, Finlayson, Noble and Samarai.

The Committee then divided between the motion and the amendment by Councillor Yuill.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (9) – the Convener; Vice Convener Graham; Vice Convener Jean Morrison; and Councillors Allan, Lawrence, Laing, Malik, Milne and Thomson; for the amendment (2) – Councillors Delaney and Yuill; declined to vote (7) – Councillors Corall, Cormie, Dickson, Jackie Dunbar, Finlayson, Noble and Samarai.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the motion.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which sought approval for a programme of proposed projects to be funded in 2015/16 using the net surplus from the Bus Lane Enforcement System generated in 2014/15.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)   agree the programme of proposed projects to be implemented from 2015/16 onwards, funded by the net surplus of the Bus Lane Enforcement System from 2014/15;  and

(b)   request that officers include the report within the report being prepared for the Scottish Government.

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 for Aberdeen’s participation in ‘In Town Without My Car Day 2015’ via an on-street public event to be held on Sunday 20 September 2015.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       approve Aberdeen’s formal participation in ‘In Town Without My Car Day 2015’; and

(b)       instruct officers to progress the Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TRRO) to restrict traffic on the following streets between the hours of 0600 and 1800 on Sunday 20 September 2015 in order to facilitate an In Town Without My Car Day public event;

·                Schoolhill (between Blackfriars Street and Back Wynd);

·                Belmont Street (between Schoolhill and Little Belmont Street); and

·                Little Belmont Street

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 the appeal against the officer decision to refuse an application to extend the existing driveway at 46 Newburgh Crescent beyond the maximum length permitted in the current Roads Consent Policy.

The report recommended:-

that Committee reject the application for an extension to the existing driveway at 46 Newburgh Crescent, where the length requested exceeded that specified in the Footway Crossing Regulations which were approved by the Policy and Strategy Committee on 27 September 2005.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

With reference to article 31 of the minute of its meeting of 13 January 2015, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure a report which set out the options for managing usage of the A96 Park and Choose car park once the site became operational and sought approval for the preferred option to be progressed.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)          note the discussions that had taken place amongst officers with regard to options for managing use of the A96 Park and Choose car park;

(b)          agree implementation of the preferred option (Option 1) and instruct officers to commence the Statutory Traffic Regulation Order process to allow for the operation of this regime;

(c)          agree that the costs of installing the bus lane enforcement camera and the Automatic Number Plate Recognition Units be prioritised in the 2016/17 Bus Lane Enforcement income expenditure programme;

(d)          instruct officers to monitor and review usage of the site at six monthly intervals following opening to ensure the site was operating as anticipated and to report these findings back to the Committee; and

(e)          instruct officers to commence formal engagement with bus operators, inviting them to consider operating local bus services through the site, and inviting proposed registrations from bus operators for consultation with officers, keeping the Committee appraised of any developments.

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 a policy in relation to the maintenance of landscaping and vegetation on roundabouts.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       approve the policy suggested within the report in relation to the maintenance of landscaping and vegetation on roundabouts;  and

(b)       instruct officers in Environment Services / Traffic Management to develop a programme, based on road safety priority, that would ensure that over time, existing roundabouts conformed to the adopted policy.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to note the safety concerns in relation to the conifer trees at the Queens Road / Anderson Drive roundabout, and to request that officers take both this roundabout and the Hazlehead roundabout into consideration when developing the programme;  and

(ii)       to approve the recommendations contained in the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which advised of the end of the Grounds Maintenance Service Contract for the Housing Amenity areas of Stockethill, Cornhill and Rosehill carried out by ISS Waterers Landscape Ltd.  The report advised that the grounds maintenance service for these areas would now be delivered by Aberdeen City Council Environmental Services as of 1 April 2015.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)   note the content of the report; and

(b)   approve the removal of any further reports or bulletins to the Committee due to the ending of the ISS Contract on 31 March 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 a prioritised list of actions for 2016-2022 in respect of flood management, as set out in Appendix A of the report.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       approve the prioritised list;

(b)       note the financial implications of delivering the actions listed;  and

(c)       instruct officers to submit to the SIP a business case for capital funding to support the implementation of the prioritised list.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to request that the tabled appendix outlining the ranking of works by SEPA be circulated to all Elected Members for information;  and

(ii)       to approve the recommendations contained in the report.

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

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which sought approval to procure and implement a replacement waste management software system.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       approve the procurement and implementation of a waste management system and the entering into a contract for a 5 year period (initial plus options); and

(b)       approve the total estimated expenditure as outlined in the report, including ongoing maintenance and licence costs over the contract period, based on market analysis.

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 the progress of the Zero Waste project.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       support the further work needed to progress a potential joint venture with Aberdeenshire Council and the Moray Council to provide a long term waste treatment solution for the three Councils, and to approve that the Chief Executive sign a Heads of Term Agreement (broadly in the form of Appendix 1 of the report), together with each of the other authorities, pending the agreement and adoption of a full Inter Authority Agreement;

(b)       agree that Aberdeen City Council would incur all preliminary costs in progressing the project until such a time that an Inter Authority Agreement was signed, at which point the costs and future costs would be shared across the three partner authorities at a rate to be determined;

(c)       note the progress made to complete the Waste Management Services Contract variation; and

(d)       note the proposal to prepare and submit a planning application for a 150,000 tonnes per annum Energy from Waste Facility at East Tullos.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

-     COUNCILLOR NEIL COONEY, Convener