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=3621&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, 15.1 and 16.1 with the press and public excluded.  The Convener also advised that item 15.2 would now be heard in public at 9.10 and a copy of the revised report was circulated to members prior to the start of the meeting.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         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, 15.1 and 16.1 (articles 36,37 and 38 of this minute) so as to avoid disclosure of information of the class described in paragraphs 6, 8 and 12 of Schedule 7 (A) of the Act; and

(ii)        to consider item 15.2 in public (article 21).

The Committee had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 19 May 2015 for approval.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute as a correct record.

The Convener advised that a request for deputation had been received from Renee Slater in relation to item 10.1 (Nigg Bay Development Framework).  A copy of the deputation request had been circulated to members prior to the meeting as a hard copy.

The Committee resolved:-

to agree to hear the deputation.

Ms Slater outlined that there was a group of 575 residents in Torry who were concerned about developments at the Bay of Nigg in Torry.  The residents were requesting that an independent Environmental Impact Assessment, independently of the Harbour Board or any of its supporters or employees, engage an independent, non-governmental body, to survey the flora and fauna in any and all lands, coastal or inland, that the Harbour Board expansion would have an impact on, be it direct such as from construction, or indirect, such as from the inevitable increase in pollutants to air, water and soil which any expansion of the existing harbour’s footprint would entail.

Ms Slater wants the Council and the environmental study to acknowledge that an increase in the number of ships using the harbour and the increase in vehicles meeting such ships would have a detrimental impact environmentally on wildlife and on the area for residents.

Ms Slater also highlighted that two Sites of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI) are at Nigg Bay, and that the SSSI designation should outweigh any industrialisation plans.

Members then asked Ms Slater and officers a number of questions regarding the Bay of Nigg Development.  Officers clarified that it was a complicated process in which the Harbour development had been identified in the National Framework and therefore was a Scottish Government decision that Aberdeen City Council would be a statutory consultee on planning applications.  Officers added that Harbour Revision Orders were issued by Transport Scotland and not the Council.  Officers advised that public consultation would be open for 6 weeks on the Nigg Bay development Framework but the date was not confirmed as yet but would update the Committee at its meeting in January 2016. Officers concluded by reassuring the Committee that they were working closely with the Harbour Board and Transport Scotland to ensure clarity over the development with the public.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which presented the Draft Nigg Bay Development Framework.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

(a)       approve the Draft Nigg Bay Development Framework for public consultation over a 6 week period, which will take place alongside the finalised Environmental Report; and

(b)       instruct the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure to report the results of the public consultation on the Draft Framework and the Environmental Report, including any recommended amendments to a subsequent meeting of this Committee.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

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 2 (Market St / Guild St Junction) from the business statement as a review was presented in the March 2015 information bulletin; item 3 (Tillydrone update) as updates would be provided through the information bulletin; and item 4 as this was amalgamated with item 18 on the business statement; and

(ii)        to otherwise note the updates provided.

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

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to note that item 1 - Joint Motion by Councillors Boulton and Delaney was on the agenda; and

(ii)        to note the update on item 2 – Motion by Councillor Reynolds.

With reference to Article 8 of the minute of the Communities, Housing and Infrastructure Committee meeting of 28 October 2014, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which set out the feasibility of re-introducing the previously removed bus stops and laybys on the A944 at both Kingswells Church and the Five Mile Garage, and the outcome of discussions with developers of the Prime Four Site in securing contributions for future phases in order to ensure they deliver the necessary infrastructure improvements at no cost to Aberdeen City Council.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

(a)       agrees that whilst the recently introduced bus stops and pedestrian facilities at the Prime Four site removes the requirement for the re-introduction of a bus stop on the westbound carriageway of the A944 Aberdeen to Westhill road at Kingswells Church, any future development within this area should be conditioned to incorporate public transport facilities where feasible;

(b)       agrees that due to the ongoing works at the Five Mile Garage in connection with the AWPR, along with the proposed expansion to the Prime Four development no work should be carried out on introducing bus stops/ laybys or pedestrian crossings on the A944 until such a time as the proposed expansion to the Prime Four development is agreed and after the AWPR becomes operational; and

(c)        instructs Officers to continue discussions with the developers in order to ensure that contributions are secured from future phases of the Prime Four development to allow the necessary infrastructure improvements to be introduced at no cost to Aberdeen City Council.

The Convener moved, seconded by Vice Convener Jean Morrison:- to approve the recommendations as contained in the report simplifying recommendation (a) to:-

the committee agrees that any future development within this area should be conditioned to incorporate public transport facilities where feasible.

Councillor Delaney moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Yuill:- to approve the recommendations in the report with an amendment to recommendation (a) to:-

officers continue to seek developer contributions to provide a replacement bus stop with laybys in both directions and a pedestrian crossing in the vicinity of Kingswells Church on the A944 Hazlehead to Westhill Road in accordance with the Committee decision of 28 October 2014

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (17) Convener, Vice Convener Jean Morrison and Vice Convener Graham and Councillors Allan, Cameron, Corall,  Crockett, Dickson, Jackie Dunbar, Finlayson, Flynn, Grant, Laing, Milne, Samarai, Thomson and Townson; for the amendment (2) Councillors Delaney and Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         adopt the motion; and

(ii)        to instruct officers to update the committee in 12 months’ time.

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 for the Services and advised on any areas of risk and management action.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee –

(a)       consider and note the report and the information on management action and risks that is contained herein; 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 Interim Director of Corporate Governance which provided a status report for the 2015/16 Housing Revenue Account and Housing Capital Programme as at 30 June 2015.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

(a)       note the information contained within the report; and

(b)       instruct that the Head of Finance continues to update the Committee in consultation with the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure on the actual outturn position for 2015/16 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 Interim Director of Corporate Governance which provided an update on the current year trading services revenue budget performance to date for the Services and advised on any areas of risk and management action.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

(a)          note the content of the report; 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 which provided an update of key performance measures and the progress of kay improvement work within Communities, Housing and Infrastructure.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee provide comments and observations on both the performance information contained in the report and also on the format and layout of the report.

The Director of Communities, Housing  and Infrastructure informed the Committee on the number of awards that Aberdeen City Council has been awarded including the Resort Seaside Award, Trip advisor awards for the beach, Duthie Park, the Winter Gardens, Footdee, Johnston Gardens, Hazlehead Park, The Maritime Museum, The Tollbooth Museum and Aberdeen Art Gallery and a Scottish Transport Award under the category ‘ Powering Ahead with Electric Vehicles’.

The Head of Planning and Sustainability provided an update on the Planning Performance Framework 2014/15. Determination of major developments had been reduced from an average of 86 weeks to 47.6weeks. The service had cleared nearly half of their legacy cases. An agreed protocol with the Community Council Forum for engaging with community councils had been established and a liaison group had been set up. Planning Service had also retained their Customer Service Excellence Accreditation.

Members then asked questions of the officers present. Members noted that new tenant visit were being carried out within 28 days which was significant progression. There was concern regarding the average length of homeless journey currently at 187 days, officers clarified that all applicants were now being interviewed on day of presentation and that the service were looking at the relationship between voids / rent management and homelessness so improvements to the service could be made. The Head of Communities and Housing suggested holding a briefing session for members on the homelessness process to increase clarity. There were queries regarding how pot holes were being repaired in the city and what the criteria was, officers advised they would report back on trialling of new materials to fix pot holes in January.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to note the content of the performance report;

(ii)          to congratulate Maggie Bochel and her team on their achievements and request that a full list of the team’s achievements be circulated to members;

(iii)         to report back to Councillor Delaney on the possibility of paying sheltered housing costs by direct debit;

(iv)         to note that an action plan on voids process was due to come to Committee in October;

(v)          to instruct officers to include within the October performance report the areas where problem properties were situated;

(vi)         to instruct the Head of Communities and Housing to arrange a briefing for members on the homelessness process after the October by election;

(vii)        to thank the report author, Paul Tytler, for the information in appendix 1; and

(viii)      to instruct officers to report back in January on the trialling of new materials to deal with pot holes in the city.

The Committee had before it a report by the Aberdeen Police Commander which updated the Committee on the key findings, recommendations and effective practice contained in Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Inspection report of Aberdeen City Division which was published in May 2015.

Members asked questions in relation to the inspection report. The police officers present clarified the use of body worn cameras and the process to ensure safe and secure storage of material. The officers also clarified the support they had from external partners to assist officers visiting offshore platforms. Officers lastly emphasised how important the role of the close partnerships they had in Aberdeen City had played in reducing crime in the city.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the contents of the report.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to approve the recommendation; and

(ii)          to congratulate Adrian Watson and his team regarding the inspection of Aberdeen City Division published in May 2015.

The Committee had before it a report by the Aberdeen City Division Commander which provided information on New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and how Aberdeen City Division and partners were addressing the health and antisocial behaviour problems  associated with their use.

Members then asked the officers questions in relation to the report on NPS and the officers emphasised they were fully aware of shops in operation trading in NPS and were working closely with partners across the city to tackle this growing issue.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the contents of the report

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to approve the recommendation;  and

(ii)          to note the work being carried out by Police Scotland and Trading Standards in regards to monitoring the operation of the shops identified in the city NPS and reports of anti-social behaviour.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which provided an update on the development of a new access panel for Aberdeen.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee recognise Bon Accord Access Panel.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which presented two optional models for the future of the current Disability Advisory Group (DAG) following an extensive review.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

(a)       agree to the dissolution of the current DAG; and

(b)       approve one of the two models outlined in the report.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to agree to the dissolution of the current Disability Advisory Group;

(ii)          to approve model two for the future group;  and

(iii)         to request that the replacement group include the following:- (a) attendance by transport officers on a regular basis; (b) attendance by senior officers on a regular basis; and (c) the monitoring of membership whereby if a member was absent for three meetings, they would be removed from the group.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which provided an update on progress made in property repair and maintenance within the private sector since the last report to Committee in August 2014, advised of forthcoming commitments and sought Delegated Powers for the signing of ‘Notice of Potential Liability for Costs’ under the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

(a)       note the contents of the report; and

(b)       delegate powers to the Head of Housing and Communities, the Housing Strategy and Performance Manager and the Private Sector Housing Strategy Officer, to sign the ‘Notice of Potential Liability for Costs’ as and when required.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to Article 17 of the minute of the Communities, Housing and Infrastructure Committee meeting of 19 May 2015, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which outlined the action which would need to be taken to consult on an HMO overprovision policy.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

(a)       note the content of the report; and

(b)       instruct the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure to carry out a full public consultation on the proposed introduction of an HMO overprovision policy for Aberdeen, with consultation of a 15% threshold as proposed by the Head of Communities and Housing and that a further report be submitted to the January 2016 committee.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations with an amendment to Appendix 3 point ‘This policy applies city wide’.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

Vice Convener Jean Morrison and Councillor Milne declared an interest in relation to the following item of business by virtue of their position as Aberdeen City Council representatives at Aberdeen Heat and Power but chose to remain in the meeting as Aberdeen Heat and Power was a body being a company established wholly or mainly for the purpose of providing services to the local authority, and which had entered into a contractual arrangement with the local authority for the supply of goods and/or services to the local authority, as set out in paragraph 5.18(2)(d)(i) and (ii) of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which set out the future proposals for further implantation of Combined Heat and Power or district heating within the Council’s housing stock.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

(a)       note that approval was given by Finance, Policy and Resources Committee on 9 June 2015 to extend the existing CHP network in the Cornhill area to serve the two new build sites at the former Smithfield School and Manor Walk;

(b)       note that proposals to introduce CHP heating to the new build sites will present an opportunity in the near future for a number of existing multi storey blocks in the vicinity of those sites to be connected to the extended CHP network;

(c)        approve the proposals contained within the report to upgrade the heating in the cavity constructed blocks commencing in the 2016/17 financial year;

(d)       instruct the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure to include adequate provision within the Housing Capital Expenditure budget 2016/17 to 2018/19 to cover the cost of the proposed works; and

(e)       await the outcome of the report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure on the options appraisal of the City Centre multi storey blocks before making a decision on the installation of CHP for these blocks.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)        to note that officers would look at whether the scheme could be linked into Mastrick land and CHP network in Stockethill and advise Councillor Delaney accordingly.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Vice Convener Jean Morrison declared an interest in the following article by virtue of her role as a representative on Langstane Housing Association and considered that the nature of her interest did not require her to leave the meeting but took no part in the Committee’s deliberations thereon.

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 of the Council’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) for 2015-2020 which set out the Council’s plans for affordable housing during this period.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

(a)          approve the Strategic Local Programme Agreement as at appendix 1;

(b)          approve the additional projects to be included in the SHIP 2015-2020 as at appendix 2; and

(c)          instruct Council officers to submit the revised SHIP to 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 set out the current Council House rent increase policy and current work being undertaken on the development of a future rent increase policy.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

(a)       instruct consultation with tenants on a rent increase for 2016/17 based on the existing policy of RPIX +1%. The July 2015 figure for RPIX is 1.1%;

(b)       instruct consultation with tenants on a new rent policy for 2017/18 onwards; and

(c)        instruct a report to come to a future committee on the views received from the consultation together with a proposal for a new rent increase policy.

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 proposals for the development of a Community Hub in Tillydrone, and sought approval for the preferred location for the new hub.

The report recommended:-

That the committee -

(a)       note the outcomes of the recent community engagement exercise in Tillydrone

(b)       approve the preferred location, in principle, for the new Tillydrone hub as being the site of the existing Tillydrone Shopping Centre including the existing Tillydrone Housing Office;

(c)        subject to recommendation (b), instruct officers to formally consult with the occupiers of the Tillydrone Shopping Centre about their relocation into the new hub and options for service continuity during the demolition and construction period;

(d)       provide approval for the demolition of the Tillydrone Shopping Centre at the appropriate time;

(e)       instruct officers to develop proposals for the new community hub, including consideration of incorporating other Council services and other potential partners; and

(d)       note that officers are developing the business case; which will include full capital and revenue implications, for the new Tillydrone Community Hub.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

The Head of Planning and Sustainable Development declared an interest in the following item due to the involvement of her future employer Burness Paull LLP. Dr Bochel 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 advised that on June 25 2015 the Strategic Development Planning Authority (SDPA) adopted the revised Strategic Transport Fund as Supplementary Guidance to the Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Plan (2014).

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

(a)       note the decision of the SDPA on 25 June 2015; and

(b)       ratify the use of the new statutory Supplementary Guidance Strategic Transport Fund from 28 August 2015.

At this point in the meeting, David Jennings, Strategic Development Plan Manager advised that Aberdeenshire Council agreed to the recommendations the previous week.

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 recommended:-

That the 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 this report. If no significant objections are received, then progress with the public advertisement and report the results to a future meeting of this 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 this 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 orders and presented the objections which had been received where relevant in each case.

·         “The Aberdeen City Council (Beechwood Avenue, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)”

·         “The Aberdeen City Council (Bressay Brae / Cava Close / Fara Close, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)”

·         “The Aberdeen City Council (Hazlehead Road / Provost Graham Avenue, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)”

·         “The Aberdeen City Council (MacKay Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)”

·         “The Aberdeen City Council (Riverside Drive, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)”

·         “The Aberdeen City Council (Whitestripes Path, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)”

·         “The Aberdeen City Council (Kepplehills Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)”

·         “The Aberdeen City Council (Westray Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)”

·         “The Aberdeen City Council (Exploration Drive, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)”

·         “The Aberdeen City Council (Balnagask Road, Aberdeen) (Limited Waiting On-street Parking Places) Order 201(X)”

·         “The Aberdeen City Council (Marchburn Drive / Byron Crescent / Springhill Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Driving) Order 201(X)”

·         “The Aberdeen City Council (Albury Lane, Aberdeen) (Traffic Management) Order 201(X)”

·         “The Aberdeen City Council (Highgate Gardens / Deemount Road / Deemount Avenue, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)”

·         “The Aberdeen City Council (Mastrick Drive, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)”

·         “The Aberdeen City Council (On-street Car Club Parking Spaces) Order 201(X)”

·         “The Aberdeen City Council (Golden Square, Aberdeen) (On-street Electric Vehicle Parking Place) Order 201(X)”

·         “The Aberdeen City Council (Upper Mastrick Way, Aberdeen) (On-street Electric Vehicle Parking Place) Order 201(X)”

·         “The Aberdeen City Council (Disabled Persons’ Parking Places in Aberdeen City) (Regulatory Parking Places) (Ref. 4/15) Order 201(X)”

·         “The Aberdeen City Council (Home Farm Road / Balgownie View, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen) (20 mph Speed Limit) Order 201(X)”

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

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

(b)       in relation to “The Aberdeen City Council (Westray Road, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)”, “The Aberdeen City Council (Balnagask Road, Aberdeen) (Limited Waiting On-street Parking Places) Order 201(X)”, “The Aberdeen City Council (Whitestripes Path, Aberdeen) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)”, overrule the objections received and approve these orders be made as originally envisaged

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 and presented the objections which had been received.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee overrule the objections received and instruct officers to make ‘The Aberdeen City Council (Danestone/Tillydrone/Bedford Area, Aberdeen) (Traffic Management) Order 201 (x) as originally envisaged.

Officers clarified that two objections had been received in relation to the re-opening of the section of Gort Road, one from Tillydrone Community Council and one from an individual resident in the area.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.  

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which sough approval for the adoption of Pitfodels Station Road to roads managed and maintained by the Council.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee approve the adoption of Pitfodels Station Road in terms of Section 1 (4) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 and that this road be added to the Council’s ‘List of Roads’ managed and maintained by the Council.

At this point in the meeting Councillor Yuill advised that Councillor Malone had responded to officers and not Councillor Boulton as detailed in the report.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

With reference to Article 2 of the minute of the Petitions Committee meeting of 21 April 2015, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which set out the results of investigations into the provision of a pedestrian crossing on Greenbrae Drive and recommendations for the crossing point based on best practice and road safety guidelines.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

(a)       agree the removal of the existing crossing point / build outs and the installation of a new Zebra Crossing and this location; and

(b)       instruct officers to monitor the situation following implementation.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)        to request that officers circulate information on the PV2 values to members.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which sought approval for the expenditure of funds successfully obtained for various transportation projects.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

(a)       authorise £20,000 of developer contributions for Mosside to be used to add value to an existing Smarter Choices Smarter Places project looking to improve pedestrian waymarking on Kincorth and Tullos Hills;

(b)       instruct officers to report back to Committee in due course with active and sustainable travel proposals for the remaining Mosside developer contribution, taking into account the range and location of development activity, existing and emerging opportunities within the area and gaps in the current active and sustainable travel infrastructure;

(c)        approve the expenditure of an additional £70,000 awarded to the Council from Sustrans Scotland’s Community Links Fund 2015/16 to add value to the development of an A90 north cycle route along Ellon Road and the Parkway;

(d)       note the condition attached to the Sustrans Funding Agreement for 2015/16 - that any savings from the Council’s Non-Housing Capital Programme should be reinvested into other active travel projects around the City – and refer this to the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee for information;

(e)       approve the initial projects listed in this report as a starting point for discussion with Sustrans over the use of the savings on the Third Don Crossing scheme and report back to Committee with a full programme of works alongside the Active Travel Action Plan;

(f)        approve the expenditure of any funds successfully obtained from Cycling Scotland’s Bikeability Support Plus Fund 2015/16 for the purposes described within this report; and

(g)       approve the expenditure of any funds successfully obtained from the Scottish Government’s Rollout of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Project Across Scotland project for the purposes described within this report.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve recommendations b, c, d, e,f and g; and

(ii)        to instruct officers to provide more information on the authorisation of £20,000 of developer contributions for Mosside for improvement of pedestrian waymarking on Kincorth and Tullos Hills  and report back to Committee.

With reference to Article 28 of the Communities, Housing and Infrastructure Committee meeting of 19 May 2015, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which provided an update on implemented improvements following the closure of the Traffic Commissioner’s public inquiry into the Council’s Goods Vehicles Operators License on 12 May 2015 and proposals for a new performance framework.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

(a)       note the contents of the report; and

(b)       approve the content of the performance framework for the Fleet Service as a mechanism for reporting performance to Committee.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)        to congratulate Mark Reilly and the rest of his team for their hard work.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which considered the multi-agency approach to revisiting the North East of Scotland Road Casualty Reduction Strategy as approved in 2009 and the changes in how safety issues were tackled since that time.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

(a)       consider the current position with regard to Road Casualty figures as set out in Appendix 1.

(b)       consider the core outcome underpinning a strategic approach to Road Casualty Reduction - “Our communities will be safer places in which to live, work and travel” and how it fits within current and emerging approaches to Community Planning.

(c)        instruct Officers to develop, by October 2015, a formal strategy and associated action plan on a collaborative basis across the key agencies, including engagement and approval through the relevant Community Safety Partnership networks, and report back to a future committee.

(d)       agree that officers continue to work with our partners and put in place a collaborative and jointly funded resource through to 31 March 2016.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which outlined the current approach of waste enforcement, identified gaps in the current approach and provided proposals for the future.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee agrees the implementation of a one year pilot project focussed on the enforcement of waste management regulations in the city centre with two officers from the City Warden service seconded into a dedicated waste enforcement role.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to approve the recommendation;

(ii)        to request that officers clarify the figures included in the report at pages 664 and 671 in relation to the costs for the business waste enforcement team;

(iii)       to instruct officers to report back to Committee in six months’ time on progress; and

(iv)       to request that officers report to the Zero Waste Management Sub Committee in relation to strategies to tackle fly tipping and initiatives to clean up communities.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure outlining the proposal to remove all ‘No Ball Games’ signs from Aberdeen’s green space.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

(a)       agree that all ‘No Ball Games’ signs throughout the city on green space owned or managed by Aberdeen City Council be removed; and

(b)       agree that no further ‘No Ball Games’ or similar signs will be erected on Aberdeen green space.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Dickson, moved the recommendations contained in the report.

Councillor Yuill, seconded by Councillor Delaney moved as an amendment that the recommendations be approved and the Committee -

(c)        instruct officers to report within six months identifying those area unsuitable for ball play with recommendations for appropriate green space management / planting for those locations; and

(d)       instruct officers to undertake an information campaign targeted at those playing ball games and residents explaining the appropriate use of open spaces for ball play.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (17) the Convener, Vice Convener Jean Morrison, Vice Convener Graham and Councillors Allan, Cameron, Corall, Crockett, Dickson, Jackie Dunbar, Finlayson, Flynn, Grant, Laing, Milne, Samarai, Thomson and Townson; for the amendment (2) Councillors Delaney and Yuill

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which presented the findings of the Seaton Park Wetland Scoping Study and sought approval for the suggested design option and the total estimated expenditure for the project.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

(a)       agree the main content of the report;

(b)       agree the recommended wetland design option; and

(c)        agree the total estimated expenditure of the project.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations, with option 2 as the wetland design.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which advised that the Environmental Services, Springhill Road Depot was now surplus to service requirements.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

(a)       notes the contents of the report;

(b)       declares Environmental Services, Springhill Road Depot surplus to service requirements and confirm its removal from the Environmental Services account portfolio; and

(c)        remits the property to the Head of Land and Property Assets and Land and Property Assets team to decide on its future use.

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 continue the BEGIN project.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee approve-

(a)       expenditure of £300,000 of existing flood management budgets (revenue and capital) as match funding;

(b)       the use of Council owned land to install schemes;

(c)        the participation of Aberdeen City in the BEGIN project; and

(d)       overseas travel for partner meetings and annual conferences connected with this project.

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

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

(i)            to agree to recommendations (a) (b) and (c) in the report;

(ii)          to instruct officers to report back on the feasibility of bringing forward a scheme to alleviate flooding in the Summerhill area in advance of the Maidencraig scheme, with the intention of linking this in to the over-arching Maidencraig scheme when it becomes operational; and

(iii)         to approve overseas travel for officers to attend partner meetings and annual conferences connected with this project and re-invest any savings from this budget heading into this or other flood prevention schemes across the city.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (17) the Convener, Vice Convener Jean Morrison, Vice Convener Graham and Councillors Allan, Cameron, Corall, Crockett, Dickson, Jackie Dunbar, Finlayson, Flynn, Grant, Laing, Milne, Samarai, Thomson and Townson; for the amendment (2) Councillors Delaney and Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

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 on the performance of AECC and a minute extract from the ALEO Governance Hub meeting 15 June 2015 for noting.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the report.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

Vice Convener Jean Morrison declared an interest in relation to the following item of business by virtue of her position as a Council representative for the Disabled Person’s Housing Service, and considered that the nature of her interest did not require her to leave the meeting but took no part in the Committee’s deliberations thereon.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure that sough approval to continue funding the Disabled Persons Housing Service (DPHS).

The report recommended:-

that the Committee agree the extension of the existing Service Level Agreement with DPHS for a further three year period commencing on 1 April 2016 (or entering into of a new three year Service Level Agreement with DPHS commencing on that date) at costs set out in the report and with the exemption being granted from all Contract Standing Orders as set out in the report.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which informed them of the decision to suspend Standing Orders to allow the direct appointment of a specialist contractor to carry out work on an acoustic monitoring system on the Queen Elizabeth Bridge.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee:-

(a)       note the content of the report and the strategic importance of the Queen Elizabeth Bridge; and

(b)       note the suspension of Standing Orders under 1(6)(b) and the award to Mistras Group Ltd of the contract for installing the acoustic monitoring system on the bridge.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to note that the bridge was the Queen Elizabeth bridge, and not the Queen Elizabeth II bridge as mentioned in the report; and

(ii)        otherwise to approve the recommendations.

- COUNCILLOR NEIL COONEY, CONVENER