Agenda and minutes

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be found at:-

https://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=546&MId=4483&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 Chair proposed that the Committee consider items 6 and 7 with the press and public excluded.

The Joint 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 6 so as to avoid disclosure of information of the class described in paragraph 6 of schedule 7 (A) of the Act, and for item 7 so as to avoid disclosure of information of the class described in paragraph 8 of schedule 7 (A) of the Act.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

The Chair and Vice Chair declared interests by virtue of their positions as substantive Board members of ONE but remained in the meeting as per the requirements of the Standards Commission Dispensation provided to members of the Joint Committee on 9 August 2016.

The Joint Committee had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 20 January 2017 for approval.

The Joint Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute as a correct record.

The Joint Committee had before it a report by the City Region Deal (CRD) Programme Manager for Aberdeen City Council which provided an update on the City Region Deal and its constituent workstreams.

The report recommended:-

That the Joint Committee note the content of the report and the progress made.

The CRD Programme Manager presented the report and in relation to the Agri-Food and Nutrition Hub for Innovation, Ms Jennifer Craw, ONE, advised that there had been some delays to the development of the business case due to availability of external consultancy however the first draft of plans were now back.

In relation to the Bio-Therapeutic Hub for Innovation, Ms Craw advised that the draft final business case had been submitted to both Governments for feedback and the business case is expected to come to the June meeting of the Joint Committee.

Sir Ian Wood, ONE, advised the Joint Committee that the official launch of the Oil and Gas Technology Centre had been successful.

Mr Patrick Machray OBE, advised the Joint Committee in relation to the Agri-Food and Nutrition hub for Innovation that they were engaging with Scotland Food and Drink and the business case is focusing on Aberdeen’s assets i.e.- the Rowett Institute and both Universities in the city.

The Joint Committee resolved:-

(i)         to note the updates provided; and

(ii)        to instruct the Digital Programme Manager at Aberdeen City Council to circulate an update to members of the Joint Committee regarding the Digital Infrastructure Workstream.

The Joint Committee had before it a report by the CRD Programme Manager which provided an update on the business case for the Aberdeen Harbour Expansion – Supporting Infrastructure Project.

The report recommended:-

That the Joint Committee notes the content of the report and the business case in the appendix.

The Legal Services Manager, Aberdeen City Council advised of a change to the recommendations in the report.

The Joint Committee resolved:-

(i)         to note the content of the report and the business case in Appendix 1; and

(ii)        to delegate authority to the Head of Economic Development to approve the Business Case in Appendix 1 subject to satisfactory State Aid Analysis and after consultation with the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson of the Aberdeen City Region Deal Joint Committee; and subject to approval of the Business Case by Aberdeenshire Council.

This item has been withdrawn

The Chair advised that this item had been withdrawn and would come to a future meeting of the Joint Committee.

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

The Joint Committee had before them a report by the Finance Officer, Aberdeenshire Council which provided an update on the finances of the Aberdeen City Region Deal for the year to Q3 2016/17.

The report recommended:-

That the Joint Committee note the content of the report.

The Joint Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

The Joint Committee had before it a report by the Principal Engineer for Transportation, Aberdeenshire Council, which sought approval of the business case for the Initial Options Appraisal related to the Harbour Expansion External Roads Upgrade.

The report recommended:-

That the Joint Committee approve the business case in the report subject to -

(a)       approval of the business case by the UK Government and the Scottish Government; and

(b)       positive peer review by the Transportation Working Group

The Joint Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

Councillor Young advised that it was the last meeting prior to the Local Government Elections in May and thanked the Chair, representatives from ONE and the officers from both Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council.

The Chair emphasised that the Joint Committee needed to ensure the City Region Deal is a success for the City and concluded by thanking Committee Services at Aberdeen City Council for clerking the meetings and advised that Aberdeenshire Council would be taking over the clerking of future meetings.

- COUNCILLOR JENNIFER LAING, Chair