Agenda and minutes

The Chairperson proposed that the Committee consider item 6 (Digital Update) of the agenda with the press and public excluded from the meeting.

The Committee resolved:-

In terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the press and public from the meeting for item 6 of the agenda, so as to avoid disclosure of information of the classes described in paragraph 8 of Schedule 7(A) to the Act. (Article 5 of the minute refers).

Members are Required to Intimate any Declarations of Interest in Respect of the Items on Today’s Agenda.

No declarations of interest were submitted in respect of the items on today’s agenda.

The Joint Committee had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 4 May 2018, for approval.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute as a correct record.

The Joint Committee had before it a report by Paul Finch, Strategic Transport Projects Manager, Aberdeenshire Council which provided information on (1) the outcomes of the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) Pre-Appraisal undertaken as a first stage of a Strategic Transport Appraisal component of the Aberdeen City Region Deal; (2) the findings from the STAG Pre-Appraisal and the development of Transport Planning Objectives; and (3) the recommendations on how the study should progress.

The report recommended:-

that the Joint Committee note the draft interim Transport Planning Objectives from the Strategic Transport Appraisal Pre-Appraisal.

Paul Finch provided an overview of the report and advised that it had been approved by Nestrans, Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council.

During the discussion, the following was noted:-

·           that delays in opening the AWPR would have minimal impact risk to the objectives;

·           that the shortlisting process would be considered in August/September with results being known in December/January; and

·           dualling the rail track to Dyce would be fundamental and that the AWPR completion would accelerate other projects.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

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

The Joint Committee had before it a report by John-Paul Cleary, Senior Programme Manager, and  Heather Martin, Programme Manager, Aberdeen City Counci) and Roddy Matheson, Infrastructure Services, Aberdeenshire Council, which provided information on the overall digital infrastructure programme of the City Region Deal, its vision, projects, benefits and funding position through the submission of the Digital Infrastructure Masterplan.

The report recommended:-

that the Joint Committee –

(a)       note the contents of the Digital Infrastructure Masterplan (Appendix 1);

(b)       approve the revised Local Full Fibre Network business case proposed in this report (Appendix 2), subject to approval by the UK Government and the Scottish Government; and positive peer review by the Peer Review Group; and

(c)       approve the investment of the amount outlined within the report at section 3(v) in the Local Full Fibre Network project, bringing total funding in the project to the amount outlined within the report at section 3(vi), subject to approval by Aberdeenshire Council in respect of its contribution.

The Joint Committee heard from Stephen Archer, Director of Infrastructure Services, Aberdeenshire Council in relation to the 5 key projects within the report, specifically regarding the extension of Aberdeen City Council Fibre Network; the local Full Fibre Network; Duct Network Extension; Sensor Network and the Regional Data Exchange.

During the discussion, the Joint Committee noted:-

·           information in relation to the underspend within the budget and what required to be considered for further investment;

·           the details regarding an unsuccessful bid;

·           that there required to be early ongoing dialogue with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport;

·           that there was comfort in the quality of management to tackle any risk and implementation, including robust preparation work around a future bid specification and dialogue; and

·           the information regarding the recruitment of a Digital Lead.

The Joint Committee resolved:-

(i)        to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)       that a briefing paper be circulated to members illustrating all that was currently happening in digital connectivity in the region which would include details of further opportunities and gaps.

- COUNCILLOR JENNY LAING, Chairperson.