Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

https://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=618&MId=6192&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 11.1 (Christmas Village 2017 Feedback - Exempt Appendix), 11.2 (Unrecoverable Debt - Exempt Appendix), 11.3 (Condition and Suitability 3 Year Programme - Exempt Appendices), 11.4 (UNESCO Creative Cities Designation), 11.5 (Creative Funding Grants Programme), 11.6 (Site at King Street/Beach Esplanade (OP85)), 11.7 (Community Asset Transfer – Seaton Huts and Depot), 11.8 (Disposal of Land, Devil's Den, Woodside), 11.9 (New Schools Development Programme 2018 – Appendices), 11.10 (Disposal of Former Victoria Road School) and 11.12 (Middlefield Regeneration) with the press and public excluded.

Councillor Yuill moved as a procedural motion:-

that the Committee consider the non-exempt information in the report at item 11.10 (Disposal of Former Victoria Road School) in public and to refrain from referring to any of the exempt information during its consideration.

As Councillor Yuill did not have a seconder, in terms of Standing Order 27.4, the procedural motion fell and was therefore not put to the vote.

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 from item 11.1 of the agenda so as to avoid disclosure of information of the classes described in the following paragraphs of Schedule 7(A) to the Act:- articles 23 and 24 (paragraph 6), articles 25 and 26 (paragraph 8), article 27 (paragraph 4), articles 28, 29, 30, 32 and 34 (paragraphs 6 and 9) and article 31 (paragraphs 6 and 12).

Members were requested to intimate any declarations of interest in respect of the items on today’s agenda, thereafter, the following were intimated:-

(1)       Councillor Laing declared an interest in items 10.1 (VisitAberdeenshire Destination Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Tourism Strategy 2018 – 2023) and 10.2 (Christmas Village 2017 Feedback) by virtue of her being a Council appointed members of VisitAberdeenshire Board and Aberdeen Inspired Board respectively. She considered that the nature of her interest required her to leave the meeting and she therefore took no part in the consideration of these items;

(2)       Councillor Flynn declared an interest in items 10.5 (Aberdeen City Local Housing Strategy 2018 – 2023) and 10.6 (Aberdeen City’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2019/20) by virtue of him being a Council appointed Board member of Shaping Aberdeen Housing LLP. He considered that the nature of his interest required him to leave the meeting and he therefore took no part in the consideration of these items;

(3)       Councillor Nicoll declared an interest in item 10.10 (Wellington Road Multimodal Corridor Study) by virtue of him being a Council appointed member of Nestrans Board. He considered the nature of his interest did not require him to leave the meeting and therefore chose to remain in the meeting for consideration of the item;

(4)       Councillor Boulton declared an interest in items 10.5 (Aberdeen City Local Housing Strategy 2018 – 2023) and 10.6 (Aberdeen City’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2019/20) by virtue of her being a Council appointed Board member of Shaping Aberdeen Housing LLP. She considered the nature of her interest did not require her to leave the meeting and therefore chose to remain in the meeting for consideration of these items; and

(5)       Councillor Yuill declared an interest in item 10.10 (Wellington Road Multimodal Corridor Study) by virtue of him being a Council appointed substitute member of Nestrans Board. He considered the nature of his interest did not require him to leave the meeting and therefore chose to remain in the meeting for consideration of the item.

The Committee had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 19 June and Special meeting of 1 August 2018 for approval.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve both minutes as correct records.

The Committee had before it the Committee Business Planner prepared by the Chief Officer – Governance.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to remove item 6 (Strategic Car Parking Review), item 10 (Property Asset Management Policy and Framework), item 45 (Joint Initiative for Vehicle Emissions (Jive 2) Report), item 86 (Community Planning Aberdeen - Local Outcome Improvement Plan Annual Report) and item 102 (Ferryhill Engine Shed Lease) from the Planner;

(ii)       to transfer item 54 (Citizens Using Non-Digital Platforms – Options Appraisal) to the Strategic Commissioning Committee Planner; and

(iii)      to note the reasons for the reporting delays in terms of item 7 (Capacities of Junctions Associated with the AWPR/B-T - NOM Cllr Boulton), item 9 (Annual Report on Economic Panel), item 11 (Service Income Policy), item 13 (Aberdeen Art Gallery -  Visitor and Economic Impacts), item 15 (Building Performance Policy), item 19 (Balnagask Motte Regeneration), item 26 (City Centre Masterplan Project EN10: Union Terrace Gardens – Outline Design, Business Case, Development Costs and Procurement Strategy), item 49 (Credit Review Rating Annual Report), and item 51 (Reserves Strategy).

“Following decades of campaigning for electrification of the rail line to the North East and the understandable financial difficulties, Aberdeen City Council calls upon the Scottish Government, Abellio, Transport Scotland and any other interested party to investigate, as a matter of urgency whilst EU funding is still available, to replace existing rolling stock with environmentally friendly hydrogen trains.

Subject to Council agreement with the above, that the Chief Executive write to local authorities on the route to gain their support.”

The Committee had before it a Notice of Motion by Councillor Reynolds in the following terms:-

            Following decades of campaigning for electrification of the rail line to the North East and the understandable financial difficulties, Aberdeen City Council calls upon the Scottish Government, Abellio, Transport Scotland and any other interested party to investigate, as a matter of urgency whilst EU funding is still available, to replace existing rolling stock with environmentally friendly hydrogen trains.

Subject to Council agreement with the above, that the Chief Executive write to local authorities on the route to gain their support.

In terms of Standing Order 12.14, Councillor Reynolds spoke in support of his motion and explained the rationale behind his request. Councillor Reynolds was seconded by Councillor Boulton.

Councillor Nicoll, seconded by Councillor Catriona Mackenzie moved as an amendment:-

            That the Committee:-

(1)          agree that the EU has been an invaluable source of funding for Aberdeen City Council and, through partnership with bus operators and the Scottish Government, has helped enable our local authority to pursue the deployment of hydrogen buses and associated infrastructure in Aberdeen;

(2)          understand that there are substantial practical and financial challenges associated with the electrification of the rail line from the North East;

(3)          nevertheless, agree that, where viable, every effort should be made to electrify the existing rail network;

(4)          note that alternative environmentally friendly energy sources do also exist, including hybrid and hydrogen trains, and therefore instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Scottish Government, Network Rail, Abellio and Transport Scotland to express our view that every attempt should immediately be made by these agencies to apply for EU funding sources which would facilitate implementing environmentally friendly rail travel, and related infrastructure, to serve the North East; and

(5)          further instruct the Chief Executive to write to the UK Government to express our view that should any funding application not be agreed prior to the UK leaving the EU, that the UK Government must commit to replace the funding source.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (5) – The Convener, the Vice Convener and Councillors Boulton, Donnelly and Laing; for the amendment (4) – Councillors Flynn, Catriona Mackenzie, Nicoll and Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer - Business Intelligence and Performance Management which outlined the status of key performance measures relating to the City Growth, Resources and Governance functions.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the performance and improvement measures contained in the report at Appendices A and B; and

(b)       note the continued progress in aligning performance reporting with the Council structures.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to approve the recommendations;

(ii)       that officers amend future performance reports to ensure (1) that actual numbers are included as well as percentage figures; and (2) that each row in the tables be numbered for ease of reference;

(iii)      that in relation to Appendix A, that the number of MP/MSP enquiries dealt with on time be circulated to members;       

(iv)      that in relation to Appendix B, that the methodology used to provide the Corporate Landlord information be circulated to members; and

(v)       that in relation to Appendix B (Required Maintenance Cost of Operational Assets per square metre), that clarification on why the target was set at £86 sqm for next year be circulated to members.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

In accordance with article 2 of this minute, Councillor Laing withdrew from the meeting prior to consideration of the following item of business. Councillor Houghton substituted for Councillor Laing for this item of business.

With reference to article 15 of the minute of meeting of the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee of 1 February 2018, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – City Growth which provided details of the development of the VisitAberdeenshire Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Destination Tourism Strategy 2018-2023, and associated tourism action plans.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       endorse the VisitAberdeenshire Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire Destination Tourism Strategy 2018 – 2023 as attached in Appendix 1;

(b)       endorse the action plans and priority activities detailed in the Tourism Strategy for 2018 – 2021; and

(c)       instruct the Chief Officer City Growth, following consultation with the Chief Officer Finance and the Head of Commercial and Procurement Service to enter into negotiation with VisitAberdeenshire on a new Service Level Agreement for the 2019 – 2022 period to promote the city, subject to the Councils annual budget setting process.

Mr Chris Foy, Chief Executive of VisitAberdeenshire was in attendance and answered various questions from members.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)       that officers circulate details to members of benchmark information against KPIs including current data against future statistics so that impact could be measured.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

In accordance with article 2 of this minute, Councillor Laing withdrew from the meeting prior to consideration of the following item of business. Councillor Houghton substituted for Councillor Laing for this item of business.

Please note that the attached appendices which were previously placed within the Exempt/Confidential Section of this agenda have been made public following agreement with Aberdeen Inspired.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – City Growth which provided feedback on the Christmas Village 2017 as set out in the Council’s Funding and Service Provision Agreement 2016-2019 with Aberdeen BID Company Limited trading as Aberdeen Inspired which runs from 1 August 2016 to 30 January 2019.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the evaluation of the Christmas Village 2017;

(b)       seek annual feedback in the form of a committee report from Aberdeen

Inspired annually in line with the Funding and Service Provision Agreement from August 2016-January 2019; and

(c)       note that this is the final year of the Christmas Village Funding and Service Provision Agreement with Aberdeen Inspired. This is the penultimate report relating to the feedback for the Christmas Village as requested by the Finance Policy and Resources Committee. Future delivery of the Christmas Village to be discussed by Aberdeen City Council as part of the budget setting process in 2019.

Ms Kate Timperley, Project Executive, Aberdeen Inspired was in attendance and answered questions from members.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to approve the recommendations;

(ii)       that reasons why so few visitors out with the city were travelling to visit the Christmas Village be circulated to members of the Committee; and

(iii)      that details of the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce survey dates from previous years compared to survey dates from 2017 and a copy of the survey instruments be circulated to Committee members.

With reference to article 13 of the minute of meeting of 24 April 2018, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – City Growth which sought approval on the proposed delivery and oversight model for Events 365 Advisory Group and Aberdeen Festivals.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the proposed model to contribute to the delivery of Aberdeen 365 Events Plan;

(b)       note the formation of a new informal Aberdeen 365 Advisory Group;

(c)       note the composition of the new Group and agrees to appoint the Chief Officer – City Growth and Councillor Boulton as the City Council’s representatives on the group;

(d)       note the terms of reference for the new Group; and

(e)       note the secondment of a Council officer to VisitAberdeenshire to fulfil the new city-centric events development and supporting delivery role.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)       to recommend to the first meeting of the group referred to in the report that Councillor Boulton be appointed as Chair.

Please note that Appendix 4 is contained within the Confidential/Exempt Section of this agenda.

With reference to article 24 of the minute of meeting of the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee of 20 September 2017, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Customer Services which outlined details in relation to the numbers and values of Council Tax, Non-Domestic Rates and Housing Benefit Overpayments made unrecoverable during 2017/18 as required in terms of Financial Regulations.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the value of Council Tax, Non-Domestic Rates and Housing Benefit Overpayments deemed by the Chief Officer - Finance as unrecoverable and shown in Appendices 1 to 4 of the report; and

(b)       approve the Non-Domestic Rates debts in excess of £25,000 shown in Appendix 4 of the report are unrecoverable and be written off.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

In accordance with article 2 of this minute, Councillor Flynn withdrew from the meeting prior to consideration of the following item of business. Councillor Townson substituted for Councillor Flynn for this item of business.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning which sought approval of the Aberdeen City Local Housing Strategy 2018 – 2023.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the Aberdeen City Local Housing Strategy 2018 – 2023 (Appendix 1 of the report); and

(b)       instruct Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to produce an annual update report on progress for each of the strategic outcomes to allow progress to be monitored and evaluated and to report back to City Growth & Resources Committee in June each year.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

In accordance with article 2 of this minute, Councillor Flynn withdrew from the meeting prior to consideration of the following item of business. Councillor Townson substituted for Councillor Flynn for this item of business.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning which sought approval of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan for the period 2019/20 to 2023/24 which was due to be submitted to the Scottish Government by 26 October 2018.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee approve the Strategic Housing Investment Plan and its submission to the Scottish Government.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning which provided an update on the Aberdeen City Affordable Housing delivery programme.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note progress made at section 3.1 of the report in relation to the number of affordable houses completed in 2017/2018 through the affordable housing supply programme;

(b)       to note the current financial position at sections 3.2 & 3.3 of the report in relation to contributions for affordable housing obtained through Section 75 arrangements with developers and funds received through the reduction in the Council Tax Discount for Second Homes and Long Term Empty Properties for the delivery of affordable housing; and

(c)       approve the allocation of the Section 75 and Council Tax monies detailed at section 3.4 of the report for the future delivery of affordable housing.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to approve recommendations (a) and (b) above;

(ii)       to approve the allocation of the Section 75 and Council Tax monies as detailed below noting that £13,381,560 has been allocated to help finance the building of 2,000 new social rent Council Houses for Aberdeen:-

and

(iii)      that future tables outlined at 3.1.3 of the report, identify who funded the affordable homes.

With reference to article 15 of the minute of the previous meeting of 19 June 2018, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – City Growth which provided an update on the previously proposed employability one-stop shop.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the update on the proposed employability one-stop shop.

The Committee resolved:-

to agree that a cost-effective solution for the employability one-stop shop should continue to be investigated, and should any additional resource be required, a report will be brought back by the Chief Officer - City Growth to this Committee requesting such.

With reference to article 18 of the minute of meeting of the Operational Delivery Committee of 6 September 2018, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Operating Officer which sought approval to vary the off street parking payment structure of four off-street car parks in line with the Alive@5 scheme, resulting in an estimated reduction in parking income.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee instruct the Chief Officer - Operations and Protective Services to submit the full year financial implications of continuing the Alive@5 scheme for consideration in the 2019/20 budget process.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Donnelly moved:-

            that the Committee approve recommendation 2.4 contained within the report.

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

            that the Committee –

(1)     approve recommendation 2.4 contained within the report; and

(2)     instruct the Chief Officer - City Growth with the support of the Chief Officer - Operations and Protective Services to engage with partner organisations working in the night time economy in Aberdeen to identify and report on the Key Performance Indicators they consider appropriate that show the economic impact of the scheme on the city centre night time economy.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (5) – The Convener, the Vice Convener and Councillors Boulton, Donnelly and Laing; for the amendment (4) – Councillors Flynn, Catriona Mackenzie, Nicoll and Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning on the outcomes of the Wellington Road Multimodal Corridor Study Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) Part 1 Report and to gain approval to proceed to STAG Part 2 Appraisal.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       agree the outcomes of the Wellington Road Multimodal Corridor Study STAG Part 1 Report and approve the publication of the final report on the Council website; and

(b)       Instruct the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning to conduct a STAG Part 2 Appraisal, to consider the eight options identified in the STAG Part 1 report, as detailed in section 3.4, and to report the outcomes to this Committee upon completion of the work.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to approve recommendation (a) above; and

(ii)       to instruct the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning to conduct a STAG Part 2 Appraisal, to consider the eight options identified in the STAG Part 1 report, as detailed in section 3.4, and that consideration be given to the emerging options from the STAG Part 1 External Transportation Links to Aberdeen South Harbour and ensure that both STAG Part 2 reports are submitted to this committee for consideration at the same time.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Customer Services which provided details of the strategic review of service delivery in relation to the Housing Revenue Account.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee approve the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan appended to the report.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice Convener moved:-

            that the Committee approve the recommendation contained within the report.

Councillor Nicoll, seconded by Councillor Catriona Mackenzie moved as an amendment:-

            that the Committee –

(a)     note with regret the decision of Aberdeen Labour, Conservative and Independent Councillors during the 2017/18 budget process to  depart from the previously agreed financial modelling which underpins the business plan to ensure that the HRA can be sustained over a 30 year period and that setting a rent freeze has had the impact of removing £107M over the 30 years of the business plan as this cannot be built back into future years;

(b)     further note the decision of Aberdeen Labour, Conservative and Independent Councillors during the 2018/19 budget process to restrict the financial model from the recommended 4.6% increase to 2.6% has had the impact of removing £47M over the 30 years of the business plan and this cannot be built back into future years;

(c)     approve the HRA business plan appended to the report; and

(d)     reaffirm its commitment to the financial strategy contained within the Aberdeen City Council Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2018 -2048.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (5) – The Convener, the Vice Convener and Councillors Boulton, Donnelly and Laing; for the amendment (4) – Councillors Flynn, Catriona Mackenzie, Nicoll and Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

Please note that there are exempt appendices relating to this report contained within the Confidential/Exempt Section of this agenda.

With reference to article 27 of the minute of meeting of Finance, Policy and Resources Committee of 20 September 2017, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which sought approval of an updated three-year Condition and Suitability (C&S) Programme.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the projects completed or legally committed to date in 2018/19 as shown in Appendix A;

(b)       note the currently approved projects and approves the amended estimated budgets for each project as shown in Appendix B;

(c)       approve the new Condition & Suitability Programme projects listed in Appendix C for inclusion in the 3-year Condition & Suitability Programme and approves the estimated budget for each project;

(d)       approve the removal of the projects listed in Appendix D;

(e)       instruct the Chief Officers for Capital and Corporate Landlord to implement the detailed 3-year C&S Programme;

(f)        delegate authority to the Chief Officer Corporate Landlord, following consultation with the Capital Board and the Convener and Vice-Convener of this Committee, to amend the C&S Programme should priorities change due to unforeseen circumstances during the year, with such changes to be reported retrospectively to the Committee;

(g)       delegate authority to the Chief Officer Corporate Landlord, following consultation with the Capital Board and the Convener and Vice-Convener of this Committee, to allocate projects or additional budgets to/from a £500k reserve fund, with such allocations to be reported retrospectively to the Committee; and

(h)       note the future C&S projects listed in Appendix E.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to agree recommendations (a) and (c) to (g);

(ii)       to note the currently approved projects and approves the amended estimated budgets for each project as shown in Appendix B;

(a)     Notes in particular the projects to refurbish the toilet facilities at Kincorth Community Centre and Rosemount Community Centre;

(b)     Notes the shortage of suitable adult changing facilities, which meet the ‘changing places’ standards (www.changing-places.org) that exist in publicly accessible buildings in the city;

(c)     Instructs the Chief Officer, Corporate Landlord to investigate the potential financial and practical implications of upgrading these facilities (at 2.2(a)) to include adult changing facilities to ‘changing places’ standard, that would be accessible to the public during normal opening hours for these premises and bring back a brief report within two cycles of the committee; and

(iii)      to note the future Condition and Suitability projects listed in Appendix E of the report and instruct the Chief Officer – Corporate Landlord to consider ‘changing places’ provision in future projects.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief – Officer City Growth which provided information on Business Loans Scotland and sought approval for the implementation of the Co-operative Business Development Fund.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note that the Council’s investment in Business Loans Scotland of £225,000 will be repaid when the loan fund is closed;

(b)       approve the Council’s continued participation in a new national loan fund model whereby appropriate council officers will only be required to carry out initial verification of local businesses with all due diligence being carried out by a specialist team. As the Scottish Government is providing all the loan funding there will be no direct financial implications to the Council; and

(c)       approve the implementation of the Co-operative Business Development Fund to support local businesses to deliver pilot projects and events designed to increase their business prospects per the proposals at 3.8 to 3.13 of the report.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – City Growth which sought approval to apply for and, if successful, enter into a grant agreement for external funding opportunities through the Interreg North West Europe (NEW) programme and to nominate an elected member to be the UK representative for the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions’ Political Bureau.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       to note submission of an application to Interreg NWE’s Hydrogen Waste Vehicles in North West Europe (HyWAVE) project, and pursuant to a successful application:-

(1)       Note the making by the Council of an application to Interreg North West Europe for grant funding of €650,955 (£576,066);

(2)       Note that entry into a grant agreement is subject to approval by the Head of Commercial & Procurement Services, following consultation with the Convener of City Growth & Resources Committee and the Chief Officer – Finance;

(3)       Approve expenditure by the Council of that grant funding and the additional sum of €433,970 (£383,864) from existing Fleet Services budget over a three-year period towards the abovementioned project;

(4)       Approve overseas travel for two officers to attend two partner meetings and annual conferences per year connected with this project, costs of which are included in the above budget and recoverable from the Interreg NWE programme;

(b)       to nominate an elected member to the role of either substantive or alternate UK Representative to the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions’ (CPMR) Political Bureau and, subject to successful nomination:-

(1)       Approve international travel for the Elected Member and an Officer to attend up to three CPMR meetings per year in this role, subject to Aberdeen City Council’s 2019/20 budget setting process.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)       to nominate Councillor Reynolds as the elected member in terms of (b) above.

Please note that there are appendices contained within the Exempt/Confidential Section of this agenda.

With reference to article 17 of the minute of meeting of the Strategic Commissioning Committee of 13 September 2018, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which sought approval for the submission of planning applications for each site, detailed discussion with landowners to transfer or purchase title as required and to allocate funding from Capital Funding/Developers Contributions to undertake detailed design works to pre-tender stage.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to submit fully costed Business Cases to the appropriate Committee(s) during 2019 for the proposed establishment of new schools at Countesswells, Milltimber, Tillydrone (Riverbank replacement) and Torry (including Community Hub) for approval of the allocation of the required funding;

(b)       agree to allocate a combined £7,500,000 from Capital Funding/ Developers Contributions to undertake detailed design and development works for the four projects;

(c)       instruct the Chief Officer Corporate Landlord to submit planning applications as may be required to deliver the new Schools;

(d)       instruct the Chief Officer Corporate Landlord to formally initiate the process and take title to the land at Countesswells identified for education uses; and

(e)       instruct the Chief Officer Corporate Landlord to enter into detailed

negotiations for the purchase of land for a new Milltimber School and to report back to the Committee on the outcome of these discussions on 7 February 2019.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

This report was incorrectly situated within the Exempt/Confidential section at item 11.14 of the agenda.

With reference to article 16 of the minute of the previous meeting of 19 June 2018, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which outlined the next stage of the delivery of the City Centre Masterplan and (1) incorporated proposals contained in the approved City Centre Living Study as they related to the defined city centre boundary; and (2) contained proposals for progressing the development of the Queen Street project contained within the masterplan and proposed the pursuit of a service integration agenda across public partners as a result of the opportunity to co-locate.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       implement the recommendation of the City Centre Living Study to create a dedicated resource to move forward City Centre Living;

(b)       delegate authority to the Director of Resources to take such action as is required to create the necessary project teams to move forward the proposals outlined in the City Centre Living Study (these will be a mixture of internal and external resource) through the use of £500,000 from the Non-Housing and Housing Capital Programmes;

(c)       note that the property co-location opportunities being proposed afford the opportunity to integrate multi agency services as envisaged by the council’s target operating model and thereby instructs the Chief Executive to progress these opportunities;

(d)       instruct the Chief Officer (Corporate Landlord) to enter into appropriate agreements with Police Scotland and other Public Sector Partners on the colocation of services within the council’s property estate; and

(e)       recommend that the Planning Management Development Committee at their meeting on 20 September 2018 approves the proposal for an Affordable Housing contributions waiver as outlined in paragraph 3.27 of the report.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Boulton moved:-

            that the Committee approve the recommendations contained within the report.

Councillor Nicoll, seconded by Councillor Catriona Mackenzie moved as an amendment:-

            that the Committee approve recommendations (a) to (d) only.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (5) – The Convener, the Vice Convener and Councillors Boulton, Donnelly and Laing; for the amendment (4) – Councillors Flynn, Catriona Mackenzie, Nicoll and Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

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

The Committee had before them an exempt appendix relating to the Christmas Village 2017 Feedback report, referred to at article 8 of this minute.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the exempt appendix.

The Committee had before them an exempt appendix relating to the Unrecoverable Debt report, referred to at article 10 of this minute.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the exempt appendix.

The Committee had before them exempt appendices relating to the Condition and Suitability 3 Year Programme report, referred to at article 18 of this minute.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the exempt appendices.

With reference to article 13 of the minute of meeting of 24 April 2018, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer- City Growth which sought approval to proceed with a bid for UNESCO Creative Cities designation.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the business cases presented for two UNESCO Creative Cities

designations;

(b)       note the consultation and research undertaken; and

(c)       instruct the Chief Officer - City Growth to proceed with developing a bid

proposal for an application for the City of Crafts and Folk Art designation and to report back to Committee with the full costings for a submitted bid.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 21 of the minute of the previous meeting of 19 June 2018, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – City Growth which presented applications to Creative Funding round two to allow a final funding decision to be made.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       consider the applications that have been recommended for no award, highlighted within the report and agree that no award should be made;

(b)       approve the award for applications over £10,000 that have been recommended for support (from section 3.4.21 of the report) and;

(c)       note the awards under £10,000 that have been made under the Scheme of Delegation (Appendix 3 of the report).

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 4 of the minute of meeting of the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee of 1 December 2016, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which provided information on the current status of a site in Council ownership which was zoned for a Mosque.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee

(a)       approve the proposed terms for a new 150 year ground lease incorporating an option to purchase the site at King Street/Beach Esplanade to the Aberdeen Islamic Charitable Trust and;

(b)       instruct the Chief Officer – Governance to conclude missives for the lease and option to purchase the site incorporating various qualifications as are necessary to protect the Council’s interest.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which detailed the outcome of the request put forward by Seaton Community Church a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation in relation to the Seaton Depot and Seaton Huts.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the Heads of Terms provisionally agreed for the sale of the Seaton Huts and Seaton Depot to Seaton Community Church for the price of £1; and

(b)       instruct the Chief Officer – Governance to conclude missives for the sale of the Property incorporating various qualifications as are necessary to protect the Council’s interest.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 5 of the minute of meeting of the Property Sub Committee of 26 May 2015, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which provided details in relation to a request from the preferred bidder to amend the purchase price for the land at Devil’s Den, Woodside.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)          approve the amendment to the price and payment structure for the disposal; and

(b)          that the Chief Officer – Governance be instructed to conclude missives for the sale of the property incorporating various qualifications as are necessary to protect the Council’s interest.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before them exempt appendices relating to the New Schools Development Programme 2018 report, referred to at article 21 of this minute.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the exempt appendices.

With reference to article 14 of the minute of meeting of Council of 5 March 2018, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which provided details of the outcome of the marketing of the former Victoria Road School site, Victoria Road, Torry.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       accept the offer as set out in paragraph 3.5 of the report, subject to agreement over the date of entry and safeguards to protect the Council’s interest; and

(b)       instruct the Chief Officer – Governance to conclude missives for the sale of the property incorporating various qualifications as are necessary to protect the Council’s interest, together with any other matters as are required to complete the sale of the site.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to approve recommendation (a) above;

(ii)       instruct the Chief Officer – Governance to conclude missives for the sale of the property incorporating various qualifications as are necessary to protect the Council’s interest, together with any other matters as are required to complete the sale of the site.  The missives will specify that the purchaser will be responsible for the total cost of obtaining a Defective Title Indemnity Policy (in the event that such a policy is required by the purchaser) to cover the risk of a title challenge as identified in paragraph 4.2 of the report;

(iii)      note that officers have determined that:-

(1)       the sale complies with the terms of the Disposal of Land by Local Authorities (Scotland) Regulations 2010 which set out circumstances where the Council may dispose of land for a consideration less than the best that can reasonably be obtained; and

(2)        the redevelopment of the asset will contribute to the economic development of the wider area and there are clear regeneration outcomes in bringing the property back into economic use; and

(iv)      to agree that the sale will be detailed in a Council press statement but that no financial details will be released. 

The Committee were advised that this report had been withdrawn.

With reference to article 18 of the minute of meeting of the Communities, Housing and Infrastructure Committee of 16 January 2018 which provided details of the outcome of the marketing of the Middlefield Triangle site created by the Haudagain Improvement Scheme.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       accept in principle the offer which scored the highest as outlined in paragraph 3.5 of the report; and

(b)       instruct the Chief Officer – Governance to conclude missives for the sale of the site incorporating various qualifications as are necessary to protect the Council’s interest.

At this juncture, the Committee were advised that in terms of Standing Order 39.2, a meeting will last no longer than six hours. The Committee agreed unanimously to suspend Standing Order 39.2 and continue with the meeting.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee were advised that this report had been withdrawn.

-           COUNCILLOR DOUGLAS LUMSDEN, Convener.