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=6187

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 had determined that the following items of business be considered as matters of urgency in terms of Section 50(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973:-

·         Item 7.1 – Notice of Motion by Convener – British Heart Foundation Letter;

·         Item 9.11 – Public Request for Community Asset Transfer – Former Cadet Hut, The Bush, Peterculter;

·         Item 9.12 – Hazlehead Pool Feasibility Inspection; and

·         Item 10.9 – Funding Request – Balmoral Stadium.

The Committee resolved:-

to concur with the Convener.

The Convener proposed that the Committee consider items 10.1 (Pension Fund Guarantee Request), 10.2 (Aberdeen in Colour Project – Langstane Place), 10.3 (Creative Funding Grants Programme), 10.4 (Aberdeen Science Centre Bank Guarantee), 10.5 (Blackhills of Cairnrobin), 10.6 (Acquisition of 532 King Street), 10.7 (Council House Building Programme) and 10.9 (Funding Request – Balmoral Stadium) with the press and public excluded.

The Committee resolved:-

in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the press and public from the meeting from item 10.1 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 19, 20, 21 and 22 (paragraphs 4 and 6), articles 23, 24, 25 and 26 (paragraphs 6 and 9).

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

(1)       the Convener declared an interest in item 10.3 (Creative Funding Grants Programme) by virtue of him being a Council appointed Director of North East Sensory Service, one of the organisations who had submitted an application which had been assessed by an external panel and had been awarded funding under the scheme of delegation, the outcome of which was presented to the Committee for information only. 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 this item;

(2)       Councillor Yuill declared an interest in item 9.12 (Hazlehead Pool Feasibility Inspection) by virtue of being a Council appointed member of Robert Gordon’s College Board of Governors, he considered that the nature of his interest required him to leave the meeting and he therefore took no part in the consideration of this item;

(3)       Councillor Yuill and Nicoll declared an interest in items 9.6 (Regional Quality Partnerships for Public Transport) and 9.8 (Aberdeen City Region Deal – Strategic Transport Appraisal Objectives) by virtue of them being Council appointed Board members of North East Scotland Transport Partnership, they considered that the nature of their interest did not require them to leave the meeting, they therefore chose to remain in the meeting for consideration of these items;

(4)       Councillor Houghton declared an interest in items 9.2 (Schoolhill Public Real Enhancement) and 10.4 (Aberdeen Science Centre Bank Guarantee) by virtue of being a Council appointed member of Robert Gordon’s College Board of Governors, 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;

(5)       Councillors Boulton and Flynn declared an interest in item 10.7 (Council House Building Programme) by virtue of them being Council appointed Board members of Shaping Aberdeen Housing LLP. They considered that the nature of their interest required them to leave the meeting and they took no part in the consideration of this item; and

(6)       Councillor Dunbar declared an interest in item 10.9 (Funding Request – Balmoral Stadium) by virtue of her daughter being a football player for Cove Rangers Ladies Football Club, she considered that the nature of her interest required her to leave the meeting and therefore took no part in the consideration of this item.

The Committee had before it the minute of their previous meeting of 24 April 2018 for approval.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute as a correct record.

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

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to remove the following items from the Business Planner in terms of the officer’s explanations provided:- item 17 (Provision of a Technical Information Portal; item 43 (Development of Models for Civic Leadership and Engagement); and item 88 (Scottish Government Public Sector Pay Policy - Financing Options);

(ii)       to note the reasons for the reporting delays in terms of item 4 (Balnagask Motte Regeneration); item 7 (Local Housing Strategy); item 8 (Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Tourism Strategy); item 9 (Strategic Car Parking Review); item 12 (Joint Initiative for Vehicle Emissions (Jive 2) Report); item 14 (Capacities of Junctions Associated with the AWPR/B-T - NOM Cllr Boulton); item 15 (UNESCO Creative Cities Bid); item 16 (Performance Report); item 21 (Site at Beach Esplanade/King Street); and item 24 (Review on the Governance of the 365 Advisory Group and Aberdeen Festivals);

(iii)      that in relation to item 5 (2017 Christmas Village Evaluation) to instruct officers to circulate a Service Update following this meeting and to submit a report to the meeting of the Committee on 18 September 2018;

(iv)      that in relation to item 10 (One Stop Employability Shop) to instruct officers to submit a report to the meeting of the Committee on 18 September 2018;

(v)       that in relation to item 12 (Joint Initiative for Vehicle Emissions (Jive 2) Report) that the Director of Resources provide details to members of the Committee in terms of the present position of the initiative; and

(vi)      that in relation to item 16 (Performance Report), to note that a report would be submitted to the meeting of the Committee on 18 September 2018.

MATTER OF URGENCY

The Convener accepted the following Notice of Motion as a matter of urgency in terms of Section 50(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and in terms of Standing Order 12.9, as the letter from the British Heart Foundation was received following the publication of the initial agenda and the matter required to be expedited forthwith.

That the Committee:-

1.         Notes the attached letter from the British Heart Foundation Scotland;

2.         Instructs the Chief Operating Officer to write to Daniel Jones, Policy and Public Affairs Officer, British Heart Foundation Scotland to invite him to meet with Administration leaders to discuss how best Aberdeen City Council can bring forward proposals around delivering training to secondary school pupils on CPR;

3.         Instructs the Chief Officer – Corporate Landlord to submit a Service Update prior to the meeting of this committee on 27 November 2018 to confirm registration of defibrillators on council premises, in support of the Scottish Ambulance Services' national campaign; and

4.         Instructs the Chief Officer - Finance to set aside £5,000 from the Common Good account to help move these initiatives forward.

In accordance with the decision recorded under article 1, the Committee had before it an urgent Notice of Motion by the Convener in the following terms:-

            that the Committee:-

(1)        notes the attached letter from the British Heart Foundation Scotland;

(2)        instructs the Chief Operating Officer to write to Daniel Jones, Policy and Public Affairs Officer, British Heart Foundation Scotland to invite him to meet with Administration leaders to discuss how best Aberdeen City Council can bring forward proposals around delivering training to secondary school pupils on CPR;

(3)       instructs the Chief Officer – Corporate Landlord to submit a Service Update prior to the meeting of this committee on 27 November 2018 to confirm registration of defibrillators on council premises, in support of the Scottish Ambulance Services' national campaign; and

(4)       instructs the Chief Officer - Finance to set aside £5,000 from the Common Good account to help move these initiatives forward.

The Convener moved his Notice of Motion and explained the rationale behind it.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to note the attached letter from the British Heart Foundation Scotland;

(ii)       to instruct the Chief Operating Officer to write to Daniel Jones, Policy and Public Affairs Officer, British Heart Foundation Scotland to invite him to meet with Group leaders to discuss how best Aberdeen City Council can bring forward proposals around delivering training to secondary school pupils on CPR;

(iii)      to instruct the Chief Officer – Corporate Landlord to submit a Service Update prior to the meeting of this committee on 27 November 2018 to confirm registration of defibrillators on council premises, in support of the Scottish Ambulance Services' national campaign;

(iv)      to instruct the Chief Officer - Finance to set aside £5,000 from the Common Good account to help move these initiatives forward, with this being reflected in the quarterly financial reporting for 2018/19 and thereafter, to be considered as part of the budget process in future years; and

(v)       that officers circulate details of any CPR training currently being provided within schools for staff and/or pupils to all members of the Committee.

With reference to article 10 of the minute of meeting of Council of 16 December 2015, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – City Growth, which sought approval of the refreshed Action Plan for the 2015 Regional Economic Strategy.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the progress made since the publication of the 2015 Regional Economic Strategy; and

(b)       approve the refreshed Action Plan, provided as an Executive Summary attached as Appendix 1 to this report.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 19 of the minute of meeting of the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee of 7 June 2018, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources, which sought approval for the implementation of the first stage of a public realm enhancement at Schoolhill.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the scheme’s financial implications presented in Section 4 of the report and approve an allocation of £550,000 for the Schoolhill Public Realm Enhancement to be met from the Non-Housing Capital Programme.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice-Convener moved:-

            to approve the recommendation contained within the report.

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

            to instruct the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning to bring forward a comprehensive public realm enhancement design for the Schoolhill area together with the relevant Business Case detailing the works to be undertaken, the projected costs to be incurred and the timeline for completion of any works required and to report back to the relevant committees in early course.  The business case should include a review of preliminary design options already prepared for the public realm enhancement of the Schoolhill area.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (5) – the Convener, the Vice-Convener, and Councillors Boulton, Donnelly and Wheeler; for the amendment (4) – Councillors Dunbar, Flynn, Nicoll and Townson.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

With reference to article 3 of the minute of the Special Council meeting of 24 October 2016, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources, which provided details in relation to investment proposals for the Torry Heatnet Pilot Project (Torry Phase 1A) and sought approval for the use of resources for their implementation.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee approve the utilisation of the previously allocated Council and Interreg North West Europe HEATNET project funding for this purpose.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

With reference to article 22 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 Resources, which provided details on investment proposals in relation to Middlefield/Northfield Place-Making and sought approval for the use of resources for their implementation.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)       approve acceptance of a grant of £270,096 from Scottish Natural Heritage: to undertake additional capital works in the Locality of Middlefield and Northfield;

(b)       note the recommendation that an additional allowance of £9415 per annum (plus an allowance for inflation) be made within future revenue budgets for the maintenance of these improvements in, and around, Heathryfold Park and Auchmill Wood, and instructs the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to submit this to the budget process for 2019/20;

(c)       approve acceptance of a grant of £64,668 from Scottish Natural Heritage: to extend the employment of the Middlefield Community Ranger to 30th September 2019 to work within the Locality of Middlefield and Northfield;

(d)       give advanced approval to accept an anticipated grant of £50,000 from Sustrans, to undertake surveys, consultations and develop the designs for further active travel improvements in the Locality of Middlefield and Northfield;

(e)       approve the expenditure of these grant allocations, from Scottish Natural Heritage and Sustrans;

(f)        instruct the Director of Resources, in consultation with the Interim Chief Officer - Finance and Chief Officer - Commercial and Procurement Services, to confirm to their satisfaction that the terms and conditions of the grant funding can be met in relation to this offer of funding from Scottish Natural Heritage (see 4.1 below);

(g)       instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to identify a responsible officer to monitor compliance with these grant conditions;

(h)       approve the preparation of Active Travel plans for the schools within this Locality (Manor Park, Bramble Brae, Heathryburn, West Park, Orchard Brae and Northfield Academy) (in consultation with the pupils) and approves the co-ordination of this consultation with the ‘’I Bike’’ and ‘’Northfield Cycle Maintenance’’ projects; and

(i)        approve the expenditure of grant funding so as to permit the preparation of Active Travel plans for the schools within this Locality.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 10 of the minute of the previous meeting of 24 April 2018, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – City Growth, which presented an appraisal of the submission by Aberdeen City Council to host the World Energy Cities Partnership AGM in September 2019.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)       note the appraisal of the bid to host the World Energy Cities Partnership AGM in September 2019 and the anticipated costs and benefits; and

(b)       approve the Council’s continued participation in the formal bidding process as set out in the report.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 30 of the minute of meeting of the Communities, Housing and Infrastructure Committee of 29 August 2017, the Committee had before it a report by the Interim Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning, which sought approval for an overarching voluntary Regional Quality Partnership for Public Transport Agreement and to commit the Council to the Agreement.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)       approve for signature on behalf of the Council, the North East of Scotland Bus Alliance Quality Partnership Agreement 2018 in Appendix 1 of this report; and

(b)       note that a Service Update report would be circulated in September 2018 to update on targets and proposed action plan set by the Bus Alliance Board.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources, which sought approval for officers to accompany works of art on loan to international venues.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve officer international travel to accompany works of art on loan as detailed in the International Loans Plan; and

(b)       delegate authority to the Chief Officer-City Growth, in consultation with the Chief Officer-Customer Experience, to authorise the travel necessary to implement the International Loans Plan.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Interim Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning, which outlined the outcomes of the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) Pre-Appraisal undertaken as the first stage of a Strategic Transport Appraisal component of the Aberdeen City Region Deal.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee approve the draft interim Transport Planning Objectives identified in paragraph 3.8.2 and appendix 2 of the report, and advise the Aberdeen City Region Deal Joint Committee of the approval, if given.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice-Convener moved:-

            that the Committee:-

(1)     note the Aberdeen City Region Deal supports the development of a strategic transport appraisal to take a long-term strategic view of the transport implications of the investment unlocked by this Deal across modes of transport including road and rail;

(2)     note that in order to realise the full potential of the area a transport appraisal will take a 20-year strategic view of the transport implications of the investment unlocked by this Deal across all modes including road and rail;

(3)     note the scope of work will include addressing issues at key gateways into Aberdeen; enabling safe, reliable and attractive connections (road and public transport) along key strategic corridors which promote economic growth; tying together transport infrastructure and development planning/management, on a city/region basis; and facilitating the City Centre Masterplan; and

(4)     agree the draft interim Transport Planning Objectives identified in Paragraph 3.8.2 and Appendix 2 and agrees to ask the Aberdeen City Region Deal Joint Committee to approve the interim Transport Planning Objectives and to write to the Scottish Government asking for dialogue on a City Region Deal 2.

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

that the Committee:-

(1)     approve (1) to (3) of the motion by the Convener above; and

(2)     agree the draft interim Transport Planning Objectives identified in Paragraph 3.8.2 and Appendix 2 and agrees to ask the Aberdeen City Region Deal Joint Committee to approve the interim Transport Planning Objectives and to write to the Scottish Government, UK Government and Aberdeenshire Council asking for dialogue on a City Region Deal 2.

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 Dunbar, Flynn, Nicoll and Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

With reference to article 35 of the minute of meeting of the Communities, Housing and Infrastructure Committee of 25 August 2016, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – City Growth, which outlined the findings of five neighbourhood audits carried out in the regeneration areas in Middlefield, Woodside, Tillydrone, Torry and Seaton, on behalf of Aberdeen City Council, as part of the Progress Through Positive Partnerships project, and to approve proposed actions to address points raised in those reports.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the content of the five neighbourhood audit reports and overall report;

(b)       instruct the Chief Officer, City Growth, and the Chief Officer, Digital and Technology, (working with the Council’s Digital Partner) to develop and implement an app which can be used by Council employees, partner agencies, and members of the public to access information about support services available to them;

(c)       instruct the Chief Officer, City Growth, to work with partner organisations to investigate the feasibility of running regular neighbourhood career and support sessions in the regeneration areas; and

(d)       instruct the Chief Officer, City Growth, and the Internal and External Communications Manager to work with partner agencies to develop and deliver a marketing strategy to promote the availability of training and support services across the city.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to approve recommendation (a) above;

(ii)       to instruct the Chief Officer, City Growth, and the Chief Officer, Digital and Technology, (working with the Council’s Digital Partner) to develop and implement a digital solution which can be used by Council employees, partner agencies, and members of the public to access information about support services available to them;

(iii)      to note that following a refresh of Citizen Voice Panellists in 2017, approximately a third of respondents engage with Aberdeen City Council by paper.  Instruct the Chief Officer – Customer Experience and the Internal and External Communications Manager to bring back to the November 2018 meeting of this Committee an options appraisal, which includes financial implications, as to how Aberdeen City Council can better interact with citizens using non-digital platforms to provide them with information about support services available to them;

(iv)      to instruct the Chief Officer – City Growth to work with partner organisations to investigate the feasibility of running regular neighbourhood career and employability support sessions in the regeneration areas as part of the ESF-funded project; and to liaise with other services as to how they may be able to benefit from such activity and build on it to provide support and assistance to people who may no longer be able to return to employment, and report the findings, including cost implications for the non-ESF funded elements, back to a future meeting of this Committee; and

(v)       to instruct the Chief Officer – City Growth and the Internal and External Communications Manager to work with partner agencies to develop and deliver a marketing strategy to promote the availability of training and employability support services across the city  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

With reference to article 3 of the minute of meeting of the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee of 7 December 2016, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources, which provided details on the City Centre Living Strategy.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the City Centre Living Strategy;

(b)       instruct the Chief Officer – Corporate Landlord to consult with the local business community, developers and other key stakeholders on the City Centre Living Strategy; and

(c)       instruct the Director of Resources to report back to the 18 September 2018 meeting of this committee on the result of the consultation in conjunction with the current market engagement with landowners in Aberdeen in relation to proposals for the construction of Council housing as agreed by the Strategic Commissioning Committee on 30 April 2018.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice-Convener, moved:-

            That the Committee:-

(1)       note the City Centre Living Strategy;

(2)       note the approach taken by Edinburgh City Council in encouraging residential development in the city centre through promoting development opportunities;

(3)       agree Aberdeen City Council is committed to delivering and enabling the delivery of a vast amount of development and infrastructure in the city and requires continued commitment from other sectors, including the private sector, to support much needed development;

(4)       request that the report being submitted to the City Growth and Resources Committee in September 2018 will include the detail and implications of including Denburn Valley as one of the areas of development opportunity;

(5)       instruct the Chief Officer – Corporate Landlord to consult with the local business community, developers and other key stakeholders on the City Centre Living Strategy on the basis of 3.18 to 3.24 of the report; and

(6)       instruct the Director of Resources to report back to the 18 September 2018 meeting of this Committee on the result of the consultation in conjunction with the current market engagement with landowners in Aberdeen in relation to proposals for the construction of Council housing as agreed by the Strategic Commissioning Committee on 30 April 2018.

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

that the Committee:-

(1)       note the City Centre Living Strategy;

(2)       note the approach taken by Edinburgh City Council in encouraging residential development in the city centre through promoting development opportunities;

(3)       agree Aberdeen City Council is committed to delivering and enabling the delivery of an appropriate amount of development and infrastructure in the city and requires continued commitment from other sectors, including the private sector, to support much needed development;

(4)       request that the report being submitted to the City Growth and Resources Committee in September 2018 will include the detail and implications of including Denburn Valley as one of the areas of development opportunity;

(5)       instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to consult with the Local Business Community Developers and key stakeholders on the City Centre Living Strategy with the exception of the proposals to introduce a moratorium on developer obligations and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

MATTER OF URGENCY

The Convener accepted the following Notice of Motion as a matter of urgency in terms of Section 50(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as the sale was less than market value.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which provided details of an approach from Culter and District Mens Shed for the transfer of the former Cadet Hut in Peterculter for conversion by the community to a Mens Shed.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve in principle the transfer of the Former Cadet Hut, the Bush, Peterculter to Culter and District Mens Shed (PDMS) at below Market Value; and

(b)       provide delegated powers to the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to undertake the necessary due diligence and if satisfied instruct the Chief Officer - Governance to conclude the sale at the value offered by the Culter and District Mens Shed, incorporating other terms as necessary to protect the Council’s interest.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

MATTER OF URGENCY

The Convener accepted the following Notice of Motion as a matter of urgency in terms of Section 50(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as the instruction from the Capital Programme Committee on 23 May 2018 was to report to the meeting today.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Cooke declared an interest in the following item of business by virtue of his position as a council appointed Board member of Sport Aberdeen, he considered that the nature of his interest did not require him to leave the meeting during consideration of the item.

The original agenda has this item as exempt at item 10.8. There was no requirement for the item to be exempt.

With reference to article 4 of the minute of meeting of the Capital Programme Committee of 23 May 2018, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources, which provided details of a Notice of Motion by Councillor Jennifer Stewart relating to a feasibility inspection on the future use of the Hazlehead Swimming Pool site.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee take no further action in relation to re-opening Hazlehead Pool.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice-Convener, moved:-

that the Committee approve the recommendation contained within the report.

Councillor Greig, seconded by Councillor Cooke moved as an amendment:-

that the Committee:-

(1)       agree to reopen Hazlehead Pool permanently, subject to officers undertaking a further investigation to identify appropriate funding, and instructs the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to report to the meeting of this Committee on 18th September 2018 providing a business case and timetable and instruct the Chief Officer – Finance as part of that report to identify potential sources of funding so that the pool can be reopened as soon as possible; and

(2)       request funding of up to £50,000 to meet the cost of the business case, to be met from Corporate Contingency budget.

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 Cooke, Flynn, Greig and Nicoll.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

In accordance with the decision recorded under article 2 of this minute, the following items of business were considered with the press and public excluded.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Donnelly declared an interest in the following item of business by virtue of his position as a council appointed member of the Pensions Committee, he considered that the nature of his interest did not require him to leave the meeting during consideration of the item.

With reference to article 32 of the minute of meeting of the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee of 15 September 2015, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which sought consideration of a request received from admitted bodies of the North East Scotland Pension Fund for Aberdeen City Council to become a guarantor for their pension fund liabilities.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee approve that Aberdeen City Council act as guarantor for the organisation named in the report in respect of their North East Scotland Pension Fund liabilities.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Laing declared an interest in the following item of business by virtue of her position as a council appointed Board member of Aberdeen Inspire, she considered that the nature of her interest required her to leave the meeting and she took no part in the consideration of the item. Councillor Houghton substituted for Councillor Laing.

With reference to article 21 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 Director of Resources which sought the payment of a grant to Aberdeen Inspired as a contribution to Aberdeen in Colour project – Langstane Place.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve a funding contribution to Aberdeen Inspired of the sum identified within the report for the Aberdeen in Colour project – Langstane Place from the City Centre Masterplan budget within the non-housing capital programme; subject to (i) Aberdeen Inspired obtaining the appropriate planning consents and permissions for the project (excluding the pedestrian priority on Langstane Place which is not a precondition to funding); and (ii) the fulfilment of recommendation (b); and

(b)       delegate authority to the Head of Commercial and Procurement in consultation with the Chief Officer of Capital to issue a funding letter to Aberdeen Inspired to ensure the proper use of the funding contribution and to agree a satisfactory scheme of maintenance for in the lighting installation.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.  

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – City Growth which presented applications to Creative Funding and Year of Young People Creative Funding to allow a final funding decision to be made.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       considers the applications for Creative Funding and Year of Young People Creative Funding highlighted within the report and agree that no award should be made; and

(b)       note the awards that have been made under the Scheme of Delegation, which are detailed in Appendix 4 of the report and the process of allocating the remaining funds.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice-Convener, moved:-

            that the Committee approve the recommendations contained within the report.

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

            that the Committee –

(1)       in relation to the application from the organisation at 3.4.2 in the report, instructs the Chief Officer – City Growth to discuss with the organisation what practical or financial support the council could provide to the new festival and in conjunction with the Chief Officer – Finance provide such financial, practical or “in kind” support for this festival up to a value of £10,000 to be met from the remaining budget as identified in this report as deemed justified by both Chief Officers; and

(2)       otherwise approve the recommendations in the report.

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 Dunbar, Flynn, Greig and Nicoll.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

With reference to article 49 of the minute of meeting of the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee of 9 March 2017, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Operating Officer which sought approval for entering into a new three-year Bank Guarantee arrangement with Bank of Scotland in support of Aberdeen Science Centre’s financial position, linked to the establishment of a renewed Strategic Partnership Agreement between the Council and Aberdeen Science Centre.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee approves entry by the Council into a new Bank Guarantee arrangement with Bank of Scotland, in support of Aberdeen Science Centre’s overdraft and card guarantee facility, at a reduced level of the sum outlined in the report at 5.2.2, from 1st April 2018 to 31st March 2021.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

With reference to article 6 of the minute of meeting of the Property Sub Committee of 17 November 2015, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which provided an update on discussions with the local community regarding a potential Community Asset transfer of part of the development site at Cairnrobin and to recommend disposal of the whole development site.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the current position regarding discussions with the Community Group in relation to a potential Community Asset Transfer; and

(b)       recommend that the Chief Officer - Governance be instructed to conclude missives for the disposal of the larger site to the subjects identified within the report incorporating various appropriate qualifications as are necessary to protect the Council’s interests.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which sought approval for the acquisition of the subjects at 532 King Street, Aberdeen.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the proposed acquisition of the subjects at 532 King Street, Aberdeen; and

(b)       instruct the Chief Officer - Governance to conclude missives for the acquisition of the subjects incorporating various appropriate qualifications as are necessary to protect the Council’s interests.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which proposed business cases for delivery of 2,000 new Council houses and acquisition of ex-Council houses.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       authorise the Director of Resources to prepare business cases in relation to the following sites for the Council House Building Programme as listed in Appendix 1;

(b)       note the balance of the Council House Building Programme is expected to be delivered by the purchase of new build units from private landowners / developers;

(c)       notes that the £3million capital budget, agreed by the Council at its meeting on 15th March 2017, will continue to be used for meeting the initial development costs and will be picked up through the individual financial models for each site;

(d)       subject to approval of recommendation (a) above:-

(1)     agree to delegate authority to the Director of Resources, following consultation with the Convener and Vice-Convener of the City Growth and Resources Committee, to approve financial models for each project; including finalising sources and levels of funding (Council / HRA borrowing, Council 2nd Homes Grants, Scottish Government Grant, affordable housing developer contributions etc), prior to the awarding of any contracts, subject to each of the financial models being self- financing; and

(2)     agree to delegate authority to the Director of Resources, following consultation with the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord and Chief Officer - Governance, to agree the value of the sites for transfer from the Common Good and General Services accounts to the HRA account (and to make the transfers), and the purchase price of new build units from land owners / developers (and to make the purchases), and to seek Scottish Government consents as may be necessary;

(e)       instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to market the HRA site at East Woodcroft, Bridge of Don, based on its existing Planning status with a 25% affordable housing element with the resulting capital receipt being available to meet the due diligence and design costs already incurred with the balance to support the Council House Building Programme;

(f)        note that further reports will be submitted to the Strategic Commissioning Committee seeking delegated authority for tendering and contract awards for the sites listed at recommendation (a) above; and

(g)       agree to delegate authority to the Director of Resources, following consultation with the Convener and Vice-Convener of the City Growth and Resources Committee, to update the current policy and procedures for acquisition of ex-Council housing properties, to agree the purchase price of qualifying properties following consultation with the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord and Chief Officer - Governance, to make the property purchases (subject to the agreement of the respective owners) and to seek Scottish Government consents as may be necessary.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

MATTER OF URGENCY

The Convener accepted the following Notice of Motion as a matter of urgency in terms of Section 50(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as expenditure required approval.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which provided information of an approach by a company for financial support towards a development.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       reject the request for further grant support towards the development;

(b)       approve in principle the request to enter into a commercial loan agreement with the applicant for the finance necessary to complete their development as identified in the report; and

(c)       if recommendation (b) is acceptable to the Committee instruct to the Chief Officer – Finance to agree the detailed terms of the loan and instruct the Chief Officer – Commercial and Procurement and the Chief Officer - Governance to enter into such an agreement incorporating terms as necessary, including securities, to conclude the agreements to protect the Council’s interests.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

- COUNCILLOR DOUGLAS LUMSDEN, Convener