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=6189

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 item of business be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Section 50(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973:-

•           Item 9.3 - Credit Rating Annual Review.

The Committee resolved:-

to concur with the Convener.

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

(1)       the Convener, the Vice Convener, Councillor Laing, Councillor Boulton and Councillor Flynn declared an interest in item 10.5 (External Transportation Links to Aberdeen South Harbour Pre-Appraisal and STAG Part 1 Study) by virtue of them being Council appointed members and/or substitute members of the Aberdeen City Region Deal Joint Committee. It was noted that the Standards Commission provided dispensation for elected members and substitute elected members, as voting members of the City Region Deal Joint Committee, and as such, they do not have to remove themselves from the debate and any voting when discussions on the City Region Deal, its projects and funding, and/or recommendations from the City Region Deal Joint Committee comes before them at relevant Council meetings. The aforementioned elected members and substitute elected members (the Vice Convener and Councillor Flynn were substitute members) remained in the meeting for consideration of the item;

(2)       Councillor Laing declared an interest in item 9.2 (Corporate Debt Recovery and Service Income Policies) by virtue of her being a Council appointed Board member of Aberdeen Inspired. 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 this item; and

(3)       Councillor Flynn declared an interest in item 10.1 (Economic Policy Panel Annual Report 2018) by virtue of him being a Board member of Business Gateway. 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.

The Committee had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 18 September 2018 and Special Meeting of 31 October 2018.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to approve the minute of meeting of 18 September 2018, subject to amending article 7 (VisitAberdeenshire Destination Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire Tourism Strategy 2018 – 2023), resolution (ii) to read “that officers circulate meaningful data to members of benchmark information against KPIs including current meaningful data against future statistics so that impact could be measured”; and

(ii)       to approve the minute of meeting of 31 October 2018.

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

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to remove from the Planner (1) item 14 (A96 Collective Travel Study) as there were no decisions to be taken, therefore a Service Update would be circulated to members instead; (2) item 22 (Option for the Old AECC) as officers were to circulate a Private Briefing note to members prior to the meeting in November; and (3) item 58 (Policy that Specifies the Existing Granite Sett and Lock Block Streets - NOM Former Cllr Corall) as a report had been considered by the Operational Delivery Committee on 6 November 2018;

(ii)      to note the verbal updates provided by officers in relation to item 5 (Energy Plan for Aberdeen), item 7 (Creation of a Living Wall), item 18 (Capacities of Junctions Associated with the AWPR/B-T), item 19 (City Centre Masterplan Project EN10: Union Terrace Gardens) and item 21 (Balnagask Motte Regeneration);

(iii)      to note that a Service Update would instead be provided in relation to item 38 (Aberdeen Art Gallery - Visitor and Economic Impacts);

(iv)     to note the reasons contained in the Planner for the reporting delays in relation to item 4 (City Events 2019/20), item 5 (Energy Plan for Aberdeen), item 7 (Creation of a Living Wall), item 16 (External Funding Plan), item 18 (Capacities of Junctions Associated with the AWPR/B-T -  NOM Cllr Boulton), item 19 (City Centre Masterplan Project EN10: Union Terrace Gardens - Outline Design, Business Case, Development Costs and Procurement Strategy), item 20 (Staff Travel Policy), item 21 (Balnagask Motte Regeneration) and item 23 (Disposal of the former Cordyce School site); and

(v)      to agree to receive verbal updates in relation to item 22 (Option for the Old AECC) and item 23 (Disposal of the former Cordyce School site) under exempt business later in today’s meeting.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Governance, the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning, the Chief Officer – City Growth and the Chief Officer – Finance which presented the Cluster Risk Registers in accordance with the Risk Management Framework and Committee Terms of Reference.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the Cluster Risk Registers presented and the actions identified to control the risks contained therein.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which sought approval of the Corporate Debt Recovery Policy that clarified the approach to overall debt management in the Council and the Service Income Policy that covered statutory and discretionary income (fees and charges) received for goods and services provided by the Council.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the Corporate Debt Recovery Policy in Appendix 1 to this report;

(b)       approve the Service Income Policy in Appendix 2 to this report; and

(c)       approve that the policies be implemented from 1st January 2019.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to approve the recommendations;

(ii)       that officers circulate further details regarding the Scottish Choices initiative in relation to the effective education of customers in terms of Universal Credit;

(iii)      that officers circulate a briefing note in terms of staff pay dates being brought forward in 2018 (and the situation in 2019) including the possible impact this would have in relation to Universal Credit; and

(iv)      that officers were to investigate whether the appropriate right of appeal information (including suitable timeframes) was issued to people in relation to bus lane charge notices and that confirmation be circulated to members of the Committee in this regard.

MATTER OF URGENCY

The Convener intimated that he had directed in terms of Section 50(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, that the following item be considered as a matter of urgency to ensure that the outcome of the credit rating annual review would be made available to the committee as soon as possible following publication.

With reference to article 14 of the minute of meeting of the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee of 1 December 2017, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which provided an overview of the recent credit rating annual review and report on the outcome of the review.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the outcome of the annual review was affirmation of the Aa3 rating with a stable outlook.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

With reference to article 22 of the minute of meeting of the Council of 15 March 2017, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – City Growth which provided information on the publication and main findings of the first annual report by the Economic Policy Panel, an independent panel formed to advise on the city region’s economic performance.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the policy panel’s first annual report;

(b)       instruct the Chief Officer - City Growth, following consultation with the Panel, to undertake a review of the first annual report with a view to identifying scope for the future development of the report;

(c)       note the recommendations of the policy panel and to approve the officers proposed response to each recommendation in 3.7;

(d)       instruct the Chief Officer - City Growth, following consultation with the other Panel members, to recruit a new member immediately; and

(e)       instruct the Chief Executive to explore how Scottish local government pension funds could invest locally, with specific reference to the strategic infrastructure priorities identified in the Regional Economic Strategy, City Region Deal and City Centre Masterplan.

The Chief Officer – City Growth sought approval to amend recommendation (c) above to read as follows:-

(c)     note the recommendations of the policy panel as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report and to approve the officers proposed response to each.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the amendment to recommendation (c).

The Convener, seconded by the Vice Convener moved:-

            that the Committee:-

(a)          note the policy panel’s first annual report and agree to the Council holding an economic policy conference each year in November;

(b)          instruct the Chief Officer - City Growth, following consultation with the Panel, to undertake a review of the first annual report with a view to identifying scope for the future development of the report;

(c)          note the recommendations of the policy panel in appendix 1 and to approve the officers proposed response to recommendations, with a Service Update being provided by the Chief Officer - City Growth, by the 25th April 2019 to members of the City Growth and Resources Committee noting progress on each recommendation;

(d)          instruct the Chief Officer - City Growth, following consultation with the other Panel members, to recruit a new member immediately;

(e)          instruct the Chief Executive to explore how Scottish local government pension funds could invest locally, with specific reference to the strategic infrastructure priorities identified in the Regional Economic Strategy, City Region Deal and City Centre Masterplan with the Chief Officer - Finance providing a report on this matter to the 7th February 2019 City Growth and Resources Committee;

(f)           to instruct the Chief Executive to forward the Economic Panel’s first annual report to the Secretary of State for Scotland, The First Minister, The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work, to the Leaders of all other political parties at the Scottish Parliament and MP’s and MSP’s who represent Aberdeen and the North East  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning which provided information on the review of the Council’s progress against the Fairtrade Resolution 2017 and sought approval to support the renewal of Aberdeen’s Fairtrade City status in collaboration with the Aberdeen Fairtrade Steering Group.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note Aberdeen City Council’s on–contract spend on fair trade produce;

(b)      note the actions completed by Aberdeen City Council to support the Fairtrade Resolution;

(c)      approve the updated Fairtrade Resolution 2018 (Appendix 1 of the report); and

(d)      approve Aberdeen City Council’s support for and input to the renewal application for Fairtrade City Status.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 13 of the minute of meeting of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee of 31 January 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – City Growth which sought approval of the reviewed Policy for Collections Development relating to the activities of the Art Gallery and Museums in line with requirements for Museum Accreditation.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee approve the adoption of the updated policy and associated appendices to ensure the council complies with Museum Accreditation requirements (Collections Development Policy 2018-2023; Appendices A-I inclusive).

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

With reference to article 21 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 Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning which sought approval of the mandatory Climate Change Report submission to the Scottish Government to ensure compliance with the requirements of Part 4 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. The report was due for submission by 30 November 2018 covering the financial year 2017/18.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the submission of the Climate Change Report, as set out within the appendices, to the Scottish Government; and

(b)       to request that the Chief Executive signs off the submission.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Nicoll declared an interest in the following item of business by virtue of his position as a council appointed member of North East of Scotland Transportation Partnership Board (NESTRANS). The Vice Convener and Councillor Yuill also declared their interest as council appointed substitute members of NESTRANS. All three Councillors considered that the nature of their interest did not require them to leave the meeting during consideration of the item.

With reference to article 32 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 Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning which (1) outlined the outcomes of the External Transportation Links to the Aberdeen South Harbour Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) Pre-Appraisal and STAG Part 1 Appraisal report; and (2) sought approval for recommended options to be taken forward to a STAG Part 2 Appraisal.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      approve the recommended options resulting from the External Transportation Links to the Aberdeen South Harbour Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) Pre-Appraisal and STAG Part 1 Appraisal Report, as detailed in the table at Section 3.9, subject to approval by the UK Government and Scottish Government; and

(b)      instruct the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning to conduct a STAG Part 2 Appraisal on those options and to report the outcomes to this Committee upon completion, conduct of that Appraisal being subject to prior approval by the Strategic Commissioning Committee of the total estimated expenditure in relation to that Appraisal,

The Convener, seconded by the Vice Convener moved:-

          that the Committee –

(a)        approve the recommendations; and

(b)        recognises the community concerns in relation to some options but appreciate that the recommended options must be subject to an evidence-based appraisal to minimise the risk of a successful challenge to the option ultimately selected.

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

that the Committee –

(a)      approve the recommended options resulting from the External Transportation Links to the Aberdeen Harbour Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) Pre-Appraisal and STAG Part 1 Appraisal Report, as detailed in the table at section 3.9 of the committee report, with the exception of options A2 and A5, which the committee agree to reject, subject to the approval by the UK Government and the Scottish Government; and

(b)      instruct the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning to conduct a STAG Part 2 Appraisal on the remaining options; A3, A4, B1, B2, C1 and C3 respectively and to report the outcomes to this Committee upon completion of that Appraisal.

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.

At this juncture, Councillor Townson substituted for Councillor Flynn.

With reference to article 15 of the minute of meeting of the City Growth and Resources Committee of 19 June 2018, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – City Growth which (1) provided information on the findings of an investigation into the feasibility of running regular neighbourhood career and employability support sessions in the regeneration areas as part of the European Structural Fund projects; and (2) sought to encourage project participation through enhanced communications.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the findings of the feasibility study and Seaton pilot project, and instruct the Chief Officer - City Growth, to continue to work with partners to develop employability sessions in the city’s other regeneration areas; and

(b)      note the project communications plan (Appendix 1 of the report) and instruct the Chief Officer - City Growth, to work with the Communication and Marketing Manager to further develop with partners and roll-out the activity detailed.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 15 of the minute of meeting of the City Growth and Resources Committee of 19 June 2018, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – City Growth which provided information on the proposed extension to the Progress Through Positive Partnerships programme until December 2022.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note that the Council intends entering into a further European Social Fund grant agreement with the Scottish Government to ensure continued delivery of the Progress through Positive Partnerships programme until December 2022.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

In accordance with the decision recorded under article 4(v) of this minute, the following item of business was considered with the press and public excluded in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to avoid disclosure of information of the classes described in paragraphs 6 and 9 of Schedule 7(A) to the Act.

At this juncture, Councillor Flynn replaced Councillor Townson for the following item.

The Committee received an update from the Director of Resources in relation to the Disposal of Former Cordyce School Site and the old Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre Site.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the information provided.

-           COUNCILLOR DOUGLAS LUMSDEN, Convener.