Agenda, decisions and minutes

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be located at the following link:-

https://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=619&MId=6180&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 8.1 on the agenda, Marchburn Park, with the press and public excluded.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to agree that item 8.1 on the agenda, would be held in private with the press and public excluded; and

(ii)          to agree that a redacted version of the report would be made available by the end of the following week.

The Vice Convener, Councillor Grant declared an interest in regards to item 7.3 on the agenda Windmill Brae, Langstane Place, Justice Mill Lane – Night time Pederstrianisation.  Councillor Grant advised that he would leave the meeting when this item was being discussed and would take no part in the determination of the item.

Councillor Cooke declared an interest in the same item, as he knew residents who lived in the area.  Councillor Cooke intimated that he would remain in the meeting during consideration of the item.

There has been a request for deputation in regards to item 8.1 – Marchburn Road

The Clerk advised the Committee of a deputation request from Alison Gray, Natalie Davidson and Sharon Munro relating to item 8.1 (Marchburn Park)

The Committee resolved:-

to note the request for deputation.

The Committee heard from Alison Gray, Natalie Davidson and Sharon Munro who spoke about their situation as residents at Marchburn Park.  Ms Gray advised that they had to move out from their properties and sought answers to their questions.  Ms Gray explained that they first raised concerns about the building in 2013 by telephone.  They also emailed their concerns to the Council in 2014.  Ms Gray intimated that they wished to ascertain why it took so long to move residents from their properties.

The Convener thanked the ladies for their contribution.

The Committee had before it the committee business planner as prepared by the Chief Officer – Governance.  Members asked a number of questions in respect of items on the planner.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to note that in regards to the Haudigan Improvement Scheme, that an update report would be issued every cycle going forward, and a report would be issued within two weeks in regards to the current progress;

(ii)          to request that officers advise Councillor MacRae outwith the meeting, as to what Committee his Notice of Motion had been allocated.

(iii)         to request that an update be issued in due course in regards to the Toilet Facilities in the City Centre for Disabled and Older People with Medical Conditions;

(iv)         to request that an update be reported in due course in regards to the Notice of Motion by Councillor Nicoll, for the effectiveness of Existing Measures of Road Safety Around Schools; and

(v)          to otherwise note the Committee Business Planner.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Operating Officer and the Director of Customer, which provided Members with a summary of the key performance measures relating to the Operations Directorate.  Appended to the report were the performance summary dashboard and the performance analysis of exceptions.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee provides comments and observations on the performance information and highlight any indicators or areas of service they would like to see featured in future reports.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to note that the Chief Operating Officer would liaise with colleagues in  HR in regards to the Scottish average in terms of mental health issues in the workplace, to ascertain if the Council could be doing anything differently;

(ii)          to note that the Chief Operating Officer would investigate what training was available to managers in regards to mental health issues in the workplace;

(iii)         to request that the Chief Operating Officer provide a circulation to Members in due course with information on agency staff and the overspend on the budget for agency staff;

(iv)         to request that officers report back in regards to the vehicle, plant and equipment accidents indicator being 76 in January 2018, to ascertain if there was a reason for this;

(v)          to request that the Chief Officer – Customer, look at  (a) whether there had been an increase in Housing Benefit Claims and (b) establishing an indicator for the length of a phonecall;

(vi)         to request that officers look at the 2017-18 target figure of 74% for road and infrastructure services satisfaction and how this compared with the Scottish average; and

(vii)        to otherwise note the performance report.

We the undersigned petition the Council to build a protected bicycle path on Union Street Aberdeen so that people of all ages and capabilities can ride bikers in safety.  The protected path must be separated from motor vehicles by a physical barrier.

The Committee had before it the following petition which had been submitted by the lead petitioner, Ms Rachel Martin.

“We the undersigned petition the Council to build a protected bicycle path on Union Street Aberdeen so that people of all ages and capabilities can ride bikes in safety.  The protected path must be separated from motor vehicles by a physical barrier.”

The Convener explained the process and invited the petitioners to present their case to the Committee.

Ms Martin explained that as a cyclist, it was very unpleasant to be on the road with large vehicles behind and asked the Committee to think of people of all ages when thinking about cyclists, from school children to elderly people.  She highlighted that having a safe space available for cyclists was one of the most important factors in people’s decision to ride a bike.

Ms Martin made reference to a government study which found that for every £1 spent on cycling infrastructure, £5.50 was returned back to the community in benefits.

Ms Martin also explained that Union Street was at the heart of Aberdeen and was polluted due to the over use of vehicles, which could be helped with the use of cycle lanes.  A segregated cycle path would encourage many users and noted that active travel was very important.  Ms Martin also indicated that a cycle path on Union Street could be the start of many cycle paths in Aberdeen. 

Ms Martin advised that she had generated a lot of support with her petition and concluded that a segregated cycle lane would be a great asset to both Union Street and Aberdeen.

Members then asked the petitioner a number of questions whereby Ms Martin advised that she would forward a link to the clerk for dissemination to Members in regards to the cost benefit analysis for cycling infrastructure.

Members then asked Joanna Murray, Team Leader Transportation Strategy and Programmes a number of questions.  Ms Murray advised that as part of the City Centre Masterplan, a draft sustainable plan report had been brought together.  Ms Murray explained that the report identified Union Street as one for pedestrians only and the principle of segregated facilities had been established through the active plan.

The Committee resolved:-

to request that a report be brought back to Committee in regards to the feasibility of cycle paths on Union Street, subject to consultation from the City Centre Masterplan, and to include information on a potential dedicated segregated cycle lane.

With reference to article 22 of the Education and Children’s Services Committee meeting of 22 June 2017, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Operating Officer on the financial implications of continuing care.

The Committee heard from Anne Donaldson, Lead Service Manager, Operations, who answered questions from Members.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the financial information provided in the report.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

The Vice Convener, Councillor Grant declared an interest in the following item, by virtue of his employment at Aberdeen Inspired.  Councillor Grant withdrew from the meeting during consideration and took no part in the deliberation thereafter.  Councillor Cooke declared an interest, as he knew residents who lived in the area.  Councillor Cooke remained in the meeting during consideration of the item.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Operating Officer which provided information on the initial feedback from the informal consultation on the Justice Mill Lane/Langstane Place/Windmill Brae night time pedestrianisation plans and also outlined the detailed proposals and sought permission to progress the statutory procedure to establish the Traffic Regulation Orders required to bring the proposals into effect.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)  approve the outline principle of the proposals to introduce a pedestrianised zone (no motor vehicles) between 10pm and 5am, 7 days a week, on Justice Mill Lane, Bon Accord Terrace (part of), Langstane Place (part of), Gordon Street (part of), Windmill Brae, Windmill Lane, Bath Street and Bridge Street (part of), with exemptions for cyclists, blue badge holders and also to allow access to off-street car parks;

(b)  approve the outline principle of the proposals for the 24 hour pedestrianisation of Langstane Place between Dee Street and Crown Street, with a timed exemption for delivery by goods vehicles between 6am and 11am Monday to Friday;

(c)  approve the outline principle of the proposals for the introduction of a one-way restriction on Windmill Brae;

(d)  approve the outline principle for the proposed reintroduction of pay and display parking bays on the east side of Dee Street, with the conversion of 3 existing pay and display bays on the west side to blue badge holders only;

(e)  instruct the Chief Officer Operations and Protective Services to commence the necessary legal procedure of initial consultation with Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Service, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Public Transport Operators, Freight Transport Association, Road Haulage Association and any other organisations representing persons likely to be affected by any provision in the order as the authority considers appropriate eg Community Councils, Aberdeen Cycle Forum, Disability Equity Partnership etc.  If no objections are received then progress to the public advertisement;

(f)   following the public advertisement, if there are no objections, the Traffic Regulations Orders may be made by way of delegated authority.  In the event of objection(s) being lodged, instruct officers to report the results to a future meeting of this Committee;

The Committee heard from Ross Stevenson, Operations and Protective Services, who answered various questions from Members.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to approve the recommendations as contained within the report;

(ii)          to agree with the principle of City Centre Masterplan Project EN03;

(iii)         however, regrets that the available pedestrian usage data derives from traffic surveys which were carried out in 2015;

(iv)         further regrets that no data has been provided on the number of vehicles using the road during the travel periods proposed, and that this does not therefore provide any clarity regarding residential or commercial access usage;

(v)          to instruct the Chief Officer – Operations & Protective Services to request footfall data from the local businesses and Aberdeen Inspired to provide validation for the 2015 pedestrian survey figures and include them in a future report back to Committee; and

(vi)         to instruct the Chief Officer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

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

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Customer, which provided information relating to properties in 3, 8 and 15 Marchburn Park, and to provide assurance on the Council’s actions to resolve the situation in regards to the vibration of these buildings.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee notes the circumstances and actions taken by the Council.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to approve the recommendation;

(ii)          to instruct the Chief Officer (Early Intervention and Community Empowerment) to bring a report to committee within 6 months providing an update in respect of items 3.11, 3.18, 4.2, 5.1 and 5.2 of this report; and

(iii)         to instruct the Chief Officer (Early Intervention and Community Empowerment) to bring a report to the Audit Risk and Scrutiny Committee following conclusion of all matters detailed within this report.

-       Councillor John Wheeler, Convener