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=6185&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 advised the Committee of a deputation request from Fiona Lindsay, Powis Residents Group, relating to item 9.6 on the agenda (Bedford Avenue Access).

The Committee resolved:-

to note the request for deputation.

The Committee had before it the minute of the previous meeting of 19 April 2018, for approval.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute as a correct record.

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 agree to remove items 2 (subsidised transport and safe walking routes to Lochside Academy – Bus Services; 8 (various small scale traffic management development associated proposals stage 3; 9 (Bedford Avenue Access); 14 (Roads Winter Maintenance Operations 2017-18; 15 (Carers Act); 16 (Revisions of Driveway Policy; 17 (42 and 44/48 King’s Crescent Barrier); 19 (Scotland’s New Health and Social Care Standards and 20 (Performance Report);

(ii)          to agree to remove items 12 (Property Level Flood Protection Grant Scheme) and 18 (One Stop Employability Shop), once Service Updates are received and circulated; and

(iii)         to otherwise note the Committee Business Planner.

The Committee heard from Fiona Lindsay, Powis Residents Group, who spoke about the residents’ situation in regards to the Bedford Road access for vehicles. 

Ms Lindsay requested the Committee to consider allowing residents access in and out of the area via the Bedford Road Bus Gate by adding the 160 cars from the area to the white list which had already been developed and would be used by the taxis and as a result there would be little cost implications to take forward.

Ms Lindsay highlighted that the situation was unique and the bridge onto Great Northern Road was so congested it was difficult for residents to exit their properties.  Ms Lindsay also advised that since McDonalds and Pure Gym had been in operation at the Retail Park, the traffic situation lasted into the evening and not just at rush hour.

Member then asked questions of Ms Lindsay.

The Convener thanked the deputation for her contribution.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Operating Officer, which provided information on a previous Committee decision at Communities Housing and Infrastructure on 8 November 2017 in regards to the Bedford Avenue Access.

The report advised that the Committee decision was noted as:-

To instruct the Head of Public Infrastructure and Environment to investigate the feasibility of creating a left turn exit from Bedford Avenue onto St Machar Drive, with access permitted for cars registered at properties on Powis Crescent, Powis Circle and Bedford Avenue only, and report back to CHI in March 2018.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)  Note that the introduction of a barrier exit onto St Machar Drive is technically feasible;

(b)   Acknowledge that there is not sufficient justification for the implementation of these measures at this time, as traffic figures suggest that there would be limited use of such a facility out with peak times on the road network;

(c)  Notes that the provision of a route for specific residential areas would set an undesirable precedent throughout the city; and

(d)   Agrees not to proceed with measures detailed in this report at this time and instructs officers to monitor the performance of the traffic signals at the Bedford Road/Powis Terrace junction.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice Convener moved:-

That the item be approved, in line with the recommendation contained within the report.

Councillor McLellan, seconded by Councillor Hutchison, moved as an amendment:-

(a)  To note that the introduction of a barrier exit onto St Machar Drive is technically
feasible.

(b)  To acknowledge that there is not sufficient justification for the implementation of
these measures at this time, as traffic figures suggest that there would be limited use of such a facility out with peak times on the road network;

(c)  To instruct the Director of Operations to bring forward a report to the earliest possible meeting of the Committee on a suitable window for implementing Timed Restriction at the Bedford Road busgate and how the Council could implement a local residents exemption scheme for the busgate. The report should address the possibility of opening the busgate overnight. This report should be done in consultation with local residents, community councils, local businesses, Sunnybank Primary School, Sunnybank School PTA, Powis Residents Group, the University of Aberdeen, local members and other relevant bodies; and

(d)  To note that the Committee had previously agreed to allow taxis through the busgate using Automatic Number Plate Recognition.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (8) – the Convener, the Vice Convener and Councillors Delaney, Lesley Dunbar, Lumsden, Macdonald, Avril MacKenzie and Jennifer Stewart; for the amendment (5) Councillors Cooke, Jackie Dunbar, Flynn, Hutchison and McLellan.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion and therefore approve the recommendations contained within the report.

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 Members provide comments and observations on the performance information contained in the report and highlight any indicators or areas of service they would like to see featured in future reports

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to offer congratulations to the Building Services team for continually exceeding their targets;

(ii)          to request that a report be brought back to identify any skills shortages within the roads and infrastructure service and to look at ways of retaining staff;

(iii)         to request that a report be brought to the Staff Governance Committee, to investigate what initiatives could be used to recruit and retain lorry drivers; and

(iv)         to request that a Service Update be prepared and circulated in regards to the new and revised methodology used to examine void properties within the Council;

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Operating Officer, which provided assurance that the delivery of Children’s Services was compliant with the new Health and Social Care Standards which were published in June 2017 and came into effect on 1 April 2018.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee –

(a )  notes the content of the report; and

(b)  endorses the next steps outlined in paragraphs 3.19-3.21 as contained within the report.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations contained within the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Operating Officer which sought approval of the Aberdeen City Carer’s Strategy – A Life Alongside Caring.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

a)            approve the final draft of the Aberdeen City Carers Strategy;

b)            approve the next steps in relation to the launch and implementation of the Aberdeen City Carers Strategy;

c)            instruct officers to bring back further detail to the Strategic Commissioning Committee in September 2018 of the resolution of the funding prioritisation and allocation process of the grant funding and proposals for the commissioning of additional services for young carers when confirmed; and

d)            instructs officers to bring back to a future meeting of the Committee in early 2019, an update on the implementation of the Strategy and the subsequent development of services for Young Carers.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations contained within the report

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Operating Officer, which provided an overview of the strategy that the roads operations operated throughout the city during the winter of 2017/18.  The report also highlighted opportunities to develop the service and risks that the winter service face in the next 24 months.  Finally the report requested authorisation to incur additional expenditure to develop areas of the service.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee –

a)            note that there was an additional expenditure of £149,000 on de--icing salt to ensure the City Council respond to the extreme winter weather conditions in 2017/18;

b)            instruct officers to examine the possible benefits and savings achievable through route optimisation and automated gritting;

c)            instruct that the Chief Officer Digitial & Technology explores available options for vehicle location and history technologies as part of the “Being Digital Strategy” and presents any recommendations to Committee before winter 2018;

d)            instruct the Chief Operating Officer to continue with the comparison of similar urban authorities winter services both in terms of operation and cost;

e)            to instruct officers to incorporate where appropriate, within the Winter Services Plan for 2018-19, those recommendations in relevant documents such as “Well Managed Highway Infrastructure” and other relevant documents such as the SCOTS Winter Service Subgroup advice not already included in the Winter Service Plan 2017-18;

f)             instruct officers to examine the implications of the anticipated additional maintenance burden for the winter maintenance provision from the de-trunking of sections of the A90/A96 following completion of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Road and to reduce the cost implications of this where possible;

g)            instruct the Chief Operating Officer to invest £40,000 from the winter maintenance budget in the purchase and maintenance of up to 20 large grit bins to be located in communal areas across the city in preparation for the 2018-19 winter period; and

h)            instruct the Chief Operating Officer to review the footway treatment regime, reporting back to Committee as part of the 2018-19 Roads Winter Operational Plan;

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to approve the recommendations contained with the report;

(ii)          in regards to the grit bins in twenty various locations, to request that officers look at what can be done for people who cannot drive to the grit bins, to be included in the follow up report;

(iii)         to request that the media launch in regards to the salt bags be carried out earlier in the year, possibly September;

(iv)         to request that officers look at the procedures and priorities for dealing with icy conditions and to ensure that Sheltered Housing complexes are treated as priority; and

(v)          to thank all those involved for their huge efforts during the winter months in challenging conditions and to congratulate them on the programme of work undertaken.

The Convener accepted the following remit from the Education Operational Delivery as a matter of urgency in terms of Section 50(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as a subsequent report in regards to the same matter was on the agenda.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Operating Officer, which advised on the routing of the bus services for pupils accessing Lochside Academy and on the outcome of the tendering exercise for supported bus services for accessing Lochside Academy.

The report recommended:-

a)            to note the routes to be operated by bus services for pupils accessing Lochside Academy;

b)            to note the outcome of the tendering exercise for supported bus services for accessing Lochside Academy;

c)            to instruct the Chief Officer of Strategic Place Planning to provide a Service Update report in July detailing the final routings of First Aberdeen services 3 and 18;

d)            to instruct the Chief Officer for Operations and Protective Services not to progress with a puffin crossing on Cove Road at this time and to arrange for a follow up survey to be undertaken post opening of the school.  The results of which should be reported as a Service Update;

e)            to instruct the Chief Officer for Operations and Protective Services to progress with the implementation of a puffin crossing on Earns Heugh Road in proximity to its junction with Langdykes Road;

f)             to note the proposed costs of upgrading the path between Charleston Drive and Charleston Crescent and if members are of the opinion that the path should be created, it should be referred to the budget process for 2019/20, to appropriate the necessary funds;

g)            to instruct the Chief Officer for Operations and Protective Services to proceed with the installation of the lighting on South Loirston Road;

h)            to note that Core Path 82 will be upgraded as per the planning conditions; and

i)             to instruct the Chief Officer for Operations and Protective Services to progress with implementing the necessary measures on the ground in relation to the loading ban on Wellington Circle.

The referral from Educational Operational Delivery stated that:-

(1)  Instructs the Chief Officer for Operations and Protective Services to proceed with the installation of a puffin crossing on Cove Road between its junctions with Charleston Road and Cove Crescent using funding from the Lochside Academy Infrastructure capital budget to an estimated cost of £35,000;

(2)  Notes the proposed costs of upgrading the path between Charleston Drive and Charleston Crescent and instructs the works be undertaken at the earliest opportunity to meet the opening of Lochside Academy in August this year using funding from the Bus Lane Enforcement – 2019/20;

(3)  Instruct the Chief Officer of Operations and Protective Services to proceed with the installation of the lighting along South Loirston Road and commence the flood alleviation works required on that part of the road near to Dunlin Road using funding from the Infrastructure Capital budget to an estimated cost of £5,000;

(4)  Notes that as a Planning Condition works were required to provide a formalised path between West Tullos Road and Abbotswell Crescent near the Northsound Radio building.  Further notes that this Condition formed part of the safe walking routes to Lochside Academy for pupils attending the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Operating Officer which provided information on the proposed revisions to the Driveway Regulations to reduce the stringency of driveway requirements where road safety would not be compromised and to make the application process easier for customers.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

a)            agrees the revised Driveway Regulations as updated in Appendix 1 of the report; and

b)            instructs the relevant officers to apply the revised Driveway Regulations and Driveway Application going forward.

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

That the item be approved in line with the recommendations contained within the report.

Councillor Delaney, moved as an amendment:-

That the item be deferred for one cycle in order to consult with the Disability Equity Partnership.

Councillor Delaney’s amendment failed to attract a seconder and was therefore not put to the vote.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations as contained within the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Operating Officer which provided information on objections that had been lodged with respect to proposed Traffic Regulation Orders.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

a)            acknowledge the nine objections received as part of the statutory consultation;

b)            in relation to the “Aberdeen City Council (Cromwell Gardens, Aberdeen) (Prohibiting of Waiting) Order 201 (X), to overrule the objections received and approve this order be made as originally envisaged; and

c)            instruct officers to take no further action at this point regarding the existing restrictions on Cromwell Gardens.

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

That the item be approved in line with the recommendations contained within the report.

Councillor Greig, moved as an amendment:-

1.    to note the 9 objections received;

2.    to not approve the order “The Aberdeen City Council (Cromwell Gardens, Aberdeen (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 201(X)”; and

3.    to instruct the Chief Officer - Operations and Protective Servicesto review the parking restrictions in Cromwell Gardens and to report back to Operational Delivery Committee in January 2019.

Councillor Greig’s amendment failed to attract a seconder and was therefore not put to the vote.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations as contained within the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources, which provided information on the possibility of the land between 42 and 44-48 Kings Crescent being adopted to the public road network or other options to improve the lane to an adoptable standard and confirmed what actions have been taken to remove the barrier that had been erected at the lane.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee –

(a)  Notes that the section of road is confirmed as not built to an adoptable standard;

(b)  Confirms that the Council has no intention of adopting it;

(c)  Note that access to the road had not been restricted since notice was served on the owner of the barrier; and

(d)  note that the land is surplus to Council requirement.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to approve recommendations 1, 2 and 3 as contained within the report;

(ii)          to instruct the Chief Officer - Governance to use all appropriate legal means available to the Council to remove the barrier and allow free movement of access;

(iii)         to reaffirm the decision of Council on 23rd August 2017 that no attempt should be made to sell the lane between 42 and 44/48 King's Crescent; and

(iv)         to request that the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning, liaise with the appropriate officers to ensure the site is kept clean and tidy and free from fly tipping.

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 considered a request for rehousing from a current tenant outwith the current allocations policy.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee approve priority rehousing to a three bedroom flatted accommodation in the Kincorth area or an area of similar letting demand.

The Committee heard from Councillor Nicoll as a local member, who spoke in support of the application.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation as contained within the report.