Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Convener welcomed the new External Adviser, Edward Obi, to his first meeting of the Committee.

Mr Obi introduced himself.  He explained that he was Chairman of an ethnic minority group in Aberdeen and thanked the Committee for the opportunity to contribute.

The Convener spoke about the recent Black History Month event hosted by the Council with the Theme of ‘Saluting Our Sisters’, which had paid homage to black women whose contributions has been ignored, ideas appropriated and voices silenced.  He congratulated the Development Officer – Equalities, and the Equalities Team who worked on the event.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the remarks.

There was no Urgent Business.

There was no Exempt Business.

Members were requested to intimate any Declarations of Interest or Transparency Statements in respect of the items on the agenda.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)     to note that Councillor Brooks advised that he had a connection in relation to agenda items 9.1 (Population Needs Assessment) and 9.2 (External Advisers' Report) as he was founder and Chairman of the TLC Charity which was part of the Trussell Trust family of food banks however, having applied the objective test he did not consider that his connection amounted to an interest which would prevent him from participating in the discussion on the items;

(ii)    to note that the Convener advised that he had a connection in relation items 9.1 and 9.2 as he was a Council appointed representative to Community Food Initiatives North East (CFINE) Board, Aberdeen Foyer and Fairer Aberdeen Fund Board and Chair of the Granite City Good Food Steering Group, however, having applied the objective test he did not consider that his connections amounted to an interest which would prevent him from participating in the discussion on the item; and

(iii)   to note that Dr John Bone had a connection with item 9.2 as he was a Director of CFINE, however having applied the objective test he did not consider that his connections amounted to an interest which would prevent him from participating in the discussion on the item.

The Committee had before it the minute of the previous meeting of 30 August  2023.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute.

The Committee had before it the planner of committee business, as prepared by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance (Assurance).

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to note the reasons outlined in the planner for the delay to item 12 (Integrated Children's Services Plan - Annual Update); and

(ii)          to otherwise note the Planner.

The Committee had before it a report presenting the 2023 Population Needs Assessment for Aberdeen City.

At this juncture, Councillor Yuill made a transparency statement by virtue of his position as an NHS Grampian Board Member, however, having applied the objective test he did not consider that his connection amounted to an interest which would prevent him from participating in the discussion on the item.

The Corporate Strategy and Community Planning Manager introduced the report and responded to questions from Members.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the Population Needs Assessment 2023 as contained at Appendix 1 of the report.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to note from the report that, while all households in Scotland will be affected by increases in the cost of living, a report by the Scottish Government suggests that it is those with lower incomes and little or no savings who will be most impacted as they spend a higher proportion than average on energy, food and transport and they therefore have less flexibility in their budget to cope with price rises. Therefore, to agree that a Council Tax freeze can only be supported if it is fully funded by the Scottish Government; and

(ii)          to otherwise note the report.

The Committee had before it an update report prepared by the Locality Inclusion Manager and External Advisers regarding (1) a joint workshop with the Anti-Poverty Outcome Improvement Group on 19 September 2023 to begin the process of refreshing the Local Outcome Improvement Plan; and (2) a bid led by Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations (ACVO) - which the external advisors had been involved in along with a group of third sector and public partners - to the Scottish Government Cash First fund. The outcome of the bid had been expected to be known by the end of October 2023.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the report from the External Advisers.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the information provided.

The Committee had before it annual report of the Anti Poverty and Inequality Committee.

The report recommended:

that the Committee:

(a)          provide comments and observations on the data contained within the annual report; and

(b)          note the annual report of the Anti Poverty and Inequality Committee.

The Convener moved, seconded by Councillor Greig:- that the Committee approve the recommendations.

Councillor Tissera, seconded by Councillor Malik, moved as an amendment:- that the Committee:

(1)         agree that anti-poverty is already dealt with by Community Planning Aberdeen and that eradication of poverty involves many differing agencies all of which are part of Community Planning Aberdeen; and

(2)         agree to recommend to Council that the Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee should be disbanded as part of the next review of the Scheme of Governance in 2024.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (7) – the Convener, and Councillors Clark, Davidson, Greig, Hutchison, Mennie and Radley; for the amendment (3) – Councillors Malik, Tissera and Watson; declined to vote (2) – Councillors Brooks and Kusznir.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to note that the Director - Customer Services would begin dialogue with partners in respect of the provision of Warm Spaces and in particular the former staff canteen at the Town House; and

(ii)          to otherwise adopt the motion.

- COUNCILLOR CHRISTIAN ALLARD, Convener.