Agenda, decisions and minutes

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be found here.

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 Committee had before it the minute of the previous meeting of 17 January 2023, for approval. 

The Committee resolved:-

(i)              to request that officers provide a response to members in relation to item 9 resolution (i) whereby officers were to review the situation in regards to the vacant shop units at Logie Place and to send the information by way of email to members, as well as the local members for Northfield/Mastrick; and

(ii)             to otherwise approve the minute as a correct record.

The Committee had before it the committee business planner as prepared by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)              to request that in relation to item 6 on the planner, Protests and Processions, that officers provide further information to members by way of email with any further update and when this item could be expected to be reported to Committee;

(ii)             to note the reason for the delay for item 9 (Capital Programme of Works);  and

(iii)            to otherwise note the information contained in the business planner. 

The Committee heard from Mr Andy Buchan, Scottish Fire and Rescue, who provided a verbal update on the service provided by Scottish Fire and Rescue.

Members asked a number of questions of Mr Buchan, relating namely to water safety, fire raising in the city, partnership working and contamination.

Mr Buchan provided details on an initiative that had been established from Scottish Fire and Rescue, a Fire Skills Course, which was an initiative working with local schools to identify school pupils who would benefit from the course.  Mr Buchan explained that eight pupils could attend the course at once and was a four day event, where the attendees would receive a certificate on completion, which could be used for future employment, CV’s etc. 

The Committee resolved:-

to note the verbal update provided by Scottish Fire and Rescue. 

The Committee had before it a report by Police Scotland, which presented the Police Scotland Performance Report covering April to September 2022 for Committee scrutiny. 

The report recommended:-

that the Committee discuss, comment on, and endorse the report.

Chief Superintendent Mackie spoke in furtherance of the report and answered various questions from members. 

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            following a question from Councillor Graham in relation to dog crimes, to request that members contact Police Scotland with any instances or situations where they feel a constituents query or complaint had not been dealt with properly for further investigation;

(ii)          to note that Police Scotland would facilitate an officer to attend a future committee from Professional Standards, who deal with complaints against Police Officers;

(iii)         to note that Police Scotland would bring forward a thematic report on mental health, to a future committee meeting; and

(iv)         to otherwise endorse the report. 

The Committee had before it a report by Police Scotland, which presented the Aberdeen City Local Police Plan for 2023-26.

The Local Police Plan and performance monitoring provided an opportunity for elected members to maintain scrutiny of significant police activities, in order to achieve good outcomes for the residents of Aberdeen.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee approve the Aberdeen City Local Police Plan 2023-26.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation. 

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer - Data and Insights, which presented the status of appropriate key performance measures relating to certain Operations and Customer services.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the report and provide comments and observations on the performance information contained in the report Appendix.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the report. 

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Customer Services, which presented the Cluster Risk Registers and Assurance Maps in accordance with Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee Terms of Reference to provide assurance that risks were being managed effectively within each Cluster. 

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the Cluster Risk Registers and Assurance Maps set out in Appendices A and B of the report.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the report. 

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment, which sought approval of the proposed revisal to the Housing Allocations Policy. The revised policy reworded the existing policy and took account of the adoption of a Choice Based Lettings (CBL) approach to the letting of council housing, which would replace the current system.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)           approve the revised Housing Allocations Policy as detailed in Appendix 1; and

(b)           instruct the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to implement the revised Housing Allocations Policy.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)              to request that a Service Update be issued to members six months after the implementation of the new policy, providing an analysis on how the new policy has been working;

(ii)             to otherwise approve the recommendations. 

At this juncture, the Convener advised that Derek McGowan, Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment would be leaving the Council and this would be his last meeting of the Committee.  The Convener thanked Mr McGowan for all of his efforts and help during her time as Convener.

-        Councillor Miranda Radley, Convener