Agenda, decisions and draft 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.

Members were requested to intimate any declarations of interest or connections, whereby the following were noted:-

·       Councillor McLellan advised that in relation to item 7.2 on the agenda (Notice of Motion by Councillor Graham), that he was an owner and landlord of a property in Aberdeen but did not consider that this amounted to an interest which would prevent him from participating in the item.

·       Similarly for item 7.2, the Vice Convener advised he also was also a landlord for a property in Aberdeen but did not consider that this amounted to an interest which would prevent him from participating in the item.

At this juncture, the Convener proposed to suspend Standing Order 14.5.7 (Deputation Requests which relate to a Notice of Motion which has not yet been moved) to enable the meeting to hear from the two deputations. 

The Committee agreed unanimously to suspend Standing Order 14.5.7

The Convener proposed that the Committee hear item 4 (deputation request one) with the press and public excluded from the meeting.

The Committee resolved:

in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the above item so as to avoid disclosure of information of the classes described in paragraphs 2 and 3 of Schedule 7(A) to the Act.

In accordance with the decision taken at Article 2 of this minute, the first deputation was heard with the press and public excluded.

The Committee received two deputations from Mr Ryan Smith (pseudonym) and Gordon MacRae in relation to the Notice of Motion from Councillor Graham.

Mr Smith explained that he wanted to share his experience of living in temporary accommodation and the effects it had on him, noting that he was in temporary accommodation in a hotel next to a nightclub, for three months. 

Mr Smith advised that during his time in the temporary accommodation he felt he lost himself and endured negative mental health.  He stated that a housing emergency should be declared, due to the shortage of Council properties available.

The Committee then asked a number of questions of Mr Smith.

The Committee then heard from Gordon MacRae - Assistant Director for Communications and Advocacy, Shelter Scotland.  Mr MacRae thanked members for accepting their requests to speak and noted that it was positive to see consensus amongst the political parties that a housing emergency should be declared. 

Mr MacRae advised that with rent controls and planning applications, there needed to be change, noting they had seen a 64% increase in homeless applications and highlighted that child poverty could not be tackled without ending temporary accommodation. 

Mr MacRae explained that he recognised the context in which officers were working but noted that the homelessness service did not have the capacity to the meet the needs of individuals and felt that poverty was causing homelessness and was red in regards to the traffic light system.

Mr MacRae highlighted that the Scottish Government had declared a housing emergency and had a proposed action place.  He stated that third sector organisations were supportive of declaring an emergency and encouraged the Council to also declare an emergency. 

Mr Mac Rae intimated that a basic human right of having a home should not be a privilege and stated that all parties were required to come together to work collaboratively in order to eradicate homelessness.

Mr MacRae asked for two things within his deputation.  Firstly he asked that all elected members get behind the Notice of Motion proposed by Councillor Graham and secondly he asked that everyone commit to a long term solution for homelessness. 

The Committee then asked a number of questions of Mr MacRae. 

The Committee resolved:-

to note the information provided during the deputations and to thank Mr Smith and Mr MacRae for the information they presented.

The Committee had before it the minute of the previous meeting of 30 May 2024, for approval.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute as a correct record.

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

The Committee resolved:-

(i)             to note that item 11 (City Centre Multi Storey Blocks) would now be reported to the November 2024 meeting and to agree that the Executive Director – Families & Communities would circulate timescales for this report to members by way of email;

(ii)            to note that item 15 (Cost Neutral Environmental Enforcement) was delayed as the contract was due to start on 19th August 2024 so the report on the pilot would be reported back in summer 2025;

(iii)          to agree to remove item 30 (Rental  Differentials), as this would be incorporated into the report to Council on the Housing Revenue 30 Year Account Business Plan;

(iv)          to agree that a joint report would be presented at the November Committee titled Housing Board Bi Annual Report, which would incorporate items 8 (Housing Improvement Group), 29 (Asset Management Strategies for the HRA Estate) and 32 (Council Housing Improvement Activity and Acquisition and Disposal Policy), and to therefore agree to remove items 8, 29 and 32;

(v)           to request that the Executive Director – Families & Communities include information on void properties within the Housing Board Bi Annual report, due to be reported to the November Committee; and

(vi)          to otherwise note the committee business planner. 

That Aberdeen City Council:

1.    notes that anti-social behaviour includes street drinking, fist fights, drug taking and dealing, aggressive begging and recognises that anti-social behaviour incidents in the city centre are causing increasing concern to residents, businesses and those who work, shop and visit the area;

2.    notes that Aberdeen holds Scotland's only Purple Flag accredited city centre status and that efforts should continue to retain this accreditation; and

3.    instructs the Chief Officer - Governance to co-ordinate a further report from the Community Safety Partnership to the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee on current efforts to manage anti-social behaviour in the city centre and on approaches to offering wider system awareness and understanding of the issues.

The Committee had before it a notice of motion from Councillors Macdonald and Malik, referred from Council on 3 July 2024, in the following terms:-

That the Committee:

1.    notes that anti-social behaviour includes street drinking, fist fights, drug taking and dealing, aggressive begging and recognises that anti-social behaviour incidents in the city centre are causing increasing concern to residents, businesses and those who work, shop and visit the area;

2.    notes that Aberdeen holds Scotland's only Purple Flag accredited city centre status and that efforts should continue to retain this accreditation; and

3.    instructs the Interim Chief Officer - Governance to co-ordinate a further report from the Community Safety Partnership to the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee on current efforts to manage anti social behaviour in the city centre and on approaches to offering wider system awareness and understanding of the issues.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)             to acknowledge concerns from residents and businesses in the city centre around antisocial behaviour;

(ii)            to acknowledge the work of Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Inspired, Police Scotland and other partners in achieving Scotland’s only Purple Flag accredited city centre status, noting Aberdeen Inspired had played a key role in securing this award and had submitted the application for 2024; and acknowledge this work would now be carried out in future years by Aberdeen City Council's City Centre Manager to continue to maintain this accreditation; and

(iii)          to instruct the Interim Chief Officer - Governance to coordinate a further report from the Community Safety Partnership to the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee on current efforts to manage antisocial behaviour in the city centre and on approaches to offering wider system awareness and understanding of the issues.

Council notes the unprecedented housing and homelessness issues affecting tenants and potential tenants in Aberdeen.

Recognises the extreme pressures facing housing and homelessness services in Aberdeen today. 

These pressures exist despite the best endeavours and professionalism of officers within the Council that have seen a number of positive achievements. These include:

The Aberdeen Labour decisions alongside our coalition partners 2017-2022 to build 2,000 new Council homes on top of procuring over 4,000 Affordable homes with Registered Social Landlords.

This has resulted in

• Dyce new Builds Completed
• Auchmill Road New builds Completed.
• Summerhill New Build has now achieved Practical Completion for all blocks
• Tillydrone New Build has now achieved Practical Completion for all blocks
• Cloverhill New Build is progressing as planned
• Kaimhill New Build is nearing completion,
• Greenferns and Greenferns Landward are progressing to achieve RIBA 3 completion
• Craighill New Build is out to tender
• Kincorth New Build tender documentation is being finalised; and
• 206 Union Street works have commenced

However, the number of households assessed as homeless or in housing need waiting for a home to call their own remains of significant concern.

As detailed in the reports to the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee:

·       Homeless applications are at a 13 year high at the end of March 2024, with levels recorded (1,481) not seen since the same period in 2010/11

·       442 Statutory Homeless Households Residing in Temporary Accommodation at end March 2024.

·       Only 30 % of Unintentional homeless decisions reached within 21 Days

·       161 days the Average length of journey in days for applicants assessed as unintentionally homeless at the end of March.

·       The Council are now breaching our duties in accordance with the Unsuitable Accommodation Order, by having households in unsuitable accommodation for longer than 7 days.

·       237.7 The YTD Average time taken to re-let all properties (Citywide - days) against a target of 125 days at the end of March 2024.

·       The YTD Void Rent Loss figure for 2023/24 is £7,805,806 this equates to 7.91% of the gross debit (rent due) which is a significant increase when compared with the same period last year where the figure stood at £5,271,632 (5.70%).

·       Planned maintenance projects such as in Summerhill have been put on hold.

·       In April 2022, 4,750 applications were on the waiting list for housing, this has grown to 6,658 in May 2024

These issues have been exasperated by the following.

·       We have 366 houses identified as uninhabitable due to RAAC and a massive transfer operation in place for Council tenants.

·       Of the 366 houses, 138 are privately owned properties whose owners have been virtually neglected by ACC, The Scottish Administration and the UK Government, families face ruin and bankruptcy and this should not be allowed to happen in a Civil Society.

·       The Housing Revenue account is funding the majority of the costs currently being incurred and faces unprecedented financial pressures. .

This a perilous situation and one that requires action today. 

That the Council therefore agrees to:-

-          Declare a Housing Emergency in Aberdeen today.  ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

The Committee had before it a Notice of Motion from Councillor Graham, referred from Council on 3 July 2024, in the following terms:-

Council notes the unprecedented housing and homelessness issues affecting tenants and potential tenants in Aberdeen;

Recognises the extreme pressures facing housing and homelessness services in Aberdeen today;

These pressures exist despite the best endeavours and professionalism of officers within the Council that have seen a number of positive achievements. These include:

The Aberdeen Labour decisions alongside our coalition partners 2017-2022 to build 2,000 new Council homes on top of procuring over 4,000 Affordable homes with Registered Social Landlords.

This has resulted in

• Dyce new Builds Completed
• Auchmill Road New builds Completed.
• Summerhill New Build has now achieved Practical Completion for all blocks
• Tillydrone New Build has now achieved Practical Completion for all blocks
• Cloverhill New Build is progressing as planned
• Kaimhill New Build is nearing completion,
• Greenferns and Greenferns Landward are progressing to achieve RIBA 3 completion
• Craighill New Build is out to tender
• Kincorth New Build tender documentation is being finalised; and
• 206 Union Street works have commenced

However, the number of households assessed as homeless or in housing need waiting for a home to call their own remains of significant concern.

As detailed in the reports to the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee:

·       Homeless applications are at a 13 year high at the end of March 2024, with levels recorded (1,481) not seen since the same period in 2010/11

·       442 Statutory Homeless Households Residing in Temporary Accommodation at end March 2024.

·       Only 30 % of Unintentional homeless decisions reached within 21 Days

·       161 days the Average length of journey in days for applicants assessed as unintentionally homeless at the end of March.

·       The Council are now breaching our duties in accordance with the Unsuitable Accommodation Order, by having households in unsuitable accommodation for longer than 7 days.

·       237.7 The YTD Average time taken to re-let all properties (Citywide - days) against a target of 125 days at the end of March 2024.

·       The YTD Void Rent Loss figure for 2023/24 is £7,805,806 this equates to 7.91% of the gross debit (rent due) which is a significant increase when compared with the same period last year where the figure stood at £5,271,632 (5.70%).

·       Planned maintenance projects such as in Summerhill have been put on hold.

·       In April 2022, 4,750 applications were on the waiting list for housing, this has grown to 6,658 in May 2024

These issues have been exasperated by the following.

·       366 houses identified as uninhabitable due to RAAC and a massive transfer operation in place for Council tenants;

·       Of the 366 houses, 138 were privately owned properties whose owners have been virtually neglected by ACC, the Scottish Administration and the UK Government, families face ruin and bankruptcy and this should not be allowed to happen in a Civil Society;

·       The Housing Revenue account was funding the majority of the costs currently being incurred and faced unprecedented financial pressures. .

This a perilous  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Committee had before it a report by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, which advised members of the impact of Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS) on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and the business community across Aberdeen City and the effect on this incident type since a Policy change on 01 July 2023.

The report noted that SFRS had attended 512 UFAS incidents in Aberdeen City from 01 July 2023, which was a 61% reduction when considered against 804 non attendance calls for the same period.

The Committee heard from Andrew Wright, Local Commander, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, who spoke in furtherance of the report and answered various questions from Members. 

The report recommended:-

that the Committee consider and note the attached thematic report relating to Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals across Aberdeen City and consider the impact since the SFRS changed their response model on 01 July 2023.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)             to request that Scottish Fire and Rescue determine how many hours had been saved in terms of workload since the introduction of the new model and to pass this information to the clerk for forwarding to Members; and

(ii)            to otherwise note the report. 

With reference to article 12 of the minute of the meeting of 5 September 2023, the Committee had before it a report by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance (Assurance), which provided an update on the progress made by officers of the Trading Standards Service to address the issue of proxy purchasing of tobacco and Nicotine Vaping Products (NVPs), particularly the latter, in Aberdeen City. 

The report noted that the initiative had been a success as it had resulted in the Service receiving only one complaint in 2024 which alleged proxy purchasing was taking place in the city centre.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the contents of the report and the positive outcome of the Charter.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

With reference to article 11 of the minute of meeting of 5 September 2023, the Committee had before it a report by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance (Assurance), which updated Elected Members on the progress made by officers of the Trading Standards Service in establishing the Aberdeen City Trusted Trader Scheme, the plan for which was approved by Committee on 5  September 2023.

The report noted that the scheme was due to be launched during the Scottish Trusted Trader Week scheduled for 1-7 September 2024, organised by the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS) Trader Directory Services (TDS), and coordinated through the Media Team in Aberdeen City Council (ACC). There were 18 city businesses who had been vetted, or were going through the vetting process, which would form the initial tranche of members.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the contents of the report and the progress made and welcome the forthcoming launch of the Scheme.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Data Insights, which presented Committee with the status of appropriate key performance measures relating to services falling within its remit.

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:-

(i)             to request that information on the Rent Assistance Fund be included in the Housing Board bi annual report due to be reported to the November 2024 Committee;

(ii)            to note that Councillor Graham would send address details on various  empty properties he had identified to the Chief Officer – Housing for investigation;

(iii)          to request that the Executive Director – Families and Communities ascertain when the last asset plan was produced and to send this information to members by way of email; and

(iv)          to otherwise note the information contained in the Performance Report. 

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Housing, which raised awareness of the Housing (Scotland) Bill 2024 currently working through the parliamentary process and the potential implications of the new legislation for Aberdeen City Council.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)           note the contents of this report and the intentions of the Housing (Scotland) Bill;

(b)           instruct the Chief Officer – Housing to provide a report or Service Update, as that Chief Officer deems appropriate, on the Bill as it progresses through Stage 2 of the parliamentary process; and 

(c)           instruct the Chief Officer – Housing to report to this Committee with a full Implementation Plan when the Bill has progressed through Stage 3 of the parliamentary process.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Housing, which provided an update on Aberdeen City’s Affordable Housing Delivery Programme.

The report advised that in 2023/24 there were 806 affordable housing completions which was the highest number of affordable homes delivered in Aberdeen through the affordable housing supply programme, with 8 of these homes fully wheelchair accessible. It was noted as of August 2024, 162 affordable housing completions had taken place across the city, with 371 homes being projected for completion in 2024/25.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the progress on delivery of Aberdeen City’s Affordable Housing Delivery Programme.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the report.

With reference to article 7 of the minute of the meeting of 23 January 2024, the Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director – Families and Communities, which explained that officers were instructed to continue to collaborate with stakeholders in designing a strategic vision and model for the Library and Information Service, and asked to report back with a proposed vision and service delivery model to this meeting. 

It was also noted that this Committee instructed that a consultation on the proposed Library and Information Services Management Rules be undertaken, with results reported back to seek a decision on whether such Rules should be made, all in accordance with section 112 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.

Ms Sheppard, Executive Director – Families and Communities spoke in furtherance of the report and answered various questions from Members.

The Committee was then addressed by Councillor Boulton, raising concerns in relation to the recommendations on behalf of her constituents.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)           note the work undertaken to develop a new model for Library and Information Services which aligns more deliberately to “education and lifelong learning” as a determinant of population health;

(b)           endorse the working vision for the Library and Information Services outlined at paragraph 3.32;

(c)           endorse the Future Model of Library and Information Services presented at paragraphs 3.33 – 3.38;

(d)           instruct the Executive Director Families and Communities to present a detailed phased Implementation Plan which reflects plans for internal zoning of the Central Library and testing of the Library and Information Service as an integral part of the emerging model of Family Support to the next meeting of the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee;

(e)           note the feedback on the Library and Information Service Management Rules; and

(f)             agree not to make Library Management Rules; and

(g)           agree to refer the previous income targets set against the library service to the budget setting process;

The Convener moved, seconded by the Vice Convener:-

          That the Committee approve the recommendations in the report.

Councillor Graham moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Tissera:-

          That the Committee:-

1.    Instruct the Executive Director - Families and Communities to ensure that any future model for Library and Information Services should include the provision of Libraries in Cornhill, Cults, Ferryhill, Northfield, Kaimhill and Woodside and to bring a report on such future model to a future meeting of this Committee for approval; and

2.    Instruct the Executive Director - Families and Communities to review the information gained to date and bring forward to a future meeting of this Committee a strategy and an implementation plan to ensure an identification of what is currently supplied in individual libraries and what is missing and the identification of ways to ensure details given in 3.35 and 3.37 are available at all Libraries throughout Aberdeen.  This should follow the principles of 20-minute neighbourhoods for Scotland as detailed in the Programme for Government 2020 - 2021 which committed the Scottish  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

The Committee had before it a report by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance, which sought approval for the Council’s Annual Assurance Statement for the year 2024/25, which must be submitted to the Scottish Housing Regulator by 31 October 2024.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)           note the work undertaken to address areas listed in the Housing Regulator Engagement Plan (April 2023) to date;

(b)           note the self-assessment against Regulatory standards contained in Appendix B; and

(c)           approve the Annual Assurance Statement (Appendix A) report for submission to the Scottish Housing Regulator by 31 October 2024.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Housing, which provided Committee with an update on the Homewards Programme in Aberdeen, specifically on the formation of the Aberdeen coalition and the progress made on the development of the local action plan. The report also sought approval for a Co-Leader to join the International Mayors Council on Homelessness.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)          note the progress made during the first year of the Homewards programme;

(b)          note the programme is governed through Community Planning Aberdeen; and

(c)          nominate and approve the appointment of a Council Co-Leader to join the International Mayors Council on Homelessness

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            in regards to recommendation (c), to approve the appointment of Councillor Allard to join the International Mayors Council on Homelessness; and

(ii)            to approve the recommendations. 

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Capital, which  summarised the general progress of delivery of key capital expenditure projects identified within the approved Capital Programme from the Housing Revenue Accounts.

The report also highlighted matters considered worthy of particular note in relation to Council led new build housing sites at Summerhill, Craighill, Kincorth, Tillydrone, Kaimhill, Greenferns and Greenferns Landward and the Developer-led new build housing site at Cloverhill.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the progress to deliver the programme of social housing sites across the city.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the report. 

The Committee had before it a report by Police Scotland, which presented the Police Scotland Performance Report which covered April 2023 to March 2024, for Committee scrutiny.

The report provided a detailed account of Police Performance in Aberdeen City in support of agreed priorities, both local and national for April 2023 to March 2024.  It covered a wide range of police activity including corporate governance, recorded crime, detection rates and operations and provided both 5 year and year on year comparisons which allowed the Committee to evaluate trends in performance.

The Committee heard from Superintendent Howieson and Chief Inspector Scott, who spoke in furtherance of the report and answered various questions from Members. 

The report recommended:-

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

The Committee resolved:-

to note the contents of the report.

With reference to article 3 of the minute of the meeting of 14 November 2023, the Committee had before it a report by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance, which provided an update on the work undertaken by the Community Safety Partnership to establish a Busking Code of Conduct for Aberdeen City centre. 

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)           note the Community Safety Partnership’s update in this report on developing a Busking Code of Conduct for Aberdeen City Centre;

(b)           approve the draft Busking Code of Conduct for Aberdeen City centre contained in Appendix 1; and

(c)           instruct the Interim Chief Officer - Governance to implement the Code of Conduct.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to request that a report be brought back to this Committee in due course on how the Code of Conduct had worked following its implementation; and

(j)            to approve the recommendations.

The Committee heard from the Chief Officer – Housing and the Chief Officer – Capital, who provided a verbal update in relation to Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).

Mrs McKenzie advised that as of 3 September 2024, there had been 180 offers accepted and ten further households had sourced alternative accommodation.  There were currently 166 council tenants awaiting rehoming.  Of those, 65 council tenants had signed for their new home and were in the process of moving, which left 101 households to be rehomed.  73 of the 101 households were now under offer.  Two households had still to receive an offer and all other households had received at least one offer.

Mrs McKenzie also advised that the dedicated Housing & Support Team would continue to engage with those individuals/families yet to be rehomed, to work towards a positive outcome for them and their families and a walkabout was being arranged with Community representatives to explore current environmental and safety impacts.  An additional resource was also being identified to support households to effectively integrate into their new communities.

Mr Wilson then summarised the decision taken at Council on 21 August 2024, and explained the next steps which were due to take place, noting that letters had been issued to private owners explaining the next steps, and also an offer was made to meet with the Torry Community Council RAAC Campaign Management Committee in order to shape ongoing engagement and communications.

Mrs McKenzie explained that concerns had been raised in relation to individuals being moved to different areas in the city and therefore they were looking at what support could be offered to people who had been relocated.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the verbal update received in relation to Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC),

-       Councillor Radley, Convener