Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

The Committee received two deputation requests in relation to item 11.1 on the agenda (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) - Phasing of Demolition and Landscaping). 

The first deputation request was from Mr John Meiklejohn, who represented the Torry Community RAAC Campaign Group.  Mr Meiklejohn explained that he would like the Council to reverse the opinion that planning permission did not require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before demolition of the properties and asked that this be re-evaluated and also asked that there be involvement of an established environment agency such as SEPA.  Mr Meiklejohn felt that by not having an EIA, it would then skip a major part of the planning process for this development.  Mr Meiklejohn highlighted that the proposal was to demolish 372 buildings and that would have an impact on the environment.

Mr Meiklejohn also highlighted that he wished to thank the Council for agreeing to explore alternatives to support homeowners and he felt this was a big step forward and felt that it was leeway to get both sides out of the messy situation.  He also indicated that he did appreciate the Council’s record of trying to balance professionalism with empathy however he felt that section 7 of the report (legal implications) undermined that.  He felt that it was a blatant threat and an attempt to intimidate people into accepting the voluntary acquisition process and also an attempt to remove the need for the CPO? process by simply threatening to evict homeowners from their properties. 

Mr Meiklejohn highlighted he felt there was conflicting information on whether RAAC was defective and he felt there was a strong parallel with the cladding scandal in terms of the information that had not been provided.  He felt that this would be made clear through a statutory public enquiry.  He advised that he felt the only way to get a fair, true and transparent process to determine not only the responsibilities but the root cause of this scandal and get it properly resolved in a fair and equitable manner, was to have a public enquiry. 

Mr Meiklejohn advised that they had specialists in the area of structural engineering and structural architects who all stated that homeowners had been put in a position of facing huge bills, financial difficulties and possibly homelessness through no fault of their own.

Mr Meiklejohn spoke about the health impact the situation was having on privately owned residents who were affected by RAAC and asked that private owners be awarded a fair settlement.  Mr Meiklejohn indicated that owners did not want to go through a long legal battle and sought a fair resolution.  He advised that he would not accept the valuation that had been offered from the Council.

Members then had the opportunity to ask Mr Meiklejohn questions on his deputation.

The Committee then received a deputation from Mr Wilson Chowdhry.  Mr Chowdhry began his deputation by asking if the Council believed that due diligence had been adequately undertaken in regards to the RAAC home owners’  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

The Committee had before it the minute of the previous meeting of 14 January 2025, 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 Interim Chief Officer – Governance.

At this juncture, Councillor Graham, seconded by Councillor Watson, moved a procedural motion:-

to continue to receive verbal updates in regards to items 13, 18, 27 and 35 and not to remove them from the planner, all of which related to RAAC. 

On a division, there voted – for the procedural motion (3) – Councillors Cross, Graham and Watson – against the procedural motion (5) – the Convener, the Vice Convener and Councillors Bouse, Davidson and McLellan.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)             to reject the procedural motion and therefore agree to remove items 13, 18, 27 and 35 (all related to verbal updates in regards to RAAC);

(ii)            to note that item 5 (Residential Caravan Licensing) was transferred to this Committee from the Licensing Committee;

(iii)          to note the reasons for delay for items 29 (Cost Neutral Environmental Enforcement) and 36 (Review of the Non Traditional Housing Stock); and

(iv)          to otherwise note the committee business planner.

The Committee had before it a report by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), which presented the current figures for Special Service Gaining Entry Incidents in Aberdeen City and to highlight the additional work now undertaken by the SFRS within Aberdeen City in line with the current objectives contained within the Aberdeen City Local Fire and Rescue Plan. 

The report recommended:-

that the Committee consider and note the performance data provided within the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service Thematic Report, Special Service Gaining Entry Incidents in Aberdeen City, at appendix A.

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 Committee resolved:-

to note the report. 

The Committee had before it a report by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance, which provided the Committee with an update on the current efforts undertaken by the Community Safety Partnership to manage antisocial behaviour in the city centre, as well as to enhance the wider system's awareness. The report also detailed the existing operational framework and functions of the Community Safety Partnership. By outlining the mechanisms and strategies in place, the report aimed to offer a comprehensive understanding of the partnership's role in promoting community safety and public protection.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee notes the update from the Community Safety Partnership including the multi agency governance model and the collaborative approach between various agencies and stakeholders.

The Committee heard from Mark Wilson, Community Safety and City Warden Manager, who spoke in furtherance of the report and answered questions from Members.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to commend Council officers for advising on and raising awareness of the multi-agency governance model operating in Aberdeen and for highlighting insights into the collaborative approach taken between various agencies and stakeholders in the city;

(ii)           to agree that information could usefully be provided to Members on which agencies and organisations made up the Community Safety Partnership, how often they met, and what their current over-arching combined strategic priorities were;

(iii)         to note efforts to formalise a Community Safety Partnership Board, made up of representatives from public, private and 3rd sector organisations, tasked with agreeing high level strategic goals, an action plan, and using the operational framework and functions already in place as outlined in this report and ask for input from partners involved in Community Planning Aberdeen to this process; and

(iv)         to instruct the Interim Chief Officer – Governance to report back to the most relevant meeting of the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee on the outcome from 3 above.

The Committee had before it a report by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance,  which provided the annual assurance report on the Council’s resilience arrangements in fulfilment of its duties as a Category one responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)          notes the progress made in further embedding the Council’s resilience arrangements during another busy year for emergency response; and

(b)          notes the updated Generic Emergency Plan which had received minor alterations under the relevant delegated powers.

The Committee heard from Fiona Mann, Emergency Plan, Resilience and Civic Lead, who spoke in furtherance of the report and answered various questions from Members.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations. 

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership, which presented the Justice Social Work Service Annual Performance Report for 2023-24 in line with the Communities, Housing & Public Protection Committee’s remit.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee notes the Justice Social Work Service Annual Performance Report 2023-24 (at Appendix 1), which provided assurance about progress made over the period.

The Committee heard from Val Vertigans, Strategic Service Manager, who spoke in furtherance of the report and answered questions from Members.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the report.

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 note that information on written off debt in regards to rent would be included in the next Housing Bi Annual report;

(ii)            to note that the Chief Officer – Corporate Landlord would liaise with colleagues in Waste Management in regards to campaigns currently being run regarding fly tipping and if anything further could be done to help prevent fly tipping, as well as further engagement with residents in multi storey blocks; and

(iii)          to otherwise note the Performance Report. 

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officers – Capital, Housing and Corporate Landlord, which advised that at the Council meeting of 21 August 2024, the Council considered the findings from an options appraisal of various RAAC mitigation actions and agreed that the optimum option was the demolition and rebuild of homes on site.  There was an instruction for the Chief Officer - Capital to proceed with the demolition aspect of this, and report back to the next appropriate meeting of the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee on the proposed initial phasing of demolition and landscape details.  This report outlined the proposed initial phasing of demolition and landscaping.

Council also instructed the Chief Officer - Capital, following consultation with the Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee, and the Chief Officer - Procurement, to procure appropriate works and services, and enter into any contracts necessary for the delivery of the demolition, masterplanning and landscaping works without the need for further approval from any other Committee of the Council subject to due diligence, consistency with the financial model and affordability and regular update on progress of project delivery to the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee.   This report provided an update on that instruction.

Finally at the meeting of 5^th February 2025, Council noted the alternative options proposed by the Torry RAAC Campaign Group Management Committee and instructed officers to explore the feasibility, benefits and risks associated with each option, alongside any other identified opportunities to support owners, and report the findings to a future meeting of the Communities Housing and Public Protection Committee.  The recommendations in this report reflected the flexibility required to both respond to the instruction from the 21^st August 2024 around demolition and landscaping and fully explore the viability of options with the Torry RAAC Campaign Group Management Committee.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee

(a)          note that officers continue to try and find the balance between applying our professionalism to the workstreams associated with the Council's response to the discovery of RAAC in properties and our empathy for those tenants and homeowners, in particular affected by the discovery of RAAC in their homes. The proposed plans included within this report will continue to adapt in light of changing circumstances. Throughout the process officers will continue to endeavour to respond to the needs of residents and homeowners wherever possible;

(b)          note that AtkinsRéalis have been procured to manage and deliver the demolition phase;

(c)          approve the indicative demolition proposals and sequence of phases, noting that only vacant terraces/blocks will be demolished;

(d)          agree that to deliver the demolition in the indicative sequence there are interdependencies on items such as utility disconnections, property ownership and asbestos surveys. As a result, the indicative sequence may be subject to change and will not commence until all interdependencies are resolved;

(e)          note the budget in relation to RAAC at Balnagask forms part of the Council budget held on Wednesday 5 March 2025;

(f)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

The Committee had before it a report by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance, which noted that at the Council meeting on 17 April 2024, it was agreed to instruct the Interim Chief Officer - Governance to report back to the Licensing Committee outlining additional site licence conditions as necessary and required, as a result of residential caravan site licence renewal inspections. However it was felt that the report fell under the Terms of Reference for this Committee rather than Licensing Committee.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)           note the work carried out by Environmental Health officers regarding the renewal of the site licenses of seven residential caravan sites within Aberdeen City;

(b)           note that these seven residential caravan sites have successfully had their licenses renewed for the next five years; and

(c)           note the additional site license conditions in the renewed licenses.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations. 

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Housing, which sought permission to consult with the public and key stakeholders on the draft Aberdeen City Local Housing Strategy as found in Appendix 1 to the report.

It was noted that as per the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, when required to do so by the Scottish Ministers, a local authority must prepare a Local Housing Strategy (LHS). The LHS set out the strategy, priorities and plans for the delivery of housing and related services over a 5 year period.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)          note the draft Aberdeen City Local Housing Strategy in Appendix 1;

(b)          approve the minor changes made to the seven strategic priorities following further analysis of data, consideration of research, and engagement with partners and stakeholders as outlined at paragraph 3.8;

(c)          instruct the Chief Officer - Housing to consult with the public and key stakeholders on the draft Local Housing Strategy between 24 March 2025 and 18 May 2025, as outlined at paragraphs 3.11 – 3.20, including academics linked to the Health Determinants Research Collaboration; and

(d)          instruct the Chief Officer - Housing to report the findings of the consultation, alongside a revised Local Housing Strategy and Delivery Plan which would be updated to incorporate any necessary changes following the review of the consultation responses, to the August meeting of the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee for formal approval and implementation.

The Committee heard from Mel Booth, Senior Housing Strategy Officer, who spoke in furtherance of the report and answered questions from Members.

The Convener moved, seconded by the Vice Convener:-

That the Committee approve the recommendations contained in the report.

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

          That the Committee -

1.            instructs the Chief Officer – Housing to include a section in the draft Aberdeen City Local Housing Strategy on the housing emergency declared by Aberdeen City Council, detailing actions being taken and Smart Targets;

2.            agree a key component missing from the draft Aberdeen City Local Housing Strategy was how the Council worked in association with the Council acting as the Planning Authority and instructs the Chief Officer – Housing to include a section to reflect this;

3.            agree that, if the Council wishes to move forward on its agenda of prevention and early intervention, it must fully grasp the need to be flexible on planning considerations especially for housing for those with disabilities or mental health problems and for bariatric care;

4.            instructs the Convener of the Communities Housing and Public Protection Committee to write to the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning, informing him of the Committee’s view that the only way in which the objectives outlined within the draft Aberdeen City Local Housing Strategy will become reality is if we all work together to bring the strategy to fruition;

5.            instructs the Chief Officer - Housing to consult with the public and key stakeholders on the draft Local Housing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

At this juncture, Councillor Watson was replaced by Councillor Tissera.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Housing, which sought approval for the Resettlement Delivery Plan as found in Appendix B. 

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)           note the analysis of Resettlement in Appendix A has informed the development of the draft Resettlement Delivery Plan;

(b)           approve the draft Resettlement Delivery Plan in Appendix B; 

(c)           instruct the Chief Officer - Housing to seek feedback from key stakeholders including academics linked to the Health Determinates Research Collaboration in advance of refreshing the Resettlement Delivery Plan in 2026 and undertaking a wider analysis in 2027; and

(d)           instruct the Chief Officer - Housing to report progress against the Plan, and any proposed changes to the Plan in light of changing circumstances, to the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee on a yearly basis. 

The Committee heard from Gill Strachan, Intervention Hub Manager, who spoke in furtherance of the report and answered questions from Members. 

The Convener moved, seconded by the Vice Convener:-

          that the Committee approve the recommendations in the report.

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

          that the Committee –

1.    note the analysis of Resettlement in Appendix A had informed the development of the draft Resettlement Delivery Plan; 

2.    approve the draft Resettlement Delivery Plan in Appendix B; where reasonably possible excluding the term “New Scots” which was not an inclusive term but a derogatory term given many, if not the majority, of people living in Scotland who had been forcibly displaced or were making a claim that they have a well-founded fear of persecution don’t see themselves as “New Scots” but come to and look to the United Kingdom to seek refuge; and

3.    agree using the term “New Scots” detracts from the benefits which those from a culturally diverse society bring to Aberdeen, given the freedom of movement right across the UK, the clue being these refugees were here under the United Kingdom Resettlement Scheme, noting the Ethical Standards Commissioner found the use of the term in a particular context to be racist but on a hearing the Standards Commission found it was not.  

On a division, there voted - for the motion (5) – the Convener, the Vice Convener and Councillors Bouse, Davidson and McLellan – for the amendment (3) – Councillors Cross, Graham and Tissera.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion and therefore approve the recommendations. 

-       COUNCILLOR MIRANDA RADLEY, Convener