Agenda, decisions and minutes

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be located 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 following transparency statements were noted:-

·       In relation to item 10.2 (Low Emission Zone – Costs and Income), the Convener advised that he was a member of NHS Grampian Board but did not consider that would require him to make a declaration of interest, and advised that he would be participating in the item;

·       In relation to item 11.1 (Active Travel for School Journeys), the Convener made a similar transparency statement, due to his role as a member of NHS Grampian Board, and due to the mention of independent schools in the Labour Group amendment for this item, made a further transparency statement that he had previously been a Council-appointed Governor of Robert Gordon’s College;

·       In relation to item 11.1 (Active Travel for School Journeys) and the Labour Group amendment, Councillor Tissera advised she was on the Robert Gordon’s College Diversity Liaison Group but did not consider that this amounted to an interest which required to be declared and so she would be participating in the item.

The Committee had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 9 June 2025 for approval.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute as a correct record.

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

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       in relation to item 45 (Review of Waste Strategy), to note that work had commenced and officers would ensure that the planner was updated on this item for the next meeting; and

(ii)       to otherwise note the planner.

1.       Notes that during the construction of the Aberdeen South Harbour, the original developer Dragados, implemented a procedure whereby HGV traffic accessing and egressing the site were required to follow an agreed route avoiding local housing estates.  HGV contractors faced penalties for non-compliance.

2.       Notes that concerns from local communities regarding HGV traffic using the now open Aberdeen South Harbour continue.  In particular communities in Torry, Cove and Altens and Burnbank Village remain concerned regarding HGV traffic accessing and egressing the harbour using local neighbourhood roads infrastructure.

3.       Notes that the identified access and egress route to the Aberdeen South Harbour will be via Hareness Road and Coast Road and that a new road layout is in the process of being finalised and delivered.

4.       Notes that during the many years developing the proposed access and egress route from Aberdeen South Harbour, now identified as above, local communities have been assured that adequate measures would be included as part of the overall development to restrict HGV traffic from neighbouring residential communities.

5.       Notes the Aberdeen City Region Deal Joint Committee comprises 9 members; 3 elected members from Aberdeen City Council, 3 elected members from Aberdeenshire Council and 3 members from private industry.  The 3 Aberdeen City Council members are all drawn from the Council SNP and Lib Dem administration.  Further notes that on 14^th February 2025, a meeting of the Joint Committee agreed prima facie to implement a width restriction on St Fittick’s Road, i.e. “to instruct the Chief Officer - Operations, Aberdeen City Council, to progress all necessary consultations and traffic orders required for the implementation of a width restriction on St Fitticks Road.”   No funding for the new Aberdeen South Harbour route from the existing £25M budget for this work was identified.  The Joint Committee did agree to "instruct the Chief Officer, City Development and Regeneration, Aberdeen City Council, and the Head of Service, Planning and Economy, Aberdeenshire Council, to submit reports to Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Councils respectively seeking approval from each for the virement of £575,000 from the Strategic Transport Appraisal project to the Aberdeen City Region Deal External Transportation Links to Aberdeen South Harbour project”.  The minute of the meeting was not available in the public arena for several weeks following the meeting.  No provision was undertaken to restrict access by HGVs to neighbouring communities in particular Burnbank Village and Cove. The report recommended that officers engage in a consultation regarding these measures, despite having prima facie taken the decision as to the width restriction measures. 

6.       Notes St Fittick’s Road is a single lane undivided carriageway and no physical measures will be in place to restrict HGV access above the stated width. Signage is proposed but no enforcement measures such as ANPR Cameras. Further notes similar measures in Golf Road, Aberdeen, are regularly ignored and little or no enforcement action follows.  Further notes a number of weight restrictions exist throughout the Aberdeen City Council area.

7.       Notes that a recent consultation  ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

With reference to article 16 of the minute of Full Council of 2 July 2025, the Committee had before it a Notice of Motion from Councillor Nicoll in the following terms.

That Committee:-

1.       notes that during the construction of the Aberdeen South Harbour, the original developer Dragados, implemented a procedure w hereby HGV traffic accessing and egressing the site were required to follow an agreed route avoiding local housing estates. HGV contractors faced penalties for non-compliance;

2.       notes that concerns from local communities regarding HGV traffic using the now open Aberdeen South Harbour continue. In particular communities in Torry, Cove and Altens and Burnbank Village remain concerned regarding HGV traffic accessing and egressing the harbour using local neighbourhood roads infrastructure;

3.       notes that the identified access and egress route to the Aberdeen South Harbour will be via Hareness Road and Coast Road and that a new road layout is in the process of being finalised and delivered;

4.       notes that during the many years developing the proposed access and egress route from Aberdeen South Harbour, now identified as above, local communities have been assured that adequate measures would be included as part of the overall development to restrict HGV traffic from neighbouring residential communities;      

5.       notes the Aberdeen City Region Deal Joint Committee comprises 9 members; 3 elected members from Aberdeen City Council, 3 elected members from Aberdeenshire Council and 3 members from private industry. The 3 Aberdeen City Council members are all drawn from the Council SNP and Lib Dem administration. Further notes that on 14th February 2025, a meeting of the Joint Committee agreed prima facie to implement a width restriction on St Fittick’s Road, i.e. “to instruct the Chief Officer - Operations, Aberdeen City Council, to progress all necessary consultations and traffic orders required for the implementation of a width restriction on St Fitticks Road.” No funding for the new Aberdeen South Harbour route from the existing £25M budget for this work was identified. The Joint Committee did agree to "instruct the Chief Officer, City Development and Regeneration, Aberdeen City Council, and the Head of Service, Planning and Economy, Aberdeenshire Council, to submit reports to Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Councils respectively seeking approval from each for the virement of £575,000 from the Strategic Transport Appraisal project to the Aberdeen City Region Deal External Transportation Links to Aberdeen South Harbour project”. The minute of the meeting was not available in the public arena for several weeks following the meeting. No provision was undertaken to restrict access by HGVs to neighbouring communities in particular Burnbank Village and Cove. The report recommended that officers engage in a consultation regarding these measures, despite having prima facie taken the decision as to the width restriction measures;

6.       notes St Fittick’s Road is a single lane undivided carriageway and no physical measures will be in place to restrict HGV access above the stated width. Signage is proposed but no enforcement measures such as ANPR Cameras. Further notes similar measures in Golf  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

That the Council:

1.    Notes the continued persistent pavement weed growth across Torry/Ferryhill, as per Appendix A (included within agenda), despite the biannual weed spraying carried out by Council contractors.

2.    Believes that this persistent weed growth is unsightly and does not represent best value for Aberdeen taxpayers.

3.    Acknowledges that the Council’s contractor currently sprays a solution of acetic acid (i.e. vinegar) and alcohol in May and September each year, which is wilting the weeds and some die but sees perennial and persistent weeds regrowing.

4.    Believes that the current contract does not reflect best value, as the existing treatment appears ineffective - evidenced by the presence of knee-height weeds and persistent weed growth throughout Torry/Ferryhill.

5.    Instructs the Chief Officer - Operations to work with the current contractor to explore options within the scope of the contract for more effective weed control that will significantly reduce weed growth.

6.    Further instructs that, should it not prove possible to implement a more effective treatment under this contract, the contract be allowed to expire at its natural end date and the Chief Officer - Operations procure a new contract which can deliver a solution that is more effective and provide best value for the good people of Aberdeen.

7.    Agrees that any additional costs associated with a revised weed control approach be met from the Common Good.

With reference to the meeting of Full Council of 20 August 2025, the Committee had before it a Notice of Motion from Councillor Kusznir in the following terms:-

That Committee:-

1.       notes the continued persistent pavement weed growth across Torry/Ferryhill, as per Appendix A (included within agenda), despite the biannual weed spraying carried out by Council contractors;

2.       believes that this persistent weed growth is unsightly and does not represent best value for Aberdeen taxpayers;

3.       acknowledges that the Council’s contractor currently sprays a solution of acetic acid (i.e. vinegar) and alcohol in May and September each year, which is wilting the weeds and some die but sees perennial and persistent weeds regrowing;   

4.       believes that the current contract does not reflect best value, as the existing treatment appears ineffective - evidenced by the presence of knee-height weeds and persistent weed growth throughout Torry/Ferryhill;

5.       instructs the Chief Officer - Operations to work with the current contractor to explore options within the scope of the contract for more effective weed control that will significantly reduce weed growth;

6.       further instructs that, should it not prove possible to implement a more effective treatment under this contract, the contract be allowed to expire at its natural end date and the Chief Officer - Operations procure a new contract which can deliver a solution that is more effective and provide best value for the good people of Aberdeen; and

7.       agrees that any additional costs associated with a revised weed control approach be met from the Common Good.

The Convener advised that Councillor Kusznir had agreed to amend the wording of his Notice of Motion and the revised wording was circulated to Members.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to note that the continued use of glyphosate as a weed killer is potentially damaging to the environment and a potential risk to human and animal health;

(ii)       to note that local councils across the UK have been seeking to identify practical and environmentally sustainable alternative methods of weed treatment;

(iii)      to note that, for the first of the two 2025 weed treatments of Aberdeen's roads and pavements, an alternative treatment method was trialled;

(iv)      to note that the second 2025 weed treatment was now taking place using glyphosate and that this was being effective; and

(v)      to instruct the Chief Officer - Operations to continue to seek to identify a practical and effective method of road and pavement weed treatment which reduces or eliminates the use of glyphosate.

The Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director City Regeneration and Environment which presented 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 the Chief Officer – Operations would liaise with colleagues in the Data Insights team to ascertain if any specific risks related to performance indicators could be reflected in the risk table within the covering report in future;

(ii)       to note that the Clerk would check with officers if a response had been received from Police Scotland in respect of the 20mph correspondence sent by the Convener and Vice Convener, and circulate this to Members outwith the meeting if available;

(iii)      in relation to page 36 of the report (% Water safety equipment inspected within timescale), to note that officers would review whether the yellow triangle under the May value was an error, and advise Members outwith the meeting;

(iv)      in relation to page 41 of the report (% Waste diverted from Landfill/% Household Waste Recycled/Composted – These figures are intended and used for internal monitoring only and are based on a rolling 12-month period), to note that the Chief Officer – Operations would clarify if this was in fact a rolling 12 month period, or the last 12 months and advise Members outwith the meeting;

(v)      in relation to page 44 of the report (Carbon Budgeting), to request that officers advise in any report back how the annual carbon budget was calculated when there had been unplanned waste to landfill; and

(vi)      to otherwise note the report. 

The Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director City Regeneration and Environment which provided the 2024/25 annual update on progress of collaborative place-based climate change work for Aberdeen, in line with the objectives of the Net Zero Aberdeen Routemap and Aberdeen Adapts: Climate Adaptation Framework.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the summary of key collaborative actions progressed between April 2024 and March 2025; and

(b)      endorse the content of the Appendix A – Net Zero Aberdeen & Aberdeen

Adapts: Progress Summary 2024/25.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor van Sweeden, moved the recommendations as set out in the report.

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

That the Committee –

(a)      note the summary of key collaborative actions progressed between April 2024 and March 2025;

(b)      note the content of the Appendix A – Net Zero Aberdeen & Aberdeen Adapts: Progress Summary 2024/25;

(c)      agree the Aberdeen Net Zero and Adaptation Board does not reflect the needs and aspirations of Aberdeen as the Energy Capital of Europe, agrees that the board should include a representative from OEUK or similar organisation in order to fully represent the city’s aspirations on NET Zero targets;

(d)      agree the SNP Administration has lost sight of hydrogen with the fact remaining that the Hydrogen sites are still not working and the Hydrogen buses remain unused locked in a garage; and

(e)      agree the proposed Aberdeen Rapid Transport will not be delivered unless the SNP Scottish Government unlocks the financial purse following the mammoth £50billion settlement from the UK Labour Government.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (5) – the Convener; and Councillors Henrickson, Hutchison, McLellan and van Sweeden; for the amendment (4) – Councillors Ali, Brooks, Nicoll and Tissera.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to note that the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning would liaise with the Chief Officer – Commercial and Procurement Services to circulate information to Members outwith the meeting on how long the hydrogen buses had been off the road, the financial implications of this and who was responsible for any cost, and confirmation of when the two hydrogen plants would be up and running;

(ii)       in relation to page 48 (bike storage) and whether users could be surveyed, to note that this could be considered for future iterations of the scheme;

(iii)      in relation to page 56 (refurbished bike scheme), to request that officers circulate any information available in relation to the numbers involved to Members outwith the meeting;

(iv)      in relation to page 59 (GP practices in Aberdeen training with RSPB Scotland), to note that officers would provide information on this initiative to Members outwith the meeting;

(v)      to note that the SCIS Annual Emissions Inventory Report for Aberdeen City would be provided on an annual basis in future, and to request that officers circulate a copy of the next report to Members when available; and

(vi)      to adopt the motion.

The Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director City Regeneration and Environment which provided an update on the costs and income associated with the operation of the Low Emission Zone during 2024/25, and sought approval for the remaining surplus income to be retained to cover future operational and maintenance costs.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the costs and income associated with the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) during the 2024/25 financial year;

(b)      approve the retention of the remaining income for 2024/25 to cover future LEZ operational and maintenance costs;

(c)      agree that a combined report on future years programming for both Bus Lane Enforcement and Low Emission Zone surpluses would be reported to this Committee on an annual basis; and

(d)      note that an annual report on the operation and effectiveness of the LEZ was currently in development and would be submitted to Scottish Ministers by the end of 2025, in accordance with the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Henrickson, moved the recommendations as set out in the report.

Councillor Brooks, seconded by Councillor Nicoll, moved as an amendment:-

That the Committee:-

(a)      notes the report;

(b)      notes that Monetising the LEZ for future funding was not the primary reason for its implementation by the SNP-led administration / Scottish Government;

(c)      further notes that latest statistics indicate that emissions are not only down in the LEZ but also down outwith the LEZ, which is indicative of less people choosing to visit Aberdeen;

(d)      although the annual report on the operation and effectiveness of the LEZ has yet to be published, notes again that early indications are that the emission figures have decreased potentially due to lower footfall in Aberdeen and the ongoing use of bus gates in the city centre;

(e)      notes that it is widely reported that the LEZ and Bus gates enforcement are the primary contributors to the economic challenges in the city centre; and

(f)       does not approve the retention of the remaining income for 2024/25 to cover future LEZ operational and maintenance costs.

Councillor Tissera, seconded by Councillor Ali, moved as a further amendment:-

That the Committee:-

(a)      note the report; and

(b)      does not approve the retention of the remaining income for 2024/25 to cover future LEZ operational and maintenance costs.

At this juncture, due to the similarity of points in their amendments, Councillor Brooks advised that he would subsume point (b) of Councillor Tissera’s amendment within his amendment, and Councillor Tissera’s amendment was therefore withdrawn.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (5) – the Convener; and Councillors Henrickson, Hutchison, McLellan and van Sweeden; for the amendment (4) – Councillors Ali, Brooks, Nicoll and Tissera.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to note that officers were currently preparing an annual report on the operation and effectiveness of the LEZ scheme for submission to Scottish Government, and to request that this be circulated to Members for information when available;

(ii)       to request that officers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

At this juncture, Councillor Henrickson stated for reasons of transparency that in relation to item 10.3 (Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy) he was a Council appointed member of Aberdeen Heat and Power but did not consider that this amounted to a declaration which would prevent him from participating in the item.

The Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director Families and Communities which  presented the draft Aberdeen City Council Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) for approval.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      approve Aberdeen City Council’s Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy and associated Delivery Plan as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report; and

(b)      instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to upload Aberdeen City

Council’s Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy and Delivery Plan onto Aberdeen City Council’s website.

During discussion of the report, there was mention of NHS Grampian, and the Convener stated for reasons of transparency that he was a member of NHS Grampian Board but did not consider that this required to be a declaration of interest and that he would be participating in the remainder of the item.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor van Sweeden, moved the recommendations as set out in the report.

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

That the Committee:-

(a)      agrees not to Approve Aberdeen City Council’s Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy and associated Delivery Plan as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2; and

(b)      instructs the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to update Appendix 2 LHEES delivery plan with details of progress made up to 2024 which is absent from the October 2024 Report and report back to this Committee with an updated Strategy and Delivery Plan for consideration and approval.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (5) – the Convener; and Councillors Henrickson, Hutchison, McLellan and van Sweeden; for the amendment (4) – Councillors Ali, Brooks, Nicoll and Tissera.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to request that officers provide hyperlinks for the background papers listed in the cover report to Members outwith the meeting;

(ii)       to note that the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning would liaise with the Chief Officer – Commercial and Procurement Services to provide information to Members outwith the meeting on progress made with discussions on connecting businesses to heat networks;

(iii)      to note that the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning would ask officers to provide information to Members outwith the meeting on the estimated cost for implementing the delivery plan over year 1, year 5, year 10 and year 20;

(iv)      in relation to page 95 of the report, to request that officers provide information to Members outwith the meeting on Energy Company Obligation Programmes;

(v)      to note that the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning would liaise with the Energy Team in relation to any data available for uninsulated property not in Council stock, and circulate this to Members if available;

(vi)      to note that the image on page 136 of the report was labelled incorrectly as Queens Links and that officers would rectify this;

(vii)     in relation to work being undertaken by the Chief Officer – Corporate Landlord in respect of taking the Council’s estate to the minimum standard and the timeline for this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

With reference to article 15 of the minute of its previous meeting, the Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director City Regeneration and Environment which provided information to Members on work that was underway and / or planned within Aberdeen to promote and encourage more, and safe, active travel to school and further provided an update on work that was underway to launch a School Streets pilot in Aberdeen.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the range of work that was currently ongoing to support and enable active travel to school in Aberdeen;

(b)      instruct the Chief Officer – Operations, following consultation with the Convener of the Net Zero, Environment and Transport Committee and the Convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, to determine which school would be most suitable to take forward as a Schools Street pilot project, and for this decision to be informed by the criteria set out in report presented to the 21January 2025 Net Zero, Environment and Transport Committee on implementing suitable schemes; and

(c)      instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to bring a Service Update on progress of the Schools Street pilot back to this Committee by the end of 2025.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Henrickson, moved:-

That the Committee:-

(a)      note the range of work that was currently ongoing to support and enable active travel to school in Aberdeen;

(b)      instruct the Chief Officer – Operations, following consultation with the Convener and Vice Convener of the Net Zero, Environment and Transport Committee and the Convener and Vice Convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, to determine which school would be most suitable to take forward as a Schools Street pilot project, and for this decision to be informed by the criteria set out in report presented to the 21 January 2025 Net Zero, Environment and Transport Committee on implementing suitable schemes; and

(c)      instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to bring a Service Update on progress of the Schools Street pilot back to this Committee by the end of 2025.

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

That the Committee:-

(a)      note the range of work that was currently ongoing to support and enable active travel to school in Aberdeen;

(b)      instruct the Chief Officer – Operations, following consultation with the Convener of the Net Zero, Environment and Transport Committee and the Convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, to determine which school would be most suitable to take forward as a Schools Street pilot project, agreeing that it should not be an independent school and for this decision to be informed by the criteria set out in the report presented to the 21 January 2025 Net Zero, Environment and Transport Committee on implementing suitable schemes; and

(c)      instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to bring a report on progress of the Schools Street pilot back to this Committee by the end of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

At this juncture, the Convener advised that he proposed to alter the order of the agenda to take items 11.5 (Road Winter Service Plan) and 11.6 (Various Small-Scale Traffic Management and Development Associated Proposals (Stage 3 – Public Advert)) as the next items of business.

The Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director City Regeneration and Environment which presented the Roads Winter Service Plan for the coming winter for approval and highlighted any significant changes.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      approve the “Roads Winter Service Plan 2025/2026” (Appendix 1);

(b)      delegate authority to the Chief Officer - Operations, following consultation with the Chief Officer – Finance, to continue to deliver the Winter Maintenance Service; and

(c)      instruct the Chief Officer – Operations to hold an induction meeting on a date to be arranged, for Elected Members on the winter service process.

During discussion of the report, there was mention of NHS Grampian, and the Convener stated for reasons of transparency that he was a member of the NHS Grampian Board but did not consider that this required him to make a declaration and would be participating in the remainder of the item.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Henrickson, moved the recommendations as set out in the report.

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

That the Committee:-

(a)      do not approve the “Roads Winter Service Plan 2025/2026” (Appendix 1); and

(b)      instruct the Chief Officer – Operations to hold an induction meeting on a date to be arranged, for Elected Members on the winter service process in order that the proposed plan can be amended taking into consideration what the public are telling Elected Members.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (7) – the Convener; and Councillors Allard, Brooks, Henrickson, McLellan, Nicoll and van Sweeden; for the amendment (2) – Councillors Ali and Tissera.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to note that officers could give consideration to having space for a 1 tonne salt bag as a planning design standard for future new developments;

(ii)       to note that officers would clarify if the current map for grit bin locations had been updated to include large community bins; and

(iii)      to adopt the motion.

At this juncture, as the meeting was approaching the six-hour mark, the Convener moved as a procedural motion, seconded by Councillor Henrickson, that Standing Order 40.2 be suspended to enable the remaining items of business to be considered that day.

On a division, there voted:- for the procedural motion (5) – the Convener; and Councillors Allard, Henrickson, McLellan and van Sweeden; against the procedural motion (4) – Councillors Ali, Brooks, Nicoll and Tissera.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       not to approve the procedural motion and therefore not to suspend Standing Order 40.2.

The Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director City Regeneration and Environment which set out objections and comments received as part of the statutory consultation process with respect to proposed Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs).

Members began questions of officers, however did not reach the point of determination of the report.

The Committee resolved:-

(ii)       to note that officers would clarify whether information was held on whether there was evidence that car ownership was decreasing, and would provide this information to Members outwith the meeting if available.

At this juncture, the six-hour mark was reached and the remainder of the determination of the report and the remaining items of business were referred to a future meeting in terms of Standing Order 40.2.

-       COUNCILLOR IAN YUILL, Convener