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 Convener proposed that the Committee consider item 13.1 (Proposed Disposal of Surplus Site at Oscar Road, Torry), item 13.2 (Purchase of Ground - Wellington Road – March 2023), item 14.1 (Workplans and Business Cases – Exempt Appendices), item 14.2 (Christmas Village Feedback Report – Exempt Appendices) and item 14.3 (Complex Care - Outline Business Case – Exempt Appendix) 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 items so as to avoid disclosure of information of the classes described in the following paragraphs of Schedule 7(A) to the Act:- article 18 (paragraph 9), article 19 (paragraphs 6 and 9), article 20 (paragraph 8), article 21 (paragraph 6) and article 22 (paragraphs 8 and 9).

Members were requested to intimate any declarations of interest or transparency statements in respect of the items on today’s agenda, thereafter the following were intimated:-

(1)      Councillor Greig declared an interest in relation to agenda item 9.3 (UK Shared Prosperity Fund) by virtue of him being a Council appointed member of Aberdeen Performing Arts Board. He considered that the nature of his interest would require him to leave the meeting prior to consideration of the item;

(2)      Councillor Nicoll advised that he had a connection in relation to items 7.1 (Notice of Motion by Councillor Crockett – City region Deal), 11.2 (North East of Scotland Green Freeport – Update) and 11.4 (Energy Transition Zone Jobs and Skills Plan) by virtue of him being a Council appointed member of a number of outside bodies. He considered that the nature of his interests would not require him to leave the meeting prior to consideration of the item;

(3)      Councillor Radley declared an interest in relation to agenda item 9.3 (UK Shared Prosperity Fund) by virtue of her being a Council appointed member of Visit Aberdeenshire Board. She considered that the nature of her interest would require her to leave the meeting prior to consideration of the item;

(4)      Councillor Grant advised that he had a connection in relation to item 9.5 (Tillydrone Primary School) by virtue of his children attending Riverbank Primary School and that his wife was a member of Tillydrone Parent Council.  He considered that the nature of his interests would not require him to leave the meeting prior to consideration of the item;

(5)      Councillor Grant declared an interest in relation to agenda items 9.2 (Place Based Investment Programme) and 9.3 (UK Shared Prosperity Fund) by virtue of him being the previous Chairman of the Tillydrone Community Development Trust; and item 10.2 (Christmas Village Feedback Report) by virtue of him being an employee of Aberdeen Inspired. He considered that the nature of his interests would require him to leave the meeting prior to consideration of these items; and

(6)      Councillor Fairfull declared an interest in relation to agenda item 9.3 (UK Shared Prosperity Fund) by virtue of her being a Council appointed member of Aberdeen Performing Arts Board. She considered that the nature of her interest would require her to leave the meeting prior to consideration of the item.

The Committee had before it the minute of meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee of 1 February 2023.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute as a correct record.

TRANSPARENCY STATEMENT

During consideration of the below item of business, specifically relating to the Belmont Cinema and Media Centre Options item, Councillor Macdonald advised that she had a connection by virtue of her being an Advisor to the Save the Belmont Campaign. Having applied the objective test, she did not consider that she had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

The Committee had before it the Committee Business Planner prepared by the Interim Chief Officer - Governance.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to remove items 7 and 33 (Capital Programme Delivery: Projects Update); and item 69 (Marywell to A956 Wellington Road – Cycle Path (RCD5394) 19/20) from the planner;

(ii)       to transfer item 5 (City Centre Multi Storey Blocks - Progress on Full Options Appraisal) to the Communities Housing and Public Protection Committee Planner;

(iii)      in relation to item 28 (Belmont Cinema and Media Centre Options) to request that the Chief Officer – City Growth investigate whether the report could be submitted sooner to Council at its meeting on 26 April 2023, if reporting timelines in this regard were achievable;

(iv)      in relation to item 69 (Marywell to A956 Wellington Road – Cycle Path (RCD5394) 19/20), to instruct the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning to circulate details of the current costs of the project to all members of the Committee; and

(v)      to otherwise note the Committee Planner.

With reference to article 14 of the minute of meeting of the Council of 22 February 2023, the Committee had before it a Notice of Motion by Councillor Crockett in the following terms:-

That the Committee:-

(1)      note the success of the Aberdeen City Region Deal, a 10-year deal signed in 2016 by the former Leader of Aberdeen City Council, noting the key themes within the Aberdeen City Region Deal are innovation, internationalisation and diversification. Its key projects areas are:-

·            Innovation - including NZTC (former name OGTC), Agri-Food andNutrition Hub and Bio-Therapeutic Hub;

·            Digital Connectivity;

·            Road infrastructure supporting the Aberdeen South Harbour Expansion; and

·            Strategic Transport Appraisal of priority regional projects;

(2)      agree that Aberdeen has been let down by the Scottish and UK Governments who have made decisions detrimental to the North East economy despite Aberdeen having the skills, expertise and infrastructure which could accelerate the energy transition;

(3)      agree that it is now essential that the Council approaches the UK Government to start negotiating on a new Aberdeen City Region Deal or an extension of the Aberdeen City Region Deal which is due to expire in 2026 in order for the city to remain competitive as it moves towards Green and renewable energy; and

(4)      therefore, agree to the setting up of a cross party working group comprising the 4 group leaders to discuss and agree a Council strategy in order for the council to start the process to either extend or renew the Aberdeen City Region Deal with the UK Government.

During discussion, the following joint amendment was submitted by the Convener and Councillor Crockett:-

That the Committee:-

(1)            note the success of the Aberdeen City Region Deal, a 10-year deal signed in 2016, by Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, the Scottish Government, the UK Government, and Opportunity North East (ONE);

(2)            note the agreed key workstreams within the City Region Deal Programme, as follows:-

·            Digital connectivity;

·            Innovation - including NZTC (former name OGTC), Agri-Food, Nutrition Hub and Bio-Therapeutic Hub; and

·            Transport - Road infrastructure supporting the Aberdeen South Harbour Expansion; and Strategic Transport Appraisal of priority regional projects;

(3)            note the success of the Deal in levering in additional investment into delivering the programme including the investment by Aberdeen City Council;

(4)            acknowledge that the Aberdeen City Region Deal is due to end in 2026 and notes that regional partners are finalising a new Region Economic Strategy (RES) that will set out future ambitions for the region and the basis for a new investment plan that the regional economic partners will develop for ongoing discussion with the Scottish Government and UK Government; 

(5)            note with disappointment that the Northeast of Scotland Green Freeport bid was unsuccessful and that the Co-Leaders have contacted both governments to discuss  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Exempt appendices are located within the Exempt Appendices section of this agenda.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Commissioning which  presented procurement work plans where expenditure was included for the Customer, Operations and Resources Functions to Committee for review and to sought approval of the total estimated expenditure for the proposed contracts as contained in the Procurement Business Cases appended to the report.

The procurement business cases related to the following:-

·       Bioliners 2023;

·       Structural Engineer; and

·       Occupational Health.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      reviews the workplan as detailed in the Appendices for the Customer, Operations and Resources Functions;

(b)      approves the procurement business cases, including the total estimated expenditure for the proposed contract;

(c)      notes the content of Appendix 3 to 3.10 Memos (Exemption Urgency); and

(d)      notes the content of Appendix 4 to 4.1.3 Forms (Technical Exemption).

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

At this juncture, in accordance with Article 2 of this minute, Councillor Grant left the meeting prior to consideration of the following item of business and Councillor Bonsell joined the meeting as his substitute.

With reference to article 8 of the minute of the previous meeting of 1 February 2023, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Commissioning which sought approval for the allocation of grant funding from the Place Based Investment Programme (PBIP) Fund 2022/2023 and 2023/24.

The Committee heard Mr Stuart Bews, Team Leader, External Funding provide an update relating to further information received from Camphill School Aberdeen regarding a service level agreement held with Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership. He requested that following receipt of this information, that recommendation (g) below be amended to approve the application for the project.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee  -

Place Based Investment Programme 2022/23

(a)      note the withdrawal of the commitment to the Woodside Gateway project which had been allocated £100,000;

(b)      note that in line with the Committee decision on 07/12/2022 an additional £10,987 was awarded to Fersands Fountain Community Project following consultation with Convener of Finance and Resources;

(c)      approve an initial award of £90,994 to Aberdeen City Council for the Tolbooth Museum External Improvements and Structural Repairs project, and agrees that any funds which become available from previously approved PBIP 2022/23 projects, be re-allocated to this project;

(d)      note that any PBIP 2022/23 funds allocated to the Tolbooth project will reduce the value of UK Shared Prosperity Funds allocated to the project by the same value;

(e)      agree to transfer the allocation of £253,981 to Tillydrone Community Development Trust for the Benholms Gateway project from the 2022/23 programme to the 2023/24 programme;

Place Based Investment Programme 2023/24

(f)       approve an award of up to £155,615 to Aberdeen City Council for The Street Design – Woodside Gateway project;

(g)      reject the application from Camphill School Aberdeen for the Murtle Market project; and

(h)      reject the application from Aberdeen Social Centre for the Aberdeen Alternative Arts Festival project.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to approve the recommendations, with the exception of (g) above;

(ii)       to approve the application from Camphill School Aberdeen for the Murtle Market project; and

(iii)      to note that Castlegate Arts are developing preparatory work to make further improvements to its facilities and instructs the Chief Officer – City Growth to engage with Castlegate Arts to explore the suitability of future Place Based Investment Funding that can assist with capital investment options for the King Street premises.

At this juncture, in accordance with Article 2 of this minute, Councillors Grant, Greig, Fairfull and Radley left the meeting prior to consideration of the following item of business. Councillors Bonsell, Delaney, Hutchison and Allard joined the meeting as substitutes respectively.

With reference to article 8 of the minute of the previous meeting of 1 February 2023, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Commissioning which sought approval for the proposed allocation of grant funding of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) 2023/25.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

UKSPF Communities And Place

(a)      defer decision on the application for up to £167,112 to Tillydrone Community Development Trust for the Benholms Tower Project to the meeting of Finance and Resources Committee on 5th July 2023;

(b)      award up to £79,506 to Greyhope Bay for the Phase 2 Feasibility Project;

(c)      award up to £124,800 to VisitAberdeenshire for a Make a Day of it in Aberdeen Campaign;

(d)      award up to £82,468 to Home-Start Aberdeen to support additional vulnerable families;

(e)      reject the application for up to £300,000 to Aberdeen Performing Arts at this time for the Lemon Tree Redevelopment project due to lack of information on funding sources for proposed main capital works.

UKSPF People & Skills

(f)       award up to £275,000 to Aberdeen City Council for additional employability keyworker support for economically inactive people; and

(g)      award up to £355,000 to Aberdeen City Council to provide additional courses for economically inactive people, Green Skills courses and development of local projects.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)       to note the officer review outcome in relation to the Lemon Tree Redevelopment – Design Development proposals and instructs the Chief Officer – City Growth to report back to the Finance and Resources Committee by September 2023 with details of work done to support Aberdeen Performing Arts in identifying alternative sources of funding.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which provided an overview of the recent credit rating annual review including details relating to the outcome of the review.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the outcome of the annual review was affirmation of the A1 rating, with an economic outlook of ‘negative’, in line with the recent changes to the UK’s rating.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which provided an update on the progress of the Replacement Riverbank Primary School.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the current on-going work leading to completion of the construction of the Replacement Riverbank Primary School in Summer 2024;

(b)      note that following the retender exercise the total development budget saving is estimated as circa £6 million; and

(c)      note that Council Officers will engage with stakeholders at key project milestones as detailed in the report.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Greig moved:-

that the Committee –

(1)      approve the recommendations;

(2)      note the current on-going work leading to completion of the construction of the replacement Riverbank Primary School and thanks the Chief Officer - Capital and his team for their work in progressing the project;

(3)      note the reappointment of Robertson Construction with a contract sum circa £24.8 million;

(4)      note the milestones that have been tabled within the report and also notes the significant planning and preparation that will be involved in the decant to the new school and that the school community needs firm clarity on when the construction will conclude;

(5)      agree therefore to affirm its commitment to opening the new Riverbank Primary in time for occupation in Summer 2024 and if the Chief Officer - Capital considers any delay to be so significant that it will affect the target opening, he will notify members of the Committee, the school headteacher, the parent council and group leaders;  

(6)      note that Council Officers will engage with stakeholders at key project milestones as detailed in the report and notes a recent meeting of the Riverbank Parent Council and council officers led to a number of suggestions being made; and

(7)      instruct the Chief Officer – Capital to present the engagement plan to the parent council, seeking their input and approval to ensure that engagement will be meaningful, proactive and meet their needs and expectations.

Councillor Grant, seconded by Councillor Macdonald, moved as an amendment:-

that the Committee –

(1)      note the current on-going work leading to completion of the construction of the replacement Riverbank Primary School and thanks the Chief Officer - Capital and his team for their work in progressing the project;

(2)      note the reappointment of Robertson Construction with a contract sum circa £24.8 million;

(3)      note the milestones that have been tabled within the report and also notes the significant planning and preparation that will be involved in the decant to the new school and that the school community needs firm clarity on when the construction will conclude;

(4)      agree therefore to affirm its commitment to opening the new Riverbank Primary in time for occupation in August 2024 and if the Chief Officer - Capital considers any delay to be so significant that it will affect the target opening, he will notify members of the Committee, the school headteacher, the parent council and group leaders;  

(5)      note that Council Officers will  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

An exempt appendix is located within the Exempt Appendices section of this agenda.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which provided details of the Outline Business Case for provision of Complex Care accommodation in the city and sought approval to proceed to production of a Full Business Case.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the contents of the Outline Business Case appended; and

(b)      instruct the Chief Officer – Capital to progress to Full Business Case and to report back the outcome to this Committee on 13 September 2023.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)       to instruct the Chief Officer – Health and Social Care Partnership to circulate details to members of the Committee in relation to out of area placements, including the market position statement.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Customer Services which provided details in relation to the status of key cluster performance measures and activity indicators relating to the Commissioning and Resources functions.

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 performance information contained in the report appendix.

At this juncture, in accordance with Article 2 of this minute, Councillor Grant left the meeting prior to consideration of the following item of business.

Exempt appendices are located within the Exempt Appendices section of this agenda.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Commissioning which presented the evaluation of the 2022 Christmas Village and sought approval for the proposed delivery model for the Christmas 2023 Festival.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the findings of the evaluation of the 2022 Christmas Village;

(b)      instruct the Chief Officer – City Growth to carry out the necessary undertakings to deliver the additional activities for the 2023 edition detailed in this report;

(c)      instruct the Head of Commercial and Procurement, following consultation with the Chief Officer - Finance and Chief Officer – City Growth to vary the current service level agreement with Aberdeen Inspired and contract with John Codona’s, Pleasure Fairs Ltd to deliver the 2023 event that reflects the changes detailed in this report; and

(d)      instruct the Chief Officer – City Growth to report back to the Finance and Resources Committee in March 2024 with the evaluation report of the 2023 event.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Commissioning which sought delegated authority (subject to receiving grant offers) to accept grant offers from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and/or Historic Environment Scotland for the development phase of a Heritage & Place Programme.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      delegate authority to Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to accept development phase grant offers from Historic Environment Scotland and/or the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with Aberdeen City Council match funding of £86,350 from City Centre Masterplan (CCMP) budget;

(b)      approve a Heritage & Place Programme development phase of up to 12-months, in line with Historic Environment Scotland and the National Lottery Heritage Fund processes, as appropriate, including appointment of a fixed-term Development Officer post; and

(c)      approve submission of second round Heritage & Place Programme grant applications to Historic Environment Scotland and/or the National Lottery Heritage Fund, for the 5-year delivery phase.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 14 of the minute of meeting of the City Growth and Resources Committee of 11 May 2021, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Commissioning which provided information on the development and outcome of the Green Freeport Proposals and in the event of an unsuccessful bid, provided the Council with the planned next steps to ensure the region attracted the investment required to meet the region’s ambitions.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the outcome of the bidding process and the decision not to award the North East of Scotland green freeport status;

(b)      note the government’s feedback on the unsuccessful NESGF bid;

(c)      note that the Chief Officer – City Growth will continue discussions with regional partners and Scottish Government and UK Government officials on any alternative plans to secure inward investment to the North East; and

(d)      instruct the Chief Officer - City Growth to continue to work with regional partners and officials in both governments and report back to this Committee with an update on Investment Zones and how they can be delivered in the North East.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Commissioning which sought approval of proposed international travel and conference attendance by officers and elected members, required to support relevant City Growth activities in 2023/24.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      approve proposed international travel as detailed below, and subject to the maximum expenditure as detailed in paragraph 4.1. All approved travel will be reviewed when event schedules and programmes become available to ensure continued adherence to the criteria in paragraph 3.9 before bookings are made:-

(1)    Two officers (one City Growth and one Invest Aberdeen) to attend WindEurope’s annual conference in Copenhagen, Denmark between 25 – 27 April 2023;

(2)    Up to two officers to attend the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam, Netherlands between 9 - 11 May 2023; and

(3)    The Lord Provost plus one officer to attend the WECP Board Meeting at CERA Week conference in Houston, USA in early March 2024 (dates TBC);

(b)      delegate authority to the Chief Officer – City Growth to authorise necessary and appropriate travel documentation and associated expenditure for the travel noted in 2.1, provided the cost does not exceed the budget referred to in Section 4 of this report and that all arrangements are made in line with current Council travel policies;

(c)      note the outcomes of overseas activity undertaken in 2022/23 as detailed in Appendix 1 of this report; and

(d)      agree that the outcomes of overseas activity proposed for 2023/24 will be provided to this Committee by way of an annual Service Update.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)       to instruct the Chief Officer – City Growth to circulate a breakdown of the 2022/23 financial costs for the Christmas Tree to all Committee members.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Commissioning which provided an introduction to the Jobs and Skills Plan created by ETZ Ltd for the proposed Energy Transition Zone, with the Plan attached as Appendix One.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note ETZ Ltd’s Energy Transition Zone Jobs and Skills Plan; and

(b)      instruct the Chief Officer - City Growth to provide a regular service update report to the Finance and Resources Committee members as the Plan is being updated and implemented.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

In accordance with the decision taken at Article 1 of this minute, the following items were considered with the press and public excluded.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which provided details of recent disposal negotiations for the sale of the surplus site on Oscar Road, Torry.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      accept the recommendation as detailed in paragraph 3.6 of this report; and

(b)      instruct the Chief Officer – Governance to conclude missives for the sale of the site incorporating various qualifications as are necessary to protect the Council’s interest, together with any other matters as are required to complete the transaction.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 7 of the minute of meeting of Council of 24 August 2022, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which provided details of the outcome of the negotiations over the purchase of ground adjacent to Wellington Road to allow future road widening proposals.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to agree the purchase of the site noted with the report at Marked Value (assuming this is below the previous independent valuation) and to thereafter instruct the Interim Chief Officer – Governance to conclude the purchase of the ground incorporating appropriate clauses to protect the Council’s interest.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Greig moved:-

that the Committee approve the recommendation contained within the report.

Councillor Grant, seconded by Councillor Macdonald moved as an amendment:-

that the Committee –

(1)      note the contents of the report and thanks officers for their efforts and agrees that any future improvements to the Wellington Road Corridor will compliment both Aberdeen City Council and the Scottish Government’s strategies to promote economic growth and sustainable and active travel; and

(2)      agree to instruct the Chief Officer – Corporate Landlord to write to the Scottish Government seeking their support to transfer the land to the Council for a nominal sum of £1.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (8) – the Convener and Councillors Bouse, Cooke, Fairfull, Greig, Nicoll, Radley and van Sweeden; for the amendment (5) – Councillors Bonsell, Farquhar, Grant, Houghton and Macdonald.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the motion.

The Committee had before it for consideration, exempt appendices relating to the Workplan and Business Cases report.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the information contained within the exempt appendices.

The Committee had before it for consideration, exempt appendices relating to the Christmas Village Feedback report.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the information contained within the exempt appendices.

The Committee had before it for consideration an exempt appendix relating to the Complex Care – Outline Business Case report.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the information contained within the exempt appendix.

-         COUNCILLOR ALEX MCLELLAN, Convener.