Agenda and decisions

The Convener advised that he had accepted the following urgent business onto the agenda:-

(1)      Notice of Motion by Councillor Watson relating to RAAC; and

(2)      35 Hour Week – Financing report.

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 item 14.1 (North of Scotland Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Partnership), item 14.2 (Disposal of Site 16 Lang Stracht), item 14.3 (Disposal of the Former Milltimber Primary School site, Monearn Gardens, Milltimber), item 14.4 (Disposal of the Former Hazlewood School), item 14.5 (35 Hour Week - Financing), item 15.1 (Victorian Schools Programme: Outline Business Case - Exempt Appendix) and item 15.2 (Work Plan and Business Cases - Exempt Appendices).

(1)      The Convener advised that he had a connection in relation to agenda item 9.3 (Our Union Street) by virtue of him being a Council appointed observer to the Board of Our Union Street. Having applied the objective test, he did not consider that he had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting;

(2)      Councillor Allard advised that he had a connection in relation to agenda item 14.5 (35 Hour Week - Financing) by virtue of him being a Council appointed member of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities; agenda item 7.1 (Urgent Notice of Motion by Councillor Watson) by virtue of him being a member on Aberdeen City Region Deal Joint Committee; and agenda item 11.1 (Investment Zone – Joint Committee Terms of Reference and Standing Orders) by virtue of him being a member on Aberdeen City Region Deal Joint Committee and the Investment Zone Steering Group. Having applied the objective test, he did not consider that he had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting;

(3)      Councillor Cooke declared an interest in item 14.4 (Disposal of the Former Hazlewood School), by virtue of him having a conflict of interest. He considered that the nature of his interest would require him to leave the meeting prior to consideration of the item;

(4)      Councillor Greig advised that he had a connection in relation to agenda item 9.2 (UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2025-26) by virtue of him being a Council appointed member of the Aberdeen Performing Arts Board. Having applied the objective test, he did not consider that he had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting;

(5)      Councillor Henrickson advised that he had a connection in relation to agenda item 9.1 (Council Financial Performance – Quarter 4, 2024/25) by virtue of him being an Aberdeen Football Club season ticket holder and DNA member and small shareholder. Having applied the objective test, he did not consider that he had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting;

(6)      Councillor Henrickson declared an interest in item 9.2 (UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2025-26), by virtue of him being a Council appointed member of the Aberdeen Performing Arts Board and Aberdeen Science Centre. He considered that the nature of his interest would require him to leave the meeting prior to consideration of the item; and

(7)      Councillor Brooks declared an interest in item 14.2 (Disposal of Site 16 Lang Stracht, Aberdeen, AB15 6TU), by virtue of him being involved with a foodbank. He considered that the nature of his interest would require him to leave the meeting prior to consideration of the item.

to approve the minute.

(i)       to note the reasons for deferral in relation to item 7 (Ferryhill School Suitability Improvements: Full Business Case) and item 8 (Harlaw Academy Suitability Improvements: Outline Business Case); and

(ii)      to otherwise note the Committee Planner.

That Committee note the visit of Paul McLennan MSP to meet residents affected by RAAC on Friday 2 May 2025. At this he clarified that the Scottish Government had received no requests from Aberdeen City Council to provide funding to assist owner occupiers. It was also reported that the Aberdeen City Region Deal contains an unspent “£20million in infrastructure funding to unlock housing sites that are of strategic importance to the local authorities”. The scale of RAAC and the disaster facing its victims means that this is a strategic priority for Aberdeen City Council, and we instruct the Chief Officer – Housing, Chief Officer – Corporate Landlord  and Chief Officer – Finance to report to the next meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee on any option(s) to utilise  these funds.

(1)      Agrees that Cllr Allard, Co-leader at Aberdeen City Council, moved a motion (25 October 2024) at CoSLA Leaders which was unanimously agreed, containing:-

“viii.  Recognised the concern surrounding Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) present in various council and former council housing stock alongside the significant financial implications to both local authorities and homeowners who had purchased a property previously owned by a local authority;

ix.?Noted that the previous UK Government had committed to consider the approach to any RAAC funding in other public sector estates on a case-by-case basis;  and

x.?Agreed to CoSLA engaging with both UK and Scottish Governments on:

1.         The establishment of funding mechanisms that might be available to support housing providers in meeting costs to resolve the issue and that local authorities were best placed to administer such funds.; and

2.         That any establishment of a UK wide RAAC Fund support affected tenants as well as, homeowners who had purchased previously council owned properties affected by RAAC with associated costs, such as remedial works or a financial support package that would alleviate the financial devastation caused by RAAC, by, at minimum, mitigating the gap between market value and any mortgage shortfall resulting from voluntary or compulsory purchase.”

(2)      Agrees that Aberdeen City Council adopts the above as its policy position with regards to RAAC funding, including but not limited to support for private owners;

(3)      Instructs the Chief Executive to continue engagement with Scottish Government, UK Government, and CoSLA, to outline Aberdeen City Council’s position with regards to RAAC funding and the need to establish a UK RAAC Fund for the purposes set out above;

(4)      Instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Scottish Government, UK Government, and CoSLA, to outline the position of private owners due to the RAAC crisis and outline the need for the establishment of a UK RAAC Fund for the purposes set out above;

(5)      Notes the Scottish Government’s Housing Minister, Paul McLennan MSP, met with residents in Torry whose properties are affected by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) on Friday 2 May 2025. Further notes that the Housing Minister met with Co-leader, Councillor Christian Allard and Councillor Martin Greig at Marischal College with Council officials to discuss the impact of RAAC on Aberdeen City Council;

(6)      Notes that the Aberdeen City Region Deal contains a £20 million Housing Infrastructure Fund to unlock housing sites that are of strategic importance to the local authorities;

(7)      Instructs the Chief Officer – Corporate Landlord to consider the options and possibilities that may be available through the Housing Infrastructure Fund as part of the Balnagask Masterplanning exercise that has previously been instructed;

(8)      note that the Chief Officer – Corporate Landlord would circulate to members Housing Infrastructure Fund guidance and information relating to UK Government funding requests.

(a)      note the unaudited final outturn position for financial year 2024/25 as detailed in Appendix 1;

(b)      note the General Fund has recorded a balanced position on the operational budget for the year 2024/25. The uncommitted General Fund reserve remains in line with the approved Reserves Policy;

(c)      note that the Housing Revenue Account has recorded a deficit of £3.001m for the year, and this will have to be funded from the uncommitted HRA reserve. The uncommitted HRA reserve is below the recommended level;

(d)      note that the Common Good has recorded an operating surplus of £0.054m for the year, which is better than the approved use of cash reserves. After investment valuation changes are included, cash balances decreased by £0.451m but remain in line with recommended levels;

(e)      approve the various transfers for 2024/25, between Council Reserves and earmarked sums for the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account, Common Good and Statutory Funds as of 31 March 2025, as detailed in Appendix 1;

(f)       approve the reprofiling of the 2025/26 – 2028/29 capital programmes as detailed in Appendix 1, page 13, to take account of the year end position and that the outcome of this is incorporated into the 2025/26 Quarter 1 reporting; and

(g)      note that the unaudited Annual Accounts for 2024/25 will be presented to Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Committee on 8 May 2025, including the Annual Governance Statement and Remuneration Report for the year; and

(1)      agree to provisionally allocate £35k, from the Common Good Fund, to facilitate a parade and celebrations if Aberdeen FC win the 2024/25 Scottish Cup;

(2)      wishes Aberdeen FC every success in the upcoming final on 24 May 2025 at Hampden Park; and

(3)      that in relation to Common Good earmarked reserves pertaining to AWPR Drainage Issues for future issues, the Chief Officer – Finance would clarify what the funding was specifically earmarked for and determine whether it could be used in relation to the issues at Culter House Road and circulate details to the members of the Committee and Councillor Boulton in this regard.

UKSPF Communities and Place

(a)      approve the allocations for Communities and Place as detailed in Appendix 1;

UKSPF Local Business Support

(b)      approve an allocation of £258,603 to Aberdeen City Council for the Aberdeen Energy Efficiency Programme;

UKSPF 25-26

(c)      note that the total amount of £2,346,857 for UK Shared Prosperity has now been fully allocated should the above recommendations be approved;

(d)      authorise the Chief Officer – City Development and Regeneration to approve the reallocation of funding within previously approved projects should any underspends be reported; and

(e)      authorise the Chief Officer – City Development and Regeneration to approve funding for other projects (ie projects which have not been previously approved) up to a total of £30,000 per project should any underspends be reported.

(a)      note an additional allocation of £400,000 from Scottish Government to Aberdeen City Council specifically to support Our Union Street with delivery of City Centre Regeneration Activity;

(b)      approve payment of up to £400,000 to Union Street Partnership Ltd, trading under Our Union Street, upon submission and approval of a delivery plan which supports the Union Street Action Plan; and

(c)      delegate authority to the Chief Officer – City Development and Regeneration to review and approve the delivery plan in recommendation (2.2) and approve the provision of a grant to Union Street Partnership Ltd and the entering into a grant agreement following consultation with the Chief Officer – Finance, Chief Officer – Commercial & Procurement Services and the Convener and Vice Convener of Finance & Resources Committee.

note the Cluster Risk Registers and Assurance Maps set out in appendices A to O.

(a)      note the slightly amended Terms of Reference at Appendix 1 have been endorsed unanimously by the North East Scotland Investment Zone Steering Group;

(b)      approve the slightly amended North East Scotland Investment Zone Joint Committee Terms of Reference and Standing Orders in Appendix 1; and

(c)      agree that the North East Scotland Investment Zone Joint Committee will come into effect following submission of Gateway 5 (Delivery).

approve the application from the Denis Law Legacy Trust (Appendix 1) to erect a commemorative plaque at 6B Printfield Terrace, Aberdeen, the birthplace of Denis Law, subject to utilising the plaque wording set out in paragraph 3.7 of the report.

note the attached full business case for the St Machar Academy Grounds

Improvements project in Appendix A.

There is an exempt appendix in the Exempt Appendices section below.

(a)      note the preferred option(s) for taking forwards the Victorian Schools programme along with the associated costs all as detailed within the Outline Business Case at Appendix A of this report; and

(b)      note the decision of the Education and Children’s Services Committee on 29th April 2025 to include the programme of work into the School Estate Plan and instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to present the costs and programme of works for inclusion in the capital budget setting process for 2026/27.

(a)      accept the asset transfer request received from the Bridge of Don Skatepark Development Group as outlined in section 3 of the report;

(b)      instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to issue a decision letter accepting the request received for the Westfield Park Skate Park and adjacent ground, with any necessary terms and conditions included; and

(c)      instruct the Chief Officer – Governance to conclude missives for the lease of the ground within the Westfield Park incorporating various qualifications as are necessary to protect the Councils interests.

There are exempt appendices in the Exempt Appendices Section below.

(a)      review the workplans as detailed in the Appendices for the City Regeneration and Environment and Families and Communities Functions;

(b)      approve the procurement business cases, including the total estimated expenditure for the proposed contracts;

(c)      approve the estimated expenditure on framework agreements as detailed in the Corporate Services workplan; and

(d)      note the content of Appendix 3 – 3.10 Memo Approvals and Appendix 4 – 4.1.3 Technical Exemption Approvals.

to approve the recommendations contained within the exempt report.

to adopt the Motion by the Convener.

(a)      instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to advise the recommended offering party that they are the preferred bidder for site as outlined in Appendix 2; and

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

(a)      instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to advise the recommended offering party that they are the preferred bidder for the property as outlined in Appendix 2; and

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

to approve the recommendations contained within the exempt report.

to note the information contained within the exempt appendix.

to note the information contained within the exempt appendix.