Agenda item

With reference to Article 17 of the minute of its meeting of 14 December 2022, the Council had before it a report by the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning which sought approval of the Finalised Draft George Street Masterplan as the George Street Masterplan being the Council’s ‘place’ strategy for the George Street area.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)          review the Consultation and Engagement Report (Appendix 1) which recorded and analysed the public and stakeholder consultation and engagement undertaken, and note that the consultation responses had shaped the Finalised Draft George Street Masterplan;

(b)          note the contents of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report, and the non-technical summary report (Appendix 5 and 5a), whose findings were recorded in, and had given direction to, the content of the Finalised Draft George Street Masterplan; and

(c)          approve the Finalised Draft George Street Masterplan (Appendix 2) as the George Street Masterplan being the Council’s ‘place’ strategy for the George Street area.

Councillor Henrickson moved, seconded by Councillor Bouse:-

That the Council approve the recommendations contained within the report and agree individual projects or interventions would be subject to consultation as deemed necessary by legislation or by the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning in consultation with the Co-Leaders.

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

            That the Council -

(1)      agree the recommendations contained within the report;

(2)      note with disappointment that the SNP Administration are once again giving the public of Aberdeen false hope with this George Street Masterplan as not one single penny has been allocated to implement any of the 32 projects identified within the Masterplan; and

(3)      agree to refer the report to the budget process for financial year 2024/25, enabling the Council to consider allocating funding towards the George Street Masterplan.

Councillor Massey moved as a further amendment, seconded by Councillor Farquhar:-

That the Council agree that the George Street Masterplan be considered at the 2024 Budget Meeting. Noting that:-

1.    “Norco Place” is a key part of the masterplan. The new ownership of the “Norco Place” building is not considered and therefore there should be engagement with the new owners to first ascertain their potential plans and intentions.

2.    A number of businesses feel that they have not been engaged with, especially the businesses located in Jopp’s Lane.

3.    This Masterplan proposes significant road changes which affect the flow of city centre traffic and would severely restrict West to East traffic. Given the current uncertainty around traffic in the city centre, a period of stability is required to further assess that impact without additional changes

o   The new proposed road layout includes closing West to East traffic on John Street and Blackfriars Street and also closing access between Loch Street and Berry Street

o   Given the traffic restrictions in place on Guild Street, Union Street and Schoolhill this would put huge pressure on Maberly Street/Spring Garden as the first main West to East route in the city centre after Riverside Drive as you travel North through the city.

4.    The Council Medium Term Financial Strategy outlines a significant potential funding gap between the grant from the Scottish Government and the spending of our Council. Therefore, any spending requirements as a result of this masterplan would be highly likely to require additional external funding to the Council. Further feedback from the budget consultation could also inform the Masterplan.

There being a motion and two amendments, the Council first divided between the amendment by Councillor Malik and the amendment by Councillor Massey.

On a division, there voted:-

For the amendment by Councillor Malik  (10)  -  Councillors Ali, Bonsell, Graham, Grant, Lawrence, Macdonald, Malik, Thomson, Tissera and Watson.

For the amendment by Councillor Massey  (5)  -  Councillors Boulton, Brooks, Farquhar, McLeod and Massey.

Declined to vote  (24)  -  Lord Provost; Depute Provost; and Councillors Al-Samarai, Allard, Alphonse, Bouse, Hazel Cameron, Clark, Cooke, Copland, Cormie, Crockett, Davidson, Fairfull, Greig, Henrickson, MacGregor, McLellan, McRae, Mennie, Nicoll, Radley, van Sweeden and Yuill.

Absent from the division  (1)  -  Councillor Hutchison.

The Council then divided between the motion and the amendment by Councillor Malik.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion  (23)  -  Lord Provost; Depute Provost; and Councillors Al-Samarai, Allard, Alphonse, Bouse, Hazel Cameron, Clark, Cooke, Copland, Cormie, Davidson, Fairfull, Greig, Henrickson, MacGregor, McLellan, McRae, Mennie, Nicoll, Radley, van Sweeden and Yuill.

For the amendment by Councillor Malik  (11)  -  Councillors Ali, Bonsell, Crockett, Graham, Grant, Lawrence, Macdonald, Malik, Thomson, Tissera and Watson.

Declined to vote  (5)  -  Councillors Boulton, Brooks, Farquhar, McLeod and Massey.

Absent from the division  (1)  -  Councillor Hutchison.

The Council resolved:-

to adopt the motion.