Agenda item

The Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director City Regeneration and Environment which (a) provided an update on the status of the Bus Lane Enforcement (BLE) programme; (b) set out a proposed new approach to the delivery of both Bus Lane Enforcement and Low Emission Zone (LEZ) programmes moving forward; and identified a short list of projects which required confirmation of willingness by the Committee to provide financial support.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note progress on the projects funded from the BLE programme up to 2024/25, as detailed in Appendix 1;

(b)      instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to use the framework set out in Table 2 and 3 of this report to prepare future years’ programmes for any BLE and LEZ surpluses;

(c)      should recommendation (b) be approved, instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to report back to next meeting of the Net Zero, Environment and Transport Committee with a programme for the use of BLE and LEZ surpluses for 2025/26, using the agreed framework;

(d)      instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to return to the Net Zero, Environment and Transport Committee with a three year programme of work for core paths/outdoor access by the end of 2025; and

(e)      approve the allocation of funding from the Bus Lane Enforcement and Low Emission Zone surpluses, as set out in Table 4 of the report, and instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to work with relevant partners and to report back to this Committee on the progress of these projects.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Greig, moved:-

That the Committee –

(a)      approve the recommendations in the report; and

(b)      instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to write to the Scottish Government outlining the Council’s wish for Aberdeen to be the pilot area for the £2 bus fare cap.

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

That the Committee –

(a)      note progress on the projects funded from the BLE programme up to 2024/25, as detailed in Appendix 1;

(b)      instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to bring forward a report highlighting every use available to Council for BLE and LEZ surpluses, in order for Elected Members to assess the best use of these monies;

(c)      should recommendation (b) be approved, instruct the Chief Officer -Strategic Place Planning to report back to next meeting of the Net Zero, Environment and Transport Committee with a proposed programme for the use of BLE and LEZ surpluses for 2025/26; and

(d)      instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to return to the Net Zero, Environment and Transport Committee with a three year programme of work for core paths/outdoor access by the end of 2025.

Councillor Nicoll, seconded by Councillor Massey, moved that the Committee take no action.

In terms of Standing Order 29.21, the Committee firstly divided between the motion and the amendment by Councillor Nicoll.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (5) – the Convener; and Councillors Greig, Henrickson, McLellan and van Sweeden; for the amendment (2) – Councillors Massey and Nicoll; declined to vote (2) – Councillors Ali and Tissera.

The Committee then divided between the motion and the amendment by Councillor Tissera.

On a division, there voted: - for the motion (5) – the Convener; and Councillors Greig, Henrickson, McLellan and van Sweeden; for the amendment (2) – Councillors Ali and Tissera; declined to vote (2) – Councillors Massey and Nicoll.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to note that the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning would ask the City Events Manager to provide further information to Members outwith the meeting on any match funding / additional funding which was in place for the Tall Ships;

(ii)       to note that the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning would provide a breakdown to Members of the £350,000 allocated to Schools Active Travel Training (iBike); and

(iii)      to adopt the motion.

-       COUNCILLOR MIRANDA RADLEY, Convener