Agenda item

With reference to article 8 of the minute of meeting of 6 July 2023, the Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director of City Regeneration and Environment which provided an update on funding for Our Union Street and sought approval to allocate grant funding.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(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 (b) 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.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Greig, moved:-

that the Committee approve the recommendations contained within the report.

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

that the Committee –

(1)    note the recommendations contained within the report and agree it is over 18 months since the former First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, announced the additional £400,000 allocation of monies to support the regeneration of Union Street;

(2)    note the Union Street Empty Shops Action Plan was approved by Council in December 2022;

(3)    welcomes ongoing efforts to reinvigorate Union Street by Our Union Street and its funding partners including Aberdeen Inspired, Opportunity North East, Shell and AGCC;

(4)    note the work done by officers to improve the transparency of UKSPF allocations which should be a benchmark for the Committee before it allocates monies to Our Union Street and recognises the importance of complying with Following the Public Pound and the need for full transparency when allocating public monies; and

(5)    therefore, instruct the Chief Officer - City Development & Regeneration to report back to the next Finance and Resources Committee, with details of Our Union Street's proposals and how they intend to spend the allocated £400,000 to make sure there are clear deliverables and strategic alignment with the Union Street Empty Shops Action Plan and due diligence before the payment is approved. 

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

that the Committee –

(1)    approve recommendation (a);

(2)    agree that the delivery plan referred to in recommendation (b) be brought by the Chief Officer – City Development and Regeneration to the next Finance and Resources Committee for review and approval; and

(3)    approve the provision of a grant to Union Street Partnership Ltd and the entering into by the Chief Officer – City Development and Regeneration, following consultation with the Chief Officer – Finance and Chief Officer – Commercial & Procurement Services, of a grant agreement - provided that the Finance and Resources Committee first approve the said delivery plan.

In terms of Standing Order 29.20, a vote was taken between the two amendments.

On a division, there voted:- for the amendment by Councillor Malik (2) – Councillors Malik and Watson; for the amendment by Councillor Brooks (2) – Councillors Brooks and Farquhar; declined to vote (5) – the Convener and Councillors Allard, Cooke, Greig and Henrickson.

As there was a tied vote, in terms of Standing Order 32.7,the Convener had the casting vote, however in terms of Standing Order 32.7.1,the Convener chose not to exercise his casting vote, therefore the Clerk advised that a lot would be drawn to decide the outcome of the tied vote. Following which, the amendment by Councillor Malik was successful and would be put to the vote against the motion.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (5) – the Convener and Councillors Allard, Cooke, Greig and Henrickson; for the amendment by Councillor Malik (4) – Councillors Brooks, Farquhar, Malik and Watson.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.