Agenda item

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

With reference to Article 1 of the minute of its meeting of 6 November 2025, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning which advised of the outcome of a procurement exercise undertaken to identify a supplier to provide and operate an eBike hire scheme in Aberdeen and sought approval to formally appoint and enter into contract with the identified supplier.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)           note the procurement exercise undertaken to identify a preferred operator to provide and operate an eBike hire scheme in Aberdeen within approved budget;

(b)           note the outcome of the procurement exercise which identified the preferred operator; and

(c)           instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning, in conjunction with the Chief Officer - Commercial and Procurement Services, to formally enter into contract with the preferred operator as set out in the conditions of contract associated with the procurement for a period of 3 years with option to extend by two further 12 month periods, with a financial contribution from the Council as detailed in the report.

The Committee was advised that questions for officers could be asked in public, unless they referred to the exempt appendix or the amendment, in which case the Committee would require to consider the matter with the press and public excluded.

In accordance with Article 1 of this minute, the remainder of the meeting took place with the press and public excluded.

At this juncture, the Vice Convener advised that he had a connection in relation to the item as a Council appointed member to a named organisation, however having applied the objective test he did not consider that he had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

The Convener moved, seconded by the Vice Convener:-

That the Committee approve the recommendations contained within the report.

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

          That the Committee -

(1)       note the report;

(2)       note Opposition Councillors remain concerned regarding a particular aspect of the proposal from the bidder;

(3)       agree the public will be alarmed in regard to that aspect of the proposal; and

(4)       therefore instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning, following consultation with the Chief Officer - Commercial and Procurement, to formally enter into contract with the preferred bidder as set out in the conditions of contract, but decline the offer of the particular aspect of the proposal as referred to above (instead accepting an alternative which matches another aspect of the proposal), for a period of 3 years with option to extend  by two further 12 month periods, with a financial contribution from the Council as detailed in this report.

(Please note the full terms of the amendment are contained within an exempt version of the minute)

On a division, there voted:-   for the motion  (5) - Convener; Vice Convener; and Councillors Allard, Greig and Radley; for the amendment (4) - Councillors Brooks, Malik, Nicoll and Tissera.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

Councillors Brooks, Malik, Nicoll and Tissera expressed their dissent against the foregoing decision in terms of Standing Order 32.8.