Agenda item

The Council had before it a report by the Chief Executive which advised of progress regarding the Sistema initiative in Aberdeen and sought agreement to enter into a long term partnership with Sistema Scotland and commitment to secure funding.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)          enter into a long term partnership with Sistema Scotland;

(b)          invest up to 75% of the funding of a “Big Noise” Centre in Torry for a minimum period of six years, in line with the overall budget outline therein;

(c)          support Sistema Scotland to identify and secure the remaining 25% of the required funding from local and national sources;

(d)          work together with Sistema Scotland to develop, deliver and manage the “Big Noise” centre in the Torry Associated School Group, with appropriate governance and operational arrangements, roles and responsibilities to be agreed;

(e)          in terms of the framework in (d) above, facilitate the development through appropriate staff support, use of property and spaces, and in giving access to pre-school and primary school pupils during the school day;

(f)            agree that Sistema Scotland’s operation would be an integral aspect of the Council’s regeneration work in Torry;

(g)          instruct that a subsequent report be brought to Council, which would include the business plan, financial costings, asset and other implications; and thereafter reports be submitted to the Education, Culture and Sport, Enterprise, Strategic Planning and Infrastructure, Housing and Environment and Social Care, Wellbeing and Safety Committees, to ensure that the introduction of a “Big Noise” centre in the city, its principles and experiences could be integrated in other aspects of the Council’s work; and

(h)          agree that a financial contribution be included within the Council’s General Fund budget for 2014/15 as reported to the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee on 5 December 2013.

Councillor Laing moved, seconded by Councillor Thomson:-

That the Council approve the recommendations contained within the report and instruct officers to explore the possibility of funds generated by the Lands of Torry being made available towards the costs to be met by the Council for the project.

Councillor Greig moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Malone:-

That before proceeding, the Council agrees to instruct officers to report back to the Education, Culture and Sport Committee with full details of the business plan, financial costings, asset and other implications of the Sistema project and that a range of quantitative and qualitative indicators be provided to measure how the project would benefit the city as a whole. Furthermore, that a separate cost-benefit analysis be undertaken by officers which would identify alternative means of targeting music education with socially transformative impact with this budget through the Instrumental Music Service or other providers.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion  (38)  -  Lord Provost; Depute Provost; and Councillors Allan, Blackman, Boulton, Cameron, Carle, Cooney, Corall, Cormie, Crockett, Dickson, Donnelly, Jackie Dunbar, Lesley Dunbar, Finlayson, Forsyth, Graham, Grant, Ironside, Jaffrey, Kiddie, Laing, Lawrence, MacGregor, McCaig, Malik, May, Milne, Jean Morrison, Nathan Morrison, Noble, Samarai, Sandy Stuart, Taylor, Thomson, Townson and Young.

For the amendment  (4)  -  Councillors Delaney, Greig, Malone and Yuill.

The Council resolved:-

(i)            to adopt the motion; and

to request officers to notify members of the number of pupils in the Torry Associated School Group who would be involved in the initiative.