Agenda item

The Council had before it a report by the Chief Executive which sought decisions on a number of matters arising from the inaugural meeting of the City Centre Regeneration Board on 2 December 2013.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)          agree that the up to £75,000 cost of the proposed masterplan for the city centre be underwritten from the financing set aside for the City Centre Infrastructure Fund;

(b)          seek funding contributions towards the costs from partners including Scottish Enterprise, the Robert Gordon University, the University of Aberdeen and from the private sector in the city;

(c)          request officers to discuss development options for the Denburn Valley with Network Rail within the context of a masterplan for the city and that discussions should be undertaken with relevant organisations and companies on the potential for a light transport system for the city; and

(d)          request officers to confirm to the Wood Family Trust that as a masterplan was to be developed for the city centre as part of the delivery of the Strategic Infrastructure Plan, it was not currently possible for the Council to provide the Trust with the clear indication it sought in relation to the design criteria stipulated as part of its proposed funding offer towards the costs of a city centre project.

Councillor Boulton moved, seconded by Councillor Crockett:-

That the Council approve the recommendations contained within the report subject to “request” being replaced with “instruct” within (c) and (d); affirm its desire to deliver a transformational regeneration of the city centre with proposals to be developed through the City Centre Regeneration Board masterplan; and instruct officers to continue discussions with potential external funders, including the Wood Family Trust, as this process developed.

Councillor Yuill moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Delaney:-

That the Council -

(1)      approve the recommendations contained within the report subject to “request” being replaced with “instruct” within (c) and (d);

(2)      instruct officers to request that the Wood Family Trust extend the time period in which it would make funds available for a city centre project until the conclusion of the masterplanning process;

(3)      instruct officers to engage with the Wood Family Trust as part of the masterplanning process to determine whether it was possible to develop a city centre project which met the Wood Family Trust’s requirements, respected the city’s heritage and enjoyed widespread public support; and

(4)      agree that, to ensure the greatest possible level of support from Aberdeen’s communities, comprehensive public consultation and engagement would be undertaken as part of the process of developing the city centre masterplan.

The Council was advised by the Chief Executive that there had been continuous dialogue with Sir Ian Wood regarding the City Centre Regeneration Board meeting and the report submitted to the meeting this day, however Sir Ian had written to the Council on 13 December 2013 emphasising that he could not keep his offer open beyond the end of the year.

In light of the update from the Chief Executive, Councillor Yuill indicated that he wished to delete parts (2) and (3) from his amendment and this was accepted.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion  (37)  -  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, Samarai, Sandy Stuart, Taylor, Thomson, Townson and Young.

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

Absent from the division  (1)  -  Councillor Noble.

The Council resolved:-

to adopt the motion.