Agenda item

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure, which sought approval for the Councils participation in the Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) Conference and Exhibition 2010, (subject to the budgetary process) and the ONS Festival (subject to sourcing the necessary sponsorship) both of which would be held in Stavanger in August 2010. Approval was also sought for the attendance at the events by the Lord Provost, the Leader of the Council, and four officers.

The importance of attendance at the Conference and Exhibition (which had attracted in the region of 35,000 delegates in 2008) for the Council was outlined. The event was as an integral part of the Council’s overseas trade development activities, and its ongoing business development and international positioning activities, which were intended to ensure economic growth and increased employment opportunities and improve the economic sustainability of the city. Attendance at the ONS Festival (which was held in the evening during the biannual ONS Conference and Exhibition) would also be an opportunity to celebrate 20th anniversary of Aberdeen’s twin city link with Stavanger. Details of the Festival programme were provided.  

With regard to financial implications of participation, it was advised that existing budgets covered the Councils participation at the biannual ONS Conference and Exhibition; this budget also included the attendance of the Council Leader and two officers.   Attendance at the ONS Festival would have significant cost implications (potentially £60,000); it was therefore proposed that sponsorship from other sectors be sourced to cover these costs (as had been achieved in 2008).  It was envisaged that packages would be devised that would offer sponsorship opportunities to a number of public sector bodies, private sector companies and media partners.  However, it was thought not that one sponsor would be willing to cover all the costs of the event but that a mixture of sponsors would be required.   Aberdeenshire Council would also be approached for their support in delivery of this initiative. In addition, it was proposed that £10,000 be allocated from the Twinning Budget to support attendance, and to allow for celebrations of the 20^th Anniversary of the twinning link to Stavanger.  

The report recommended:-

that the Committee:-

(a)       approve the participation of the Council in the ONS Exhibition and Conference subject to the budget process;

(b)       approve the participation of the city in the ONS Festival subject to the necessary sponsorship being raised;

(c)        approve the allocation of £10,000 from the twinning budget for use in participating in the festival subject to the budget process; and

(d)       approve the attendance of the Lord Provost, the Leader of the Council and four officers from Enterprise Planning & Infrastructure, to cover the full range of activities at the exhibition and festival.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice-Convener, moved that the recommendations be approved.

As an amendment, Councillor Allan, seconded by Councillor Adam, moved that the recommendations be approved except that the Leader of the Council should not attend.

On a division, there voted:-  for the motion (11) – the Convener, the Vice-Convener, and Councillors Boulton, Clark, Corall, Cormack, Cormie, Dunbar, Jaffrey, Penny, and Robertson;  for the amendment (3) – Councillors Adam, Allan and Crockett. 

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.