Agenda item

Please note that Appendix D is confidential and is located in the private section of this agenda.

The Committee had before it a report by the Interim Director of Corporate Governance which (1) provided an opportunity to consider the current financial position and the forecast outturn for the financial year 2016/17; and (2) highlighted assumptions made, areas of risk identified and management action to mitigate these risks.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the financial position contained within the report; and

(b)       approve the amendment to the guarantee as stated in Appendix D (confidential paper).

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Malik moved:-

that the Committee –

(1)       note the financial position contained within the report (CG/16/133) and instructs the Head of Finance to bring his influence to bear on all material decisions within all directorates to ensure directorates meet their agreed budget position adopted by Council in February 2016;

(2)       approve the amendment to the guarantee as stated in Appendix D (confidential paper);

(3)       note the decision by the Scottish Government to set up the Attainment Scotland Fund, and agrees with the Scottish Parliament, that the SNP Scottish Government’s decision to collect Aberdeen City Council Tax payers’ money and redistribute Aberdeen City Council tax payers’ money in the Central Belt and beyond undermines the principal of local accountability and autonomy;

(4)       note the Audit Commission report prepared by Audit Scotland Local Government in Scotland Financial Overview 2015/16 confirming Aberdeen as the lowest funded council in Scotland; and

(5)       Instruct officers to fund permanent floodlights at Mile End School from the under spend on the Unitary Charge paid from the 3Rs schools budget this financial year and to look at all other 3R schools.

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

that the Committee

(1)       note the financial position contained within the report (CG/16/133) and instructs the Head of Finance to bring his influence to bear on all material decisions within all directorates to ensure directorates meet their agreed budget position adopted by Council in February 2016;

(2)       approve the amendment to the guarantee as stated in Appendix D (confidential paper);

(3)       Committee notes the decision taken by the Scottish Parliament on 3 November 2016 to implement an increase in council tax for bands E-H from April 2017.  Committee agrees that these changes are an improvement upon the current system and will help foster a more fair and equal Scotland.  Committee believes that all children, regardless of where they are born and then brought up by their parents/carers, should have access to the best educational opportunities available.  Committee therefore commends the Scottish Government’s attempts to increase attainment across Scotland and recognises the positive impact which success on this front will have for both Aberdeen and Scotland as a whole;

(4)       note the Audit Commission report prepared by Audit Scotland Local Government in Scotland Financial Overview 2015/16 confirming Aberdeen as the lowest funded council in Scotland; and

(5)       Instruct officers to fund permanent floodlights at Mile End School from the under spend on the Unitary Charge paid from the 3Rs schools budget this financial year and to look at all other 3R schools.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (11) – The Convener and Councillors Allan, Cooney, Crockett, Ironside, Laing, Malik, Milne, Jennifer Stewart, Taylor and Yuill; for the amendment (6) – Councillors Cameron, Dickson, Jackie Dunbar, Flynn, Nicoll and Townson.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to adopt the motion; and

(ii)        that officers provide further details to Councillor Nicoll in relation to additional consultant fees regarding the Design Team I.T upgrade in Communities, Housing and Infrastructure service.