Agenda item

The Committee had before it a joint report by the Chief Officers - Capital, Strategic Place Planning and Operations and Protective Services which provided an update on arrangements to support businesses reopening, particularly in relation to trading on outdoor spaces.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)           note the support provided to hospitality businesses by the Council over the last year in line with guidance from Scottish Government related to temporary outdoor trading and structures;

(b)           note the Scottish Government’s advice for the easing of restrictions as contained within its Covid-19 Timetable for Easing Restrictions (March 2021);

(c)           note that the supports for business in terms of Building Standards exemptions remain in place until 30 September 2021 and that the relaxation in Planning controls are in place until such time as these are changed by the Minister and Chief Planner;

(d)           in recognition of the ongoing difficulties for businesses caused by Covid-19, instruct the Chief Officer of Capital, following consultation with the Chief Officer of Strategic Place Planning and the Chief Officer of Operations and Protective Services, to determine requests from businesses for outdoor trading, provided that any approvals so granted will be on a temporary basis and subject to any such conditions as the authorising Chief Officer considers appropriate; 

(e)           instruct the Chief Officers of Capital, Strategic Place Planning and Operations and Protective Services to continue to update the business guidance document provided on the Council’s website and in line with any changes from the Scottish Government; and

(f)             instruct the Chief Officers of Capital, Strategic Place Planning and Operations and Protective Services to report back to the City Growth and Resources Committee in due course with an update of the requirement or otherwise for the measures to assist businesses to remain in place.

In accordance with Standing Order 16.1, Councillor Stewart, the Depute Provost, addressed the Committee expressing her concern at what was happening in the city in terms of the number of businesses closing as a result of the pandemic, and emphasised that the Council needed to do everything it possibly could to assist businesses and work together with them to provide the confidence that they required to continue operating.

The Convener moved, seconded by Councillor Houghton:-

That the Committee approve the recommendations contained within the report subject to amending recommendation (f) to the effect that the report be submitted to the next meeting of the City Growth and Resources Committee with a list of all decisions that had been taken under recommendation (d) and an update of the requirement or otherwise for the measures to assist businesses to remain in place.

Councillor Alex Nicoll moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Yuill:-

          That the Committee agree not to delegated the powers to officers proposed within recommendation (d) and that decisions be taken by the relevant committee instead.

On a division, there voted:-  for the motion  (5)  - the Convener; Councillor Crockett, the Lord Provost; and Councillors Boulton, Houghton and Malik;  for the amendment  (4)  -  Councillors Cameron, Cooke, Alex Nicoll and Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.