Agenda item

With reference to article 9 of the minute of meeting of 1 February 2023, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which summarised the general progress of delivery of key capital expenditure projects identified within the approved Capital Programme from the General Fund and Housing Revenue Accounts; and highlighted those issues considered worthy of particular note which were specific to individual programmes/projects.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the status of delivery of the Section 3 highlighted programmes/projects contained within the approved Capital Programme.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Greig, moved:-

that the Committee approve the recommendations within the report.

Councillor Crockett, seconded by Councillor Macdonald, moved as an amendment:-

that the Committee:-

(1)    approve the recommendation contained within the report;

(2)    agree that the Chief Officer – Corporate Landlord reports to the Finance and Resources Committee on 13 September 2023, or sooner, providing:-

(a)    an update on the leasing of the Burns Pavilion and the Union Street Pavilion in Union Terrace Gardens; and

(b)    an update on the S75 agreement payments and what this means in relation to funding and other commitments around Countesswells Primary School;

(3)    note that Capital contingencies will have to be used with regard to Bucksburn School; agrees that the Committee should make decisions around cost pressures; and that Chief Officer – Finance provides details of the budget that will be needed from Capital contingencies for the project, in the Council Financial Performance 2023/24 Q1 report, so the Committee can make a decision;

(4)    commend the previous Administration for the council homes built, in delivering as part of its 2,000 council house project, in direct contrast to this Administration’s desertion of the council house building programme; and

(5)    agree it is essential that good quality council housing is delivered on both the Craighill and Kincorth sites and should be built to Gold, or above, standard.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (8) – the Convener, the Vice Convener and Councillors Fairfull, Greig, Hutchison, Nicoll, Radley and van Sweeden; for the amendment (5) – Councillors Crockett, Farquhar, Macdonald, Massey and Watson.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to adopt the motion;

(ii)       that in relation to the new Mortuary at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI), to note that the Director of Resources would liaise with colleagues from the Integrated Joint Board to determine whether data/analysis around the public parking at the ARI site had been undertaken, and if so, whether it could be obtained and circulated to members of the Committee via email;

(iii)      that in relation to Union Terrace Gardens, to note that the Chief Officer – Corporate Landlord would circulate details of the public toilet opening hours to members of the Committee via email, including how this information would be articulated to members of the public; and

(iv)      note that the Director of Resources would arrange to circulate an update on the improvement works associated with King George VI Bridge and the Bridge of Dee by way of email.