Decisions

This will be recorded in the minute.

(i)       in relation to article 7(i), to note that the Clerk would re-share the information circulated from officers on the outline process for the work set out in the Northfield Primaries report with Councillor Blake; and

(ii)       to approve the minute as a correct record.

(i)       to agree to remove items 10 (Inspection Reporting – Inspection of Regulatory Care Services); 32 (School Estate Plan - Victorian Schools - feasibility study & options appraisal); 58 (School Estate Plan - Harlaw Academy Improvements - feasibility study); and 59 (School Estate Plan - Ferryhill School - feasibility study) for the reasons outlined in the planner; and

(ii)       to otherwise note the planner.

(i)       to note that officers would circulate the Queen’s Cross Nursery action plan to Members outwith the meeting;

(ii)       to note that the link at section 3.8 of the report was broken and that officers would circulate a new link to Members after the meeting;

(iii)      to note the content of the report; and

(iv)      to instruct the Interim Chief Officer – Education and Lifelong Learning to continue to support Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) settings and schools to implement continuous improvement in keeping with the Quality Improvement Framework agreed at Committee in July 2023.

to note the report.

(i)             to note that Mike Paul could present learning to the Committee on the trial Bucksburn Academy were undertaking;

(ii)            to note the content of the report;

(iii)          to instruct the Interim Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to work with Trade Unions to co-deliver the Action Plan in Appendix B;

(iv)          to delegate authority to the Interim Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to make any amendments necessary, in consultation with Trade Unions, following the publication of the National Behaviour Plan and update Members of any changes through Service Update;

(v)           to instruct the Interim Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to update on progress against the Action Plan through the established performance management reports;

(vi)          to acknowledge the challenges related to children's wellbeing, which can impact the behaviour of children and young people in school settings;

(vii)         to thank education staff for their flexibility in supporting children and young people with impaired wellbeing and acknowledge how challenging this can be;

(viii)       to thank the EIS, GMB and others; for their continuing constructive engagement with Aberdeen City Council on improving our school environments to create safe and nurturing settings for all;

(ix)          to instruct the Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to continue constructive engagement with Unions and others; such as those with an interest in the provision of supports for those with additional support needs including local organisations and the Northfield Advisors, to allow a continuous improvement journey in all of our schools;

(x)           to instruct the Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to review the adequacy of the current allocation of pupil support staffing and provision of specialist placements across the city;

(xi)          to further instruct the Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to consider the output of (ix) and (x) and report options for consideration back to the Education and Children’s Services Committee within three cycles;

(xii)         to instruct the Chief Officer – Corporate Landlord to include in the annual School Estate Plan update a workstream to evaluate the physical ASN provision in individual settings and include a timescale within the plan on when recommendations on potential space for future ASN purposes could be brought forward;

(xiii)       to instruct the Interim Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to continue to work in collaboration with Trade Unions to deliver and evaluate the impact of the agreed Action Plan on children, young people and staff;

(xiv)       to note that Head Teachers remind staff of agreed school behaviour policies and procedures on the first in-service day;  and instruct the Interim Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to seek assurance from Head Teachers of the percentage of staff given the opportunity to engage with this;

(xv)        to instruct the Interim Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to report the number of staff who complete the Maybo training as part of the regular update on progress against the Action Plan;

(xvi)       to note that Aberdeen City Council was leading the way on driving innovative positive change in various areas within Education and Children’s Services; however acknowledge this was an ongoing improvement journey and reinforce our commitment to education in this city;

(xvii)      therefore, to further instruct the Interim Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to develop a system in data recording which differentiates information on incidences in schools; to allow further qualitative analysis of need, and to further allow identification of need and targeting of resource.

(i)       to note the update of progress and the Scottish Government grant award for 2024/25 to support delivery of our Bairns Hoose;

(ii)       to instruct the Chief Officer, Children’s Social Work and Family Support / Chief Social Work Officer to provide an update on progress as appropriate during 2024/25; and

(iii)      to instruct the Chief Officer, Children’s Social Work and Family Support / Chief Social Work Officer to arrange a visit for Elected Members to view the Bairns Hoose upon completion of the build.

(i)       to note the progress made in delivering Phase 1 of ABZ Campus and advanced plans for Phases 2 and 3 which aim to further broaden the curriculum offer for young people in the Senior Phase in Aberdeen City Council schools;

(ii)       to instruct the Interim Chief Officer – Education and Lifelong Learning to support the roll out of Phase 2 and 3 of ABZ Campus;

(iii)      to instruct the Interim Chief Officer - Education and Lifelong Learning to report back on progress including a full review of the impact of Pathways Advocates within one calendar year;

(iv)      to note that officers would however investigate the possibility of bringing an interim evaluation of the impact of Pathways Advocates to Committee, or potentially bringing the full evaluation at an earlier stage than 2025;

(v)      to instruct the Interim Chief Officer – Education and Lifelong Learning to report back with a method for providing an overview of participation and achievements in ABZCampus; and

(vi)      to welcome and congratulate the innovative, effective outcomes reported in Phase 1 of ABZCampus and thank all staff and partners for working together positively on increasing learning opportunities for young people as Phases 2 and 3 are developed.

(i)       to note that officers were considering issuing communication to parents around social media and the use of devices, similar to the attendance communication which had previously been issued;

(ii)       to note the content of the report and the data shared within Appendix A;

(iii)      to instruct the Interim Director Families and Communities to consider the findings of the report and plan next steps as part of work being taken forward through the Children’s Services Plan and associated National Improvement Framework Plan;

(iv)      to instruct the Interim Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to report the findings of the next Health and Wellbeing surveys to Committee within one calendar year;

(v)      to thank all involved in the ongoing work to support children and young people in achieving better health and wellbeing;

(vi)      to note and welcome the considerable amount of positive interventions in place which were effectively helping and nurturing young people in the city;

(vii)     to note and welcome the significantly increased participation from young people in the latest annual SHINE surveys and instruct the Interim Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to work with Head Teachers to encourage participation in future surveys;

(viii)    to note and welcome the continued signs of improvements in indicators relating to loneliness, body image, general health, self-harm, low mood;

(ix)      to note the value of the Family Stress Model in identifying emotional, economic and social pressures which affect the wellbeing of children and young people in their home, local and learning environments; and

(x)      to note with concern evidence that indicated that the current cohort of S4 girls were generally outliers in the improvement journey; and, therefore, instruct the Interim Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to give this issue special focus and undertake further targeted work on supportive solutions; with information on actions and outcomes reported back in the agreed report at (iv).

(i)       to request that officers invite Aberdeen for a Fairer World to either give a presentation to Committee or provide a workshop to Members;

(ii)       to note that officers were giving consideration as to how to encourage applications from all secondary schools for the roles of Youth Climate Change Presidents and Vice Presidents;

(iii)      to note the summary of events that took place in schools to educate children and young people about Climate Change, Biodiversity and the drive towards Net Zero in session 2023-24;

(iv)      to note the work of the Youth Climate Change Group;

(v)      to instruct the Interim Chief Officer - Education and Lifelong Learning to report back on progress via committee report within one calendar year;

(vi)      to express sincere thanks to the Youth Climate Change Group and all involved in school-based green projects for their important contribution towards achieving net zero targets and environmental wellbeing;

(vii)     to instruct the Interim Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to continue to support the Youth Climate Change Group and all environmental activities in school settings by developing the partnership work with the Hutton Institute, Keep Scotland Beautiful, Aberdeen For a Fairer World, and others and report back on progress in the above-mentioned report; and

(viii)    to agree to recommend to the Youth Climate Change Group that, in consultation with the Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning, they allocate funding contained in the 2024/25 Council revenue budget, across the eleven ASG localities; with the requirement that each ASG reports back within seven months to the Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning with an evaluation that details how funds have been spent, comments from participating pupils and teams about the biodiversity, sustainability and outdoor learning aims that their projects have aimed to address, photographs and comments from pupils on how they think green projects and outdoor learning should develop in the future in their area and in the city.

These will be recorded in full in the minute.

to grant the request for exemption from the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Policy.

to refuse the request for exemption from the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Policy.

to grant the variation to the licence.

to take no action.

(i)       to issue a warning to the licence holder that any similar conduct in this regard may result in the suspension or revocation of the licence; and

(ii)       to agree to take no further action.

to approve the request for exemption from sitting the Street Knowledge Test.

to defer consideration of the application until the necessary upgrading works are completed, after which time the Chief Officer - Housing could grant the licence under delegated powers if appropriate.

The Committee were advised that the licence had been granted under delegated powers.

The Committee were advised that the licence had been granted under delegated powers.

There was no Urgent Business.

There was no Exempt Business.

Councillor Clark advised that she had a connection in relation to agenda item 9.21 (Exemption from Policy: Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle) by virtue of her having previously worked with the licence holder, however having applied the objective test, she did not consider that she had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

(i)       notes the results of the consultation exercise; and

(ii)      instruct the Chief Officer - Governance to implement the change of hours of operation for the Back Wynd rank to 24 hours a day, commencing on 29 April 2024.

to agree that in relation to Public Entertainment licences, that a formal review process be undertaken.

to approve the minutes.

The Committee were advised that the licence had been granted under delegated powers.

The Committee were advised that the licence had been granted under delegated powers.

approve the Licensing Sub Committee membership in accordance with the proposed composition at 3.4 of this report commencing on 1 May 2024.

There were no Referrals.

There were no Deputations.

(i)       to note the reasons for deferral in relation to item 5 (Taxi Demand Survey (including Review of Taxi Ranks), item 6 (Taxi Fleet Composition) and item 9 (Membership of the Taxi and Private Hire Car Consultation Group); and

(ii)      to otherwise note the Business Planner.

to approve the minute.

There were no Notices of Motion.

to note the report.

(i)             to note that officers would include information in relation to measures of success with apprenticeships and some detail about what was available for all ages across the workforce, in the annual update on Developing the Young Workforce / Apprenticeship / Internship Update which was due to Committee at the next meeting;

(ii)            to note that officers could circulate information to Members on the disability working group (which formed part of the Equalities Working Groups headed up by People and Citizen Services) and the work being undertaken with third sector partner organisations in relation to opportunities for disabled people;

(iii)          to note that officers would take on board the request that information be included in future reports on the work being undertaken in respect of disabled people having apprenticeship opportunities; and

(iv)          to note the actions contained in the report being taken to address workforce capacity challenges, including in respect of ‘hard to fill’ roles.

(i)       to note that at this time there was no report due on the business planner in relation to the 35 hour week, however officers would bring forward reports as required if there were to be any changes to terms and conditions; and

(ii)       to otherwise note the business planner.

to approve the minute as a correct record.

(i)       to note the progress made in relation to the Attendance Improvement Project; the continuing drive to raise awareness of frontline staff support initiatives; and re-introduction of the Workplace Therapet Service; and

(ii)       to otherwise note the report.

(i)       to note that officers would consider the feedback provided at the meeting in respect of the use of the word ‘customer’ on the posters and whether that might need to be altered depending on the Council establishment;

(ii)       to note the content of the report and the progress made to date, including staff development and the overall action plan developed;

(iii)      to note the discrete activity being progressed by the Education Service in collaboration with Trade Unions to formulate an Action Plan to be presented at Education and Children’s Services Committee in April 2024;

(iv)      to instruct the Interim Chief Officer – People and Citizen Services to combine the three closely linked policies, procedures and approaches relating to Zero Tolerance, Violence and Aggression, and Unacceptable Actions into a single policy; with the exception of pupil behaviour in schools as this was governed by national policy and guidance; and report back to Committee for approval of the final policy; and

(v)      to approve the described approach in forming a pledge to encompass the spirit of mutual respect.

(i)       to note that officers would ensure that future iterations of the policy and accompanying guidance were clear in terms of demonstrating employee voice in the documents;

(ii)       to note that officers had undertaken to review the Supporting Procedures and Documentation at section 4 of the Policy to ensure that all relevant links were included and up to date;

(iii)      to approve the implementation of the refreshed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy;

(iv)      to instruct the Interim Chief Officer - People and Citizen Services to ensure that the Policy document and all supporting process and guidance documents were easily accessible to all staff and managers and that managers were supported in the fair and consistent application of the policy and process through appropriate training;

(v)      to instruct the Interim Chief Officer - People and Citizen Services to publish the revised Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy on the Council’s external website; and

(vi)      to instruct the Interim Chief Officer - People and Citizen Services to update the mandatory Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training for employees to reflect the newly updated policy and guidance; and

(vii)     to agree that a service update be issued to all Members on the Policy for information.

Noted.

Minute approved as a correct record.

Committee planner noted. 

Application approved with a condition to read:-

(01)    REAR EXTERNAL DOOR

That the door hereby approved on the rear elevation as shown on drawing ref. 4035[2] 101 shall not be used other than for emergency purposes and not for any other means of access.

Reason: to ensure the amenity for neighbouring properties is protected.

It was also agreed to seek a revised management plan from the developer.

Application approved conditionally. 

Application approved conditionally with an extra condition added to read:-

(13)    DETAILS FOR AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP

That no development shall take place until full details, including predicted noise emissions, from the air source heat pump to be installed,  have been submitted and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and thereafter the air source heat pump to be installed shall be in accordance with the approved details unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Reason: In the interests of amenity

Application approved conditionally. 

The Council resolved:-

to approve the minute.

The Council resolved:-

to refer the notice of motion to the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee.  

The Council resolved:-

(i)             to instruct the Chief Officer - Governance following consultation with the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to consider as part of the current review of the Scheme of Governance how planning applications can be reported to the Planning Development Management Committee and the role that members, including the Convener, will have in that process;

(ii)           to agree that in this particular case planning application 231422/DPP Alba Gate Stoneywood Park Aberdeen should be determined by the Planning Development Management Committee; and

(iii)          to agree therefore that this application be put before the Planning Development Management Committee at the earliest opportunity for determination by Elected Members. 

The Council resolved:-

to approve the minute.

The Council resolved:-

(i)             to approve the minute; and

(ii)           to note that the Executive Director of Corporate Services would confirm the exact date when the exempt report was made public.

The Council resolved:-

(i)             to note the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges Stage 3 Scheme Assessment report, appendix 1;

(ii)           to note the approved Outline Business Case for the Aberdeen South Harbour Link Road, exempt appendix 2;

(iii)          to make a Compulsory Purchase Order in respect of the land identified in the CPO Map contained in Appendix 3 and instruct the Chief Officer - Governance to implement the statutory procedures following on from the making of the Order and continue to pursue voluntary acquisition in parallel with the compulsory purchase process; and

(iv)          to note that officers would provide information following the meeting in response to Councillor Watson’s query regarding employee voice in terms of contractors.

The Council resolved:-

(i)             to note the feedback collated from officers and elected members on the Budget Protocol in its first year of operation, summarised in the report;

(ii)           to instruct officers to develop budget options and Integrated Impact Assessments during Quarter 1 as the basis for (1) elected member engagement; (2) Phase 1 engagement with the public both online and face to face; and (3) a second phase of engagement during quarter 3 after the Medium Term Financial Plan was reported to Council; and

(iii)          to note that the Protocol formed part of the Scheme of Governance and as such would be reviewed by the cross-party Governance Reference Group in April and May and submitted to Council in July for approval of any proposed revisions, including giving effect to the improvements outlined at (ii) above.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the notice of motion.

The Council resolved:-

(i)             to agree the appointment of Danielle Barclay as the new primary parent representative and Alison Murray as the new secondary parent representative on the Education and Children’s Services Committee from the July 2024 meeting of the Committee, subject to a satisfactory PVG check being undertaken;

(ii)           to appoint Councillor Greig as Vice Convener of the Planning Development Management Committee, to replace Councillor Bouse, with immediate effect; and

(iii)          to note that Councillor Greig would continue to receive his senior remuneration salary as Convener of theEducation and Children's Services Committeeand agreethat Councillor Bouse would receive a Vice Convener senior remuneration for his role as Vice Convener of theAnti-Poverty and Inequality Committee, and that this be backdated as required.

The Council resolved:-

to note the business planner.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the requests for funding for a total of £5,750, to be met from the 2023/24 Guildry budget.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the minute.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the minute.

No deputations

The Council resolved:-

to note the transparency statements which would be recorded in the minute.

The Council resolved:-

in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of items 11.1 and 11.2 so as to avoid disclosure of exempt information of the classes described in paragraphs 8 and 14 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

No urgent business

n/a

The Council resolved:-

(i)             to adopt the Scheme and associated documents as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report;

(ii)           to adopt the change to the Woodside and Hilton Community Council boundary as outlined in section 3.3 of the report and at Appendix 4;

(iii)          to adopt proposal 1 for the boundary change between Bucksburn and Newhills and Dyce and Stoneywood Community Councils as outlined in sections 3.4 and 3.5 of the report and at Appendices 6 and 8;

(iv)          to adopt the change in name for two Community Councils as outlined in section 3.6 of the report;

(v)           to note the information relating to the data zones as outlined in section 3.9 of the report;

(vi)          to grant delegated powers to the Chief Officer - Governance to amend the population figures where appropriate on receipt of the data zone information in the Autumn 2024 and thereafter on an annual basis; and

(vii)        to note that the Scheme would come into effect just prior to the Community Council Triennial Elections due to be held in October 2024.