Minutes for Council meeting, Dec 16 2009, 10.30AM :: Aberdeen City Council

The persons aforementioned were admitted into the presence of the Council and passed as Burgesses of Guild in respect of their respective Acts of Admission in the Guild Burgess Book:-

John Craig, HR Consultant in Aberdeen

Graham Gibb Farquharson, Retired Chartered Management Accountant in Aberdeen

Daniel Duff Fraser, Retired Banker in Aberdeen

Daniel Joseph Lobo, Principal Teacher in Aberdeen

Carl Stewart Cowie McAndrew, Retired Consultant Civil Engineer in Aberdeen

Professor Hugh Graham Miller, Retired Chartered Forester in Aberdeen

Kenneth Montgomery Simpson, Chief Executive in Aberdeen

Adam Lawson Stalker, Teacher in Aberdeen.

(A) The Lord Provost advised that the Council had signed up to the 10:10 climate change campaign, which was a national project established to unite every sector of British society behind one simple idea - that by working together a 10% cut in the UK’s carbon emissions could be achieved in 2010. Councillor John Stewart then signed a document confirming the Council’s participation.

(B) The Lord Provost referred to the recent passing of former Councillor Tom Paine and invited Councillor Cooney to pay tribute. Councillor Cooney explained that former Councillor Paine had served Aberdeen and the surrounding area for more than 30 years as an elected member before retiring from the City of Aberdeen District Council in 1996. Councillor Cooney expressed his condolences to former Councillor Paine’s family and his remarks were echoed by Councillor Wisely.

(C) Councillor Yuill referred to the recent passing of former Councillor Roy Thomson, a former Liberal and Liberal Democrat Councillor who had served as Leader of the City of Aberdeen District Council. Councillor Yuill paid tribute to former Councillor Thomson and expressed his condolences to his family. Councillor Yuill’s remarks were echoed by Councillor Kevin Stewart, who also referred to the passing of former Councillor Paine, and Councillors Crockett and Milne.

The Council resolved:-

to concur with the remarks of the Lord Provost and the various elected members.

On a Point of Order, Councillor McDonald referred to Councillor Young’s question to the Convener of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee at item 8(b) on the agenda (as referred to at Article 14 of this minute) and questioned whether it should be permitted in the context of the Standards Commission for Scotland’s Code of Conduct for Councillors, with particular reference to its key principle of respect.

In accordance with Standing Order 20(4), the Lord Provost ruled that Councillor Young’s question to the Convener of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee was incompetent.

The Council had before it the minute of meeting of Aberdeen City Council of 18^th November 2009.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the minute subject to page 1690 being amended to reflect that Councillor Crockett’s amendment in relation to Article 16 moved the approval of recommendations (a), (c) and (d) but not (b), and not the approval of (a), (b) and (d) but not (c) as recorded.

The Council had before it the minute of meeting of the Urgent Business Committee of 30^th October 2009.

The Council resolved:-

to approve the minute.

The Council had before it a pamphlet of standing committee minutes from 8^th October to 12^th November 2009.

The Council resolved:-

to note the minutes.

The Council had before it a statement of Council business which had been prepared by the Head of Democratic Services.

The Council resolved:-

to note the statement.

The Council had before it the minute of meeting of The Aberdeen City Alliance of 1^st October 2009, for information.

The Council resolved:-

to note the minute.

The Council heard an oral report by the Chief Executive providing an update on the actions taken by the Leadership Board to address the findings and recommendations of the Accounts Commission for Scotland on Aberdeen City Council: Reports by the Controller of Audit on the Audit of Best Value and Community Planning and on the Property Sales Investigation.

The Chief Executive advised that at the Corporate Policy and Performance Committee of 8^th December 2009 she had been instructed to write to the Scottish Government regarding the Council’s funding settlement and it had also been agreed that the Leadership Board and Chief Executive should continue to press the case for a fairer funding settlement for Aberdeen. The Chief Executive added that the Cabinet Secretary had responded to her letter agreeing that the External Support Group was no longer required and that she would raise the matter with COSLA to ensure that they were in agreement.

The Council resolved:-

to note the Chief Executive’s remarks.

(i) Decision of Audit and Risk Committee of 3^rd November 2009

(ii) Report to those charged with Governance on the Audit of Aberdeen City Council – Report by Henderson and Loggie

(iii) Audited Annual Accounts – Report by City Chamberlain

(iv) Financial Statements (circulated separately)

(v) Decision of Audit and Risk Committee of 3^rd December 2009

(vi) Report to Members and Controller of Audit – Report by Henderson and Loggie

With reference to Article 4 of the minute of meeting of the Audit and Risk Committee of 3^rd November 2009 and Article 5 of the minute of meeting of the Audit and Risk Committee of 3^rd December 2009, the Council had before it (1) the audited annual accounts for Aberdeen City Council for the period 1^st April 2008 to 31^st March 2009; (2) a report by the City Chamberlain which provided members with information on the outcome of the external audit of the Council’s accounts for the financial year 2008/09; (3) a report by Henderson Loggie, the Council’s external auditor, to members and the Controller of Audit; and (4) a report by Henderson Loggie to those charged with Governance on the Audit of Aberdeen City Council.

The Council resolved:-

(i) to approve the audited accounts for Aberdeen City Council for the period 1^st April 2008 to 31^st March 2009;

(ii) to thank the relevant officers, members and the external auditor for their input in relation to the audited annual accounts;

(iii) to note that Mr Ian Robbie had stepped down as Henderson Loggie’s lead partner in relation to Aberdeen City Council as he had served his maximum term, and to thank him for his work over the past eight years; and

(iv) otherwise to note the various reports.

With reference to Article 12 of the minute of its meeting of 18^th November 2009, the Council had before it a report by the Director of Corporate Governance which provided updates in respect of a number of outside bodies and their current status and sought to determine whether to retain elected member representation on those outside bodies.

The report set out the following table:-

Outside Body

Status

Current Representation

Recommendation

Aberdeen Cyrenians

The Chairman of Aberdeen Cyrenians has written to advise that at their meeting of 19^th November 2009, the Council of Management of the Cyrenians felt that the fundamental nature of the relationship between the Cyrenians and the Council had changed such that it was no longer appropriate for Council representation on the Board. He added that a material conflict of interest was likely to arise for a Councillor who was also a member of the Cyrenians’ Council of Management and that this was not in any way a personal reflection on Councillor Donnelly (who was the Council’s appointment) but rather reflected the move to tendering for services.

Councillor Donnelly appointed on 30^th September 2009

Consider the information provided by Aberdeen Cyrenians

Oakbank School Board of Governors

In terms of the documentation for Oakbank School, the governing body shall consist of nine persons elected by Aberdeen City Council plus two persons appointed by a majority of those nine persons who, in their opinion, have an interest and experience in the education of young people. Each Governor holds office for a period of four years. If a Governor resigns the Council should intimate a successor within three months of the vacancy. In the event of the Council failing to do so it is in the power of the governing body to appoint such a successor. The quorum is five.

Councillor Allan

Councillor Donnelly

Councillor Hunter

Councillor Laing

Councillor Young

Retain elected member representation.

Robbs Trust

A representative of Stronachs Solicitors has been in touch on behalf of Robbs Trust following the Council having appointed three elected members on 30^th September 2009, to state that the Trust Deed allowed for only two members of Aberdeen City Council and requested that one of the Council’s nominations stand down.

Councillors Corall, Jennifer Stewart and Kirsty West appointed on 30^th September 2009

Consider the request on behalf of Robbs Trust

Robert Gordon College Board of Governors

The scheme relating to the above makes provision for a maximum of 21 persons on the Board. Three of those persons are to be elected by Aberdeen City Council and the Lord Provost is an ex officio Governor. Each Governor holds office for a period of three years. If a Governor resigns the Council should intimate a successor within three months of the vacancy. In the event of the Council failing to do so it is in the power of the governing body to appoint such a successor. The quorum is seven.

Councillor Cassie

Lord Provost Peter Stephen

Councillor Kirsty West

Councillor Yuill

Retain elected member representation.

Royal Aberdeen Workshops for the Blind

Members will be aware that steps are being taken to wind up this organisation. It is suggested that elected member representation is retained to assist in the winding up.

Councillor Clark

Councillor Crockett

Councillor Hunter

Retain elected member representation to permit winding up.

The Council resolved:-

(i) to accept the response from Aberdeen Cyrenians refusing elected member representation;

(ii) in respect of Oakbank School Board of Governors, to agree that the Governors fill the vacant positions;

(iii) in respect of Robbs Trust, to remove Councillor Kirsty West as one of the Council’s nominations;

(iv) to retain the current elected member representation in relation to the Robert Gordon College Board of Governors;

(v) to note that Councillor Fletcher was not one of the Council’s appointed representatives to the Board of Royal Aberdeen Workshops for the Blind as erroneously stated in the report; and

(vi) to note that the Head of Democratic Services would respond to Councillor Adam outwith the meeting regarding his queries on representation on outside bodies by the SNP Group and the withdrawal of funding to those outside bodies.

The Council had before it a report by the Director of Corporate Governance which presented the Interim Business Plan 2010/13 for approval.

The report explained that the Council’s Corporate Management Team had agreed that a single Business Plan be presented to the Council which would (1) communicate the Council’s priorities and intentions; (2) capture and communicate a common sense of purpose across the Council; and (3) give direction to the planning and delivery of services at more detailed levels, i.e. services, teams and individuals. The Business Plan was intended to be a key link in the chain which would ensure that there was a clear linkage of priorities and objectives from the national level, through the Community Plan and Single Outcome Agreement, the Business Plan, Service Plans and individual objectives.

The report appended the Interim Business Plan for 2010/13 and expanded on the following key elements within it:-

i. Themes

ii. Local Outcomes

iii. Contribution to the Single Outcome Agreement

iv. Fulfilment of the Council’s Policy Statement

v. The Council’s Improvement Plan in Response to the Audit of Best Value and Community Planning

vi. HMie Inspection of Services to Protect Children

vii. SWIA

viii. INEA2

ix. What We are Going to Do

x. Indicators

The report described how the Interim Business Plan had been devised and consulted on. The report concluded that once the Interim Business Plan had been approved it would be widely communicated to all stakeholders via a variety of methods, with a summarised version also to be produced.

The report recommended:-

that the Council consider and approve the Interim Business Plan for 2010/13 as appended to the report.

The Council resolved:-

(i) to approve the recommendation; and

(ii) to commend the Director of Corporate Governance for his work in producing the Interim Business Plan.

Decision of Finance and Resources Committee of 10^th December 2009 to follow.

DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

During the course of the following item of business a number of members declared interests as follows:-

Councillors Boulton, Dean, McCaig, Kevin Stewart and John West declared interests by virtue of their involvement with NESTRANS.

CouncillorJohn West declared an interest as a Director of Sport Aberdeen.

CouncillorFletcher declared a pecuniary interest as Vice-President of COSLA.

CouncillorKevin Stewart declared an interest as a part-time employee of Brian Adam MSP.

CouncillorDean declared an interest as a substitute Director of Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG).

CouncillorsDean, Fletcher, Ironside, Malone, Milne, Jennifer Stewart and Kirsty West declared interests as the Council’s appointed representatives to the Board of Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.

All of the members named above did not feel it necessary to leave the meeting during the Council’s consideration of the item.

With reference to Article 4 of the minute of meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee of 10^th December 2009, the Council had before it a report by the City Chamberlain which advised members of the projected base budget position for 2010/11 based on information provided by services in relation to known budget movements and provided details of growth pressures and proposals for savings.

The report summarised the 2010/11 General Revenue Fund Budget, advised on current projected spend, outlined the position with regard to the different funding streams the Council had available to it and provided the abridged savings proposals put forward by services. Reference was also made to the implications for public sector funding of the economic downturn and the likely effect on future service delivery.

Appended to the report was an overview of the Council’s net expenditure, a table summarising growth by service that had not been included in the 2010/11 base budget and an outline of the savings and efficiencies now proposed by services. A detailed breakdown of those proposals had also been published prior to the meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee.

The report recommended:-

that the Finance and Resources Committee -

(a) consider the content of the report and make recommendations to the meeting of the Council of 16^th December 2009 in regard to a package of savings and efficiency options from those outlined, to achieve a balanced budget taking account of any growth and feedback from consultation; and

(b) give further guidance to Directors on further changes to be explored over the coming weeks in order to identify further possible savings required to achieve a balanced budget.

The Finance and Resources Committee had resolved to recommend the following proposals to the Council meeting on 16^th December 2009 for approval in order to balance the 2010/11 Revenue Budget:-

Ref No.

Title of Service Change

2010/11

£'000

FTE

Head

COUNCIL EXPENSES

CX1

Various Administration Costs

(20)

0.0

TOTAL

(20)

0.0

OFFICE OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE

OCE4

Reduction in expenditure Election Unit

(27)

0.0

OCE1

Reduction in Clerical Assistant/ WPO post

(9)

(0.5)

(1.0)

OCE2

Remove Chief Public Affairs Officer post

(75)

(1.0)

OCE5

Remove Chief Officials Pay Award

(67)

0.0

TOTAL

(178)

(1.5)

(2.0)

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

CG5

Deletion of Clerical Assistant post (vacant) (G27130)

(20)

(1.0)

CG6

33% reduction in training budget (G27130)

(2)

0.0

CG50

50% reduction in hardware budget (G27130)

(2)

0.0

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE (continued)

CG51

50% reduction in hardware budget (G51123)

(2)

0.0

CG52

20% reduction in courses (F11061)

(1)

0.0

CG53

40% reduction in travel (F11061)

(2)

0.0

CG54

Removal of Audit Fee (F11061)

(2)

0.0

CG7

Vacant posts - not filled

(98)

(4.0)

CG8

Overtime reduction

(10)

0.0

CG9

Corporate Training Budget

(80)

0.0

CG10

Misc Savings

(58)

0.0

CG11

Deletion of Team Manager - P & RM following VS

(41)

(1.0)

CG12

Removal of one Project Leader - currently vacant

(31)

(1.0)

CG14

Payroll - Postage Savings

(2)

0.0

CG15

Annual review of renewal costs of insurance premiums

(40)

0.0

CG16

Strain on the Superannuation Fund

(77)

0.0

CG17

AECC Swap Agreement

(100)

0.0

CG18

Removal of WPO Supervisor post

(25)

(2.0)

CG19

Change post from Committee Officer to Assistant

(13)

0.0

CG20

Efficiency savings

(15)

0.0

CG21

Efficiency savings (Various)

(10)

(1.0)

CG22

Change post of Senior Solicitor to Solicitor (Licensing)

(9)

0.0

CG23

Disestablishment of vacant Area Officer

(22)

(2.0)

CG24

Disestablishment of 2 WPO posts

(36)

(2.0)

CG25

Efficiency savings (Various)

(77)

0.0

CG26

Automated Bank Reconciliation

(22)

(1.0)

CG27

Reduction in Training budget

(5)

0.0

CG28

Efficiency savings (Various)

(16)

0.0

CG29

Review of staffing requirements - payroll

(33)

(1.5)

(2.0)

CG30

RCC Admin Budget

(5)

0.0

CG31

Accord Admin Budget

(8)

0.0

CG32

Electronic Transfer of data

(22)

0.0

CG33

Electronic billing and merging of documentation

(2)

0.0

CG34

Removal of staffing assistant post

(19)

(1.0)

CG35

Strain on the Superannuation Fund

(16)

0.0

CG36

Deletion of clerical assistant post

(20)

(1.0)

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE (continued)

CG38

Public Notices - Advertising Traffic Orders

(70)

0.0

CG39

Backup Software Support - reduced annual costs

(30)

0.0

CG40

Core Network Support Costs - reduced annual support

(9)

0.0

CG41

Core Hardware Support Costs- consolidation of servers

(25)

0.0

CG42

Reduction in Misc Software - reduction in required spend

(15)

0.0

CG43

Fixed Line costs - review of BT and THUS fixed lines

(40)

0.0

CG45

Project Support Officer Post

(22)

0.0

CG46

Procurement

(1,178)

0.0

CG47

Corporate Recruitment Advertising

(50)

0.0

CGI3

Scottish Water/Benefit funding

(122)

0.0

CGI4

Insurance Team Commission for Arms length organisation

(6)

0.0

CGR1

Restructure of 3rd tier Management

(58)

(1.0)

CGR2

Remove one part time Change Manager post.

(24)

(0.7)

(1.0)

CGR3

Review of 4th tier management

(170)

(4.0)

CGR4

Reduction in number of ICT analysts.

(89)

(3.0)

CGR5

Deletion of Posts

(148)

(4.0)

CGR6

24x7x365 Service Delivery Model

(83)

0.0

CP1

Strategist Central Proposals

(19)

0.0

CP2

Strategist North

(4)

0.0

CP4

Women's Centre/Grant payments to projects

(8)

0.0

CP5

Detached and Citywide Youth Work

(9)

0.0

CP6

Head of Community Planning and Regeneration

(5)

0.0

CP7

Directorate

(26)

(1.0)

CGX1

Backfilling of Posts

(154)

0.0

CGX2

Corporate Strain on the Fund

(500)

0.0

CG37

Prison Visiting Committee

(4)

0.0

TOTAL

(3,811)

(32.2)

(33.0)

ENTERPRISE, PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE

CCM1

Marketing General

(2)

0.0

CCM2

Graphic Design

(2)

0.0

ENTERPRISE, PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE (cont.)

CCM3

Graphic Design Unit

(6)

0.0

CCM4

Hogmanay

(100)

0.0

CCM5

Summerhill Graphics Unit

(35)

(1.0)

CCM6

Waste Marketing

(12)

0.0

EES1

Reduce Visit Scotland Funding

(8)

0.0

EES2

Reduce ACSEF Funding

(11)

0.0

EES3

Reduce AREG Funding

(50)

0.0

EES4

Reduce Convention Bureau Funding

(11)

0.0

EES5

Remove Energy Futures Centre Funding

(89)

0.0

EES6

Water savings

30

0.0

EPIOS1

Operational support

(75)

(1.5)

(2.0)

F1B

Reduce Park and Ride Operation

(100)

(4.0)

F2

Reduction In Post Room Staff

(30)

(1.5)

(2.0)

F3

Reduction in Administration Team

(30)

(1.5)

(2.0)

F4B

Reduction in Facilities Supervisors

(60)

(2.0)

F5B

School Crossing - Reduce Manned Points

(90)

(5.0)

(12.0)

F6

Closure Of Summerhill

(180)

N/A

F7

Facilities Structure

(87)

N/A

F8B

Catering Service Review

tbc

PI1

E-planning Project Manager

(24)

(0.5)

(1.0)

PI2

E-planning Project Co-ordinator

(23)

(1.0)

PI3

Planner - Development Management

(13)

(0.4)

(1.0)

PI4

Freezing Senior Building Standards Officer

(44)

(1.0)

PI5

Planner - Development Plan and Access

(39)

(1.0)

PI6

Planner - Infrastructure Programmes

(39)

(1.0)

PI7

Planning Trainee - Infrastructure Programmes

(26)

(1.0)

PI8B

Freezing Planner Post for one year

(39)

(1.0)

PI9B

Senior - Strategic Programmes

(49)

(1.0)

PI10C

Freeze Trainee Planner Post

(26)

(1.0)

PI11C

Freeze Trainee Building Standards

(26)

(1.0)

PI12C

Freeze Building Standards Officer Post

(39)

(1.0)

R1

Street Lighting Electricity Costs

(450)

0.0

R2B

Dealing with Public Enquiries/Complaints

(30)

(1.0)

R3B

Winter Maintenance

(15)

0.0

R4

Taxicard

(10)

0.0

R5

Charges for TROs for New Developments

(10)

0.0

R6B

RTPI System

(80)

0.0

ENTERPRISE, PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE (cont.)

R7

Roads/Transport Structure

(35)

(1.0)

R8C

Road Staff Reductions (1)

(250)

(8.0)

R10B

16-18 Concession

(8)

0.0

R12B

Abandon Taxi Card Scheme

(130)

0.0

R13B

ITS Maintenance Contract

(20)

0.0

R14B

Blue/Green Badge Scheme

(50)

0.0

CG1

Removal of Senior Estates Surveyor post

(45)

(1.0)

CG2

Reduction in term consultancy

(250)

0.0

CG3

Removal of Senior Building inspector post

(30)

(1.0)

CG4

Removal of Principal Architect post

(55)

(1.0)

TOTAL

(2,803)

(40.4)

(50.0)

HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT

HSG1

Central (Point)

(13)

(0.5)

(1.0)

HSG2

Housing Repairs

(115)

(3.0)

HSG3

Non Housing Repairs

(42)

(1.0)

HSG4

Sales and Consent

(31)

(1.0)

HSG5

Reduced Commissioning of homelessness services

(122)

0.0

HSG6

Community Safety

(34)

0.0

HSG7

Police Posts

(117)

0.0

HSG8

Transport Marshals

(20)

0.0

HSG9

Deletion of 3rd tier Community Safety Manager

(55)

(1.0)

HSG10

Clinterty

(6)

0.0

HSG11

Review of Supporting People

(182)

0.0

HSG12

Sacro Mediation Service - Non Council Tenant

(5)

0.0

HSG13

Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator

(7)

0.0

HSG14

Small Grants Budget

(0.5)

0.0

HSG15

Neighbourhood Budget

(5)

0.0

HSG16

The Point - St Nicholas House

(22)

(1.0)

ENV1

Use of Agency Staff

(33)

(35.0)

(60.0)

ENV2

Depot Consolidation

(40)

0.0

ENV6

Reduced running costs of replacement cremators

(80)

0.0

ENV3

Increase income from Ranger Service

(5)

0.0

ENV4

Increase Crematorium Charges

(90)

0.0

HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT (cont.)

ENV8

Roundabout & Green space Sponsorship

(150)

0.0

ENV13

Laboratory of the Public Analyst

(27)

0.0

ENV24

Landlord Registration Fees

(96)

0.0

ENV25

Contract Monitoring to Sports Trust

(15)

0.0

ENV28

Sale of Surplus Vehicles

(27)

0.0

ENV29

Shared Trading Standards Service

(20)

(0.5)

(1.0)

W2

Trade Waste Collection

(40)

0.0

W3

Special Waste Collection Charges

(22)

0.0

DIR1

Operational support

(151)

0.0

DIR2

Vacancy Management

(242)

0.0

ENV5

Reduction to In Bloom Campaigns

(25)

0.0

ENV7

Review of Environmental Services

(150)

(2.5)

(5.0)

ENV9

Stop annual winter bedding

0

0.0

ENV10

Saving to staff structure

(32)

(1.0)

ENV11

General Cost Reductions

(15)

0.0

ENV12

Professional trainee and support post cuts

(20)

(1.0)

ENV14

Laboratory of the Public Analyst

(16)

0.0

ENV15

Pest Control Materials

(10)

0.0

ENV16

Environmental Protection Transport Savings

(5)

0.0

ENV17

Duthie Park Store

(20)

(1.0)

ENV18

Non Statutory post Cuts

(30)

(1.0)

ENV19

Lead Environmental Manager

(68)

(1.0)

ENV21

Reduce Parks Maintenance

(80)

(1.5)

(3.0)

ENV26

Market Testing - Grounds Service

(393)

(20.0)

ENV27

Market Testing of Street Sweeping

(78)

0.0

ENV30

Review of Environmental Health/Protection Service

(10)

(1.0)

ENV31

Sheltered Placement

(8)

(4.0)

W1

Waste Implementation Team Structure

(65)

(3.0)

W4

Market Testing of Waste

tbc

W5

Waste Marketing

(70)

0.0

The Council had before it four questions, of which due notice had been given in terms of Standing Order 20(2), the original responses to which Councillors Laing and Young had indicated they were unhappy with and wanted the questions placed on the agenda in order that more in depth answers could be given.

CouncillorLaing

QUESTION -

To the Convener of Education, Culture and Sport

“To ask the Convener for Education, Culture and Sport if he agrees or otherwise with Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, that this Council has already received sufficient monies to implement class sizes for p1-p3 to 18?”

ANSWER (by Councillor May) -

The Concordat between Scottish Government and CoSLA includes a commitment to, as quickly as possible, reducing class sizes in primary one to three to a maximum of 18. This Council is keen to move towards this, but it does require to be seen in the context of the funding position of the Council as a whole.

The finance settlement figures for 2010/11 show that Aberdeen City Council is ranked second bottom out of 32 Scottish local authorities on a per capita funding basis. The current funding gap for 2010/11 is estimated to be £25.521 million - subject to further reduction as the Council continues to strive to make the required savings this year.

Education, Culture and Sport service is one of the largest services in the Council and, as such, it is necessary that it contributes to closing that funding gap. Not to do so would have a significant knock on effect on other Council services such as Social Care and Wellbeing which would then be required to find significantly increased levels of savings.

A paper was tabled at the Education, Culture and Sport Committee on 24 November 2009 regarding the implementation of this aspect of the Concordat and the options for its implementation. Officers in Education, Culture and Sport are currently reviewing the possible costs of those options.

The merits of this and any additional costs associated with its implementation will require to be measured against all savings proposals and growth bids put forward both by Education, Culture and Sport and all other services, in terms of both affordability and impact. This process is currently underway as part of the budget setting process for 2010/11.

Aberdeen City has made some progress towards this target already. All classes in P1 are 25 or less. We have 229 classes of P1-3 and, of these, 25 already have 18 or less which is 11% of all classes. In the main this has been targeted to Primary One classes. We continue to move towards reducing class sizes in P1-3.

In accordance with Standing Order 20(4), the Lord Provost ruled that the question had been answered satisfactorily.

The Council resolved:-

to note the details.

CouncillorYoung

QUESTION -

To the Convener of Education, Culture and Sport

“To ask the Convener for Education, Culture and Sport if he agrees or otherwise with the First Minister that class sizes of 18 for p1-p3 classes will be achieved within the life time of the current Scottish Parliament, i.e. May 2011, and to further ask if the Administration that he slavishly follows fails to deliver on the First Minister’s promise will he resign?”

The Council resolved:-

to note that the Lord Provost had ruled the question incompetent in accordance with Standing Order 20(4), as referred to in Article 3 of this minute.

QUESTION -

To the Convener of Finance and Resources

“To ask the Convener for Finance and Resources to confirm the cost to this Council for the period 2006/07, 2007/08 and 2008/09 on agency staff?”

ANSWER (by Councillor Kevin Stewart) -

2006/2007

General Fund - £4,462,000

Non General Fund - £5,054,000

Total £9,516,000

2007/2008

General Fund - £4,673,000

Non General Fund - £4,261,000

Total £8,934,000

2008/2009

General Fund - £4,868,000

Non General Fund - £3,282,000

Total £8,150,000

In accordance with Standing Order 20(4), the Lord Provost ruled that the question had been answered satisfactorily.

The Council resolved:-

to note the details.

QUESTION -

To the Convener of Finance and Resources

“To ask the Convener for Finance and Resources to confirm the cost to this Council for the period 2006/07, 2007/08 and 2008/09 on consultant fees?”

ANSWER (by Councillor Kevin Stewart) -

2006/2007 - £532,000

2007/2008 - £650,000

2008/2009 - £528,500

In accordance with Standing Order 20(4), the Lord Provost ruled that the question had been answered satisfactorily.

The Council resolved:-

to note the details.

Councillor Crockett, pursuant to notice, moved:-

“This Council is appalled at the financial settlement received from the SNP minority Scottish Government; agrees that the people of Aberdeen should be angry that Aberdeen City Council has been left with the same funding deal which had led to huge service cuts; and calls upon Alex Salmond to live up to his promise not to leave the city in the lurch.”

The Council resolved:-

to refer the motion to the Finance and Resources Committee.

Councillor Graham, pursuant to notice, moved:-

“That this Council consults with the residents of former sheltered housing complexes with a view to reviewing its policy to return them to sheltered housing and not housing for varying need.”

The Council resolved:-

to defer consideration of the motion to the next meeting in Councillor Graham’s absence, in accordance with Standing Order 21(4).

Councillor Graham, pursuant to notice, moved:-

“That this Council works with the youths of Middlefield Community Flat to develop proposals to floodlight the football pitch at Manor Avenue.”

The Council resolved:-

to defer consideration of the motion to the next meeting in Councillor Graham’s absence, in accordance with Standing Order 21(4).

Councillor Ironside, pursuant to notice, moved:-

“That this Council expedites its plans to demolish the old Greenfern School site which is currently a haven for vandalism and anti social behaviour causing the residents of the area great concern.”

The Council resolved:-

to refer the motion to the Housing and Environment Committee.

EXEMPT INFORMATION

The Council resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business so as to avoid disclosure of exempt information of the class described in paragraphs 6 and 8 of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

During the course of the following item of business a number of members declared interests as follows:-

CouncillorJohn Stewart declared an interest by virtue of his appointment as a representative of the Council on the University of Aberdeen University Court.

Councillor Kirsty West declared an interest as a user of Aberdeen Sports Village.

CouncillorsFletcher and John West declared interests as Directors of Sport Aberdeen.

CouncillorsCollie and Fletcher declared interests as Directors of Aberdeen Sports Village.

The Lord Provost and Councillors Allan, Clark, Dean and McDonald declared interests as the Council’s appointed representatives on the Aberdeen International Football Festival Trust.

All of the members named above did not feel it necessary to leave the meeting during the Council’s consideration of the item.

The Council had before it a report by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provided an update on the outcome of the design feasibility to RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Stage C for an 8.5 lane 21 metre wide pool and sought approval to progress the plans to Stage D.

The report advised that work had been carried out by the Design and Project Management Teams in relation to how the pool would fit within the Linksfield site, which included looking at the issues of user access and the connection of the facility to Aberdeen Sports Village. In regard to funding, the report advised that confirmation from SportScotland had been received in relation to the Stage 1 application for £5million towards the capital cost of the project and that progress was continuing on the Stage 2 application.

The report went on to provide details of the various routes which could be taken when procuring a construction company for the project, namely traditional procurement, lump sum/traditional via two stage tender and design and build. It was noted that following a detailed evaluation of the options, and recent experience with similar swimming pool projects, the traditional route was recommended by the Project Team based on the experience of the architects and the Design Team. In relation to additional specialist consultants, the report detailed the types of specialist which could be required at various stages throughout the project.

The report referred to the need for a detailed ground investigation to be carried out on the site and that due to the nature of the work entailed, it was recommended that the work be carried out over the festive period, when public use of the site was likely to be minimal. An appendix to the report advised that tenders for this work had been received on 9^th December 2009. The lowest tender was from Raeburn Drilling and Geotechnical Ltd. for the sum of £42,360.15 and it was recommended that this company be appointed to undertake the work.

The Council also had before it the draft minute of the meeting of the 50m Pool Working Group of 9^th December 2009, where a draft version of the report had been considered. The Working Group had discussed estimated figures for an eight lane pool and a ten lane pool - taking all costs into account, the indicative figures showed that an eight lane pool would cost in the region of £25million and a ten lane pool would cost in the region of £26.35million. The Working Group had resolved that these figures be considered by the Council during its consideration of the report.

There was circulated correspondence from the Chairman of Aberdeen Sports Village to Councillor Fletcher in his capacity as Chairperson of the 50m Pool Working Group. The correspondence confirmed that Aberdeen Sports Village were keen to play an active role in the management of the 50 metre pool project, however certain conditions would be required before the project could be transferred.

The Council resolved:-

(i) to instruct officers to progress and submit a Stage 2 funding application to SportScotland to secure the approved funding of £5million;

(ii) to agree that the 50 metre pool be procured via the traditional procurement route;

(iii) to agree that the management of the project be transferred to Aberdeen Sports Village subject to (a) the provision of further legal and financial advice in respect of any potential risks to the Council; and (b) the other partners confirming their financial contribution to the project;

(iv) to request that Aberdeen Sports Village provide the Council with a report within four months on how they plan to drive the project forward;

(v) to approve the draw-down of the agreed budget within the Non-Housing Capital Programme for the procurement of the additional project specialists as referred to in the report, as and when necessary; and

(vi) to agree to the appointment of the preferred tenderer to undertake a detailed grounds investigation of the Linksfield site, to be carried out over the festive holiday period.

- PETER STEPHEN, Lord Provost.

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Aberdeen City Council:

Minutes for Council meeting, Dec 16 2009, 10.30AM official page