ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL
Town House,
ABERDEEN, 19th September, 2007
COUNCIL MEETING
The Members of ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL are requested to meet here in the Town House on MONDAY, 1ST OCTOBER, 2007 at 2.00pm.
HAZEL SPALDING
HEAD OF DEMOCRATIC SERVICES
B U S I N E S S
1. Admission of Burgesses
MINUTES OF COUNCIL
2. (a) Minute of Meeting of Aberdeen City Council of 27th June, 2007 (circulated separately)
(b) Minute of Special Meeting of Aberdeen City Council of 18th July, 2007 (circulated separately)
(c) Minute of Meeting of Aberdeen City Council of 15th August, 2007 (circulated separately)
MINUTES OF STANDING COMMITTEES
3. Pamphlet of Minutes (circulated separately) - for information
OTHER MINUTES
* (b) Minute of Meeting of the Aberdeen City Alliance of 31st May, 2007 - for information
GENERAL BUSINESS
5. (a) Chief Executive’s Progress Report
Would Members please note that this report has been circulated separately.
* (b) Composition of Standing Committees - Report by Head of Democratic Services
(c) 3Rs Project Board – Report by Head of Democratic Services (to follow)
* (e) Appointment of Members to Aberdeen City Licensing Board - Report by City Solicitor
* (g) A Strategy for Transforming Services to Children and Young People - 2007-2010 - Report by Corporate Director for Strategic Leadership
(h) Review of Swimming Pools Programme at Former Education Pools - Report by Head of Culture and Learning, Neighbourhood Services (North Area) (to follow)
QUESTIONS
6. (a) Councillor Graham
(1) How does the Council intend to carry out its manifesto commitment to accelerate the modernisation programme of Council homes and reach the Scottish Quality Standard by 2010?
(2) Will this lead to further rent increases?
(b) Councillor Graham
How does the Council intend to carry out its manifesto commitment to enhance the total environment in social housing areas?
(c) Councillor Graham
(1) How does the Council intend to carry out its manifesto commitment to Campaign for the cancellation of Aberdeen’s housing debt?
(2) What discussions has there been between the Council and the Scottish Government to date regarding the cancellation of Aberdeen’s housing debt and what was the response?
(d) Councillor Graham
(1) How does the Council intend to carry out its manifesto commitment to campaign for a fair deal for Aberdeen in relation to local government funding?
(2) Has the Council had discussions with the Scottish Government to date to gain a fair deal for Aberdeen, if it has what was the response?
(3) What does the administration consider to be a fair deal for Aberdeen in relation to local government funding?
(e) Councillor Wisely
Could I be told what measures are in place to monitor the water level in Rubislaw Quarry?
(f) Councillor Allan
To ask the relevant Convenor to confirm which Aberdeen City Council staff are currently subject to the possibility of job privatisation, which grades are they on and to confirm if these employees are part time or full time and are they predominantly male or female?
(g) Councillor Allan
To ask the relevant Convenor to confirm or otherwise that presently there is not a threat of the possibility of privatising jobs such as refuse collection or street sweeping? For the avoidance of doubt presently means within 18 months.
(h) Councillor Laing
To ask the Leader of the Council if she agrees with her Party's by-election leaflet for the Midstocket and Rosemount Ward that this City has been badly let down by the SNP minority Executive thanks to their non committal to the 50m pool, the lack of judgement and backing for the Energy Hub and the year long delay for the Western Peripheral Route?
(i) Councillor Young
To ask the relevant Convenor to come clean and confirm which Schools are being considered for closure within Aberdeen City?
(j) Councillor Young
To ask the relevant Convenor to confirm or otherwise if he or she agrees with Brian Adam MSP that Gypsy Travellers should be put up in halting sites within the South of Aberdeen only as the Clinterty site is already within the North of the City?
(k) Councillor Young
To ask the relevant Convenor to confirm or otherwise if the time scale agreed at the special Council meeting in July of 60 days to sort out the title deeds for Marischal College has been met?
(l) Councillor Young
To ask the Council's Grampian Health Board member if she agrees or otherwise with Nicol Stephen MSP speaking about the SNP NHS waiting time guarantees that there would be an increase in lawyers at the bedside rather than Clinical Care? Can she confirm that as our representative on this important body she will undertake consultation with all Council members so that their views on this subject can be brought to her attention?
(m) Councillor Laing
To ask the relevant Convenor why does the Council continue to operate the discriminatory policy of not allowing private hire vehicles to use the bus lanes? Further to ask why both taxis and private hire vehicles are denied access to the bus lanes when they are operating for hire and reward but not carrying fare paying passengers?
(n) Councillor Graham
Why have Aberdeen City Council kept secret the Scottish Government's refusal to have early discussions with Council Leaders what funding may be available to support early action programmes and other City Regeneration programmes? What plans do Aberdeen City Council have with regard to discussions with tenants on Community Ownership Programme?
MOTIONS
7. (a) Councillor Graham
“That it be referred to the appropriate Committee, that Aberdeen City Council takes all appropriate steps including a review of current policy to ensure the adoption of the roads/footpaths in Parade Mews.”
(b) Councillor Hunter
“This Council should publicly thank all Justices of the Peace who have served this City so well both in the District Court and those that have performed signing duties for their outstanding service to Local Government since 1975. To ask this Council to honour the name “Justice of the Peace” before the name disappears for ever and to wish those Justices of the Peace involved in moving to the Scottish Court Service well in their continued role as Lay Justices.”
(c) Councillor Graham
“That it be referred to the appropriate Committee, that Aberdeen City Council instructs officers to consult with residents of Bonnyview Drive to discuss parking problems and identify solutions.
(d) Councillor Wisely
“Request for Council to ratify a Committee place exchange between two Members of the Conservative Group – Councillor Wisely to replace Councillor Farquharson on the Hazlehead Working Group.”
(e) Councillor Hunter
“That the Council invoke Standing Order 22 and that the decision of the Resources Management Committee on 28th August, 2007 in relation to the Frederick Street Business Centre redevelopment be set aside until satisfactory alternative business premises can be provided.”
(f) Councillors Jennifer Stewart and Greig
“That this Council purchases for this year 2007, a nativity scene for location at an appropriate place in the city centre.”
REPORTS NOT FOR PUBLICATION
8. (a) Minute of Meeting of Marischal College Advisory and Monitoring Board of 25th September, 2007 (to follow)
(b) Equal Pay and Modernisation - Report by Head of Human Resources (to follow)
* circulated herewith
Should you require any further information about this agenda, please contact Martin Allan (Ext. 3057) or Christine Gunn (Ext. 2869).
