Council convened today for it’s November meeting.

The Provost began proceedings by noting Council’s sadness on the news of the death of Dr Ian Findlay who was a co-opted member of the Education and Childrens’ Services Committee.
Congratulations were also given to Cllr Lesley Berry who was in the chamber for the first time following her success in the recent Inverurie By-election and also to Cllr Alison Evison who has been elected President of Cosla.

In a change to the agenda given the volume in the public gallery to sit-in on the item, we commenced the meeting with Item 7.
This was a discussion around the next steps on the issue of the Scottish Ministers’ decision in relation to a planning application and enforcement appeals for a gypsy/traveller site at North Esk, St Cyrus.
This was a diffisult issue as the Traveller site had been approved by our Council only to be rejected by the Scottish Minister leaving us with the scenario of having to clear a site we’d approved.
The decision was noted, offers instructed to report back to the next full council meeting with a detailed action plan meeting the minister’s decisions and also an additional recommendation was made to ensure a communications strategy with the residents of the site.

Next were two Notices of Motion from SNP councillors Glen Reynolds then Ross Cassie.
Cllr Reynolds motion was on Child/human Trafficking and exploitation.
This one was referred to the Communities Committee where a report is coming forward anyway for a meeting in the near future.

Cllr Cassie spoke on writing to Teresa May to pause the roll-out of Universal Credit.  Much of the debate was around the need for Party Political discussion in the Council chamber on issues best served by Parliaments – and the fact we had COSLA as a reportable body to liaise on our behalf with parliaments.
Therefore, and after a vote, the motion was ammended to instead write to Cosla to push MPs to oppose the roll-out of Universal Credit.

The result of the Inverurie By-election was noted, as was the fact that political proportionality was unchanged following the result.

We then discussed two planning applications:

APP/2017/0478 – Full Planning Permission for the Erection of 37 Dwellinghouses, Provision of Land for Future Affordable Housing, and Associated Landscaping and Infrastructure at Westhaven, Cairnbulg – following a vote (38-26 in favour) this application was awarded a delegated grant.
I was one of the 26 who voted against on the grounds we have just approved the latest Local Development Plan and this was a signifcant departure from that very shortly after it’s approval.

APP/2017/1435 – Full Planning Permission for Change of Use of Depot and Formation of 15 Pitch Caravan Park for Gypsies/Travellers and Erection of Amenity Block at Boyndie Depot, Boyndie, Banff – again following a vote (58-4 in favour) this application was approved.  I voted in favour.

 

The revenue budget monitoring as at 30 September was noted, as was the forecast position and proposed actions to address the current situation – and virements were approved.

The Non-HRA Capital Budget 2017/18 monitoring report & capital plan 2017-2032 update were approved.

We then moved onto the discussion on the Council Plan 2017-2022.  This plan is the outcome of the extensive community engagement across Aberdeenshire over the summer months – and sets our priorities for this term of Council.
The Administration had selected the ten clear priorites as advised by the consultation exercises and also incorporated the opposition’s suggestion to add in references to the shire being a welcoming place.
The Democratic, Independent and Green Group proposed adding in an eleventh priority on fossil fuel emissions – despite this being rejected as a priority by the people of Aberdeenshire, and following discussion this too was added in to the plan ensuring the document was approved by Council unanimously.

The priorities read:

“Our focus for 2017-2022 will be to:

• Support a strong, sustainable, diverse and successful economy

• Have the best possible transport and digital links across our communities

• Provide the best life chances for all our children and young people by raising levels of attainment and achievement

• Work with parents and carers to support children through every stage of their development

• Encourage active lifestyles and promote well-being with a focus on obesity & mental health

• Have the right mix of housing across all of Aberdeenshire

• Support the delivery of the Health & Social Care Strategic Plan

• Work to reduce poverty and inequalities within our communities

• Deliver responsible, long-term financial planning

• Have the right people, in the right place, doing the right thing, at the right time

• Protect our special environment, including tackling climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions ”

 

Council then moved onto discussions on the Medium Term Financial Strategy – agreeing to budget proposals for years 2017-22 on 8th February 2018.

The changes to Scheme of Governance were then approved – on the Commom Good Policy, Participation Requests and finally the Scheme for the establishment of Community Councils.

Council then appointed Cllr Isobel Davidson to the Scottish Councils’ Committee on Radioactive Substances (SCCORS).

Cllr Ross Cassie was then appointed as a member to attend the COSLA Convention following CLlr Evison’s promotion to Cosla President.

The final item held in public was a discussion on the Full Business Case for Aberdeenshire Culture & Sport Trust – which would provide an alternativ Service Deliver Model for all of Aberdeenshire’s Sport, Leisure & Culture properties – this was passed by with caution as circumstances may change following the Barclay Report.
There is adequate provision for the revision of the plan before the ned of the advised timescale should circumstances change – but I do feel this offers our facilities the best change of sutainability, upgrade and protection of jobs.

We then, briefly, moved into private session.

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