National Outcome 13

NO13 -  We take pride in a strong, fair and inclusive national identity

In the context of both local and wider economic restrictions, Aberdeen City has, within the past 12 months, been able to demonstrate some considerable developments in support of the aims of this National Outcome.

Culturally, the City has seen the successful re-opening of the Lemon Tree performing arts venue, the proposed ‘Northern Light’ Cultural centre, now being considered within the Union Terrace development, has attracted more than 70% of necessary build funding and two major public art commissions, for a statue of Robert the Bruce and for the Union Square development, have been placed. Strategically, the cultural vision for Aberdeen is currently being shaped through the development of ‘Vibrant Aberdeen’ A Cultural Strategy for Aberdeen, which, uniquely in Scotland, is being driven by the local City Alliance forum and is due for completion towards the end of 2009.

In practical terms, these ‘project’ milestones are further endorsed by the continued high level national recognition of the City’s museums and the development of forward looking, widened access opportunities within Libraries (Wi-Fi). Local arts organisations, an increasing number of which, due to a re-focusing of priorities, have been supported by Aberdeen City Council, are attracting an increased level of external funding and are delivering a more diverse and engaging series of programmes.

In the area of Sport, completion and opening of the Aberdeen Sports Village development represents a major investment in the City’s ambitions for extending the benefits of physical activity within the Community. As one of the four facilities within Aberdeen City having been identified as potential Olympic/Commonwealth Games Training facilities during 2008/09 this materially raises the City’s profile as a major sporting hub.

With the allocation of £20m of identified funding from Aberdeen City Council, the University of Aberdeen and the Scottish Government to the proposed development of a 50m swimming pool at the Linksfield site and project and design teams appointed, Phase 2 of this ambitious project will also assist in the meeting of future Single Outcome Agreement and Active City targets.

Linking to these ambitions and reflecting both the City’s newly launched Physical Activity Strategy, ‘Fit For the Future’ and the extent of progress being made in ‘athlete’ development, the number of Aberdeen based athletes supported by the Grampian Institute of Sport during 2008/09 has risen by 36% and the City has agreed a ‘development accord’ with the Scottish Rugby Union which provides fit for purpose training/competition venues and saw the City hosting an international rugby event in 2009.

Whilst Tourism to Aberdeen has seen the impact of the wider recession affecting visitor numbers and spend, this has not been as severe as had initially been predicted and the number of hotel build/refurbishment projects begun or planned during 2008/09 reflect continued long term optimism in the City’s tourism sector.

Considering this, along with the major investments in the local golf industry at Stonehaven, Blairs and Menie House, the potential re-development of Union Terrace Gardens, the opening of the Union Square Shopping/Leisure complex and other smaller retail facilities, there is reason to expect that the tourism figures, both business and leisure related, will return to pre-recession levels relatively quickly.

LO13A Enhance the level of local representation at national and international sporting events

Measure

Performance

Note

Number of locally based participants selected for national representation events and/or national training programmes

During 2008/09 the number of City based/resident participants supported by the Grampian Institute of Sport rose from 22 in 2007/08 to 26 with notable performances by individuals in a range of sports e.g. David Florence, Olympic Silver Medallist (Canoe Slalom), David Law, Scottish Boys Champion (Golf), Neil Fachie being selected for the GB Paralympic Team.

The achievement of future targets will, with a series of anticipated changes to the pattern of physical activity /sport delivery, e.g. the emergence of Sport Aberdeen/Aberdeen Sports Village, over the course of 2009/10, require that Aberdeen City Council place an increased emphasis on further developing effective support of and liaison with an extended group of key local service providers to maintain this success

LO13B Deliver an increased number of significant sporting events and national/international level venues in the City

Measure

Performance

Note

Number of fit for purpose facilities catering for training/competition at national level

Completion of the construction phase of Aberdeen Sports Village fell out with the 2008/09 year end but handover was undertaken in May 2009 and the facility will be fully operational as of August 2009.

This facility will, over the course of 2009/10, provide a major contribution and focus to the delivery of both the Council’s strategic objectives for sport and physical activity and localised priorities for the Seaton area.

LO13C To maintain and develop arts and heritage activities and venues which have a positive impact on the social, economic and cultural development of the City

Measure

Performance

Note

Number of projects supported by Aberdeen City Council through the Cultural/City Growth and Small Grants Schemes

An increased number of organisations have, due to an element of re-profiling, been supported by the various strands of funding.

Voluntary Led Organisations – 25

City Growth Fund – 40

Cultural Organisations - 6

Measure

Performance

Note

Provision of English for speakers of other languages up to intermediate level

Funding from the Scottish Government for 2007/08 worked out at £1,000 per learner, so the actual number of learners worked with vastly exceeded the target. In 2008/09 this figure dropped to £500 per learner, but the target was still exceeded by partners delivering provision in the city.

Measure

Performance

Note

Number of visits to/usages of Council funded or part funded museums per 1,000 population

The Council approved a reduction in museum service at the budget settlement February 2008. This decision lead to a reduction in opening hours at Aberdeen Art Gallery, Provost Skene’s House and Aberdeen Maritime Museum in 2008/9 which, along with a general decline in national visitor attraction admissions, led to a reduction in visits in person to these venues.   However, considerable efforts have been made to improve website/virtual opportunities and to provide outreach visits to counteract this expected reduction in footfall.   Resultantly, the accessibility of the Service has been significantly improved and it is anticipated that this performance will re-affirm the status within the Statutory Performance Indictor upper quartile.