Notice of Motion by Councillor Thomson

February 4, 2026 Council (Other) Awaiting outcome View on council website
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(i)            
to approve the notice of motion;
(ii)          
to acknowledge Council agreed on 1 October 2025:
That this Council:
 
1.      Recognises the importance
of the North East and North of Scotland regional news services
provided by STV North / Grampian TV over 60 years.
2.      Notes the undertakings
given by STV, at the time it took over Grampian TV in 1997, that
the separate North East and North of Scotland regional news
programmes would be maintained.
3.      Deplores the
announcement by STV that it intends to end its STV North news
programming and the reported loss of 60 jobs associated with
this.
4.      Notes that Aberdeen
City Council's Employability Team, through Partnership Action for
Continuing Employment (PACE), is ready to support individuals
facing the loss of their jobs.
5.      Agrees that the Council
will seek to work with others, including the National Union of
Journalists, to make the case for the retention of STV North news
programming and, in particular, instructs the Chief Executive to
make representations to this effect to STV, Ofcom, the Scottish
Government, and UK Government.
(iii)         
to note the Chief Executive sent the letters (dated
8 January 2026) to Ofcom, STV, the Scottish Government and UK
Government, as attached, following the unanimous instruction of
Council on 1 October 2025;
(iv)         
to note the Chief Executive’s letter to Ofcom,
dated 8 January 2026, reads:

“…Aberdeen City Council will
participate fully in Ofcom’s consultation and will submit a
formal response.” and
(v)          
to instruct the Chief Executive to continue to make
representation with the motion agreed unanimously by Council,
including completion of their consultation for the avoidance of
doubt, and agree this should be done as soon as possible and within
the scope of the existing instructions, agreed 1 October
2025.

Related Meeting

Council - Wednesday, 4th February, 2026 9.30 am on February 4, 2026

Details

OutcomeFor Determination
Decision date4 Feb 2026