Decision

(a)      Note the cash position that has been achieved for the General Fund and HRA to the end of Quarter 1 as detailed in Appendix 1;

(b)      Note the Common Good financial performance to the end of Quarter 1 as detailed in Appendix 3;

(c)      Note that the General Fund full year forecast position remains on track to achieve a full year outturn of ‘on budget’ although there are a range of financial risks that exist for the financial year. Continuing action and controls, as outlined in Appendix 2 will remain in place for the remainder of the financial year;

(d)      Approve additional recurring funding in 2026/27 of £518K for the Integration Joint Board of Aberdeen City Council and NHS Grampian (IJB) in respect of additional funding provided by Scottish Government for Real Living Wage, the distribution of funding to Councils having been confirmed;

(e)      Note that the Council maintains financial resilience with the resources available on the Council Balance Sheet, the General Fund Reserves in particular. As at 31 March 2026 the uncommitted value of those reserves was £15.2m, above the minimum £13.7m that the Council Reserves Statement recommends and as approved by the Council;

(f)       Note that the HRA full year forecast position, as detailed in Appendix 2, is forecast to be on budget, but continues to face challenging cost pressures as outlined in Appendix 2 and the HRA Budget Report 2026/27;

(g)      Note that the forecast for General Fund Capital Budget has been updated to include approved in-year virements, carry forward commitments and a reprofiling exercise. Capital expenditure is low at the end of Quarter 1, however forecasts are that additional expenditure and progress will be recognised during the remainder of the financial year;

(h)      Approve, as per the exempt Appendix 5, the increase of a bank guarantee to the Bank of Scotland in respect of a maximum over draft facility of £250,000 to Transition Extreme Sports Limited until 31 March 2028 and in relation to Aberdeen Science Centre, a guarantee to the Bank of Scotland in respect of a maximum over draft facility of £200,000 until 31 March 2028;

(i)       Recognise the fantastic work and effort of St George’s Community Centre SCIO for creating a valued community space at the heart of Tillydrone, and agrees to support their fundraising efforts to purchase the former St George’s Church, Hayton Road to secure the long-term future of the asset for the community;

(j)       Acknowledge St George’s Community Centre SCIO continues to engage with Aberdeen City Council’s External Funding Team to secure external funding opportunities; and

(k)      Approve, in principle, to provide grant funding of £50,000 to St George’s Community Centre SCIO, subject to the charity meeting the necessary Following the Public Pound criteria  and funds not being paid until the SCIO solicitors confirm that sufficient funds have been raised to purchase the Church and conditional missives have been concluded. The cost of the grant should be met from the Council’s uncommitted General Fund reserve, which is currently above the minimum threshold.