Aberdeen City Council approved funding for a Tall Ships traineeship and adopted revised financial and procurement regulations. The council resolved to recognise the vital role of Aberdeen's universities, express serious concern over proposed cuts by the University of Aberdeen, and instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister to support universities by removing restrictions on attracting international students.

Funding for Tall Ships Traineeship

The Council approved funding of £2,500 plus VAT for the sponsorship of a Tall Ships traineeship in 2026. This funding will be drawn from the Guildry and Mortifications Fund for the 2026/27 period. The decision was made following a referral from the Guildry and Mortification Funds Committee on 3 August 2026.

Scheme of Governance Review

A comprehensive review of the Council's Scheme of Governance was undertaken, resulting in the approval of updated Financial Regulations and Procurement Regulations, both effective from 2 September 2026. Amendments were also made to the Powers Delegated to Officers, with the Chief Officer - Governance now appointed as the Council's Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for the UK Government's CONTEST Strategy (Counter-Terrorism Strategy). A Deputy SPOC was also appointed. The Chief Officer - Governance was instructed to make any further necessary amendments to reflect these changes and ensure all document links are up-to-date.

Local Development Plan Evidence Report and Development Plan Scheme

The Council resolved to instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to submit a revised Evidence Report, along with supporting documentation, to Scottish Ministers. This submission is subject to minor drafting changes to meet the requirements of the Gate Check process. The Chief Officer will also be responsible for completing the text describing engagement on the revised report, highlighting areas of agreement and dispute. The Council authorised the Chief Officer to respond to any requests for further information from the Scottish Government's Planning and Environmental Appeals Division. In the event the Evidence Report is returned, the Chief Officer is instructed to address any further matters arising from a Reporter's assessment and resubmit the report.

Additionally, the Council approved the content of the updated Development Plan Scheme 2026 and instructed its publication in accordance with relevant legislation. It was noted that the Development Plan team had held sessions with Community Councils and the Community Council Planning Forum regarding Local Place Plans, and elected members requested to be invited to such sessions in the future.

Masterplanning at Balnagask

The Council noted that previous instructions for enhanced offers related to masterplanning at Balnagask were open for acceptance until 30 March 2026, with some discretion beyond this date. As several months had passed, the Council instructed officers to withdraw these enhanced discretionary terms from any offers not accepted by 30 August 2026. The Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord was directed to advise all parties with accepted offers that these should be legally concluded and title transferred by 30 October 2026.

Chief Officers are to report to a future meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee, no later than June 2027, on masterplanning and redevelopment opportunities for the wider Balnagask site, reflecting risks associated with homes not in council ownership. The Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord, in consultation with the Conveners of the Finance and Resources Committee and the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee, is only to extend timescales where substantive progress has been demonstrated and legal conclusion is expected within an agreed timetable for property purchase.

An update was provided on the status of the 138 affected homes in private ownership in Balnagask: 128 had accepted offers, with 112 legally concluded and properties vacant. The Council is still working with the remaining 16. Of the 10 remaining properties, 6 were considering their options, and the remaining 4 involved two owners, one of whom owned three properties. The Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord was requested to provide information, where possible, on the number of privately owned properties currently occupied and whether by owners or private tenants.

Performance Management Framework Refresh

The Council approved the revised Performance Management Framework for 2026-27, as detailed in Appendix A.

Opposition to University of Aberdeen Cuts

In response to a notice of motion by Councillor M. Tauqeer Malik, the Council resolved to recognise the vital role Aberdeen's two universities play in the city's educational, cultural, social, and economic life. The Council noted with serious concern the proposed cuts by the University of Aberdeen to postgraduate courses and over 100 jobs, noting these follow significant job losses at both the University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University in recent years. The Council acknowledged that financial pressures facing Scotland's universities are exacerbated by inadequate funding and agreed that changes in UK visa rules have caused a significant drop in international students, a major income source. Consequently, the Council instructed the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister, supporting both the University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University by calling for the removal of any restrictions on UK universities attracting international students.

Asylum Seeker Repatriation Process

A notice of motion by Councillor Marie Boulton, requesting the establishment of a formal process to ensure asylum seekers with no right to remain in the UK are immediately taken to a place of safety while awaiting repatriation, was referred to the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee.

Seagull Population Control

A notice of motion by Councillor Mrs Jennifer Stewart, highlighting problems with the growing seagull population, including attacks on the public, litter, and impacts on tourism, was referred to the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee. The Council instructed the Chief Officer - Governance to explore ways to control the seagull population, including the potential use of a bylaw, and to report back to a future meeting of Full Council.

Commemoration of Sir Ian Wood

The Council approved a notice of motion by Councillors Richard Brooks, M. Tauqeer Malik, Christian Allard, Ian Yuill, and the Lord Provost, expressing profound sadness at the death of Sir Ian Wood KT GBE. The motion recognised Sir Ian's significant contributions to building Wood Group into a leading energy services company, anchoring Aberdeen's energy supply chain, and establishing the North East as a global centre of energy expertise. It also acknowledged his extensive philanthropy and public service, including the establishment of The Wood Foundation, the founding of Opportunity North East (ONE), and his long service as Chancellor of Robert Gordon University. The Council requested the Lord Provost to write to Lady Helen and the Wood family to convey condolences and gratitude, and instructed the Chief Executive to report back by April 2027 on ways the city could appropriately recognise and commemorate Sir Ian Wood's contribution.

HGV Access to Aberdeen South Harbour

A notice of motion by Councillor Alex Nicoll concerning HGV access to Aberdeen South Harbour and potential restrictions in residential areas of Torry and Cove was referred to the Net Zero, Environment and Transport Committee. The motion noted previous assurances regarding traffic control measures and highlighted existing legislation and the lack of legislative authority for local authorities to use enforcement cameras on certain restrictions. The Council instructed the Chief Officer - Operations to identify the steps required to restrict HGV access or egress from Aberdeen South Harbour via residential communities and to write to Transport Scotland and the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport to seek necessary statutory powers for enforceable traffic control measures. The Chief Officer - Operations is also to bring forward a suitable Traffic Regulation Order to restrict HGV traffic accessing and egressing the harbour through local communities.

bp North Sea Operations

An urgent notice of motion by Councillors Christian Allard and Ian Yuill regarding the decision by bp to sell its North Sea operations was referred to the Finance and Resources Committee. The motion acknowledged the uncertainty this creates for employees, contractors, and supply chain businesses, and the significant contribution bp's workforce has made to the prosperity of Aberdeen and the North East. It recognised that changes in ownership are a long-standing feature of the North Sea energy sector and that Aberdeen has demonstrated resilience through periods of industry change. The motion called upon bp and any prospective purchaser to engage constructively with stakeholders and urged governments to continue supporting the region as an attractive destination for investment in the energy sector.