The Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee of Aberdeen City Council met on Wednesday 26 August 2026. Key discussions included unauthorised encampments, violence against women and girls, and seagull population control.

Unauthorised Gypsy/Traveller Encampments

The committee debated a Notice of Motion from Councillor Kusznir regarding recurring unauthorised Gypsy/Traveller encampments and their impact on St Fittick's Park. Councillor Kusznir's motion called for a report on options to limit such encampments, including physical measures, management and enforcement, and engagement approaches.

An amendment moved by the Convener, Councillor Miranda Radley, was adopted. This amendment noted the Council's commitment to promoting good relations between Gypsy/Travellers and local residents, highlighted the significant investment in the Clinterty Gypsy Traveller site, and the role of the dedicated Gypsy/Travellers Liaison Officer. It instructed the Chief Officer – Housing to engage with Gypsy Travellers over the next year to identify potential locations for temporary halting sites across the city, with a report on outcomes to follow.

Councillor Deena Tissera moved a further amendment, which called for a roundtable meeting with various stakeholders to explore the reasons for the situation and possible solutions, and for a comprehensive long and short-term plan to be presented to Full Council.

Following a division, the Convener's amendment was adopted.

Violence Against Women and Girls

An urgent Notice of Motion from Councillor Deena Tissera, accepted due to the priority of violence against women issues, called for the Committee to note the prevalence of violence against women and girls across Scotland and to support The Sunday Post's It's Time campaign. The motion endorsed the campaign's emphasis on education, prevention, an emergency support fund, a workplace charter, and the use of sport and positive role models. It also recognised the existing work of various organisations in Aberdeen and agreed that every woman and girl should feel safe and respected.

The Committee resolved to approve the Notice of Motion, instructing the Chief Executive to write to the Editor of The Sunday Post confirming Aberdeen City Council's support for the 'It's Time' Campaign. Furthermore, the Chief Officer People and Citizen Services and Chief Officer Children's Social Work and Family Support were instructed to review the campaign aims against current work, examine how the Council could build upon its Equally Safe at Work Accreditation, explore the benefits of supporting the proposed workplace charter, consider opportunities to involve local educational institutions and sporting clubs in awareness activities, and report back to the Committee by January 2027 on proposed actions and resource implications.

Seagull Population Control

Councillor Mrs Jennifer Stewart brought forward a Notice of Motion concerning the growing seagull population in Aberdeen, citing issues such as public attacks, litter, and impacts on tourism. The motion 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 Full Council within two cycles.

An amendment moved by the Convener, Councillor Miranda Radley, was adopted. This amendment noted that urban gulls are present in Aberdeen due to its coastal location but acknowledged that the issue is exacerbated by residents feeding the gulls, littering, and improper waste disposal. It also highlighted that gulls are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981¹ and that all gull species in Scotland are declining, with some Red-listed on the Birds of Conservation Concern. The amendment instructed the Chief Officer Governance, following consultation with the Community Safety Manager, to work with partners to understand concerns and report on the scope of options available to Aberdeen City Council within the law.

Police Scotland Performance

The Committee received an update on Police Scotland's performance for Quarter 4 of 2025/26. The report, POL/26/179, detailed police activity across Aberdeen City, including recorded crime, detection rates, and operations, with five-year and year-on-year comparisons. Divisional Commander Kate Stephen and Chief Inspector Vicky Stables provided further information and answered questions from members.

The Committee resolved to request further information from Police Scotland on several points:

• Regarding Claire's Law², whether a partner is informed if a check is carried out on their partner for a history of domestic abuse.
• The YouTube link for a noted dance project.
• Information on the number of offenders and vehicles seized in Aberdeen as a direct result of drone deployment in tackling illegal e-bike and e-scooter use.
• A breakdown of reported incidents for Serious Assault (including FGM, culpable and reckless conduct causing injury).
• An update on measurable evidence of success in preventing anti-social behaviour through youth engagement, including better engagement with education and collaboration with the Council to reduce offending.
• An update on specific prevention activity planned regarding persons driving on the wrong side of the road.
• An update on the ongoing investigation regarding a fatality at Northfield swimming pool.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Delivery Review

The Committee noted the information provided in the report SFR/26/175, which presented an updated position on the Service Delivery Review options being progressed by the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS). The report indicated that none of the current options directly affected the Aberdeen City area.

Other Business

The Committee noted performance reports (CORS/26/158) and cluster risk registers and assurance maps (CORS/26/164). The Committee resolved to instruct the Chief Officer Operations to explore funding for graffiti removal and to involve local artists, and to approve recommendations regarding graffiti removal in Aberdeen (CR&E/26/173). The Committee also resolved to approve the recommendations regarding the Annual Assurance Statement (F&C/26/147). The Committee adopted the motion regarding the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 Update (F&C/26/149). The Committee resolved to note recommendation (a) regarding the Local Housing Strategy 2025-2030 Annual Update (F&C/26/148) and to adopt the motion and therefore approve the recommendations. The Committee resolved to approve the recommendations regarding proposed Tillydrone Improvement Works (F&C/26/186).