Issue - meetings

The Committee resolved:-

(i)             to note the analysis of Resettlement in Appendix A has informed the development of the draft Resettlement Delivery Plan;

(ii)            to approve the draft Resettlement Delivery Plan in Appendix B;  

(iii)          to instruct the Chief Officer - Housing to seek feedback from key stakeholders including academics linked to the Health Determinates Research Collaboration in advance of refreshing the Resettlement Delivery Plan in 2026 and undertaking a wider analysis in 2027; and

(iv)          to instruct the Chief Officer - Housing to report progress against the Plan, and any proposed changes to the Plan in light of changing circumstances, to the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee on a yearly basis. 

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Housing, which sought approval for the Resettlement Delivery Plan as found in Appendix B. 

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)           note the analysis of Resettlement in Appendix A has informed the development of the draft Resettlement Delivery Plan;

(b)           approve the draft Resettlement Delivery Plan in Appendix B; 

(c)           instruct the Chief Officer - Housing to seek feedback from key stakeholders including academics linked to the Health Determinates Research Collaboration in advance of refreshing the Resettlement Delivery Plan in 2026 and undertaking a wider analysis in 2027; and

(d)           instruct the Chief Officer - Housing to report progress against the Plan, and any proposed changes to the Plan in light of changing circumstances, to the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee on a yearly basis. 

The Committee heard from Gill Strachan, Intervention Hub Manager, who spoke in furtherance of the report and answered questions from Members. 

The Convener moved, seconded by the Vice Convener:-

          that the Committee approve the recommendations in the report.

Councillor Tissera, seconded by Councillor Graham, moved as an amendment:-

          that the Committee –

1.    note the analysis of Resettlement in Appendix A had informed the development of the draft Resettlement Delivery Plan; 

2.    approve the draft Resettlement Delivery Plan in Appendix B; where reasonably possible excluding the term “New Scots” which was not an inclusive term but a derogatory term given many, if not the majority, of people living in Scotland who had been forcibly displaced or were making a claim that they have a well-founded fear of persecution don’t see themselves as “New Scots” but come to and look to the United Kingdom to seek refuge; and

3.    agree using the term “New Scots” detracts from the benefits which those from a culturally diverse society bring to Aberdeen, given the freedom of movement right across the UK, the clue being these refugees were here under the United Kingdom Resettlement Scheme, noting the Ethical Standards Commissioner found the use of the term in a particular context to be racist but on a hearing the Standards Commission found it was not.  

On a division, there voted - for the motion (5) – the Convener, the Vice Convener and Councillors Bouse, Davidson and McLellan – for the amendment (3) – Councillors Cross, Graham and Tissera.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion and therefore approve the recommendations. 

-       COUNCILLOR MIRANDA RADLEY, Convener