Issue - meetings

There is an exempt appendix in the Exempt Appendices section below.

(1)      welcome the opportunity for the North East of Scotland to host the World Rally Championships (WRC);

(2)      instruct the Chief Officer - City Development & Regeneration to prepare a detailed project proposal for hosting the WRC, including engagement with relevant partners;

(3)      instruct the Chief Officer - City Development & Regeneration to report the project proposal back to this Committee in November, with detailed costings and partnership feedback, including potential funding options and risk mitigation; and

(4)      delegate authority to the Chief Officer – City Development & Regeneration, in consultation with Co-leaders, to approve international travel to attend a World Rally Championship event, to be funded from the International Trade Budget and/or the City Promotions budget, should the opportunity arise in this 2025/26 financial year.

The Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director of City Regeneration and Environment which informed of the opportunity to host the World Rally Championships across the Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray Council areas for three consecutive years and sought approval to undertake planning and engagement exercises.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      welcome the opportunity for the North East of Scotland to host the World Rally Championships (WRC);

(b)      instruct the Chief Officer - City Development & Regeneration to prepare a detailed project proposal for hosting the WRC, including engagement with relevant partners;

(c)      instruct the Chief Officer - City Development & Regeneration to report the project proposal back to this Committee in November, with detailed costings and partnership feedback, including potential funding options and risk mitigation; and

(d)      authorise the Chief Officer – City Development & Regeneration to approve travel for up to two officers for a scoping visit to a World Rally Championship event, to be funded from the International Trade Budget and/or the City Promotions budget, should the opportunity arise in this financial year.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Greig, moved:-

that the Committee –

(1)    approve recommendations (a) to (c); and

(2)    delegate authority to the Chief Officer – City Development & Regeneration, in consultation with Co-leaders, to approve international travel to attend a World Rally Championship event, to be funded from the International Trade Budget and/or the City Promotions budget, should the opportunity arise in this 2025/26 financial year.

Councillor Malik, seconded by Councillor Watson, moved as an amendment:-

that the Committee –

(1)    note the report agreeing recommendations (b), (c) and (d); and

(2)    agree to ask the Chief Executive why Urgent Business Committee was not called in respect of 3.5 of the report, noting Events Scotland must wonder if Aberdeen City Council is serious about this event given it missed a glorious opportunity to understand the logistics in real time.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (7) – the Convener and Councillors Allard, Brooks, Cooke, Farquhar, Greig and Radley; for the amendment (2) – Councillors Malik and Watson.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.