Issue - meetings

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

(1)      Notes the support for the North East of Scotland to host the World Rally Championships (WRC) by regional partners and Tourism Levy development partners, and the associated benefits. Appendix A;

(2)      Notes the competitive bidding process and timeline partners are following to apply to host this event in the North East of Scotland;

(3)      Agrees that Aberdeen City Council will contribute to the costs outlined by Motorsport UK for three Councils at £3M over three years, with the intention that Aberdeen City’s share will be reimbursed by the Visitor Levy;

(4)      Instructs the Chief Officer – City Development & Regeneration to enter a Memorandum of Understanding with Motorsport UK, Appendix B, which will allow Motorsport UK to submit an application to host the World Rally Championships in Aberdeen City Boundaries; and

(5)      Should the bid be successful or otherwise, instruct Chief Officer – City Development & Regeneration to provide an update on planning proposals and council governance at the first meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee following the outcome of that bid. 

With reference to article 13 of the minute of the previous meeting of 6 August 2025, the Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director for City Regeneration and Environment which provided an update on the progress and next steps on a Partnership bid to host the World Rally Championship (WRC) and sought approval to enter a Memorandum of Understanding with Motorsport UK.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the support for the North East of Scotland to host the World Rally Championships (WRC) by regional partners and Tourism Levy development partners, and the associated benefits. Appendix A;

(b)      note the competitive bidding process and timeline partners are following to apply to host this event in the North East of Scotland;

(c)      agree that Aberdeen City Council will contribute to the costs outlined by Motorsport UK for three Councils at £3M over three years, with the intention that Aberdeen City’s share will be reimbursed by the Visitor Levy;

(d)      instruct the Chief Officer – City Development & Regeneration to enter a Memorandum of Understanding with Motorsport UK, Appendix B, which will allow Motorsport UK to submit an application to host the World Rally Championships in Aberdeen City Boundaries; and

(e)      should the bid be successful, instruct Chief Officer – City Development & Regeneration to provide an update on planning proposals and council governance at a future Finance and Resources Committee.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to approve recommendations (a) to (d); and

(ii)      that should the bid be successful or otherwise, instruct Chief Officer – City Development & Regeneration to provide an update on planning proposals and council governance at the first meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee following the outcome of that bid.