Issue - meetings

(a)      Note the UK Government’s allocation of up to £20m over 10 years (2026-2036) for delivery of the Pride in Place Programme in Aberdeen;

(b)      Agree that Aberdeen City Council shall act as the Accountable Body in relation to the Pride in Place Programme for Aberdeen’s “North Locality Priority Neighbourhood / Cummings Park, Heathryfold and Middlefield, Northfield, Mastrick” and the associated funding;

(c)      Authorises the Chief Officer – City Development and Regeneration, following consultation with the Convener and Vice Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee, to undertake any actions which the Chief Officer considers to be necessary or expedient in order to progress delivery of the Pride in Place Programme for the said Neighbourhood, within the applicable timescales, including (but not limited to) actions in relation to:

(1)    recruitment and appointment of a Neighbourhood Board Chair;

(2)    recruitment and appointment of members to, and establishment of, a Neighbourhood Board and setting terms of reference for the Board; and

(3)    confirmation of the boundary of the said Neighbourhood for the purposes of the Programme (including any alteration of that boundary);

(d)      Instruct the Chief Officer – City Development and Regeneration to provide members of the Finance and Resources Committee with an update, before 17 July 2026, on progress concerning the Neighbourhood Board Chair and Neighbourhood Board and next steps for the Pride in Place Programme; and

(e)      Authorise the Chief Officer – City Development and Regeneration to approve and incur expenditure relating to the above recommendations, funded from the initial Pride in Place Programme revenue grant of £150,000 provided for 2025/26 onwards.

The Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director for City Regeneration and Environment which provided information on the Pride in Place Programme (including funding) and sought instruction concerning the Council’s involvement as Accountable Body.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the UK Government’s allocation of up to £20m over 10 years (2026-2036) for delivery of the Pride in Place Programme in Aberdeen;

(b)      agree that Aberdeen City Council shall act as the Accountable Body in relation to the Pride in Place Programme for Aberdeen’s “North Locality Priority Neighbourhood / Cummings Park, Heathryfold and Middlefield, Northfield, Mastrick” and the associated funding;

(c)      authorises the Chief Officer – City Development and Regeneration, following consultation with the Convener and Vice Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee, to undertake any actions which the Chief Officer considers to be necessary or expedient in order to progress delivery of the Pride in Place Programme for the said Neighbourhood, within the applicable timescales, including (but not limited to) actions in relation to:

(1)    recruitment and appointment of a Neighbourhood Board Chair;

(2)    recruitment and appointment of members to, and establishment of, a Neighbourhood Board and setting terms of reference for the Board; and

(3)    confirmation of the boundary of the said Neighbourhood for the purposes of the Programme (including any alteration of that boundary);

(d)      instruct the Chief Officer – City Development and Regeneration to provide members of the Finance and Resources Committee with an update, before 17 July 2026, on progress concerning the Neighbourhood Board Chair and Neighbourhood Board and next steps for the Pride in Place Programme; and

(e)      authorise the Chief Officer – City Development and Regeneration to approve and incur expenditure relating to the above recommendations, funded from the initial Pride in Place Programme revenue grant of £150,000 provided for 2025/26 onwards.

The Convener moved, seconded by Councillor Greig:-

that the Committee –

(1)    note the report and agrees the Pride in Place money from the UK Government to local councils across Scotland is devolution in action;

(2)    instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Right Honourable Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for Scotland within the UK Government thanking the UK Government for its allocation of up to £20m over 10 years (2026-2036) to deliver the Pride in Place Programme in Aberdeen; and

(3)    approve recommendations (b) to (e) contained within the report.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (5) – the Convener and Councillors Allard, Cooke, Greig and Radley; for the amendment (2) – Councillors Malik and Watson; declined to vote (2) – Councillors Brooks and Nicoll.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.