Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

The Convener explained that the reasons for urgency were set out in the reports, the second of which was exempt therefore would be highlighted with the press and public excluded. In relation to item 4.1 (RAAC), the Convener advised that the matter required immediate attention due to its implications for safety compliance and operational continuity.

The Committee resolved:-

to note that the items were of an urgent nature and required to be considered this day for the reasons set out in the reports and by the Convener.

The Committee was requested to determine that agenda item 5.1 (Inter Authority Agreement), which contained exempt information as described in Schedule 7(A) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, be taken in private.

The Committee resolved:-

in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of item 5.1 so as to avoid disclosure of exempt information of the classes described in paragraphs 6 and 9 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

With reference to the minute of the reconvened special Council meeting of 28 October 2025, the Council had before it a report by the Executive Director - Families and Communities which, in relation to RAAC, considered the instruction received by the Council and identified the further instructions that officers would require to deliver on the wishes of the Council.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)           recognise that this continues to be a difficult situation for homeowners and welcome the continued offer of mental health support from SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) for those affected by this situation;

(b)           note that the full additional costs associated with making the enhanced offer to homeowners as indicated in the instruction from Council of 28 October 2025 will be circa £5m;

(c)           note that this is an unprecedented situation and that there is a need to resolve the matter to help homeowners be safe and enable long term redevelopment of the site and associated benefits to the HRA in the longer term;

(d)           note the Best Value aspects from paragraph 3.24 of the report;

(e)           note the outcome of consultation with External Audit outlined in paragraph 3.95 of the report;

(f)            note that officers consider the proposal to be within the Council’s powers under section 20 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003, subject to Council determining that this complies with Best Value; 

(g)           instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to contact all affected parties from whom the Council has voluntarily acquired RAAC affected properties and to offer them a further discretionary payment, on a like for like basis to those that have yet to complete their sale, as identified in this report, strongly suggesting they seek independent advice with regard to the impact an additional payment would have on their personal tax and/or benefits position, and thereafter make payments to those accepting the offer, on the basis highlighted in this report;

(h)           instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to formally advise all RAAC affected homeowners of a revised Voluntary Acquisition proposal where the Council will now agree a payment to voluntary acquire properties on the following basis:-

(i)             The Market Value of their property

(ii)           Payment of all reasonably and properly incurred professional fees

(iii)          An additional discretionary payment as follows:-

a.  4 bedroom properties - forty four thousand pounds sterling

b.  3 bedroom properties - thirty seven thousand pounds sterling

c.   1 bedroom properties - twenty thousand pounds sterling;

(i)             instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to advise owners that this is the best and final offer to be made to homeowners, is a full and final settlement payment and that this reflects previous elements of home loss payment or other disbursement costs;

(j)             instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to request that homeowners intimate their wish to engage in the voluntary acquisition process by 10 December 2025 to allow a valuation of the property to be undertaken, with the full offer open to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

In accordance with Article 2 of the minute, the following item was considered with the press and public excluded.

With reference to the minute of its meeting of 19 September 2025, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer - Commercial and Procurement which sought urgent approval of various matters relating to a contract and for the terms of a variation to an Inter Authority Agreement, as appended to the report.

Officers provided an overview of the latest position and responded to questions from Members.

The Vice Convener moved, seconded by Councillor Greig:-

That the Committee approve the recommendations contained within the exempt report.

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

          That the Committee -

(1)       note the report;

(2)       agree it is becoming the norm for the SNP to delegate more and more authority to officers, as they struggle to control their brief;

(3)       agree the draft variation to the Inter Authority Agreement, on the proviso that the other local authorities agree to the substance contained within the draft variation or to any amendment to the variation; and

(4)       agree under no circumstances to delegate powers to officers to further vary the Inter Authority Agreement, and to instruct the Chief Officer - Operations to seek Council approval on all matters relating to any future  variation of the Agreement.

On a division, there voted:-   for the motion  (4)  - Convener; Vice Convener; and Councillors Greig and Radley;  for the amendment  (3)  -  Councillors Blake, Brooks and Malik.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.