Agenda item

That the Committee:-

(1)        Notes the resignation of the Rt Hon Humza Yousaf MSP as First Minister of Scotland;

(2)       Considers that as First Minister Humza Yousaf spent little time in Aberdeen beyond attending SNP Conference and never formally met with the Council Co-Leaders; and

(3)       Therefore agrees to instruct the Chief Executive to write to the new First Minister of Scotland:-

(i)      reconfirming the Council’s willingness to work with the devolved administration in delivering projects of benefit to the people of Aberdeen;

(ii)      outlining the contribution of Aberdeen to Scotland and the UK’s economy;

(iii)     noting the historic underfunding of Aberdeen City Council by Holyrood and calling for remedial action; and

(iv)    asking them to meet with the Co-Leaders at the earliest opportunity, given the failure of both previous First Ministers to meet the Co-Leaders.

The Committee had before it a Notice of Motion by Councillor Kusznir in the following terms:-

that the Committee –

(1)    note the resignation of the Rt Hon Humza Yousaf MSP as First Minister of Scotland;

(2)    consider that as First Minister Humza Yousaf spent little time in Aberdeen beyond attending SNP Conference and never formally met with the Council Co-Leaders; and

(3)    therefore agree to instruct the Chief Executive to write to the new First Minister of Scotland:-

(i)     reconfirming the Council’s willingness to work with the devolved administration in delivering projects of benefit to the people of Aberdeen;

(ii)    outlining the contribution of Aberdeen to Scotland and the UK’s economy;

(iii)    noting the historic underfunding of Aberdeen City Council by Holyrood and calling for remedial action; and

(iv)   asking them to meet with the Co-Leaders at the earliest opportunity, given the failure of both previous First Ministers to meet the Co-Leaders.

Councillor Kusznir moved his motion and explained the rationale behind it and was seconded by Councillor Farquhar.

Councillor Allard, seconded by Councillor Greig, moved as an amendment:-

          that the Committee –

(1)    note that the Co-Leaders wrote to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, making the case to locate GB Energy’s headquarters in Aberdeen;

(2)    note Chief Executive, Angela Scott, also wrote to Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, reinforcing that it is the view of Aberdeen City Council that GB Energy should be headquartered in Aberdeen (see attached);

(3)    acknowledge the response received from UK Government’s Minister for Energy, Michael Shanks MP, from within the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) (see attached);

(4)    agree that Aberdeen, with its offshore engineering expertise, concentration of supply chain companies, world class Universities, and highly skilled work force, is the only sensible option for the UK Government to locate the headquarters of GB Energy; and

(5)    instruct the Chief Executive, Angela Scott, to write to UK Government’s Minister for Energy, Michael Shanks MP, inviting him to meet with Co-Leaders and Opposition Group Leaders, and any other relevant stakeholders the Chief Executive may deem appropriate, so the case for Aberdeen can be made directly to the Minister, to ensure the UK Government make the right decision and locate GB Energy in Aberdeen.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       note that the Co-Leaders wrote to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, making the case to locate GB Energy’s headquarters in Aberdeen (see attached);

(ii)      note that the Chief Executive, Angela Scott, also wrote to Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, reinforcing that it is the view of Aberdeen City Council that GB Energy should be headquartered in Aberdeen (see attached);

(iii)      acknowledge the response received from UK Government’s Minister for Energy, Michael Shanks MP, from within the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) (see attached);

(iv)     agree that Aberdeen, with its offshore engineering expertise, concentration of supply chain companies, world class Universities, and highly skilled work force, is the only sensible option for the UK Government to locate the headquarters of GB Energy;

(v)      instruct the Chief Executive, Angela Scott, to write to UK Government’s Minister for Energy, Michael Shanks MP, inviting him to meet with Co-Leaders and Opposition Group Leaders, and any other relevant stakeholders the Chief Executive may deem appropriate, so the case for Aberdeen can be made directly to the Minister, to ensure the UK Government make the right decision and locate GB Energy in Aberdeen; and

(vi)     agree to instruct the Chief Executive to write to the new First Minister of Scotland:-

(a)    reconfirming the Council’s willingness to work with the devolved administration in delivering projects of benefit to the people of Aberdeen; and

(b)    outlining the contribution of Aberdeen to Scotland and the UK’s economy.