Agenda item

The Committee had before it a report presenting the findings and recommendations of the Scottish Women’s Budget Group Study on Gender Inequality and Poverty in Aberdeen. 

Heather Williams – Training Lead, Scottish Women’s Budget Group, introduced the report and handed over to Steering Group members Natasha Franklin, Arantxa Garcia de sola and Jacquie Westland who presented the findings and responded to questions from Committee Members.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee:

(a)          note the findings of the final report on the Scottish Women’s Budget Group Study on Gender Inequality and Poverty in Aberdeen;

(b)          thank all those that participated in the project;

(c)          instruct the Executive Director of Corporate Services to bring a response to the findings and recommendations of the Scottish Women’s Budget Group Study on Gender Inequality and Poverty to the Committee meeting on 26 November 2025;

(d)          instruct the Executive Director of Corporate Services to share the report and recommendations for action with Scottish Government, UK Government, Police Scotland and Financial Services Ombudsman; and

(e)          instruct the Executive Director of Corporate Services to bring an evaluation report on the process to the Committee meeting in January 2026.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice Convener, moved:-

that the Committee approve the recommendations.

Councillor Kusznir, seconded by Councillor Brooks moved as an amendment:-

that the Committee:

(1)          note the Scottish Women’s Budget Group Study on Gender Inequality and Poverty and expresses its gratitude to participants for their valuable engagement on issues of concern to the Council and its citizens;

(2)          welcome the holistic approach to the report, which acknowledges the diverse causes of inequality and relative poverty;

(3)          believe the report would have benefited from detailed explanations and case studies for concepts referenced and praised but not explained in detail such as recommendations #9 (community navigator role), #36 (feminist urban planning), #47 (Confident Conversations training), and #58 (community diner project);

(4)          recognise the challenges to the Council in implementing all 96 recommendations due to financial and resources constraints, which therefore means prioritisation is key;

(5)          agree not to pursue:

a.            the translation element of recommendation #45;

b.            recommendation #44 due to the importance of tackling illegal immigration through the UK Government, including the so called ‘hostile environment’ policies; and

c.            recommendation #77, given the significant costs and complexities of publicly operated bus services.

(6)          instruct the Executive Director of Corporate Services to:

a.            focus on high impact, feasible recommendations on (a) childcare and education (recommendations such as #1, #4, #6, #17, #27); (b) welfare access (#45, #51, #52, #53); (c) safety and community (#37, #48); and (d) data and transparency (#3, 26, #49, #55); and

b.            bring an evaluation report on the process to the Committee meeting in January 2026.

Councillor Blake, seconded by Councillor Bonsell, moved as a further amendment:-

that the Committee:

(1)          note the findings of the final report on the Scottish Women’s Budget Group Study on Gender Inequality and Poverty in Aberdeen;

(2)          thank all those that participated in the project;

(3)          instruct the Executive Director of Corporate Services to bring a response to the findings and recommendations of the Scottish Women’s Budget Group Study on Gender Inequality and Poverty, including those for the Health and Social Care Partnership, to the Committee meeting on 26 November 2025;

(4)          instruct the Executive Director of Corporate Services to share the report with the Scottish Government, UK Government, Police Scotland and Financial Services Ombudsman and ask them to respond to the recommendations which they can take forward; and

(5)          instruct the Executive Director of Corporate Services to bring an evaluation report on the process to the Committee meeting in January 2026.

There being a motion and two amendments, the Committee first divided between the amendment by Councillor Kusznir and the amendment by Councillor Blake.

On a division, there voted:-

For the amendment by Councillor Kusznir (2) – Councillors Brooks and Kusznir.

For the amendment by Councillor Blake (2) – Councillors Blake and Bonsell.

Declined to vote (5) - Convener, Vice Convener and Councillors Davidson, Hutchison and van Sweeden.

In accordance with Standing Order 32.7, the Convener exercised his casting vote in favour of the amendment by Councillor Blake.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion (5) – Convener, Vice Convener and Councillors Davidson, Hutchison and van Sweeden.

For the amendment by Councillor Blake (2) – Councillors Blake and Bonsell.

Declined to vote (2) – Councillors Brooks and Kusznir.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to instruct the Strategic Lead, Prevention and Community Empowerment to provide further information in respect of new childminder provision in the previously identified blackspot areas; and

(ii)          to adopt the motion.