Agenda item

Councillor Cooke advised that he had a connection in relation to item 9.1 (Annual Performance Reports - 2024/25 for all Tier 1 ALEOs) as a Council appointed observer to the Board of Sport Aberdeen, however having applied the objective test he did not consider that he had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

Councillors Cooke, Fairfull and Greig advised that they had a connection in relation to items 9.2 (Council Delivery Plan, Annual Review Report 2024-25) and 9.3 (2026-2056 HRA Business Plan) by reason of being Council appointed members of the Integration Joint Board, however having applied the objective test they did not consider that they had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

Councillors Fairfull, Greig and Henrickson advised that they had a connection in relation to item 9.1 by reason of being Council appointed members of the Board of Aberdeen Performing Arts, however having applied the objective test they did not consider that they had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

Councillor Kusznir advised that he had a connection in relation to item 7.1 (School Estate Plan Annual Update 2025) as he worked for a number of Catholic charities as a law firm partner, however having applied the objective test he did not consider that he had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

Councillors Blake, Grant, Hutchison, Mennie and Watson advised that they had a connection in relation to item 7.1 as they had a child or children who attended schools referred to in the report, however having applied the objective test they did not consider that they had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

Councillor Yuill advised that he had a connection in relation to items 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3 as the Council’s appointed member of the Board of NHS Grampian, however having applied the objective test he did not consider that he had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

The Lord Provost and Councillor Blake advised that they had a connection in relation to item 9.1 as Council appointed members of the Board of Aberdeen Sports Village. Councillor Blake advised that she also had a connection as member of the Friends of Aberdeen Performing Arts. However, having applied the objective test, the Lord Provost and Councillor Blake did not consider that they had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

Councillor Brooks advised that he had a connection in relation to item 7.1 as an elder and member of Christ Central church, however having applied the objective test he did not consider that he had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

Councillor Malik advised that he had connection in relation to item 7.1 as he had a grandchild who attended a school referred to in the report. Councillor Malik also advised that he had a connection in relation to an unspecified matter as a Burgess of Guild, however having applied the objective test he did not consider that he had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

Councillor Nicoll advised that he had a connection in relation to item 9.1 as he held the power of attorney for a close family member in the care of Bon Accord Care, however having applied the objective test he did not consider that he had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

Councillor Thomson advised that she had a connection in relation to various items by reason of her employment by NHS Grampian, however having applied the objective test she did not consider that she had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

Councillor Crockett advised that he had a general connection as he had been elected Deacon of the Aberdeen Shoemakers Corporation and that he would therefore be a member of committees which may have dealings in properties within the city, however having applied the objective test he did not consider that he had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

Councillor Fairfull advised that she had a connection in relation to item 9.4 (Licensing Board Vacancy) as she was mentioned in the report, however having applied the objective test she did not consider that she had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

At this juncture, Councillor Malik raised a Point of Order regarding a Burgesses event on 7 October 2025 regarding the Council’s budget and queried why Burgesses were receiving information ahead of Councillors. The Chief Executive and Chief Officer - Finance explained that the event had been held in previous years and its purpose had potentially been misunderstood - it related to Council budgets in general and budgets which had been approved, not new information relating to the upcoming budget.

The Council resolved:-

(i)             to note that the Lord Dean would withdraw and re-issue the invite to the Burgesses in relation to the briefing on the Council’s budget on 7 October 2025 to clarify the purpose of the session, and that the details be shared with all Councillors; and

(ii)           to note that the Chief Executive would provide information to all Councillors with regard to a list of the Burgesses.