Agenda item

The Council had before it a notice of motion by Councillor Kusznir in the following terms:-

“That the Council:

1. Under Standing Order 5, resolves to remove Cllr Christian Allard from the position of Co-Leader.
2. Notes:
   1. the persistent concerns of RAAC affected homeowners about the lack of leadership shown on their behalf by Council Co-Leader and local Torry Ward member, Councillor Christian Allard.
   2. that despite repeated opportunities to act and advocate for affected homeowners, Cllr Allard failed to bring forward meaningful proposals, even after the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Màiri McAllan MSP, announced additional funding for Aberdeen City Council.
   3. since March 2024, the Administration, including Cllr Allard, has consistently voted for the legal minimum compensation offer to homeowners in the event of compulsory purchase.
   4. at the Requisitioned Council meeting on 1 October 2025, opposition members advised the Administration to wait for Scottish Government’s funding response - announced the following day and which included an additional £10 million - yet the Administration, including Cllr Allard, proceeded to vote for the minimum payment.
   5. The Administration’s self-congratulatory tone in the face of homeowner distress, exemplified by remarks such as:

“Let’s look at the achievement here”

3. Recognises that the Administration was only driven to announce further funding support for RAAC affected homeowners after a disastrous media round from Cllr Allard - where he said he couldn't commit to support homeowners - after the Cabinet Secretary visited Torry on 22 October 2025.
4. Recognises this as part of a wider pattern of conduct, including his role in supporting the Energy Transition Zone (ETZ) proposals which threaten the future of St Fittick’s Park and has caused significant distress and opposition within the Torry community.
5. Recalls that Cllr Allard voted to cut funding for Big Noise Torry, an initiative he previously described as having “a positive social impact for the local community,” and later praised its rescue from his own Administration’s budget cuts by The Scottish Government.
6. Considers this pattern of conduct to be incompatible with the responsibilities of leadership and representation, particularly for a community such as Torry.
7. Concludes that Cllr Allard is unfit to lead our City and has failed to advocate for the people of Torry.”

Councillor Kusznir moved, seconded by Councillor Nicoll:-

            That the Council approve the notice of motion.

Councillor Yuill moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Radley:-

That this Council has confidence in Councillor Allard as Co-Leader of the Council.

Councillor Malik moved as a further amendment, seconded by Councillor Watson:-

            That the Council:-

(1)      approve the notice of motion by Councillor Kusznir; and

(2)      add the following at 7 and move 7 to become 8:-

Councillor Allard’s contempt for the Liberal Democrats at the Council Housing Budget meeting where he admitted as far as the SNP are concerned the Liberal Democrats are simply just an extension of the SNP.

During the course of summing up, Councillor Kusznir advised that he was willing to incorporate Councillor Malik’s amendment into his motion, and this was accepted.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion   (20)  -  Councillors Ali, Blake, Bonsell, Boulton, Brooks, Crockett, Farquhar, Graham, Grant, Houghton, Kusznir, Lawrence, Macdonald, McLeod, Malik, Massey, Nicoll, Thomson, Tissera and Watson.

For the amendment by Councillor Yuill (23)  -  Lord Provost; Depute Provost; and Councillors Al-Samarai, Allard, Alphonse, Buchanan, Hazel Cameron, Clark, Cooke, Copland, Cormie, Davidson, Fairfull, Greig, Henrickson, Hutchison, MacGregor, McLellan, McRae, Mennie, Radley, van Sweeden and Yuill.

Absent from the division  (1)  -  Councillor Cross.

The Council resolved:-

to adopt the amendment by Councillor Yuill.