Issue - decisions

(i)       to note and regrets that slavery, human trafficking and other oppressive activities occur in the UK and around the world;

(ii)       to note that across the UK that there are buildings, street names, statues and other public realm which have association with historical slavery and slavery products;

(ii)       to note that IJM (International Justice Mission) whose aims are to end modern day slavery, trafficking, violence against women and children and other forms of abuse securing a world where all are free have held discussions with the Lord Provost and Councillor Boulton to develop a partnership;

(iv)      to note that IJM were due to hold a conference at the Music Hall in Aberdeen in March 2020 and as part our commitment to their aims and our partnership, a civic reception had been arranged for them at the Art Gallery. The hope is that this can be rearranged post Covid-19;

(v)       to request that the Lord Provost write to the UK Government to suggest the creation of a fund and guidance which all Local Authorities could apply to create a document which contained a wider overview of their area’s involvement with slavery and links to other important documents/papers which could allow for more detailed information to be accessed. The fund criteria would allow Local Authorities to cover the cost of placing information plaques including QR codes or alternative methods of providing more information next to items/locations identified to have association with slavery or slavery products giving access to the information on the wider picture and further links; and

(vi)      to instruct the Chief Officer - City Growth to report to the City Growth and Resources Committee on the practicalities and projected costs of identifying locations and street names in Aberdeen with links to slavery and slavery products and then erecting appropriate information plaques at each location.