Decision Maker: Council

Outcome: For Determination

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 4, 2026

Purpose:

Content: (i)             to approve the notice of motion; (ii)           to acknowledge Council agreed on 1 October 2025: That this Council:   1.      Recognises the importance of the North East and North of Scotland regional news services provided by STV North / Grampian TV over 60 years. 2.      Notes the undertakings given by STV, at the time it took over Grampian TV in 1997, that the separate North East and North of Scotland regional news programmes would be maintained. 3.      Deplores the announcement by STV that it intends to end its STV North news programming and the reported loss of 60 jobs associated with this. 4.      Notes that Aberdeen City Council's Employability Team, through Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE), is ready to support individuals facing the loss of their jobs. 5.      Agrees that the Council will seek to work with others, including the National Union of Journalists, to make the case for the retention of STV North news programming and, in particular, instructs the Chief Executive to make representations to this effect to STV, Ofcom, the Scottish Government, and UK Government. (iii)          to note the Chief Executive sent the letters (dated 8 January 2026) to Ofcom, STV, the Scottish Government and UK Government, as attached, following the unanimous instruction of Council on 1 October 2025; (iv)          to note the Chief Executive’s letter to Ofcom, dated 8 January 2026, reads: “…Aberdeen City Council will participate fully in Ofcom’s consultation and will submit a formal response.” and (v)           to instruct the Chief Executive to continue to make representation with the motion agreed unanimously by Council, including completion of their consultation for the avoidance of doubt, and agree this should be done as soon as possible and within the scope of the existing instructions, agreed 1 October 2025.