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Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee - Tuesday, 27th October, 2026 10.00 am
October 27, 2026 at 10:00 am Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee View on council websiteSummary
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The Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee of Aberdeen City Council met on Tuesday 27 October 2026. The committee addressed issues including antisocial behaviour in the city centre, housing investment plans, and public safety reports. Key actions included approving a notice of motion concerning the death of Jessica Rennie, noting reports from Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and approving the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) for 2027/28 – 2031/32 and amendments to the 2026/27 SHIP programme.
Antisocial Behaviour in Aberdeen City Centre
The committee received a report on antisocial behaviour (ASB) in Aberdeen city centre, noting a reduction in youth-related incidents since January 2024. Concerns were raised that adults account for the majority of ASB incidents, with street drinking, intimidation, violence, threatening and abusive behaviour, and dangerous vehicle use continuing to impact residents, businesses, and visitors. The committee agreed that the current information was not sufficiently detailed to fully assess the effectiveness of interventions. Consequently, the Chief Executive was instructed to work with Police Scotland and the Community Safety Partnership to produce a report for the June 2027 meeting. This report will include comparable city-centre figures for 2024, 2025, and 2026, a specific action plan addressing adult ASB, details on visible patrols and coordinated responses, information on youth work and preventative interventions, and measurable outcomes. Progress against this action plan will be reported to the committee at six-monthly intervals.
Housing Investment and Management
Discussions and decisions were made regarding housing. The committee approved the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) for 2027/28 – 2031/32 and approved amendments to the 2026/27 SHIP programme. The SHIP outlines the potential delivery of 2,343 affordable homes, with an estimated requirement of £214 million in Scottish Government grant funding. The committee also noted the refreshed 30-Year Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan and the 5-Year Housing Asset Plan. These plans detail the financial framework for managing over 23,000 rented properties. The committee instructed the Chief Officer for Housing to immediately cease the current practice of redesignating bedsit cottages and one-bedroom mainstream cottages as amenity accommodation when they become void, instead retaining and advertising them as mainstream accommodation. Furthermore, the Chief Officer for Housing was authorised to make changes to the classification of very sheltered, sheltered, and amenity accommodation where applicant lists are exhausted, and to report back on any such decisions through Housing Board Bi-annual Reports.
Public Protection and Safety Reports
The committee noted reports from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and Police Scotland. The SFRS Performance Report for Q1-2 2026-27 indicated a 14% reduction in total incidents compared to the same period last year, with no fire fatalities. Police Scotland provided updates on Community Council engagement. A thematic report on city centre crime and antisocial behaviour also noted a significant decrease in youth-related incidents, though adult ASB remains a concern. The committee also received a Building Standards Activity Report, noting its contents and agreeing to receive a further report in June 2027.
Notice of Motion Regarding Jessica Rennie
The committee approved a Notice of Motion from Councillor Watson mourning the tragic death of Jessica Rennie at Northfield Swimming Pool in February 2024. The motion highlighted the family's desire for closure and the perceived delay in the investigation by Aberdeen City Council, the responsible authority. The Chief Officer – Governance was instructed to liaise with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to provide a service update to the committee within three weeks, detailing the stage and timescale of the investigation and communication related to it.
Other Business
The committee also noted the Performance Report (CORS/26/201) and the Committee Business Planner. The latter included a note that a report on Urban Gulls would be scheduled for the next meeting.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Police Scotland - Community Council Engagement - POL/26/214
Recommendations ApprovedThe Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee resolved to approve recommendations on 27/10/2026. The committee noted the report.
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Minute of the Previous Meeting of 26 August 2026 - for approval
Recommendations approvedThe Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee approved the minute of the previous meeting of 26 May 2026 as a correct record on 27 October 2026.
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Notice of Motion from Councillor Watson
Recommendations approvedThe Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee decided on 26/08/2026 to approve recommendations regarding Gypsy/Traveller sites. The committee agreed that unauthorised sites should be managed to minimise disruption and that Gypsy Traveller communities should inform where halting sites should be located. The Chief Officer – Housing will undertake engagement with Gypsy Travellers to explore and identify potential locations for temporary halting sites.
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Performance Report - CORS/26/201
Recommendations approvedThe Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee of Aberdeen City Council noted the performance report on 27 October 2026. The committee approved recommendations from the report.
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Building Standards Activity Report - CR&E/26/207
For DeterminationThe Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee resolved to note the Building Standards Activity Report and to receive a further report on 2nd June 2027. The committee noted the contents of the report and appendix.
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The Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee noted the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Performance Report for Q1-2 2026-27 on 27/10/2026. The report detailed performance against the Aberdeen City Local Fire and Rescue Plan.
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Committee Business Planner
Recommendations approvedThe Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee and Operational Delivery Committee resolved to approve recommendations on 27/10/2026. Officers will ensure a report on Urban Gulls is scheduled for the next meeting, and the business planner was noted.
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Strategic Housing Investment Plan - F&C/26/203
For DeterminationThe Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee resolved to approve the Strategic Housing Investment Plan for 2027/28 – 2031/32 and to approve an amendment to the 2026/27 SHIP programme on 27/10/2026. Officers will report back confirming the number of potential new affordable homes with agreed funding.
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Deputations Requests
Recommendations approvedThe Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee noted four deputation requests from William Munro on 27 October 2026. The committee approved recommendations related to these requests.
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Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2027-2057 - CORS/26/204
For DeterminationThe Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee resolved to note the refreshed 30 Year Business Plan and the refreshed 5 Year Housing Asset Plan on 27 October 2026. The committee also noted that the Chief Officer – Finance will use the 30 Year Business Plan for the 2027/28 HRA budget setting and that rent increase decisions will be made on 8 December 2026. The committee instructed the Chief Officer – Finance to bring a refreshed 30 Year Business Plan to a future meeting and the Executive Director - Families and Communities to present refreshed 30 Year Business Plan and 5 Year Housing Asset Plan at the 2028/29 HRA Budget setting meeting.
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Police Scotland - City Centre Crime/ASB - POL/26/215
For DeterminationThe Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee resolved to note a national media campaign on e-scooters and e-motorcycles and acknowledge the work of partners in tackling antisocial behaviour. The committee expressed concern over the prevalence of antisocial behaviour, particularly by adults, and agreed that current information was insufficient to assess intervention effectiveness. The Chief Executive was instructed to report back in June 2027 with detailed city centre figures, an action plan for adult antisocial behaviour, details on visible patrols and victim support, youth work arrangements, and measurable outcomes.
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Housing Board Bi Annual Report - F&C/26/202
For DeterminationThe Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee resolved on 27 October 2026 to request officers advise Councillor Tissera of the monthly spend on temporary accommodation and to note progress made between June and October 2026. The committee authorised the Chief Officer - Housing to make changes to the classification of very sheltered, sheltered and amenity accommodation when applicant lists are exhausted and instructed the Chief Officer - Housing to cease redesignating bedsit and one-bedroom cottages as amenity accommodation, instead retaining and advertising them as mainstream accommodation.
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