Dundee City Council - 24/08/2026

At a MEETING of the DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL held at Dundee on 24th August, 2026.

Present:-

Depute Lord Provost Nadia EL-NAKLA

BAILIES

Will DAWSON	Kevin KEENAN	Fraser MACPHERSON
Willie SAWERS	Helen WRIGHT	Derek SCOTT

COUNCILLORS

Heather ANDERSON	Lee MILLS	Georgia CRUICKSHANK
Jimmy BLACK	Steven ROME	George McIRVINE
Kevin CORDELL	Lynne SHORT	Wendy SCULLIN
Mark FLYNN	Roisin SMITH	Daniel COLEMAN
Stewart HUNTER	Siobhan TOLLAND	Michael CRICHTON
Ken LYNN		Craig DUNCAN

Depute Lord Provost Nadia EL-NAKLA, Convener, in the Chair.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

I(a) OBITUARY - FORMER COUNCILLOR TOM FERGUSON

The Depute Lord Provost, Bailies Keenan, Macpherson and Scott and Councillors Hunter and McIrvine referred to the recent sad passing of former Councillor Tom Ferguson who passed away on 7th August this year and paid tribute to the distinguished public service rendered by him. Thereafter, a minute's silence was observed in memory of former Councillor Tom Ferguson.

II MINUTES

The undernoted minutes were submitted and noted:-

Minute of Licensing Committee dated 28th May, 2026.

Minute of City Council dated 8th June, 2026.

Minute of Climate, Net Zero and Environment Committee dated 8th June, 2026.

Minute of City Growth and Infrastructure Committee dated 8th June, 2026.

Minute of City Governance Committee dated 8th June, 2026.

Minute of Licensing Committee dated 18th June, 2026.

Minute of Children and Families Committee dated 22nd June, 2026.

Minute of Neighbourhood, Housing and Communities Committee dated 22nd June, 2026.

Minute of City Governance Committee dated 22nd June, 2026.

Minute of Scrutiny and Audit Committee dated 24th June, 2026.

Minute of Licensing Board dated 25th June, 2026.

Minute of Planning Committee dated 29th June, 2026.

III TWINNING

There were submitted Deputation requests to address the Committee in relation to this item of business from Gary Langlands of Dundee Alexandria Twinning Association, Mary McGregor of Dundee Nablus Twinning Association and a Joint Deputation by George Laidlaw of Dundee Wurzburg Twinning Association and Sally Carrus of Dundee Orleans Twinning Association.

The Council acceded to the requests and having heard the Deputations and following questions and answers, the Deputations were thanked for their attendance and withdrew from the meeting.

Mr Laidlaw also took the opportunity to pay tribute to former Councillor Tom Ferguson.

There was submitted Report No 173-2026 by Head of Democratic and Legal Services asking the Council to make proposals regarding Twinning with the City of Dundee.

The Council agreed:-

(i) to reaffirm its support for and commitment to its current relationships with Alexandria, Nablus, Orleans, Wurzburg and Zadar;

(ii) that the City of Dundee's primary focus will be on economic development with Alexandria, Nablus, Orleans, Wurzburg and Zadar;

(iii) to continue a rolling programme of invitations to Alexandria, Nablus, Orleans, Wurzburg and Zadar to coincide with cultural and social events in Dundee; and

(iv) that a grant of up to 1,000 annually will continue to be available to established twinning associations.

IV RESIGNATION - LEADER OF THE MAJOR OPPOSITION GROUP

It was reported that Bailie Kevin Keenan had given notice of his resignation as Leader of the Major Opposition Group. He will, however, continue as a Councillor for Ward 1 - Strathmartine.

It was reported that Councillor George McIrvine would replace him as Group Leader.

The City Council noted the position.

Councillor McIrvine, Bailie Macpherson and others took the opportunity to pay tribute to Bailie Keenan.

V APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES AND OUTSIDE BODIES

(i) SCRUTINY AND AUDIT COMMITTEE

It was reported that Bailie Keenan had resigned from the positions of Member and Convener of the above Committee.