Committee Information

Glasgow City Council Agenda - 30 October 2025, 11:00

A meeting to be held at City Chambers, Glasgow at 11:00 on 30 October 2025.

Number	Item
1	Minutes of Council meeting of 11th September 2025 (Print 4, pages 1 to 60). View Papers
2	Committees' minutes - Submitted for information and approval as a correct record only (Page 61 onwards).
3	Proposed Changes to Scheme of Delegated Functions - Report by Director of Legal and Administration. View Papers
4	Changes to committees etc.
(a)	City Administration Committee - Remove Saqib Ahmed and appoint Elaine McDougall
(b)	Education, Skills and Early Years City Policy Committee - Remove Cecilia O'Lone and Catherine Vallis and appoint Jill Brown and Saqib Ahmed;
(c)	Finance and Audit Scrutiny Committee - Remove Jill Brown and appoint Cecilia O'Lone as Chair and appoint Kieran Turner as Vice Chair; and
(d)	Repatriation and Spoilation of Artefact's Working Group - Remove Cecilia O'Lone and appoint James Adams.
5	Representation on outside bodies.
(a)	Glasgow Life Board - Re-appoint Ms Lynn Bradley and Mr Shahid Hanif.
6	Correspondence.
(a)	Letter from Dan Jarvis MBE MP, Security Minister; and View Papers
(b)	Letter from Baroness Twycross, Minister for Gambling and Heritage. View Papers
(c)	Letter from Scottish Policy Authority. View Papers
7	Accounts Commission Findings - Section 102 Report Relating to Former Senior Officer Exit Payments - Report by Chief Executive. View Papers
8	Questions. View Papers
9	Notice of motions.
(a)	Motion by Councillor Angus Millar:- "Council welcomes recent progress in the revitalisation of the city centre and considers that a corner is being turned in the city centre's recovery. Council welcomes significant private investment being delivered across sectors, as well as major public investment in the ongoing transformation of city centre streets through the Council's delivery of the £123million Avenues programme. Council recognises that this progress is being delivered against a continuing challenging backdrop, and reaffirms its commitment to the delivery of the City Centre Strategy in partnership with key stakeholders to redouble collective efforts in supporting city centre regeneration. Council notes continuing growth in the city centre retail sector, which is performing more strongly than previously predicted despite significant structural change which has been accelerated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Council notes that while there has been a period of consolidation of in-person retail floor space across city centres, Glasgow remains the UK's largest retail centre outside London. Council welcomes data showing a 9.4% year-on-year city centre retail sales growth to August, with growth outstripping comparator cities such as Edinburgh, Leeds and Manchester, as well as the UK overall which recorded a 4.8% decrease. Council further highlights the performance of the fashion and food & drink sectors over this period, with increases of 10.5% and 18.2% respectively, against UK trends for these sectors of decreases of 4.6% and 2.2% respectively. Council further welcomes retailers' significant investment in Glasgow, with the recent opening of new stores such as Uniqlo and the major planned investment in reconfiguring Buchanan Galleries, and notes that the city's key shopping precinct at Buchanan Street has a vacancy level of almost zero. Council notes that considerable further progress is required at Sauchiehall and Argyle Streets which have been particularly impacted by retailers' consolidation of branches and floor space, and notes that the Council's Development Team is actively engaging building and land- owners to find solutions to rejuvenate these streets. Council welcomes the ongoing transformation of city centre streets through the delivery of the Avenues programme and considers that this investment is an essential element in creating a modern, more attractive city centre for residents, businesses, visitors and investors. Council notes the development of Sauchiehall Street: Culture and Heritage District a bold 10-year plan to renew Sauchiehall Street, with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund UK-wide Heritage Places programme. Council also Sauchiehall Street has a rich cultural heritage, and these transformative plans are a major milestone in our city's efforts to deliver positive economic and social change in this historic area to ensure that culture and heritage organisations, businesses, residents and visitors alike will benefit for years to come. Council notes the recent completion of Avenues at Holland Street/Pitt Street, Sauchiehall Street and Cambridge Street, and notes that delivery is ongoing in seven projects. Council highlights that construction work is due to begin in 2026 across various Avenues including Argyle Street East and Stockwell Street, and looks forward to the planned reopening of a transformed George Square next year. Council notes that Glasgow welcomed 4.72 million overnight visitors in 2024, an over 20% increase on the previous year, according to the latest Scottish Tourism Economic Impact Model (STEAM) figures. Locally, the tourism sector supported more than 37,000 full[1]time equivalent jobs in 2024, with total direct visitor expenditure, including day visitors, reached £2.39 billion, up 1.9% from 2023 and more than 50% higher than 2022. Council notes the recent launch of the Get You In Town campaign, aimed at encouraging more people into the city centre for leisure, and further welcomes the establishment of a new Destination Marketing and Management Organisation, which will pull together expertise from across inward investment, marketing, tourism and conference sector teams to help continue to attract people to Glasgow and our city centre. Council welcomes the ongoing work of its cleansing teams to respond to challenges in the city centre and create a cleaner, more attractive experience for residents, businesses and visitors. Council recalls its £7million investment in cleansing and neighbourhood services the 2025/26 Budget, with new operatives in areas such as cleansing night shift and commercial waste enforcement already deployed and making a difference in the city centre. Council notes that the additional investment included within the adopted Council Budget far exceeds that proposed within the alternative Opposition Budget presented. Council notes that Glasgow is currently on track to meet its city centre residential population target of 40,000 by 2035, with the city centre population growing by a third between 2011 (with a population of 21,185) and 2022 (with a population of 28,341). Council reaffirms the importance of the property repurposing agenda, and welcomes the ongoing delivery of various conversion projects for residential accommodation within the city centre. Council however notes the ongoing challenges associated with property repurposing, and reiterates its calls for the UK Government to remove VAT on building conversion projects which disincentivise conversion as opposed to VAT-free new-build development. In support of continued progress in the regeneration of the city centre, Council therefore resolves to: - Continue to engage with partners across the public and private sectors to coordinate action and delivery across the City Centre Strategy. - Support the further roll-out of the Get You In Town campaign to continue to attract more people to the city centre. - Implement appropriate engagement and communications plans around the delivery of the Avenues to ensure that both the purpose of the works and any construction-related alternative arrangements are well communicated to the public. - Explore opportunities to better promote and facilitate residential repurposing in the city centre within the forthcoming development of a new City Development Plan. - Continue to bring regular reports to the relevant committee to update on delivery and progress within the city centre."
(b)	Motion by Councillor Rashid Hussain:- "Council notes the UK Labour Government's launch of the Pride in Place programme; a £5 billion regeneration initiative designed to empower communities and revitalise neighbourhoods across the United Kingdom. This programme represents a significant shift in approach to local development, placing decision-making power directly in the hands of communities through the establishment of Neighbourhood Boards. Council welcomes the allocation of £292 million to Scotland, including £280 million in long-term investment for 14 neighbourhoods, with Glasgow set to receive up to £40 million over the next decade. In addition, Glasgow has been awarded £1.5 million from the Pride in Place Impact Fund to support immediate, community-led improvements to public spaces, play areas, and local infrastructure. Council notes that this transformative investment is being delivered by a UK Labour Government, at a time when Scottish local authorities have faced sustained financial pressures. Council believes that this funding presents a valuable opportunity to support inclusive economic growth and strengthen community resilience. It also provides a platform to demonstrate how Labour in government is delivering for Scotland, investing in its future, and putting power back in the hands of local people. Council therefore resolves to: 1. Welcome the UK Government's investment in Glasgow and Scotland and acknowledge the role of the Labour Government in delivering this funding. 2. Establish a cross-party working group to oversee Glasgow's participation in the Pride in Place programme and ensure alignment with city-wide regeneration strategies. 3. Call on the Scottish Government to work constructively with Glasgow City Council and other local authorities to match the ambition shown by the UK Labour Government, reverse damaging cuts to local services, and support councils to deliver for their communities. Council further resolves to receive annual updates on the progress of the Pride in Place programme through the Operational Performance and Scrutiny Committee."
(c)	Motion by Councillor Holly Bruce:- "Council notes that the cost-of-living crisis is having a deep impact on families' ability to afford childcare, which on average in Scotland costs £1,079.59 per month. Council believes that current funding provision provided by the Scottish Government falls short of what is required and that shortages in non-statutory out of school care services pose further financial challenge for families, especially lone women parents. Council agrees that bolstering childcare can help reduce child poverty figures, combat gender inequality and tackle fiscal pressures. Council acknowledges a recent report by Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Oxfam Foundation - Poverty Proofing the Future of Early Years Childcare - which states that 89% of families with children under 3 believe more funded childcare would improve family wellbeing and 2 out of 3 parents would work more if more funded childcare were available. Council notes the ongoing delivery challenges with recruitment of ELC-trained professionals. Council notes there have been childminder recruitment challenges, resulting in a fall in numbers of childminders and the impact this has on availability of provision. Council notes the lower levels of pay in the sector and calls to increase wages above the Real Living Wage, when funding is available. Council commits to continuing to support, at a minimum, the 1140 funded childcare hours for all three, four, and pre-school five year olds. Council notes that, unlike other councils in Scotland, Glasgow's childcare offering goes above and beyond the statutory minimum. Council further commits to supporting the universal expansion of fully-funded childcare hours to children aged between 9 months and 2 years, whilst noting that childcare for children of this age should remain optional rather than compulsory, and that the state should support those parents and carers who choose to care for their children at home as strongly as it supports those who choose to use childcare outside of the home. Council notes that within Flexible Childcare Options Scotland's Impact Report 23-24 it states that 67% of parents said they could "work more" thanks to the flexibility offered by the service. Council notes the benefit of early years education to children's overall health, wellbeing and development, particularly those children from more deprived areas. Council agrees to explore ways to make the current childcare offer more flexible to support parents in shift work or irregular employment. Council notes that the demand for places in Council nurseries for children under 3 is extremely high, with 1,900 children currently taking up places and a further 1,700 children aged 0-2 years on waiting lists. Council acknowledges that there is a need for more childcare facilities in the city. Council commits to exploring all funding options available and that future planning and property strategies need to address this. Council notes that various pilot schemes aimed at families with young children who are living in poverty are taking place in the city and that early results are very promising. Council recalls its extensive and innovative measures to tackle child poverty through measures such as the targeted provision of childcare, but it is unlikely they will move beyond pilot stage without guaranteed funding from the Scottish Government to support the expansion of such schemes. Council wholeheartedly supports the principle of parental choice which is central to the Scottish Government's 'funding follows the child' provider-neutral approach, and recognises the importance of ensuring parents and carers can choose from a variety of different childcare settings including public, private, and third-sector nurseries, as well as childminders. Council applauds the steps taken in recent years within Council services and policies to recognise the importance of fathers and other parents, moving away from the perception of childcare as an issue only for mothers or women. This includes the recent Miscarriage Bereavement Leave policy which acknowledges the importance of non-pregnant parents right from the earliest forming of a family. Council believes there is always more that can be done to support all parents employed by the Council family, including, where legislatively possible, extending rights to Elected Members who are parents and carers. Finally, Council notes that while conversations on childcare often focus on preschool children, the vast majority of children continue to need childcare once they are primary school aged, and often beyond if they have additional support needs. Council notes that there is the equivalent of 1 space for every 10 primary aged children in current provision, and that in many areas of the city there is immense competition for out of school care with waiting lists often years long, and that provision on offer may not be suitable for or offered to children with additional support needs. This information is often difficult to find and many parents are not aware of the shortage with enough time to plan for their child starting school, which can impact on their ability to maintain their employment once their child is school aged. Council welcomes the recent "Co-designing Glasgow's All Age Childcare" report, produced with the input of families in three wards across the city. Council endorses the report's recommendations which advocate for a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable all-age childcare system that addresses affordability, availability, and accessibility challenges for families in Glasgow. Council resolves to use the findings from this report when considering changes to or expansion of childcare provision, recognising, as the report makes clear, that the needs of communities and families are likely to be different depending on circumstances including cultural and historical factors. Council resolves to: - Acknowledge the importance of the 1140 funded childcare hours provided for all three, four and pre-school five year olds, in tackling child poverty and inequality in Glasgow. - Outline its support for the continued expansion of the Early Adopter Community Pilot and to advocate for further universal expansion of fully-funded childcare hours to all children aged between 9 months and 2 years. - Requests that the Leader of the Council writes to the UK Government ahead of the publication of the findings of Parental leave and pay review co-led by the Department for Business and Trade and the Department of Work and Pensions, emphasising the importance of a meaningful increase to statutory parental leave and pay. - Requests that the City Treasurer writes to the UK Government asking for a change in the criteria for the Tax Free Childcare scheme, which is currently prejudiced against children educated within the Scottish school system by excluding children who are aged over eleven in September, when many Scottish children are still in primary school and requiring wraparound care. - Write to all Registered Social Landlords and Housing Associations to ask them to fasttrack childminder applications in order to remove barriers to employment. - Investigate in City Development Plan 2 whether developer contributions could be acquired for childcare facilities including early years nurseries. - Task the Education Estate Board with exploring conditions attached to the disposal of the educational estate, ensuring a needs assessment has been carried out to ensure adequate childcare facilities are available in every ward before any recommendation is made. - Establish a review within three committee cycles in collaboration with childcare experts on the current implementation of ELC to ensure childcare hours are accessible and flexible to families with children under 5, with a particular focus on children with additional support needs. - Bring a paper to the Education, Skills and Early Years Committee within three committee cycles, exploring how the current pre-school childcare offering could be adapted to meet the needs of parents in shift work or irregular employment. - Bring a paper to the Business Bureau within three committee cycles to explore what more could be done to support Elected Members who have parental or other caring responsibilities, including giving consideration when scheduling committee meetings to ensuring that Full Council meetings align with Glasgow City Council school holidays as far as is practical. "
(d)	Motion by Councillor Donna McGill:- "Council notes that action to tackle fuel poverty has been at the heart of activism in Glasgow's communities for decades. Council recalls for example the work of the late Cathy McCormack of Greater Easterhouse, who became known globally for her work to improve damp housing conditions in schemes, helping to secure funding for a pioneering solar heating project on the Easthall housing scheme in the early 1990s, the first of its kind in the world. Council notes that in March 2024 Glasgow Community Energy launched the Cathy McCormack Community Activism Fund, named in her honour and providing grants generated from the proceeds of selling renewable energy and believes that the aims and ambitions of the Fund to connect and empower local people through community-ownership and democratic involvement align with the goals of the Council's Climate Plan and Glasgow's Community Renewable Energy Framework (CREF), which makes over 5.5 hectares of land available to community organisations for the development of renewable energy initiatives that will generate long lasting, benefits for the communities they serve. Council further notes that the Scottish Government is investing £9 million in community-owned renewable energy, helping local groups build local clean energy projects, benefit from lower energy costs and take control of their power. Council understands that as well as access to affordable clean energy, action to improve the energy efficiency of buildings is vital to tackle fuel poverty and acknowledges that the Scottish Government has invested over £45m in the past decade in the Heat in Buildings - Area Based Scheme, designed and delivered by councils with local delivery partners to target fuel-poor areas. Council notes that the complexities of Glasgow's tenemental housing stock creates significant challenge when it comes to delivering this programme in the areas of greatest deprivation; believes that the Scheme could do more good in the areas of highest need if the Council were able to enforce work and where appropriate defer payment, benefitting in particular those living in the privately rented sector; and calls on the Scottish Government to engage constructively with Glasgow City Council on these proposals. Council is deeply concerned that action to tackle fuel poverty is undermined by failure at Westminster level to stem continuing increases in in energy prices, and notes that earlier this month another 2% hike in energy prices took place, meaning that a household using a typical amount of energy will pay £1,755 a year. Council understands that this is making fuel poverty worse and believes that leaving families to deal with unaffordable bills is an unacceptable political choice by the UK Government, who have failed on their election pledge to reduce bills by £300. Council further notes that despite renewable energy now being the cheapest to produce, the current energy pricing system prevents most households from accessing those savings, creating space for climate deniers to falsely attack investment in renewables. Council: 1. Believes that access to affordable, clean energy should be recognised as a basic right. 2. Calls for a statutory social tariff for energy, a significant cut in standing charges for all and removal of standing charges for anyone with a prepayment meter. 3. Believes the transition to renewable energy must be rapid, public-sector led, and ensure justice for workers, communities, and those most affected by the cost-of-living crisis. 4. Believes that communities have a central role to play in shaping a just transition that protects both people and planet. Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband and the Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Michael Shanks, drawing attention to the work of activists like Cathy McCormack, noting this motion and calling for urgent reform of the energy pricing system, an end to energy poverty, and just access to clean energy, with opportunities created for public and community ownership where this is possible."
(e)	Motion by Councillor Lilith Johnstone:- "Council notes the findings of Audit Scotland's Scotland's Colleges 2025 report, which highlights a 20 per cent real-terms reduction in college funding between 2021/22 and 2025/26 by the Scottish Government. Council further notes that colleges are being forced to cut services and shrink their workforce to remain financially viable, with seven colleges reporting deficits and two requiring liquidity support in 2023/24. The Scottish Government has also failed to provide clarity or funding for the £86 million job evaluation liability, placing further strain on college finances. Council recognises the vital role colleges play in widening access to education, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Yet the proportion of SIMD20 students entering university via college routes has fallen to its lowest level since 2015/16, undermining progress towards the Scottish Government's own widening access targets. Council believes that the Scottish Government's failure to prioritise college education is damaging opportunities for learners from marginalised communities, and weakening the sector's ability to meet local skills needs. Council resolves that the Leader of the Council shall write to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, urging the Scottish Government to: - Restore targeted funding for colleges, including ESOL and mental health support. - Provide clarity and funding for job evaluation liabilities. - Commit to a sustainable funding model that protects access and equity across Scotland's college sector."
(f)	Motion by Bailie Martha Wardrop:- "Council welcomes the announcement that Scotland has reached a major business milestone as 100 Scottish companies have now achieved B Corp certification, joining a global movement of firms using business as a force for good. Council notes that B Corp certification is awarded to businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. These companies are not only focused on profit but have demonstrated a commitment to being a force for good, generating positive impacts for their people, communities, and the planet as well as shareholders. Council recognises that demand is growing for responsible business, and this marks a key moment for the economy, and for brands showing that profit and a high standard of social and environmental performance can align. Council notes that data from B Lab UK's 2024 community survey indicated this certification has had a meaningful impact on businesses with the following findings: - 91% said B Corp Certification has had a positive impact on their organisation - 75% said it provides external validation of their ethics and sustainability efforts - 50% said it has helped attract and retain talent - 82% said customers or clients respond positively when they hear a business is B Corp certified Council agrees that the Leader writes to B Local Scotland, a volunteer-led group of B Corp-certified companies, to welcome the celebration of all B Corps and businesses on 20 November 2025, in Glasgow."
(g)	Motion by Bailie Margaret Morgan:- "Council notes that in Scotland today, more and more people are choosing to have non-surgical cosmetic surgeries. Council acknowledges that this is a personal choice which people make for a whole variety of reasons and is supporting a growing industry of healthcare professionals and beauty therapists. It is increasingly visible on our high streets - however - the sector is not fully registered and is concerned about the resulting undue level of risk for clients. Council further notes that in the last ten years the Scottish Government action and independent healthcare clinics in Scotland are now regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland: any non-surgical cosmetic procedures that take place in these settings are subject to certain standards. However, the whole sector is not yet fully regulated, meaning that anyone can perform procedures, without the need for any formal training or qualifications. Council shares the Scottish Government's concern about the resulting undue level of risks for clients - acknowledging that anyone undergoing cosmetic procedures has a right to expect that they will be carried by an appropriately trained and insured practitioner, in hygienic premises. Council notes with concern that unfortunately, this is not always the case. Council recognises that although there are many reputable practitioners, there is currently an increase in complications from procedures that have gone wrong, resulting in negative consequences and traumatic experiences, and even death. Council recalls a company which carried out a Brazilian Butt Lift in a Glasgow hotel in 2024 which left a woman in hospital and commends the action taken by the council's Environmental Health team to prevent procedures being carried out in unsuitable and non-sterile locations, serving three prohibition notices on two companies and an associated individual practitioner. Council recognises that Local authority environmental health officers, have an important role in addressing concerns about public safety within the currently unregulated sector, and they have pressed for the introduction of regulations and been involved with the Scottish Government regarding this. Council further recognises that Scottish Government has engaged with Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), in its role as regulator of independent health care in Scotland, via the Scottish Cosmetic Interventions Expert Group in the development of proposals, and recognised that many procedures are not fully covered by existing regulatory frameworks, meaning that anyone is able to purchase and administer products such as Botox and dermal fillers , despite the potential for significant harm. Council welcomes the recent consultation on the Regulation and Licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures and that other stakeholders including businesses are supportive of efforts to make the non-surgical cosmetic procedures sector safer and better regulated, and, that there is broad support for the principle that some procedures can be safely undertaken in a licensed setting, and a majority agreed with the Scottish Government's proposals for which procedures should be in this group. Council notes that on 8th October 2025 the Scottish Government delivered on its commitment to introduce a Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill. Council resolves to: - support the development of a framework to keep people safe when they chose to undergo a non- surgical procedure - support the Scottish Government's creation of a quality benchmark which will empower responsible providers - support the need for enforceable regulations for non - surgical cosmetic procedures. Council instructs the Chief Executive to ensure the Council continues to further engage with legislative process and to respond to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee call for views ending on Friday 14 November 2025."
(h)	Motion by Bailie Ann Jenkins:- "Council notes with deep sorrow the tragic death of two-year-old Lyla Story in May 2025, who passed away from undiagnosed type 1 diabetes. Her symptoms, including excessive thirst, vomiting, lethargy and weight loss, were consistent with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), yet no diagnostic testing was carried out during her GP consultation. Council recognises that Lyla's case is not isolated. Across the UK, many children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes only after reaching critical stages of DKA. This is despite the existence of clinical guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), specifically Guideline NG18, which recommends same-day referral to a paediatric diabetes team when type 1 diabetes is suspected. Council further notes that the petition for Lyla's Law has received over 34,000 signatures on the UK Parliament website, reflecting strong public support for legislative change. While the petition is addressed to the UK Government, Council acknowledges that health policy and diagnostic protocols for children fall within the remit of the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland. Council supports the aims of the Lyla's Law campaign, which calls for: - Routine blood or urine testing for type 1 diabetes in children presenting with relevant symptoms. - Improved adherence to NICE NG18 guidelines by healthcare professionals. - Greater awareness of the "4Ts" symptoms: "Toilet", "Thirsty", "Tired", "Thinner". - Enhanced protection for non-verbal and very young children who cannot articulate their symptoms. Council therefore agrees to: 1. Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care, urging the Scottish Government to explore the feasibility of implementing Lyla's Law in Scotland. 2. Support the inclusion of type 1 diabetes symptom guidance in the Personal Child Health Record ("Red Book") issued to families. Council stands in solidarity with Lyla's family and campaigners, and to advocate for policy change that could prevent future avoidable deaths."
(i)	Motion by Bailie Anthony Carroll:- "Council recognises the inequality in our UK voting system, which elects through a First Past the Post (FPTP) system. FPTP originated when land-owning aristocrats dominated parliament and voting was restricted to property-owning men. Council notes that in Europe, only the UK and authoritarian Belarus still use single-round FPTP for general elections to their national parliaments. Internationally, Proportional Representation (PR) is used to elect the parliaments of more than 80 countries. These countries tend to produce more equitable, stable, and accountable governments. PR ensures all votes count, have equal value, and that seats won match votes cast. Under PR, MPs and Parliaments better reflect the age, gender and protected characteristics of both local communities and of the nation. Council recognises that PR is currently used to elect the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd and Northern Ireland Assembly, as well as local councillors in Scotland. Council also notes that as more people feel represented through a wider spectrum of voices elected through PR, disenfranchisement is reduced, as well as skewered results such as majority-rule of the UK Government on 33% of the vote in 2024, and 36% in 2015. Such unrepresentative results have led to consequential policy changes with limited public support, including upon the democratic process. Council notes the Electoral Commission's data which detailed that 16,000 people were denied the right to vote due to incorrect voter ID at the 2024 UK General Election, with 4% of people polled post-election not voting due to Voter-ID requirements. Council expresses its opposition to the UK Government's policy of mandatory voter photo ID and the detrimental effect it has on voter turnout, especially in more marginalised communities, for an electoral process that already disenfranchises many through its voting system. Council echoes the call for proportional representation for elections to the House of Commons which has been made by Trade Unions such as Unite, UNISON, and the CWU, and which was passed by the Labour Party's Conference, and supported by the SNP, Scottish Greens, Reform, and other political parties within the UK. Therefore, Council requests the Convener for Open Government writes to the Minister for the Cabinet Office urging support for fairer UK Elections, by commencing consultation on a proportional representation system of voting and reversing the restrictions put upon voters by the introduction of mandatory voter ID. Council will also support enhancing awareness of the new Voter ID requirements and continue to promote applications for free Voter Authority Certificates ahead of the next Westminster Election, which may assist people who may otherwise not hold one of the other forms of accepted identification.”