Public consultation closes Sunday December 14th

Sport Aberdeen is asking its members to take part in Aberdeen City Council’s (ACC) budget consultation and to make their voices heard as decisions are considered for the 2026/27 financial year.

Each year, ACC sets its budget for public services, a process that directly impacts the future of Sport Aberdeen’s venues, programmes and community initiatives. As part of this process, ACC has launched a public consultation to gather feedback on a range of proposals aimed at reducing expenditure and increasing income.

A key element of the consultation is the commissioning fee provided to Sport Aberdeen. Currently set at £4.15 million, this funding contributes to the £15 million required annually to operate 31 venues and deliver a wide range of sport, physical activity and wellbeing services across the city.

Sport Aberdeen’s recently published Annual Review 2024/25 highlighted one of the strongest years on record:

• 1.46 million visits across local venues
• £19 million in social value generated for Aberdeen
• National recognition for impactful work with young people, older adults, and individuals who face barriers to being active
• 7,000 children taking part in activities every week
• Expanding programmes that support health, wellbeing and inclusion

These achievements are only possible because Sport Aberdeen reinvests every penny back into the city and works in partnership with local communities.

The proposals within ACC’s budget consultation for 2026/2027 (external link) asks for views on the impact of a range of options. These include questions on the impact of a reduction of £415,000, and a further reduction of £415,000, to Sport Aberdeen funding next year. To bridge either of these funding gaps, Sport Aberdeen would have to consider and implement very difficult options including:

• Reducing the number of venues we operate
• Limiting opening hours
• Scaling back activities and community programmes for children, older adults, and those with long-term health conditions
• Significant price increases for activities, memberships and programmes

No decisions have been made yet, and the consultation is the public’s opportunity to make sure their opinion is heard.

Support from the Sport Aberdeen community played a vital role in last year’s consultation, and this feedback can make a difference again.

If you believe reductions to community sport, physical activity and wellbeing services would have a high impact on you or the wider community, Sport Aberdeen encourages you to select the ‘high impact’ option within the survey.

You can complete the consultation here:
https://aberdeencitybudget26-27.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/v3/acc-budget-options?step=step1

Please take a few minutes to share your views before Sunday, December 14^th, and help safeguard the future of community sport and wellbeing in Aberdeen.

Thank you.