Minutes of Annual General Meeting of Merchant City and Trongate Community Council held on 28 October 2025 in City Chambers from 6 pm.

These draft minutes will be presented to our 2026 AGM for approval

Attended by: Scott Thornton (Acting Chair), Gary Atkinson, Rosalind Atkinson, Alice Cowan, David Cowan, David Hughes, Niall McColl, Gordon Millar, Alasdair McDougall (MSP Kaukab Stewart’s office), Gregor McIntyre (MP John Grady’s office), Ross Naismith, Councillor Philip Braat, CM, GF, AH, TMcK, JS, NM, EM, AC.

Apologies: Rachel Angus, Baillie Christy Mearns, GW

1. Minutes of last AGM held on 26 November 2024

Adoption proposed by Niall McColl, seconded by David Cowan. Approved.

2. Chairperson’s Annual Report

This had been submitted in advance to Community Councillors by co-Vice Chairs Gary Atkinson and Scott Thornton in the absence of Chair Tam Coyle who had announced he was taking temporary leave of absence from Community Council work.

Scott Thornton read out an abbreviated version of this report (below) with the full report to be posted on the Community Council website. The full version can be viewed in our report on the meeting.

“In 2025 Glasgow city centre began undergoing its biggest upgrade in half a century, with many streets being redesigned into Avenues.

Several of the biggest projects, including redevelopment of George Square, are in the Merchant City and Trongate Community Council (MCTC) area so it has been a particularly busy 2025. The pace is going to accelerate in 2026 and beyond.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will bring tens of thousands of visitors to Glasgow. All this has coincided with the 50th anniversary of Community Councils in Scotland.

On the Glasgow City Council (GCC) level, office bearers have held many high level meetings with officers to present local residents’ views, aspirations and suggestions. Credit for much of this goes to our Planning Lead, Ross Naismith.

On a broader front MCTCC is closely involved with the Area Partnership of Community Councils within Ward 10. At the most recent meeting we secured funding for the renovation of the Tron Tower steeple and will continue to press for our area to receive its fair share of allocations from the Area Partnership’s Neighbourhood Infrastructure Improvement Fund.

Next year GCC will unveil its new City Development Plan (CDP), shaping Glasgow for the next 5-10 years, and MCTCC has been playing its part.

Under the leadership of David Hughes we’ve drafted our own Local Place Plan (LPP) which will feed into the CDP. This is one of the most important documents ever prepared by this Community Council and will include feedback from local residents gathered in person during public consultation outings in the St Enoch Centre and Trongate and from an online survey.

We need more local residents to join us to help fulfil one of the main aims of our Constitution which is ‘to act as a voice for the local area on any matters affecting the community’s lives, welfare and environment.’

Last but certainly not least, we would like to pay tribute to Tam Coyle who has a remarkable record of 20 years as a Community Councillor and has led MCTCC with distinction. We look forward to his return to continue to provide guidance and inspiration.”

Report adoption proposed by Ross Naismith, seconded by Gordon Millar. Approved.

3. Treasurer’s submission of independently examined statement of accounts

Gordon Millar submitted the attached accounts for the year from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025.

Adoption proposed by Scott Thornton, seconded by Niall McColl. Approved.

It was noted that these had not been signed off by the independent auditor who has been unavailable recently. Gordon will ensure this is done and the final signed version forwarded to Glasgow City Council.

4. Review of the inventory an additional resources

Included in the above submission.

5. Demit of Office Bearers

The following office bearers stepped down:

  • Chair – Tam Coyle
  • Vice-Chairs – Gary Atkinson and Scott Thornton
  • Secretary – Scott Thornton
  • Treasurer – Gordon Millar

6. Nominations for the elections of office bearers and representatives

  • Chair – Scott Thornton proposed by Ross Naismith, seconded by Niall McColl.
  • Vice-Chair – Gary Atkinson proposed by Scott Thornton, seconded by David Hughes
  • Secretary: Niall McColl proposed by Scott Thornton, seconded by Ross Naismith
  • Treasurer: Gordon Millar proposed by Niall McColl, seconded by David Hughes

The following representatives were confirmed:

  • Area Partnership – David Hughes proposed by Scott Thornton, seconded by Alice Cowan. Substitute: Gary Atkinson
  • Planning Lead – Ross Naismith proposed by Scott Thornton, seconded by David Hughes
  • Licensing Lead – Gary Atkinson proposed by Scott Thornton, seconded by Ross Naismith. Substitute: Rosalind Atkinson
  • Joint Action Group representatives: Rachel Angus and David Cowan

7. Continuation of the Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils.

The Community Council’s adherence to this was noted.

8. Appointment of the independent Examiner of Accounts for the next year

The meeting agreed to Gordon Millar’s proposal that this should be carried out again by Iain McGuire CA.

9. Appointment of Associate Members

The meeting agreed to Scott Thornton’s proposal that Peter Hayman be re-appointed in this role.

10. Date of next Annual General Meeting

Tuesday 27 October 2026.