Councillors made the decision at a meeting of the full council yesterday as the local authority installed co-leaders for the first time in its history.

Aberdeen joined Glasgow, Aberdeen, Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire in breaking away from the local authority representative body to form a splinter group called the Scottish Local Government Partnership (SLGP) in 2015.

The announcement means all 32 of Scotland’s councils are now members of the organisation.

https://twitter.com/AberdeenCC/status/900365750602301440

Commenting on the decision, COSLA President Councillor Alison Evison said: “The first thing to say is that I am absolutely delighted with the decision taken by Aberdeen City Council today. It is my absolute pleasure to welcome them back into the organisation.

“There is no doubt in my opinion that Scottish Local Government has more chance of success if COSLA has full 32 council membership. That was always my aim and this has now been achieved with the decision taken by Aberdeen City Council this afternoon.

“This was rightly and properly a democratic decision for the council to take and it is wonderful that they have chosen to return to the COSLA fold.

“There can be no denying the real strength in one united local government voice and I look forward to welcoming Aberdeen City to the Leaders meeting this Friday.”

Members also voted the administration leaders Councillor Jenny Laing and Councillor Douglas Lumsden into their new roles after approving an amendment to standing orders, reflecting the move from sole leadership to shared responsibility.

Councillor Laing, who has served as leader since the current administration was formed in May and in the previous administration, said: “We made our intention clear from the outset to operate with co-leadership, reflecting the make-up of the administration, and we now have the approval of council to do so. I look forward to working with Councillor Lumsden as we lead Aberdeen City Council together, with ambitious plans for the months and years ahead.”

Councillor Lumsden added: “I’m pleased the steps required to introduce co-leadership have been approved and am proud to serve as co-leader of Aberdeen City Council. There are many challenges ahead for residents, businesses and other organisations in the city but Councillor Laing and I are optimistic about the future and will work hard to meet our shared objectives.”