THOUGH All Under One Banner has said it will go ahead with the march and rally for independence in Aberdeen on Saturday, the decision on whether the march will be given an official licence will not be taken until this afternoon.

Aberdeen Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee will meet at 3pm and in order to inform the Yes movement about the difficulties facing AUOB, The National has obtained a copy of the Police Scotland report.

It makes several recommendations though does not object to the march as long as a temporary traffic regulation order is in place. The report recommends that there should be “a minimum of 500 dedicated appropriately qualified stewards in attendance.”

The most contentious recommendation is that “the organiser must ensure a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) and full approved Traffic Management company road closure is in place over the route of the procession, for its duration.”

AUOB has objected to this recommendation as it has not had to carry out such a recommendation at any previous march and the cost of the order and the traffic management scheme – estimated to be £4000 – cannot be met from the group’s funds.

The police also recommend that “the organisers should have in place Public Liability Insurance should any legal action or otherwise be forthcoming following an incident during this event.”

Again, this is something AUOB have not had to do elsewhere.