The Aberdeenshire Council met on Thursday 30 April 2026 to discuss a range of important issues, including the progress of the Corporate Improvement Plan and the proposed permanent closure of Tullynessle School. The council also debated and amended new guidance for the temporary closure of primary schools and early learning and childcare settings.

Corporate Improvement Plan - Bi-Annual Update

The council received a bi-annual update on the Corporate Improvement Plan, which consolidates Best Value, self-evaluation, and governance improvement actions. Director of Business Services, Mr. Rob Simpson, introduced the report, noting that the majority of actions within the plan were complete, with a small number of transformation actions remaining. These remaining actions, related to the 24-25 Best Value Transformation Action Plans, were proposed to have their completion dates revised to 30 June 2026.

Council Co-Leader Councillor Stewart Adams spoke in support of the report, highlighting the positive progress with only four actions remaining. He expressed confidence that these actions would be completed within the identified timeframes and thanked officers for their efforts. Council Co-Leader Councillor Anne Stirling seconded the recommendations, praising the work of officers and the Audit Committee for their scrutiny. She also welcomed the inclusion of new action plans related to the recent Best Value Council audit and the Asset Management Plan in the next iteration of the report. The council agreed to consider and comment on the Corporate Improvement Plan and agreed to the revised action dates for the four transformation actions.

Consultation Report Regarding the Closure of Tullynessle School

The council considered a report on the statutory consultation process undertaken regarding the proposed closure of Tullynessle School. Director of Education and Children's Services, Mr. Laurence Findlay, introduced the paper, outlining the consultation process, feedback received, and the independent assessment from His Majesty's Inspectors of Education (HMIE). He noted an error in the report regarding transport for out-of-zone pupils, clarifying that only pupils previously zoned for Tullynessle would receive transport to Keig School. The report concluded with a recommendation from Education and Children's Services (ECS) for the council to permanently close the school and reassign its catchment area to Keig School.

Councillor David Keating, Chair of the ECS Committee, moved that the council approve the recommendations. He emphasised that the decision was the final stage of the statutory consultation and highlighted the HMIE report's agreement that closure would deliver educational benefits, with Keig being the appropriate receiving school. Councillor Keating was seconded by Councillor Colin Simpson, who agreed that the consultation was thorough and transparent, and that the educational case was clear.

Councillor Gwyneth Petrie, the local councillor for the Tullynessle area, spoke with a heavy heart, acknowledging the significant loss to the local community. She raised concerns about the rapid reduction in pupil numbers and hoped lessons would be learned for future situations. Councillor Petrie also expressed specific concerns about the class makeup at Keig School and sought reassurance regarding the impact on pupils and opportunities for year groups to mix. She also highlighted the impact of the mothballing of the nursery, noting the confusion and concern it had caused. Mr. Findlay responded to Councillor Petrie's points, explaining that guidance for ELC closures was being developed and that the current situation at Keig School was within capacity, with future projections showing a declining role. He offered to have a Quality Improvement Officer follow up on class configurations with the headteacher.

Councillor Ann Ross spoke about the impact on rurality, stating that a school is often the heart of a rural community and its loss risks accelerating population decline. Mr. Findlay confirmed that siblings would attend the same setting and that appropriate transition planning for children with additional support needs had been undertaken.

Following further discussion, the council agreed to permanently close Tullynessle School and reassign its catchment to Keig School.

Aberdeenshire Temporary Closure Guidance: Primary Schools and Early Learning and Childcare Settings

The council then considered a report on updated guidance for the temporary closure of primary schools and early learning and childcare (ELC) settings, following new Scottish Government statutory guidance. Director of Education, Mr. Laurence Findlay, introduced the paper, explaining that the term temporary closure replaces mothballing and that the revised national guidance requires clearer governance, stronger transparency, and explicit consideration of children's rights. He outlined that two detailed guidance documents had been developed for primary schools and ELC settings, setting out clear evidence-based decision-making processes. The guidance places increased decision-making power in the hands of elected members, with the director retaining delegation only for emergency closures.

Mr. Sam Colley, representing the Burson-Bologi Community Council, was invited to speak. He thanked Aberdeenshire Council for updating the guidance but stated that there were still oversights and limitations requiring amendment. He highlighted concerns regarding the triggers for temporary closure reviews not considering true demand, the reliance on broad assumptions for educational benefits in larger settings, and inappropriate language in relation to stakeholder engagement. Mr. Colley requested that the guidance be sent back for further review.

Councillor David Keating, Chair of the ECS Committee, acknowledged the feedback received, including from Mr. Colley, and proposed amended recommendations. He suggested that the temporary closure guidance for primary schools and ELC settings be referred to the ECS Committee for detailed debate and then brought back to Full Council in June. He also proposed amendments to the Scheme of Governance to reflect the withdrawal of officer delegations for planned temporary closures. Councillor Colin Simpson seconded the amendments, thanking officers for their work and welcoming the clarity provided by the new guidance. Councillor Gwyneth Petrie welcomed the amended recommendations and the removal of officer delegation, but agreed that further time was needed to explore other concerns. Councillor Ann Ross welcomed the amendments and requested further consultation with the Director. Councillor Stephen Smith asked for clarification on the incorporation of planning and planned housing developments into the assessment factors. The council agreed to the revised recommendations, with the guidance to be considered further by ECS and then Full Council in June.

The meeting concluded the public section and moved into a private session.