The Garioch Area Committee met on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, to discuss the performance of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in the Garioch area, review an Education Scotland report on Crombie School, and consider the annual procurement plan for the Environment and Infrastructure Directorate. The committee acknowledged the fire service's performance report and provided comments on the Education Scotland report for Crombie School.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Performance Report

The committee received and discussed the performance report from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) for the third quarter of 2025-26, covering the period from 1 October to 31 December 2025. The report detailed the SFRS's performance against key measures and targets outlined in the Aberdeenshire Local Fire and Rescue Plan and the Garioch Multi-Member Ward Plan. Councillors were given the opportunity to discuss local operational matters and resource issues. The report indicated an increase in total incidents from 75 to 83 compared to the same quarter in the previous year, with a rise in fires from 14 to 19, including building, outdoor, and vehicle fires. Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS) also saw an increase from 11 to 16, with a notable rise in incidents at hotels and sheltered housing. Conversely, Home Fire Safety Visits (HFSVs) decreased from 32 to 18, attributed to changes in HFSV criteria. The committee was also updated on community safety and engagement activities, including events at Insch and Inverurie fire stations, and a familiarisation visit to an interim battery storage warehouse in Kintore.

Education Scotland Report - Crombie School

The committee considered the findings of an Education Scotland inspection report for Crombie School, which took place on 24 November 2025. The report highlighted several strengths, including positive relationships within the school community, a nurturing and inclusive learning environment, and children who were polite, well-behaved, and enthusiastic about learning. Inspectors also noted the effectiveness of teachers' regular progress checks and the school's approaches to enhancing children's understanding of the world of work. Areas identified for improvement included the need for senior leaders and staff to review planning approaches to better meet the needs of all children, particularly those requiring additional challenge, and to ensure consistent application of high-quality learning and teaching methods across the school. The committee was asked to provide comments to the Education and Children's Service on the report.

Annual Procurement Plan for Environment and Infrastructure Directorate

The committee was presented with the Annual Procurement Plan for the Environment and Infrastructure Directorate. This item was exempt from public discussion due to its nature, involving expenditure under contracts for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods or services.

Statement of Outstanding Business

The committee noted the statement of outstanding business as at 17 March 2026. This included ongoing monitoring of commitments related to battery storage units at Kintore, where the Battery Safety Management Plan had been issued to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) in July 2025 with no response received to date. The commencement of this development is not anticipated until late 2027, and the applicant remains committed to providing training to the SFRS. Another item concerned a briefing on the Thainstone site, including road works and the position regarding the abattoir. Mitigation measures for the Port Elphinstone roundabout are required for multiple developments, and the implementation of a single scheme is dependent on Dandara progressing its planning application for the Crichie development. A hybrid planning application for a large residential and mixed-use development at Crichie is currently under consideration, which will necessitate a revised Minute of Agreement and a Road Bond. A further update on the Port Elphinstone roundabout works will be provided once the planning application is further progressed.