The Banff and Buchan Area Committee is scheduled to convene on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, with a meeting set to address a range of topics including performance monitoring reports, planning applications, and community funding. The committee will also consider proposals for school mergers and the disposal of community assets.

Education and Children's Services Performance Monitoring

The committee is scheduled to review the Education & Children's Services Year-end Performance Monitoring Report for 2025/26, which details progress against the Council's overarching strategic priorities. This report, found in the Public reports pack, will provide an update on performance indicators with an area perspective. The committee is recommended to acknowledge and consider this progress and instruct the Director of Education & Children's Services to continue presenting these reports on a six-monthly basis.

Education Scotland Inspection Report - Bracoden

The committee is also scheduled to consider the Education Scotland Inspection Report for Bracoden School. This report, appended to the agenda, details the findings of an inspection conducted on 9 March 2026. The committee is asked to consider the report and provide comments to the Education Service. The inspection report highlights strengths such as a nurturing learning environment and effective use of outdoor spaces, while identifying areas for improvement in planning for improvement and developing consistently high-quality learning experiences.

Planning Applications for Determination

Several planning applications are scheduled for consideration. A key item is the Full Planning Permission for Alterations to Dwellinghouse including Replacement of Roof Pan Tiles with Slate and Installation of Rooflights (Retrospective) at 47 Shore Street, Pennan, Aberdeenshire, AB43 6JB (Reference: APP/2025/1998). This application was previously deferred for a site visit. The report recommends refusal, citing that the use of Spanish slate is at odds with the traditional character of the Pennan Conservation Area and the listed building.

Another significant planning matter is the Full Planning Permission for Alterations and Extension to Dwellinghouse at 11 Colleonard Drive, Banff, Aberdeenshire, AB45 1DP (Reference: APP/2026/0305). The report recommends refusal due to the proposed extension's scale, siting forward of the principal elevation, and its detrimental impact on the character and visual amenity of the area, as well as unacceptable overshadowing and overbearing impacts on a neighbouring property.

Additionally, the committee is scheduled to consider the Full Planning Permission for Demolition of Dwellinghouse and Erection of Replacement Dwellinghouse at 73 Main Street, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, AB43 9RT (Reference: APP/2025/1322). This application is recommended for refusal as it has not been demonstrated that the demolition of the Category C listed building is justified, nor that all reasonable efforts have been made to retain, reuse, or adapt the building. Concerns are also raised about the design of the replacement dwelling not being sympathetic to the Conservation Area.

Other planning applications for determination include:

• APP/2026/0305 - Full Planning Permission for Alterations and Extension to Dwellinghouse at 11 Colleonard Drive, Banff, Aberdeenshire, AB45 1DP.
• APP/2025/1322 - Full Planning Permission for Demolition of Dwellinghouse and Erection of Replacement Dwellinghouse at 73 Main Street, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, AB43 9RT.
• APP/2025/2088 - Full Planning Permission For Erection of Buildings for Retail Use (Class 1A), Drive-Thru Restaurant (Class 3), Hot Food Takeaway (Sui Generis) and Associated Infrastructure - Site at South Harbour Road, Fraserburgh (details to follow).

Environment and Infrastructure Services Performance

The committee will receive an update on the Environment & Infrastructure Services Performance Report for Quarter 3/Quarter 4 of 2025/26. This report, found in the Public reports pack, details progress against performance indicators supporting the Council Plan Priorities 2024-2029. All ten performance indicators reported are showing as 'green', indicating they are on target.

Business Services Performance

A report on Business Services Area Committee Performance Indicators for the year-end progress (April 2025 - March 2026) will also be presented. This report, available in the Public reports pack, covers 15 performance indicators, with seven showing as on track, one amber, and seven as 'data only'. Key successes include improvements in customer service call wait times and call abandonment rates, as well as efficient processing of housing benefit and council tax reduction claims.

Disposal of Former Banff Community Centre

The committee is scheduled to consider the Proposed Disposal of Former Banff Community Centre and Area of Common Good Land at Lower Deveronside, Banff. This item follows a statutory consultation with the local community under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. The report details the outcomes of this consultation, which indicated a majority of respondents were unsupportive of the proposal, raising concerns about the loss of common good land and a lack of information regarding future use. The committee is recommended to instruct officers to conclude missives for the sale to a preferred bidder and seek court approval for the disposal of the common good land.

Merger of Fintry School and King Edward School

A significant item on the agenda is the Merger of Fintry School and King Edward School. This report informs the committee of the outcome of the statutory consultation regarding the proposed merger. The committee is asked to consider the consultation report and provide comments on the recommendation to merge the schools and permanently discontinue education at one of the sites. The report indicates that while stakeholders support the merger, opinions are divided on which building should be retained. The recommendation is to merge the schools and retain King Edward School, citing educational continuity, roll sustainability, and accessibility as key factors.

Community Councils in Banff and Buchan

The committee will receive an update on support for Community Councils in Aberdeenshire and consider the proposed allocations for Banff and Buchan Community Council Grants for 2026/27. The total allocation for the Banff and Buchan area is £9,930. The report also discusses monitoring of grant spend and plans for a networking event for Community Councils.

Banff and Buchan Area Committee Budget 2026/27

The committee is asked to note the confirmed Area Committee Budget of £17,800 for the financial year 2026/27, a reduction of 50% from the previous year. The report proposes updated criteria for grant applications, including a reduced maximum grant award of £2,500 and an 80% match funding requirement for allocations above £1,000. The fund will be advertised from 17 June 2026, with a closing date for applications on 20 July 2026.

Exempt Information

Item 18, concerning a Proposal for Commercial Lease with SSEN Transmission/Tier 1 Contractor at Walker Court, Aberchirder, is scheduled to be considered with the press and public excluded. This is due to the likely disclosure of exempt information.

The committee will also address Sederunt and Declaration of Members' Interests and consider the Public Sector Equality Duty.