The Banff and Buchan area committee are scheduled to meet to discuss a range of issues including proposed changes to speed limits, an update on coastal path improvement funding, and a report on the performance of the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership Strategic Delivery Plan. Councillors will also consider an Education Scotland inspection report for King Edward Primary School and two planning applications. Some items, relating to contracts and financial assistance, may be discussed in private.

Proposed Banff and Buchan Speed Limits Order

The committee will consider a report on proposed changes to speed limits in the Banff and Buchan area. The report pack notes that these changes were held back from the 20mph implementation to allow for appropriate scrutiny.

Two lists of proposed speed limits are to be presented: one which meets the criteria set out within Aberdeenshire Council's Speed Limit Policy and associated Manual, and another which does not.

The locations where the speed limits meet Aberdeenshire Council Policy are:

• A98 New Road, Banff Bridge, Palmer Cove
• A98 Longmanhill
• A981 / B9032 Memsie
• B9026 Duff Street, Macduff
• B9033 Cemetery Road, Fraserburgh
• Rathen Road, Inverallochy/Cairnbulg

The location where the speed limits do not meet Aberdeenshire Council Policy is:

• B9121 Ladysbridge

The committee will be asked to approve the commencement of the statutory procedures for making The Aberdeenshire Council (Banff & Buchan) (Amendments) (Speed Limits) Order 2025 for locations meeting the council's policy, and to note the speed limits which do not meet the policy. For locations not meeting the council's policy, the committee can make comments to the Infrastructure Services Committee (ISC) with appropriate reasoning for their consideration.

An Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) was carried out as part of the development of the proposals. The IIA notes that there is one negative impact: reduced speeds leading to increased travel duration. However, it also notes that this can be mitigated by better controlled traffic.

Banff & Buchan Crown Estate Coastal Communities Fund

The committee will consider a request to reallocate £25,000 of Scottish Government Crown Estate Coastal Communities Funding 2024/25. This funding was previously granted to improve the coastal path between Sandend and Whitehills, but will now be used for improvement work on the section of path between Cullen and Findlater Castle.

The report pack states that the original Sandend to Whitehills coastal path works have seen an increase in costs of approximately £72,000 following a revision to the specification. It also notes that there is not enough capital budget to cover the remainder of the funding.

The report pack goes on to say that if the reallocation is approved, the funds will be used towards improvement of the existing Coastal Path from Cullen to Findlater Castle (Sunnyside). The report pack notes that a previous application for this project was refused due to insufficient paperwork. The revised application is included in the report pack, and it states that the work can be completed by the March 2026 deadline.

The application states that:

The renovation of the route will be achieved by moving the route, where necessary, on to firm ground minimising steep gradients and crossfalls, installation of steps to negotiate the steeper slopes and raised boardwalks to cross boggy areas and streams resulting in a pathway which is accessible, sustainable, and easier to maintain.

Aberdeenshire HSCP Strategic Delivery Plan Performance Report and Draft Strategic Plan

The committee will receive information on the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP)'s performance against its Strategic Delivery Plan. The report pack includes an update from the Banff & Buchan HSCP Team on local health and social care issues and priorities. It also presents information on the Aberdeenshire HSCP's proposed new Strategic Plan for consultation.

The report pack notes that the Integration Joint Board (IJB) considered an evaluation of overall progress on the Strategic Delivery Plan for 2022-2025 at its meeting on 3 September 2025. It also considered the Aberdeenshire HSCP's new draft Strategic Plan for 2025-2035, which identifies two priorities:

1. Prevention & Early Intervention
2. Health & Social Care Services – Supporting those with greatest need in our community.

The consultation period runs until 26 October 2025, and full information is available on the Engage Aberdeenshire website.

Education Scotland Inspection Report - King Edward Primary

The committee will consider and comment on the Education Scotland inspection report for King Edward Primary School. The report is included in the report pack.

The inspection team visited the school in May 2025 and found the following strengths:

• The headteacher knows the school's strengths and areas for development very well and is supported effectively by the staff team.
• All staff have highly nurturing, trusting and inclusive relationships with children and families.
• Staff provide children with a wide range of experiences to develop well their skills for learning, life and work.

The report pack also identifies areas for improvement, including assessing and tracking children's progress across the curriculum and continuing to develop approaches to teaching writing.

Planning Applications for Determination

The committee will consider the following planning applications:

• APP/2024/1823 - Full Planning Permission for Relocation of 3 Existing and Installation of 3 additional Refrigeration Units and Removal of 1 Air Source Pump (Retrospective) at Premier Whitehills, 8A Loch Street, Whitehills. This application is seeking retrospective planning permission for the relocation of refrigeration units and the removal of an air source heat pump. The report pack notes that the proposal has been subject to a noise complaint and enforcement action. Two objections have been received, raising concerns about noise and the fact that works have been carried out without prior planning approval. Environmental Health has also objected to the proposal, stating that the development has the potential to present unacceptable impact on amenity even with proposed mitigation.
• APP/2025/0871 - Full Planning Permission Major for Installation of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with an Installed Capacity of 49.9MW, Landscaping and Associated Infrastructure, at Land South of Whitestones, Birks Farm, Longmanhill, Banff. This application seeks full planning permission for the installation of a battery energy storage system (BESS) with an installed capacity of 49.9MW, landscaping and associated infrastructure. No letters of representation have been received. Environmental Health initially objected to the development based on the information within the noise impact assessment, but has since withdrawn its objection subject to conditions.