The Buchan Area Committee is scheduled to meet to discuss a range of topics, including local health and social care, traffic safety in Longside, updates on projects in Peterhead, and several planning applications. The committee will also be asked to comment on the Education Scotland inspection report for Strichen School and Nursery Class.

Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP)

The committee will be asked to consider a report on the Aberdeenshire HSCP's strategic delivery plan, including an update from the Buchan HSCP team on local health and social care issues. The report pack includes the Aberdeenshire HSCP Strategic Delivery Plan Performance Report and Draft Strategic Plan, as well as a supplementary report with additional information on local health and social care issues in the Buchan area (Appendix 2). The committee will also be asked to comment on the Aberdeenshire HSCP's draft strategic plan for 2025-2035, which is included in the report pack (Appendices 3a and 3b). The draft plan identifies two priorities:

• Prevention and early intervention, which involves working with partners, the third sector and communities to enable people to prevent ill health and live independently for as long as possible.
• Health and social care services that support those with the greatest need in the community, which involves redesigning services to support and respond to people with the greatest need.

Longside Traffic Speeds and Safety Measures

The committee will consider a report regarding traffic speeds and safety measures in Longside, following a petition from local residents. The report pack includes the Longside Traffic Speeds and Safety Measures report, as well as an Integrated Impact Assessment. The petition requested effective measures to slow down traffic in Longside, including the installation of a crossing and the reinstatement of reduce speed signs. The report notes that traffic counts were undertaken in Longside in April 2023, and a subsequent pedestrian crossing assessment was carried out. The report also refers to Aberdeenshire Council's implementation of the Scottish Government's national 20mph programme in September 2025, and Longside's inclusion in this rollout. The report also mentions Aberdeenshire Council's Road Markings Policy, and particularly the points relating to reinstatement within an urban environment, with respect to the request for refreshed road markings on Main Street, Longside.

Peterhead Projects

The committee will receive an update on key Aberdeenshire Council-led or facilitated projects in Peterhead. The report pack includes the Update - Peterhead Projects report. The update will focus on the delivery of the Peterhead Community Campus and the Peterhead Cultural Quarter. The report notes that the planning application for the Academy and associated community facilities to be provided at the Kinmundy site is now available on the council's website (APP/2025/1389). The report also notes that work continues to be focused on tendering for work packages in order to conclude the financial arrangements associated with the development of the new museum and library at the Arbuthnot House site and ensure Best Value.

Planning Applications

The committee will consider the following planning applications:

• APP/2024/1850 - Land to the East of Bridgefoot Gaval, Mintlaw - Full Planning Permission for Change of Use of Agricultural Building to Storage and Distribution (Class 6), Siting of Storage Container and Erection of Boundary Fence (Retrospective). The planning service is recommending that planning permission be refused.
• APP/2025/0345 - Site at Alexander Bell Place, New Pitsligo - Planning Permission in Principle for Erection of Care Home (Class 8 - Residential Institutions) and Community Garden. The planning service is recommending that planning permission be granted. Two letters of representation have been received in relation to this application (APP20250345 - Reps.pdf). An Integrated Impact Assessment has been carried out in relation to this application.
• APP/2025/1138 - Site at Corse View, Hythie, Mintlaw - Full Planning Permission for Erection of Dwellinghouse. The planning service is recommending that planning permission be granted. Two letters of representation have been received in relation to this application (APP20251138 - Reps.pdf).

Strichen School and Nursery Class Inspection Report

The committee will be asked to comment on the Education Scotland inspection report for Strichen School and Nursery Class. The report pack includes the Education Scotland Inspection Report - Strichen School and Nursery Class, as well as the inspection report itself (Appendix 1). The inspection team found the following strengths in the school's work:

• The effective headteacher who is supported well by staff.
• Children who are welcoming, friendly, polite and proud of their school and nursery.
• The welcoming, nurturing, caring and inclusive ethos which is underpinned effectively by children's rights.
• The positive opportunities for children to develop a wide range of skills through a variety of clubs, councils and groups across the school. The following areas for improvement were identified:
• The headteacher and staff need to develop further approaches to school improvement planning across the school and nursery.
• Staff in the school should continue to develop consistently high-quality approaches to planning for learning, teaching and assessment across the curriculum.
• In the nursery, the senior early years practitioner and nursery team, supported by the headteacher should review the flow and structure of the nursery day.

Other items

The committee will also be asked to consider the following items:

• Draft BAC Minute of 16 09 25 - To approve the minute of the previous meeting.
• Statement of Business as at 26 09 25 - Report - To review the statement of outstanding business. The report pack also includes an appendix relating to procurement (Item 4 - Statement of Business as at 26 09 25 - Procurement - Appendix).
• Statement of equalities - To consider the council's public sector equality duty.