The Business Services Committee of Aberdeenshire Council met on Thursday, 5 March 2026, to discuss financial performance, carbon budget updates, policy reviews, and the Scotland Excel annual report. Key decisions included approving budget virements and noting the progress on carbon reduction targets.

Business Services Financial Performance 2025/26

The committee received an update on the financial performance of the Business Services Directorate for the third quarter of the financial year 2025/26. The directorate is forecasting an underspend of £2.483 million against its budget. This positive position has been achieved through diligent cost management across various services, including significant savings in Finance due to a faster-than-anticipated move to Universal Credit and unfilled vacancies pending a review of the department's structure. There is also a projected underspend in Estates and Property Construction Services, attributed to vacant posts.

However, the report highlighted a High Risk associated with achieving the remaining £400,000 of Transformation and Efficiency savings required to meet the overall target. The committee was also informed of a capital programme overspend of £442,000, largely due to an opportunistic purchase of a depot site in the Inverurie area, which is expected to yield long-term benefits. Risks related to energy price volatility and inflation were also noted, with ongoing monitoring in place. The committee approved budget virements as detailed in Appendix 5 and agreed to receive regular performance reports.

Carbon Budget 2025-26 Final Update

The committee reviewed the final update on progress towards the Carbon Budget for 2025-26. The Business Services Directorate exceeded its target for carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) savings, achieving 1,810 tCO2e against a target of 1,432 tCO2e. This success was primarily driven by the implementation of the Heating Policy, alongside savings from asset disposals and upgrades to more efficient plant components, including the installation of photovoltaic (PV) systems. Future savings are expected to be linked to asset disposals and the availability of budget for lifecycle maintenance and upgrades. Councillor Gwyneth Petrie raised a specific query about the delayed installation of PVs at Huntly Pool, which Emma Plunkett, Facilities Manager, explained was due to roof conditions and would be carried forward to the next financial year.

Policy Register Annual Review 2025 - Business Services Committee

Rob Simpson, Director of Business Services, presented the annual review of policies delegated to the committee. The report indicated that out of 21 policies, 17 were rated green (recently reviewed or new), one was amber (between 3-4 years old), and seven were red (over four years old and due for review). The committee was asked to acknowledge the reviewed policies, agree on proposed plans for reviewing those that are expired or approaching their review date, and identify any gaps in the Council's policy framework. A notable policy flagged for review is the Corporate Asset Plan Policy, which will transition into a strategic plan rather than a formal policy document.

Scotland Excel Annual Report 2024-25

The committee received the annual value report from Scotland Excel, the national centre of procurement expertise for Scottish local government. Craig Guinness, Head of Service, Commercial and Procurement, presented the report, highlighting that Aberdeenshire Council spent £37,978,882 on Scotland Excel frameworks during the 2024-25 period. This expenditure resulted in estimated direct price-based savings of £156,950, price versus market savings of £116,267, and collaborative cost avoidance of £125,000. The council also received £99,015 in rebates, yielding a Return on Investment (ROI) of 3.77.

Councillor Mark Findlater inquired about the absence of Scotland Excel associate members in the Aberdeenshire Council area, to which Mr. Guinness responded that while the opportunity is promoted, there has been no uptake to date. Councillor Gwyneth Petrie asked about increasing local supplier spend through Scotland Excel contracts, and Mr. Guinness confirmed this is an ongoing consideration and influence. The report detailed community benefits delivered, including work experience hours and apprenticeships, and noted that 94% of local suppliers in the Aberdeenshire area are paying the Real Living Wage. Councillor Peter Chapman asked for clarification on magic notes, which Rob Simpson explained is an artificial intelligence tool used by social work services for transcription. The committee was recommended to note the Scotland Excel Annual Value Report.

Statement of Outstanding Business

Rob Simpson, Director of Business Services, provided an update on outstanding actions from previous meetings. It was proposed that two items be closed: workshops on transformation activity, with sessions commencing that afternoon, and additional information requested around salary overpayments, as the relevant information had been provided. The item relating to local supplier information for procurement will remain open, with a briefing to be issued before the June committee meeting. The committee agreed to remove items one and three from the outstanding business list, subject to follow-on reports for item three.

Minute of the Meeting of 8 January 2026

The committee approved the minute of the previous meeting held on 8 January 2026 as a correct record of proceedings.

Minute of the Licensing Sub-Committee Meeting of 12 December 2025

The committee noted the minute of the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting held on 12 December 2025.