The Infrastructure Services Committee met on Thursday 18 June 2026 to approve the terms of reference for a new Transportation Member Officer Working Group and to discuss the Roads and Infrastructure Capital Programmes of Work for 2026-27. The committee also noted several minutes from previous sub-committee meetings.

Transportation Member Officer Working Group Terms of Reference Approved

The committee approved the Terms of Reference for the newly established Transportation Member Officer Working Group (MOWG). This group aims to streamline governance and provide strategic oversight for transportation services across Aberdeenshire. It will operate as an advisory body, with no delegated decision-making powers, and will report to the Infrastructure Services Committee every six months. Councillor Anne Stirling, Council Co-Leader, supported the proposal, noting that the membership would be eight, in line with proportionality. Councillor Stephen Smith also agreed with the suggestion of an eight-member group and clarified that named substitutes would not be on the MOWG, but notification of who was substituting for whom would be provided. Councillor Isobel Davidson raised concerns about the clarity of the reporting process, suggesting that MOWG minutes could take a long time to be presented to committees. The committee agreed to delegate the decision-making on the final terms of reference to the Chair, Vice-Chair, and opposition spokesperson. The remit of the A947 Route Improvement Strategy Member Officer Working Group will be incorporated into the new Transportation MOWG for a period of 12 months, after which its future will be reviewed.

Noting of Previous Minutes

The committee noted the minutes of several previous meetings: the Harbour Sub-Committee meetings of 3 July 2025 and 10 September 2025, the North East Scotland Fisheries Development Partnership meeting of 10 October 2025, and the Aberdeen City Region Deal Joint Committee meeting of 13 February 2026.

Roads and Infrastructure Capital Programmes of Work 2026-27

The committee considered the prioritised lists of capital works for 2026-27 for Roads and Infrastructure. The report detailed the proposed allocation of £6,000,000 for Roads Resurfacing and Reconstruction, £250,000 for Road Drainage, £200,000 for Street Lighting Works, £3,000,000 for Bridges & Structures, £1,350,000 for Harbours, £75,000 for Coast Protection, and £197,000 for Flooding.

The committee noted the comments made by Area Committees regarding capital priorities and the service's responses. The prioritised lists for Major Maintenance, Resurfacing and Surface Treatment, Drainage Works, Street Lighting Column Replacements, Bridges, Flood Risk and Coast Protection, and Harbours were agreed. An interactive map of the 2026-27 Road Maintenance Programme was also made available.

Speed Management Review Update

The committee received an update on the development of a revised Speed Management framework. This new approach moves away from a purely rules-based system to one centred on risk assessment, incorporating the likelihood and severity of consequences arising from driver error, and the interaction between vehicles and vulnerable road users. It also introduces a structured place-based assessment, complementing traditional engineering inputs by considering pedestrian activity, community severance, amenity, and perceptions of safety. This revised methodology aligns with the Scottish Government's Safe System approach and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) guidance. The committee acknowledged the update and endorsed the approach, agreeing that officers would develop the detailed Policy and Procedures to support the framework.

Fleet Services Strategic Plan 2020-2030 Update

An update was provided on the progress of the Fleet Services Strategic Plan 2020-2030, highlighting the estimated reduction in fleet-based emissions and the potential replacement profiles. The report noted the challenges in transitioning to zero-emission vehicles, particularly concerning cost, infrastructure, availability, and operational suitability, especially for heavy vehicles in Aberdeenshire's unique geographical context. The committee was informed that the 2025 Scottish Government target for phasing out petrol and diesel cars from the public sector fleet had been revised, with a focus now on the Net Zero by 2045 target.

A risk assessment identified key challenges, including insufficient electrical capacity and charging infrastructure at depots, insufficient capital funding for fleet replacement and infrastructure, and limitations in zero-emission technology for heavy vehicles. The committee considered the potential use of hybrid vehicles and alternative fuels like Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as interim solutions. The committee was asked to approve the updated strategic approach to fleet replacement, including the risk assessment, and to agree that officers would finalise a fleet replacement investment schedule, including indicative infrastructure requirements and capital implications, for further consideration.

Environment and Infrastructure Services Directorate Strategic Plan 2026-27

The committee considered and endorsed the Environment and Infrastructure Services Directorate Strategic Plan 2026-2027. The plan outlines the Directorate's vision, priorities, and performance measures, demonstrating its contribution to the Council Plan Priorities 2024-2029. The plan focuses on sustainability, resilience, and measurable goals, with key priorities including the delivery of efficient and sustainable services, investment in the workforce, infrastructure, and digital capability, innovation and continuous improvement, strong governance and compliance, collaboration with partners and communities, and the delivery of long-term impact. The committee agreed that officers would present Directorate Strategic Plan performance reports on a six-monthly basis.

Roads and Infrastructure Capital Programmes of Work 2026-27

The committee considered the prioritised lists of capital works for 2026-27 for Roads and Infrastructure. The report detailed the proposed allocation of £6,000,000 for Roads Resurfacing and Reconstruction, £250,000 for Road Drainage, £200,000 for Street Lighting Works, £3,000,000 for Bridges & Structures, £1,350,000 for Harbours, £75,000 for Coast Protection, and £197,000 for Flooding.

The committee noted the comments made by Area Committees regarding capital priorities and the service's responses. The prioritised lists for Major Maintenance, Resurfacing and Surface Treatment, Drainage Works, Street Lighting Column Replacements, Bridges, Flood Risk and Coast Protection, and Harbours were agreed. An interactive map of the 2026-27 Road Maintenance Programme was also made available.

Speed Management Review Update

The committee received an update on the development of a revised Speed Management framework. This new approach moves away from a purely rules-based system to one centred on risk assessment, incorporating the likelihood and severity of consequences arising from driver error, and the interaction between vehicles and vulnerable road users. It also introduces a structured place-based assessment, complementing traditional engineering inputs by considering pedestrian activity, community severance, amenity, and perceptions of safety. This revised methodology aligns with the Scottish Government's Safe System approach and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) guidance. The committee acknowledged the update and endorsed the approach, agreeing that officers would develop the detailed Policy and Procedures to support the framework.

Fleet Services Strategic Plan 2020-2030 Update

An update was provided on the progress of the Fleet Services Strategic Plan 2020-2030, highlighting the estimated reduction in fleet-based emissions and the potential replacement profiles. The report noted the challenges in transitioning to zero-emission vehicles, particularly concerning cost, infrastructure, availability, and operational suitability, especially for heavy vehicles in Aberdeenshire's unique geographical context. The committee was informed that the 2025 Scottish Government target for phasing out petrol and diesel cars from the public sector fleet had been revised, with a focus now on the Net Zero by 2045 target.

A risk assessment identified key challenges, including insufficient electrical capacity and charging infrastructure at depots, insufficient capital funding for fleet replacement and infrastructure, and limitations in zero-emission technology for heavy vehicles. The committee considered the potential use of hybrid vehicles and alternative fuels like Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as interim solutions. The committee was asked to approve the updated strategic approach to fleet replacement, including the risk assessment, and to agree that officers would finalise a fleet replacement investment schedule, including indicative infrastructure requirements and capital implications, for further consideration.

Environment and Infrastructure Services Directorate Strategic Plan 2026-27

The committee considered and endorsed the Environment and Infrastructure Services Directorate Strategic Plan 2026-2027. The plan outlines the Directorate's vision, priorities, and performance measures, demonstrating its contribution to the Council Plan Priorities 2024-2029. The plan focuses on sustainability, resilience, and measurable goals, with key priorities including the delivery of efficient and sustainable services, investment in the workforce, infrastructure, and digital capability, innovation and continuous improvement, strong governance and compliance, collaboration with partners and communities, and the delivery of long-term impact. The committee agreed that officers would present Directorate Strategic Plan performance reports on a six-monthly basis.