The Infrastructure Services Committee met on Thursday 19 March 2026 to discuss financial performance, flood protection studies for Kemnay and Kintore, and updates on transport transformation initiatives. Key decisions included approving the preferred options for the Kemnay and Kintore flood protection schemes for funding applications and noting progress on safer routes to school and ASN school transport.

Financial Performance 2025/26

The committee received an update on the financial performance of Infrastructure Services for the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. The overall forecast position indicated an overspend of £2.493 million by the end of the financial year. This was primarily driven by pressures within the waste and recycling service, which was forecast to be £2.2 million over budget, largely due to operational issues at the Ness Energy from Waste Plant¹. Other significant pressures included additional costs related to the Energy from Waste plant contract and costs incurred in response to severe weather in early January.

While some budget lines, such as development management, economic development, and landscape services, were reported to be within budget, the committee noted the overall overspend. The report detailed the progress on agreed savings, with £0.673 million achieved to date and £3.609 million on track. However, £0.750 million in savings were identified as being at risk of not being fully achieved this financial year, primarily relating to the switch-off of residual street lights.

Capital expenditure for the Infrastructure Services Capital Plan was £11.432 million (24.3% of the budget) by the end of December 2025. The forecast capital expenditure for the year was £41.987 million, indicating an under-budget position of £5.086 million. Several capital projects were noted as having anticipated delays or slippage into the next financial year, including the Fetteresso Cemetery project, bus shelters, and various road network projects such as bridges and resurfacing.

The committee also reviewed the Budget Risk Register, highlighting high-risk areas such as additional income pressures from planning applications and building warrants, the ongoing impact of climate change on services, and the aging fleet requiring increased maintenance. Corporate risks, including energy prices, inflation, and the achievement of service and procurement savings, were also discussed.

The committee agreed to approve budget virements detailed in Appendix 5 and to receive regular performance reports and updates on actions taken to mitigate potential pressures.

Planning & Economy Member Officer Working Group - Updated Terms of Reference

The committee considered the updated Terms of Reference for the Planning & Economy Member Officer Working Group (MOWG). This group acts as an interface between members and officers for the consideration of strategic and policy-related issues within the Planning and Economy Service, including planning, economic development, environmental health, trading standards, and roads development policy. The MOWG is not a decision-making body. The updated terms were agreed in consultation with group members and legal services. The committee noted the updated terms and agreed that minutes from the MOWG would be reported for noting at future Infrastructure Services Committee meetings.

Committee Review Process Stage 1 - Internal Audit Report 2504 Landscape Services

This report provided a detailed assessment of the recommendations from the Internal Audit Report 2504 concerning Landscape Services. The audit had identified weaknesses in procurement governance, budgetary control, internal recharges, and fees and charges. Since the audit, the service had implemented a structured Improvement Plan, working closely with Finance and senior management.

Key actions taken included strengthening procurement governance through standardised arrangements, refreshed staff training, and the use of compliant frameworks. Budgetary control had been improved through joint Finance and Service meetings, enhanced monthly reporting, and access to Power BI finance dashboards. Processes for internal recharges had been revised for greater timeliness and accuracy, and a comprehensive review of fees and charges had commenced, with a draft Memorial Bench and Tree Policy being developed. Staff engagement through the Reshape process had also aimed to embed clearer roles, responsibilities, and budget management.

The committee was asked to consider whether the Stage 1 scrutiny report provided sufficient assurance or if a Stage 2 workshop was required. Following discussion, the committee expressed assurance and agreed to proceed with the recommendations as presented.

Kemnay Flood Protection Study - Preferred Options

The committee reviewed the preferred options for the Kemnay Flood Protection Study, commissioned following significant flooding in January 2016. The study identified two preferred options: Option 1, an embankment and flood wall at Kembhill Park, and Option 2b, a Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) storage basin at Milton Meadows.

Option 1, estimated to cost approximately £974,453, would provide protection up to a 1 in 200-year flood event and protect up to 55 properties. Option 2b, estimated at £906,847, would provide protection up to a 1 in 100-year event plus climate change, protecting up to 9 properties. The combined scheme was estimated to cost £1,881,300 with a Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) of 1.35.

While Option 1 received positive public feedback, Option 2b generated mixed responses, with concerns raised about the loss of amenity space and the location of the SuDS basin. The committee was asked to approve the combination of Option 1 and Option 2b to form the basis of an application for funding to the Scottish Government for prioritisation. The committee agreed to approve this combination.

Kintore Flood Protection Study - Preferred Options

The committee considered the preferred options for the Kintore Flood Protection Study, which identified significant flood risk from the River Don, Tuach Burn, Torry Burn, and Loch Burn. The study identified approximately 370 people and 200 homes and businesses at risk, projected to increase due to climate change.

Out of twelve options appraised, only Option 3 (upstream storage on the Sheriff Burn) and Option 9 (direct flood defences via flood walls at Macallan Road) achieved a positive benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 2.4. Option 3 provides protection up to a 1 in 100-year flood event and would protect up to 28 properties, while Option 9 also provides 1 in 100-year protection and would protect up to 21 properties. Both options were well-received during stakeholder engagement and public exhibitions.

The committee agreed to approve the combination of Option 3 and Option 9 to create the Kintore Flood Scheme as the basis for an application for funding to the Scottish Government.

Transport Transformation Update Report

The committee received an update on the Transport Transformation workstream, focusing on school transport and community transport. Progress was noted on the Safer Routes to School project, with three routes identified as safe for accompanied walking, leading to exploration of withdrawing discretionary school transport. Consultation plans for these routes were presented.

Significant progress was also reported on the ASN (Additional Support Needs) School Transport project, with the digitisation of the PTU 500 application process showing overwhelmingly positive initial feedback from pilot clusters. A full rollout across all clusters is planned from April 2026.

The committee was asked to approve proposed changes to transport-related governance, including the disbandment of the Passenger Transport Network Review MOWG and the A947 Route Improvement Strategy MOWG. Their remits, along with that of the School Transport MOWG, would be incorporated into a single, streamlined Transportation Member Officer Working Group (TMOWG). Formal decisions on school transport would continue to be made by the Education and Children's Services Committee.

Delays were noted on the Mobility Data project due to external dependencies, but the dashboard had been delivered, and training completed, with the next phase focusing on data-led decision-making.

Minutes of Meetings for Noting

The committee agreed to note the minutes of the Aberdeen City Region Deal Joint Committee meeting of 7 November 2025 and the Waste Management Working Group meeting of 17 September 2025.

Exempt Business

The committee moved into exempt session to discuss items 13 and 14, which involved the likely disclosure of exempt information.

Transport Transformation Update Report

The committee received an update on the Transport Transformation workstream, focusing on school transport and community transport. Progress was noted on the Safer Routes to School project, with three routes identified as safe for accompanied walking, leading to exploration of withdrawing discretionary school transport. Consultation plans for these routes were presented.

Significant progress was also reported on the ASN (Additional Support Needs) School Transport project, with the digitisation of the PTU 500 application process showing overwhelmingly positive initial feedback from pilot clusters. A full rollout across all clusters is planned from April 2026.

The committee was asked to approve proposed changes to transport-related governance, including the disbandment of the Passenger Transport Network Review MOWG and the A947 Route Improvement Strategy MOWG. Their remits, along with that of the School Transport MOWG, would be incorporated into a single, streamlined Transportation Member Officer Working Group (TMOWG). Formal decisions on school transport would continue to be made by the Education and Children's Services Committee.

Delays were noted on the Mobility Data project due to external dependencies, but the dashboard had been delivered, and training completed, with the next phase focusing on data-led decision-making.

Minutes of Meetings for Noting

The committee agreed to note the minutes of the Aberdeen City Region Deal Joint Committee meeting of 7 November 2025 and the Waste Management Working Group meeting of 17 September 2025.

Exempt Business

The committee moved into exempt session to discuss items 13 and 14, which involved the likely disclosure of exempt information.