The Formartine Area Committee of Aberdeenshire Council met on Tuesday, 09 June 2026. The meeting included the presentation of year-end performance monitoring reports for Education and Children's Services and Environment and Infrastructure Services, alongside a discussion on the Business Services' performance indicators. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a contentious planning application for a sand and gravel quarry at Middleton Farm, Potterton, which was ultimately approved with amendments. The committee also agreed on the budget allocation for Formartine Community Council grants for the upcoming financial year.

Ithin Cycle Club Recognised for Ellen Weald Park Project

The meeting began with a special recognition for the Ithin Cycle Club, represented by Colin Allen, Ally Hall-Bailey, and Alan Smith. They were nominated for a Pride of Formatting Award for their instrumental role in the Ellen Weald Park project. Councillor Isobel Davidson, who nominated the group, highlighted their extensive involvement, from consultation and fundraising to overseeing construction. Colin Allen spoke about the club's evolution since 1987, expanding to include thriving children's and disabled sections, and expressed gratitude for the award. He also noted that the project is only two-thirds complete, with plans for a skate park still to be realised.

ECS Year-End Performance Monitoring

Laurence Findlay, Director of Education & Children's Services, presented the year-end performance monitoring report for Education and Children's Services (ECS). He noted a mixed performance, with half of the measures meeting targets and half falling short, indicating a need for focused improvement. Strengths included strong foundation apprenticeship outcomes, high levels of volunteering through Live Life Aberdeenshire services, and a well-maintained estate. However, key challenges were identified, including a reduction in positive post-school destinations, a decline in literacy attainment at primary stages, and reduced participation in LLA services. Councillor Louise McAllister raised concerns about the decline in positive destinations, particularly in the Formartine area, and questioned whether this reflected a genuine decrease or issues with recording. Mr Findlay explained that this trend was seen across Aberdeenshire and could be attributed to increasing numbers of pupils struggling with engagement due to well-being and mental health issues, as well as an anecdotal rise in pupils taking gap years or moving out of Scotland. The committee agreed to acknowledge the progress and instruct the Director to continue presenting six-monthly performance reports.

Environment and Infrastructure Services Performance Report

Alan Wood, Director of Environment and Infrastructure Services, presented the Q3 and Q4 performance update for Environment and Infrastructure Services (EIS). He reported a return to more stable performance, with eight out of ten indicators on target. Performance had improved compared to the previous year, with more indicators meeting targets. Strengths were noted in planning determination times and homelessness resolution times. However, two indicators were flagged as red : average weeks taken to determine householder developments and void rent loss. Councillor Louise McAllister inquired about the factors contributing to void rent loss and the timeframe for property turnaround. Mr Wood explained that it was a mixture of matching tenants, necessary repairs, and utility reconnection issues, with improved relationships with current and prospective tenants helping to reduce relet times. Councillor John Crawley commented on the planning application determination times, noting that while slightly over target, it was an improvement given previous staffing challenges. Councillor Davidson asked about streetlight faults, specifically if the structural issues leading to column removal were contributing to the faults. Mr Wood clarified that while structural integrity was the primary reason for removal, faults could stem from various issues, including bulbs, heads, and wiring.

Formartine Area Committee Budget 2026-2027

Claire, introducing the proposals for the Formartine Area Committee Budget for 2026-2027, highlighted a significant reduction in the total budget to £17,800. This necessitated a revised approach to fund allocation. The proposals included a reduced sum for the Improving Towns and Villages Fund, with smaller grants available to allow for a wider spread of funding. A general projects fund would remain, with a reduced maximum grant of £2,000 and a requirement for 50% match funding. To improve efficiency, the determination of applications would be delegated to the Area Manager in consultation with the Chair, Vice-Chair, and relevant local members. Councillor Andrew Hassan thanked those who provided detailed feedback on previous fund usage. The committee agreed to the recommendations.

Formartine Area Community Council Funding 2026-2027

Claire presented the proposals for the Formartine Community Council grants for 2026-2027. She noted that a baseline figure of £600 per Community Council, plus a per capita allocation, would continue. An exercise was underway to gather data on Community Council administrative costs to better understand future funding needs. Councillor Jenny Nicol requested a deferral of this item, citing concerns from community councils regarding potential new charges for lets from ECS and LLA services. She suggested that a workshop on these changes, scheduled for the following week, could provide valuable insight before approving the funding. Councillor Anne Stirling and Councillor Louise McAllister supported the deferral, agreeing that more information was needed to understand the implications for community groups. It was clarified that the detailed assessment of Community Council spend would take several months and would not be completed by the next meeting. The committee agreed to defer the decision on community council funding until the next meeting to gather more information on the let charges.

Business Services Performance Indicator Report

Rob Simpson, Director of Business Services, presented the year-end performance indicator report for Business Services. He reported that out of 15 indicators, seven were green (on track), one was amber (off target), and seven were data-only. Strengths were noted in customer services call wait times and call abandonment rates, as well as benefit processing times and asset condition. The amber indicator related to the suitability of operational buildings. Councillor Hassan commended the directorate team, particularly the customer services team, for their positive report and performance despite increased call volumes. Councillor Johnston inquired about how the satisfactory condition figures for buildings were calculated, specifically if properties up for sale or taken out of service were included. Mr Simpson stated he would check with his team and circulate the response. Councillor Paul Johnston also asked if the suitability figures included measures of emissions and contribution towards climate targets, which Mr Simpson confirmed they did not, but that this could be explored for future reporting. The committee acknowledged and considered the report and agreed to the recommendation for six-monthly performance reports.

Planning Application for Quarry at Middleton Farm, Potterton

The committee then turned to a highly anticipated planning application for the formation of a quarry for the extraction of sand and gravel at Middleton Farm, Potterton. Victoria, introducing the item, detailed the proposal, including the site area, extraction volumes, and phased development plan. She highlighted that no processing would occur on-site, with all material transported to Loch Hills Quarry. A significant number of objections, 77 in total, had been received, with concerns raised by Belhelvie Community Council regarding road suitability, dust, and air quality.

During the discussion, councillors raised numerous questions regarding road safety, particularly the suitability of the unclassified road (U17C) for HGV traffic, the effectiveness of proposed passing places, and the potential for cumulative impacts with the adjacent battery storage facility. Concerns were also raised about noise, dust, visual impact, and the loss of prime agricultural land.

Mr Rob Westall, representing the applicant Leiths (Scotland) Limited, addressed the committee, emphasizing the need for sand and gravel reserves in Aberdeenshire and the company's commitment to local employment and economic contribution. He assured the committee that only one lorry would be used for transport to Loch Hills Quarry, and that all vehicles would be clearly branded and driven by Leiths employees, with a mandatory left turn from the site.

Several objectors, including Ms Gwendolyn Pirrie and Miss Emma Dawson, presented their cases, reiterating concerns about road safety, environmental impacts, health risks from dust, and the cumulative effect of industrial development in the green belt. Miss Dawson, a resident of Newton Hill Farm, highlighted the severe blind spots on the access road and the potential for tree roots to undermine existing infrastructure.

Following extensive debate and questions, Councillor Jenny Nicol moved to refuse the application, citing concerns about road safety, the lack of physical engineering to enforce left turns, and the conflict with National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) policies regarding green belt protection and infrastructure. Councillor Paul Johnston seconded the motion, echoing concerns about the road network and the principle of industrial development in the green belt.

Councillor Alistair Forsyth then moved an amendment to approve the application, subject to conditions including a traffic management plan and further discussion on tree species. Councillor Isobel Davidson seconded the amendment.

With a tied vote of five votes to five, the Chair, Councillor Iain Taylor, used their casting vote to support the amendment, meaning the application was approved.

Following the decision, Councillor Andrew Hassan requested an informal session with Roads officers to discuss how their consultation responses are formulated, given the apparent conflict between the Roads Development Service's initial assessment and the concerns raised during the debate. Councillors Paul Johnston and Anne Stirling supported this, suggesting a broader discussion on consistency in planning decision-making. The committee agreed to table this for a future informal session.