The School Placings and Exclusions Appeals Committee of Aberdeenshire Council met on Wednesday 10 June 2026. The meeting was scheduled to consider three placing appeals relating to Meldrum Academy.

Placing Appeals for Meldrum Academy

The committee was scheduled to consider three placing appeals, identified as E 1041, E 1046, and E 1051, all relating to Meldrum Academy. These items were designated as exempt from public disclosure under paragraph 5 of the relevant schedule, indicating that they involved information concerning the adoption, care, fostering, education, or supervision of a particular child. The report pack provided details for each appeal, covering pages 6 to 47 of the document.

Public Sector Equality Duty

The committee was scheduled to consider and potentially adopt a resolution regarding the Public Sector Equality Duty. This duty, outlined in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010¹, requires public bodies to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, and victimisation; advance equality of opportunity between those with and without protected characteristics; and foster good relations between such groups. The protected characteristics include age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. The report pack included guidance for members on how to discharge this duty, emphasizing the importance of consciously considering these needs when making decisions and taking into account the contents of any Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) provided.

Meeting Procedure and Exempt Information

The meeting agenda also included procedural items such as the appointment of a Chair, the confirmation of attendance, and the admission of observers. A resolution was to be considered regarding the exclusion of the public and media representatives from specific agenda items (Items 6, 7, and 8) on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information. This exclusion would be enacted under Section 50A (4) and (5) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973². The procedure for remote meetings, utilising Microsoft Teams, was also outlined, detailing the steps for introducing attendees, presenting cases, questioning witnesses, and summing up.