Full council met last week to discuss a range of issues.

Provost Jill Webster opened the meeting by reflecting on some of the successes celebrated by the council this year. This included the council being named as Scottish Transport Authority of the Year for the third time and a Lifetime Contribution award to the council’s former director of infrastructure services, Iain Gabriel, in recognition of 38 years of public service. Good wishes were offered to all Aberdeenshire Olympic hopefuls, in particular Garioch swimmer Hannah Miley as she competes in the 2012 London Olympic Games. Aberdeenshire is also looking forward to welcoming the Olympic team from Camaroon ahead of the games, with the first warm-up match against Northern Ireland Women’s team in Turriff on July 8th.

Formal business included a discussion about the use of Fairtrade products in Aberdeenshire Council. Aberdeenshire Council already supports Fairtrade and it was agreed to include a selection of ethical products including Fairtrade in all council offices.

Head of Finance Alan Wood presented the council’s financial results for the year to 31st March 2012. He advised that the unaudited accounts showed an underspend of £20 million, generated through the consistent and proactive management of budgets across all services. Cllr Kitts-Hayes, Deputy Leader, agreed that members welcomed the report and that it showed the council was operating more effectively and efficiently. Councillors agreed to use the savings in three ways; to top up reserves, to enable services to complete projects started last year and to invest in key priority areas. The six key areas are:

Invest in our towns and villages creating better places to live and work;

Provide assistance to small and medium sized businesses helping our economy to flourish;

Boost the tourism and hospitality industries, attracting visitors and inward investment;

Increase pre-school and nursery provision improving the life chances of all children;

Increase care at home services for older people;

Accelerate plans to improve roads, provide affordable housing and replace schools and care homes.