Aberdeenshire Council has successfully managed millions of pounds in external investment over the past financial year, according to a report presented to the Infrastructure Services Committee.

The council's Economic Development Service played a central role in securing and administering these funds, which primarily originated from the UK and Scottish Governments.

Key allocations managed by the team included:

• £4.9 million from the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund.

• £946,000 from the Scottish Government's Rural Community Led Local Development Fund.

• £377,000 from Crown Estate Scotland's Coastal Communities Challenge Fund.

The team processed over 100 grant applications and 200 claims, resulting in approximately £3.8 million supporting 130 individual projects. These initiatives ranged from heritage site enhancements at Banff Castle and Stonehaven Tolbooth Museum to the creation of sports facilities in towns such as Ellon, Inverurie, and Peterhead.

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Further successes included securing an additional £500,000 for Levelling Up Fund projects in Macduff and Peterhead, adding to the £11.5 million already designated for the 2024–25 period. The council is also facilitating the long-term Neighbourhood Plan for Towns, which involves a £20 million investment in Peterhead over the next decade.

Infrastructure Services Committee chair Cllr Alan Turner praised the results, stating: "This is an excellent example of how effective partnership working and strong financial management can bring real benefits to Aberdeenshire. Whether it's a multi-million-pound investment or a smaller community grant, external funding can make a huge difference to local facilities, services and opportunities."

Looking toward the future, the council plans to introduce a "continuous improvement project" to streamline the grant application process. Cllr Turner added: "The work of the Investments and Projects Team has helped turn funding into tangible improvements that people can see and feel in their communities."

The diverse range of supported projects included energy efficiency upgrades for community halls, path developments in Aboyne and Banchory, and essential employability and skills training programmes across the region.