Following months of research, engagement and conversations, the plan has 11 priorities which will provide the direction and shape of services over the next five years.

It will allow officers to direct resources towards delivering on the priorities which have been identified as the most important things required to deliver the sort of Aberdeenshire we all aspire to create.

There are significant challenges ahead, most notably the financial pressures as the Scottish Government cuts funding support and caps increases in council tax. Earlier this year the forecast revenue overspend for 2018/19 was £12,495,000. That is plainly not acceptable and strenuous efforts will have to be made to balance the budget. Difficult times lie ahead.