News

Views sought on new active travel route linking Ellon, Foveran and Newburgh

Aberdeenshire Council is seeking community feedback on a proposed new active travel route linking Ellon, Foveran and Newburgh

Switchover of traffic from old bridge to new Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge

Traffic has today (Friday) begun using the new bridge at Gairnshiel, replacing the old bridge after 271 years of faithful service.

Braemar Medical Practice: Dr Cruickshank to end NHS Grampian contract

The Braemar Practice, which provides care to just over 700 patients, has given notice of the intention to hand back the contract with NHS Grampian to provide General Medical Services, on 5th December 2023.

Another bumper year for SQA exam entries

Pupils across Aberdeenshire have today (Tuesday) received their SQA assessment results.

Economic development plans for Aberdeenshire harbours

Aberdeenshire Council has commissioned MKA Economics to prepare economic development plans for seven harbours. They are now surveying the views of individuals, groups, and businesses.

Aberdeenshire Council launches Rural Communities Challenge Fund 2023/24

The Aberdeenshire Local Action Group’s Rural Communities Challenge Fund 2023-24 is now live and open for applications.

Peterhead Transport Interchange reopens to customers following improvement works

Bus services have resumed at Peterhead’s transport interchange following the completion of a series of improvements to the facility.

New Head of Education appointed to Aberdeenshire Council

Aberdeenshire Council has welcomed its new Head of Education and Chief Education Officer.

Consultation begins on developing new economic development plans for Aberdeenshire Council harbours

A consultation has begun around the creation of robust new economic development plans for all seven harbours operated by Aberdeenshire Council.

Committee round-up: Communities Committee 1.6.23

Efforts to bring empty properties back into use, an update on mental health services in Aberdeenshire, and closer working with a tenant organisation were among matters discussed at the meeting of Aberdeenshire Council’s Communities Committee on Thursday, June 1.

Housing service wants volunteers for tenant working groups

Aberdeenshire Council’s Housing Service wants volunteers for tenant working groups to look at future priorities to be included in the Housing Revenue Account business plan.

Minister gets an overview of significant regeneration efforts and commercial growth in Fraserburgh

Aberdeenshire Council was delighted to host a visit to Fraserburgh today (Wed, July 12) by Scottish Government Minister Joe FitzPatrick.

Stonehaven Clock Tower reopens to the public following programme of improvements

Stonehaven Clock Tower has been reopened to the public following a raft of improvements undertaken by Aberdeenshire Council.

Inspiring Aberdeenshire 2023 finalists

Some incredible Aberdeenshire residents and groups have been selected as finalists for this year Inspiring Aberdeenshire awards.

Paper, card, and cardboard recycling of excellent quality for kerbside rollout

Thanks to diligent households separating their paper, card, and cardboard at the kerbside in Aberdeenshire, recycling quality has improved, contamination is low, and the resulting clean fibre has avoided an additional costly sorting process.

New Machar School pupils top the leader board in Sumdog maths contest

New Machar School pupils are celebrating after scooping first prize in a challenging maths competition.

New mural by school pupils is unveiled

A new mural designed by pupils from Peterhead Academy has gone on show at Peterhead Family Centre.

Aberdeenshire Council voices support for possible ban of single use disposable vapes in Scotland

Aberdeenshire Council is to voice its support for a possible ban of single use disposable vapes in Scotland with the Scottish Government.

Aberdeenshire Bothy cycling project takes honour in Scottish Transport Awards

Aberdeenshire Council’s work to promote sustainability in transportation has been recognised at the 2023 Transport Times Scottish Transport Awards held in Glasgow on Thursday, June 22.

Pupils ‘go wild’ ahead of transition to big school

Pupils have been experiencing outdoor learning to help with the transition to big school.

Aberdeenshire Council seeking more feedback on household recycling centre trial

Aberdeenshire Council is seeking more feedback on its trial of changes to household recycling centre bookings, which has been ongoing since November 2022.

Donations help to grow commmunity composting projects

IPL UK is donating £1,000 to garden waste community composting projects in Johnshaven and Tarland as part of Aberdeenshire Council’s contract and tendering process.

From Cullen to St Cyrus – regional coastal path network will be a game-changer

Aberdeenshire Council is to develop a strategy to help in the development and future sustainable maintenance of a regional coastal path network.

Reducing waste and improving soil quality

Aberdeenshire councillors acknowledged the financial implications of adding more seasonal garden waste collection points into the region at the latest Infrastructure Services Committee on 15 June.

Aberdeenshire pre-school recognised as ‘excellent’

An Aberdeenshire pre-school has been rated “excellent” across the board after an inspection.

Aberdeenshire’s digital progress

Aberdeenshire Council area is the fastest improving area in Scotland in terms of digital transformation.

Bairns at Monymusk skweel scrieve an publish buik

Pupils at an Aberdeenshire primary school have written and published a book in the Doric dialect.

Children to have their say on new playpark equipment in Banff and Buchan communities

Children in two Banff and Buchan communities are being given the chance to have their say on what new playpark equipment they would like to see introduced in their villages.

Aberdeenshire nursery recognised as ‘excellent’

An Aberdeenshire Council nursery has been praised for its “warm, nurturing, exciting and stimulating environment� after an inspection.

Giant hogweed firmly on the menu for a flock of hungry sheep at Inverurie

A flock of hungry sheep have been introduced to an Inverurie riverside to munch on giant hogweed.

New website helps Aberdeenshire residents embrace community composting

A step-by-step guide on how to kickstart carbon-cutting community composting initiatives in Aberdeenshire is now available online.

Specialist Aberdeenshire Council team supporting Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children

Members of the Education and Children’s Services Committee have heard of the work in the shire with Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC).

Education and Children’s Services Committee round-up May 2023

A round-up from the Education and Children’s Services Committee of May 25.

Warm welcome for Education Service Business Plans, but concerns raised over probationary teacher allocations

Councillors have welcomed the development of a series of Heads of Service Business Plans for Aberdeenshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services.

The influence of Aberdeenshire’s children and young people on climate change

More than a thousand pupils across Aberdeenshire influenced the distribution of £41,000 to fund school projects related to climate change and carbon reduction.

Covid-inspired stone paintings unveiled at Fraserburgh Sports and Community Centre

A new colourful art installation has been unveiled at the Fraserburgh Sports and Community Centre.

Fraserburgh Academy through to national finals of debating competition

Fraserburgh Academy is the only state school in the UK to make the final of the Ethics Cup.

Give your litter a lift home urges Aberdeenshire Council as seasonal verge grass-cutting begins

Aberdeenshire Council is about to start its annual roadside verge grass cutting programme in the next few days – and is encouraging people to give their litter a lift home.

Community Ownership Fund launches on May 31 for community organisations

Aberdeenshire communities are being advised that round three of the UK Government’s £150million Community Ownership Fund launches on May 31.

Aberdeenshire Council’s sustainability in transportation projects shortlisted in coveted Scottish Transport Awards

Aberdeenshire Council’s work to promote sustainability in transportation has been recognised by being shortlisted in two categories at the Transport Times Scottish Transport Awards.

Peak-time road closure trial to be introduced at Fraserburgh’s South Park School

A peak time road closure aimed at improving pupil safety outside an Aberdeenshire primary school will be formally introduced later this month.

Coastal project funding agreed as Aberdeenshire Council commits to taking lead on Local Action Groups

Aberdeenshire Council has agreed to provide more than £76,000 from its Coastal Communities Challenge Fund for two ongoing projects.

Week-long activities mark a successful first year of GrowBanff @TheVinery

A host of activities to mark Aberdeenshire Wellbeing Festival this week will also help celebrate a hugely-successful first year for the GrowBanff@TheVinery project.

Stonehaven Open Air Pool prepares for June opening

Work is under way to prepare Stonehaven Open Air Pool to open for the new season by Saturday, June 10.

Unanimous support for community asset transfer to Fraserburgh West End Bowling Club

Fraserburgh West End Bowling Club has been successful in a community asset transfer of its outdoor bowling green and surrounding land.

£8.3million Shared Prosperity Fund for Aberdeenshire formally launched

Business and communities across Aberdeenshire are being invited to submit expressions of interest for a share of the region’s £8.3million allocation from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

Public engagement begins on Aberdeenshire’s new Local Transport Strategy

Aberdeenshire Council has launched a public engagement on the region’s Local Transport Strategy (LTS) to be developed for 2023.

Opportunity to try out new Formartine and Buchan Way rental e-bikes at Ellon next month

A special event is being held in Ellon next month giving local people the opportunity to try out new e-bikes which can be hired along a popular north-east leisure route.

SSEN provides million-pound plus boost for community resilience in the North-East

Resilience plans for communities across the North-East have received a major boost today following SSEN Distribution’s £1.35m award of funding to the region’s three local authorities.

Reminder to households to activate their Scotland Loves Local Aberdeenshire Gift Card by May 31st

More than 80% of the Scotland Loves Local Aberdeenshire Gift Cards issued to households to help with the challenges around the cost of living have now been activated.

Committee round-up: Communities Committee 30.3.23

Support for those facing poverty, new membership options for Live Life Aberdeenshire, and efforts to tackle violence were among items discussed at the meeting of Aberdeenshire Council’s Communities Committee on Thursday, March 30.

Nationwide Shut out Scammers campaign launched by Trading Standards Scotland and Police Scotland to combat a rise in doorstep scams linked to the cost of living crisis

As more Scottish consumers struggle with price increases and rising energy bills, Trading Standards Scotland and Police Scotland have launched a nationwide Shut out Scammers campaign.

Aberdeenshire Council begins programme of surface dressing works across the north-east

Aberdeenshire Council’s programme of surface dressing works is now underway across the north-east and motorists are being warned of the risks of loose chips on newly-dressed roads.

Recycling street sweepings into blocks for a more circular economy

Aberdeenshire Council recycles around 70% of its street sweepings and the recovered materials have now been turned into sustainable, highly adaptable, building blocks.

Town centres health checks completed in eight additional Aberdeenshire communities

Eight town centres across Aberdeenshire have benefited from a health check to assess their strengths, vitality and viability, weaknesses and resilience.

Stonehaven participatory budgeting projects progressing

Works to improve and expand the capacity of Stonehaven Leisure Centre are expected to begin in early summer.

Cycling opportunities created for children in Stonehaven through the Rock Up and Ride programme

Active Schools Aberdeenshire have been working in partnership with Scottish Cycling’s Rock Up and Ride pilot programme and Deeside Thistle Cycling Club to enable local children in Stonehaven to participate in free, easy to access sessions and increase their cycling activity.

Scotland Loves Local Aberdeenshire Gift Card now available for pick up at council Service Points

It just got even easier to support the Scotland Loves Local Aberdeenshire Gift Card scheme.

Aberdeenshire hosts visit of the North Sea Commission

Aberdeenshire has hosted a series of workshops, tours and industry meetings during a recent visit of the North Sea Commission.

New kerbside waste and recycling strategy to roll out into Kincardine and Mearns

New orange-lid bins will be making their way to households in Kincardine & Mearns from 17 April in preparation for changes to kerbside collections rolling out across Aberdeenshire.

Aberdeenshire Council encouraging communities to help develop Local Place Plans

Communities across Aberdeenshire are being encouraged to help develop Local Place Plans to highlight issues, gather ideas and express aspirations for the future.

Aberdeenshire Council puts Peterhead Community Campus project plans to the public

Designs for the new Peterhead Community Campus have been released by Aberdeenshire Council with a public consultation launching today (Friday).

Works to start on repairing popular storm-damaged path linking Methlick to Tarves via Haddo

Works to repair a popular and important active travel route between the village of Methlick and Tarves via Haddo Estate are due to start today (Mon, March 27).

Aberdeenshire Council hoping to encourage greater take-up of sheltered housing scheme vacancies

Aberdeenshire Council is hoping to encourage a greater take-up of residential positions within some of its sheltered housing schemes.

Education and Children’s Services Committee round-up March 23

A round-up from the Education and Children’s Services Committee of March 23

Council confirms forthcoming withdrawal of funding for some fixed route bus journeys from June 12

Aberdeenshire Council has confirmed the forthcoming withdrawal of funding on some fixed route bus journeys from June 12 this year.

Digital Engagement Team continues to encourage communities to get better broadband

Communities across Aberdeenshire are being urged to investigate the opportunities for better broadband this year.

Aberdeenshire Council sets its decarbonisation target for 2023/24

Aberdeenshire Council’s carbon reduction targets for the year are on route towards clearing 75% of its annual emissions by the end of the decade.

Council remains committed to tourism as it prepares to welcome visitors for the season ahead

Aberdeenshire Council remains committed to developing tourism across the region this year as it prepares to welcome visitors for the season ahead.

Praise for ongoing historic assets work as focus turns to St Brandon’s Churchyard, Inverboyndie

Securing the long-term stability of St. Brandon’s Churchyard at Inverboyndie is this year’s priority for Aberdeenshire Council’s Historic Asset Management Project (HAMP).

Existing short-term lets hosts given until October 1st to submit licence applications

Aberdeenshire Council has now received confirmation from the Scottish Government that a six-month extension to the deadline for existing hosts to apply for a short-term let licence has been approved.

Aberdeenshire Council confirms EV tafiff changes to deliver larger, sustainable network

Aberdeenshire Council has confirmed changes to the electric vehicle charging tariffs on its public charger network from April.

Committee round-up: Communities Committee 16.2.23

Updates on finance and performance across various services, a £1million fund for community resilience, and an updated charging policy for Live Life Aberdeenshire were among items discussed at February’s meeting of Aberdeenshire Council’s Communities Committee.

Aberdeenshire Youth Music Sessions holds performance for more than 250 parents and guests

Music service holds first of its youth music sessions performance for more than 250 parents and guests.

Tributes paid following the sad passing of former Aberdeenshire councillor Norman Smith

Aberdeenshire Council is deeply saddened by the passing of one of its former Buchan councillors, Norman Smith.

Winter weather update 7.3.23

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice until 6pm on Friday.

Councillors welcome significant investment at Macduff Harbour to future-proof services

Councillors have warmly welcomed significant investment which will enable essential improvements to be undertaken at Macduff Harbour which will open new economic opportunities to support market demand for dual-hulled vessels.

New council homes approved for Blackdog

Formartine Area Committee approve plans to begin work on 24 new council homes at Blackdog.

20,000 bins readied for changes to kerbside recycling and waste collections

A stock of more than 20,000 bins is primed for changes to recycling and waste collections that will roll out across Aberdeenshire this year.

Plans for Kemnay Academy bus park approved

A project to provide Kemnay Academy with a bus park has been approved by Aberdeenshire Council’s Garioch Area Committee.

Nominations open for Inspiring Aberdeenshire

Communities across Aberdeenshire are being asked to nominate their heroes for the 2023 Inspiring Aberdeenshire awards.

Revised trial A2B bus service for Turriff launches on March 6

Aberdeenshire Council is introducing a revised A2B bus service in the Turriff area on a trial basis to best accommodate the various transport demands in the area.

Scheme to tackle unemployment helps more than 50 people back in work

A scheme to tackle long-term unemployment has helped more than 50 people into the workplace.

20 candidates stand for Cairngorms National Park Authority Board elections

There will be a contest in four of the five wards of the Cairngorms National Park area.

Further improvement to be made along Huntly Meadows woodland path network

The next phase of improvements at the Huntly Meadows woodland path network is about to get underway, with completion expected by the end of March.

Aberdeenshire Council formally accepts offer of £20million for Macduff and Peterhead projects

Aberdeenshire Council has formally accepted the offer of £20million from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

Aberdeenshire agrees Council Tax rise of 4% and limits council rent increase to 2.5%

Aberdeenshire Council has agreed a 4% rise in Council Tax for the coming year amid ever-increasing pressures to balance its budgets in challenging economic times.

Winning partnership created between Cycle Aberdeenshire and local elite racing team Alba Development Road Team

Cycle Aberdeenshire, as Live Life Aberdeenshire’s umbrella brand for cycling within Aberdeenshire Council, are delighted to confirm a new mutual partnership with the Aberdeenshire based elite Women’s cycling race team, Alba Development Road Team.

Aberdeenshire teachers to get a lesson in the future of technology for schools

More than 200 teachers from across Aberdeenshire will be looking at the future of technology in schools later this month.

Education and Children’s Services Committee round-up Thursday, February 2

A round-up of agenda items from the meeting of Aberdeenshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee on Thursday, February 2.

Aberdeenshire Council’s expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure

Aberdeenshire Council plans to expand its electric vehicle charging infrastructure into new areas and improve rapid charging capacity in the region.

Aboyne Pool to close for essential works

Aboyne Pool will be closed from Monday, February 13, until the Easter holiday for essential works to the lights and the re-grouting of the pool basin

Time to ensure vegetation is not impacting our carriageways or lighting

With Spring and the bird nesting season just around the corner, now is the time to ensure that vegetation is cut back before the growth kicks in.

North East Scotland Food and Drink Awards to recognise industry excellence

North east Scotland is a powerhouse of Scotland’s food and drink industry with premium produce from land and sea, ambitious startups, scaling businesses and global brands leading in net zero manufacturing and premium market development.

Funding ensures further four years of Active Schools programme in Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire Council has secured a further four years of investment from sportscotland to continue delivery of the Active Schools programme.

Work to progress replacement primary school in Foveran gets underway

Members of the ECS Committee agreed to begin the initial development stages for a replacement primary school at Foveran.

Still time to stand for Cairngorms National Park Authority elections

Application deadline is Wednesday, February 15.

Aberdeenshire Council to be asked to limit council rent increase to 2.5%

Aberdeenshire Council’s Communities Committee is to recommend that the authority limits council rent increases to 2.5% from April this year.

Aberdeenshire Council starts consultation on developing the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2028

While the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan may only have been adopted earlier this month, Aberdeenshire Council’s Planning and Economy Service is already focusing on production of the next plan.