News

Committee round-up: Communities Committee 22.12.22

December’s meeting of the Communities Committee included discussions about child poverty, violence against women, tenant participation, and community safety, among other items.

Joint inspection of services for children and young people at risk of harm rates partnership ‘very good’

A joint inspection of services for children and young people at risk of harm in Aberdeenshire has rated the partnership as ‘very good’.

Councillors welcome development of a Place Strategy and greater support for area working

Councillors have welcomed the development of a Place Strategy and greater support for area working across Aberdeenshire.

Contract awarded for much-need footpath link at Blackdog

Councillors have approved a contract for the construction of a much-need footpath to improve access to bus services at Blackdog.

Cairngorms National Park Authority elections

Nomination forms are available for people wishing to stand as candidates in the Cairngorms National Park Authority board elections.

Aberdeenshire Council agrees to progress Peterhead Community Campus project

Aberdeenshire Council is moving ahead with the next phase of work on Peterhead Community Campus.

Aberdeenshire Council successful in ambitious £20 million bid for Peterhead and Macduff projects

Aberdeenshire Council has been successful in its ambitious £20 million bid to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

Amber warning for heavy snowfall tonight

The Met Office has issued an Amber weather warning for heavy snow from around 3pm this afternoon until midnight across much of Aberdeenshire. The Yellow warning for snow and ice also remains in place for the region.

World Champion cyclist Neah Evans joins Cycle Aberdeenshire as Ambassador for Women’s and Girls’ Cycling

World Track Cycling Champion and Olympic and Commonwealth medallist Neah Evans has become Cycle Aberdeenshire’s 2023 Ambassador for Women’s and Girls’ Cycling.

Aberdeenshire Council adopts Local Development Plan 2023

Following final scrutiny by Scottish Ministers, and in line with a decision taken by Aberdeenshire Council on September 21 last year, the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2022 has now been adopted.

Councillors reject transfer of council land in Stonehaven to Mackie Rugby Club

Councillors have today rejected the transfer of an area of council land in Stonehaven to Mackie Rugby Club.

Aberdeenshire Council launches new funding round for coastal communities

Coastal communities in Aberdeenshire benefitted from more than £322,000 in funding during the last year.

Ready2Go Around Inverurie bus service to be withdrawn in April

The Ready2Go Around Inverurie digital demand responsive transport (DDRT) pilot initiative operated by Aberdeenshire Council is to be withdrawn from April.

Extra bin collections in Cruden Bay on Saturday 7 January

We have arranged to put additional collections on for householders in Cruden Bay this Saturday 7 January.

Free A2B dial-a-bus minibus service operating to Banchory from Lumphanan and Torphins

Aberdeenshire Council is reminding local residents about the free A2B dial-a-bus minibus service it operates to Banchory from Lumphanan and Torphins.

Reach out for help over the festive period if you are struggling with the cost of living

People are being encouraged to reach out for help over the festive period if they are struggling with the cost of living at this time of year.

Sustainability Committee November round-up

Just days after the approval of the Aberdeenshire’s Council Plan in which climate change is made a priority for the region, the Sustainability Committee met on 30 November to discuss supplier inclusion, waste, and climate action.

Changes to festive burial services

Aberdeenshire Council Landscape Services have historically provided burial services throughout of the winter season, with the exception of Christmas Day and New Year.

Council Roads team putting in a tremendous effort as challenging conditions hit Aberdeenshire

There is no doubt that it has been a challenging week for everyone in Aberdeenshire, and at the moment it looks like the severe weather and warnings for snow and ice will remain in place for some time yet.

Infrastructure Services Committee December round-up

During its meeting on Thursday, December 1, Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee discussed its Local Flood Risk Management Plan for the North-East, the impact of winter storm on trees and woodland and the Short Term Lets Licensing Scheme.

Safer in Service Days of Action helping to tackle isolation across Aberdeenshire communities

Supporting individuals who are dependent on drugs as we head into the harsh winter months has been a key focus of recent Safer in Service Days of Action.

Aden Country Park launches new website

Aberdeenshire Council is delighted to announce the launch of the new Aden Country Park website as part of the ongoing Aden Restoration and Redevelopment Project supported by National Lottery Heritage Funding.

Peterhead Academy pupils get boost preparing for world of work

New partnerships with local firms mean Peterhead Academy pupils have access to a wide-range of work experience and learning opportunities.

Latest updates from Aberdeenshire’s Violence Against Women Partnership

Aberdeenshire’s Violence Against Women Partnership (VAWP) has been updating councillors on its action plan to prevent and eliminate violent behaviour from men.

£160k Sustrans funding approved for Banff and Macduff bridge project

Plans for the construction of a new active travel bridge crossing at Banff for pedestrians and cyclists have taken a massive step forward.

Education and Children’s Services Committee round-up Thursday, December 8

A round-up of Aberdeenshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee from Thursday, December 8

Updated property matchmaker scheme now available online

Aberdeenshire Council’s free Empty Property Matchmaker Scheme allows buyers to view a range of properties listed by owners of empty homes.

Major replanting scheme to introduce more native broadleaf woodland in the aftermath of winter storms

Aberdeenshire Council is to embark on a major replanting scheme to introduce more native broadleaf woodland in the aftermath of last year’s damaging winter storms.

Safety signs damaged and stolen and workforce abused as St Combs road improvements continue

Aberdeenshire Council is currently carrying out roadworks to improve both the surface water drainage and the road surface on the B9033 in Buchan from the A90 trunk road junction to St Combs.  

Portsoy aiming to play a Blinder as the top European filming location in industry awards

Aberdeenshire’s very own Portsoy is one of five locations competing for the European Film Commission’s Network Location Award for 2022.

Aberdeenshire Council agrees to permanently close Gartly School

Aberdeenshire Council has agreed to permanently close Gartly School in the Huntly area.

Widespread support for new Council Plan

Councillors today agreed a new Council Plan for Aberdeenshire, running from now until 2027.

Get ready for winter  

With the darker nights and temperatures falling, Council teams are putting winter operations into motion.

Dog friendly Saturdays come to two Aberdeenshire libraries as part of a pilot scheme

Banff and Stonehaven libraries will be introducing dog friendly Saturdays from 1st December.

Aberdeenshire’s schools helping to address skills shortages

More than 400 FAs attended Maryculter House Hotel in Aberdeen over three days to develop their professional skills and knowledge in their chosen specialisms.

Recovery process begins to support communities impacted by flooding

Aberdeenshire Council has moved into its recovery phase as it supports communities impacted by last week’s heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding.

‘You are not alone’: plea to those facing financial challenges to seek the help they’re entitled to

Action is needed to change the inaccurate stigma about people claiming benefits, according to the chair of Aberdeenshire’s Community Planning Partnership.

Aberdeenshire Council wins at Learning Places Scotland Awards

Aberdeenshire Council has won an award at the Learning Places Scotland Awards, celebrating excellence and achievement in delivering learning and play environments for children and young people in Scotland.

Inspiring Aberdeenshire 2022 Winners Revealed

The winners of the 2022 Inspiring Aberdeenshire awards have been announced.

Launch of Live Life Essentials just one key element of Aberdeenshire Council’s response to cost of living issues

The launch of free services at Aberdeenshire community and leisure facilities is the latest in a range of things being put in place in an attempt to soften the cost of living crisis being felt by Aberdeenshire communities.

Webinar to promote local business sign-ups to Aberdeenshire Loves Local Gift Card

Businesses are being encouraged to join a forthcoming online webinar which will promote the Aberdeenshire Loves Local Gift Card.

King Edward bridge replacement works continue apace

Works are progressing on the replacement of bridges in the King Edward area which were destroyed by severe flooding three years ago.

Education and Children’s Services Committee October round-up

During its meeting on Thursday, October 13, Aberdeenshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee chair Cllr Gillian Owen announced that some committee members had met at Inverurie Community Campus for the first of three planned school catering workshops.

Pivotal moment as beams for new £3.8 million Gairnshiel Bridge are lifted into place

Construction of Aberdeenshire Council’s new £3.8 million Gairnshiel Bridge by Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd on Royal Deeside took a massive step forward today (Thurs).

Nursery garden transformed with local community help

Outdoor learning will be at the heart of the day for pupils at Pitmedden School Nursery following a garden renovation.

Arduthie School Nursery recognised as ‘very good’

A Stonehaven nursery has been praised across the board by the Care Inspectorate following a recent visit.

Gordon Primary School Nursery in Huntly recognised as ‘very good’

Gordon Primary School Nursery in Huntly has been recognised as ‘very good’ in an inspection by the Care Inspectorate.

Green credentials come to the fore as £1.4 improvements completed at Ellon Park and Ride

A £1.4million package of improvements has been completed at Ellon Park and Ride.

Safer in Service Days of Action focus on outreach to the most vulnerable people in our communities

The latest in the Safer in Service Days of Action focused on outreach efforts to support the most vulnerable people within Aberdeenshire communities.

Aberdeenshire Council adopts modified Local Development Plan 2022

Aberdeenshire Council has agreed to adopt the Proposed Local Development Plan 2020.as modified.

Aberdeenshire Council confirms details of Cruden Bay pilot of enhanced household recycling service

Aberdeenshire Council has confirmed that Cruden Bay will play a vital role in a pilot scheme as part of the introduction of its new 3-weekly household recycling and waste collection strategy.

Arrangements for Her Majesty The Queen’s cortege

Her Majesty The Queen’s cortege is to begin its journey from Balmoral to Edinburgh shortly after 10am on Sunday morning (Sep 11).

Ballater and Braemar Park & Ride operation

Park and Ride facilities will operate from Ballater and Braemar for those wishing to leave floral tributes and pay their respects to Her Majesty The Queen at Balmoral Castle gates.

Views sought on Aberdeenshire Council’s new short-term lets policy

Aberdeenshire Council is seeking the views of residents, visitors and other interested stakeholders on its draft short-term lets policy statement and proposed additional conditions for a licence.

Eight more Aberdeenshire town centres to benefit from vital health checks

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

North East showcased as cycling destination spot, with the first stage of the Tour of Britain

A fortnight of cycling promotion and activity finished in spectacular style on Sunday (Sept 4) when stage one of the 2022 AJ Bell Tour of Britain got underway.

New start-up grants for businesses in Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire Council has launched a new business start-up grant scheme.

Councillors approved £500,000 to improve Aberdeenshire off-street car parks

A £500,000 programme of improvements to a number of off-street car parks across Aberdeenshire is to be undertaken over the next five years.

Councillors endorse £8.3million Shared Prosperity Fund investment plan for Aberdeenshire

Councillors have endorsed a 3-year investment plan for the use of an £8.3million UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation to Aberdeenshire.

Councillors to discuss Aberdeenshire garden waste collection options during workshop

Councillors have agreed to discuss the feasibility of a garden waste kerbside collection service for Aberdeenshire at a forthcoming workshop.

Possible disruption to waste and recycling services

Due to strike action, there may be pockets of disruption to waste collection and recycling centre services from Friday 26 to Monday 29 August inclusive.

Aberdeenshire Council offers free period products for everyone

As Scotland becomes the first country in the world to offer the right to free period products, Aberdeenshire Council is reminding residents of how to access them.

Council prepares to replace old-style diamond-lift bins in Marr and Kincardine and Mearns

Aberdeenshire Council is preparing to replace all its remaining diamond lift bins in the Marr and Kincardine and Mearns areas.

Two-week road closure at Gairnshiel ahead of new £3.8million bridge construction works

As part of the works relating to the replacement of A939 Gairnshiel Bridge, the A939 road from Gairnshiel Lodge eastwards towards Ballater will be closed for two weeks from Monday, August 22.

Special meeting of Aberdeenshire Council to decide on adoption of modified Local Development Plan 2022

Aberdeenshire Council will next month decide whether to adopt the Local Development Plan 2020 as modified.

Importance of responsible dog ownership one of the key messages shared by Outdoor Access officers

Aberdeenshire Council’s Outdoor Access officers and the Aberdeenshire Local Outdoor Access Forum (ALOAF) attended this year’s Turriff Show 2022 held on Sunday, July 31 and Monday, August 1.

Range of qualifications continues to expand in Aberdeenshire in bumper year for exam entries

Aberdeenshire pupils are marking a wide range of achievements as they receive their SQA assessment results today (Tue, Aug 9).

Allachburn Care Home in Aboyne receives top rating in latest inspection report

The Care Inspectorate undertook an unannounced inspection last month and Allachburn Care Home in Aboyne, received top marks across all areas inspected.

Dissolution of Ellon Community Council

Following two calls for nominations in May and June of 2022, Ellon Community Council failed to attract a sufficient number of members to meet the minimum requirement.

Ready2Go Around Inverurie bus initiative extended for a further year

The Ready2Go Around Inverurie digital demand responsive transport (DDRT) pilot initiative has been extended for a further year.

Religious representative sought to support Education & Children’s Services Committee

A vacancy currently exists on Aberdeenshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee for a member interested in the promotion of religious education.

Stonehaven and Fraserburgh school projects move to next stage of consideration

Projects for new schools in Stonehaven and Fraserburgh have taken a step forward, with councillors agreeing to move the projects to the next stage of consideration.

Avian Influenza response continues, but reported numbers reducing along Aberdeenshire shores

Following our continuing efforts to remove dead seabirds from our coastline this week, we are now seeing a significant reduction in the numbers being reported.

Safer in Service Days of Action helping to reduce drug-related harm across the north-east

As part of the collaborative approach towards reducing drug-related harm in the north-east of Scotland, community safety partners from Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeenshire Health & Social Care Partnership and Police Scotland were involved in targeted activities in the Fraserburgh and Banff areas last month.

Collection of dead seabirds must be handled by council

Efforts to remove larger numbers of dead seabirds suspected of having Avian Influenza have continued apace this week, with around several hundred collected from our shorelines in recent days.

Aberdeenshire Council seeks views around new Shared Prosperity Fund

An online consultation has been launched seeking views from a wide range of stakeholders on how best to target Aberdeenshire’s allocation from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

Challenging time as Avian Influenza clean-up continues

It has been a very challenging week for our Landscape Services staff who have been undertaking the removal of dead seabirds from the many shorelines around Aberdeenshire.

The ‘cycling lady’ making real inroads towards cycling safety in Aberdeenshire schools

This August, June Andrew will celebrate 30 years of raising road safety awareness across the North-east of Scotland.

Suspected new cases of Avian Influenza in Aberdeenshire

While we appreciate that the summer holidays have just begun and thoughts will turn to heading for our fantastic beaches, we must advise of a number of suspected new cases of Avian Influenza which have sadly claimed a significant number of seabirds in recent days.

Viewmount office to open to the public with launch of customer service point

Customers will be able to access support from Aberdeenshire Council’s Viewmount office in Stonehaven from Monday (Jul 4), following the establishment of a customer service point.

Cycle Aberdeenshire to bring the Tour of Britain experience to Aberdeenshire communities

With nine weeks until some of the world’s top cyclists descend upon the North East of Scotland to compete in the Tour of Britain 2022, Aberdeenshire Council and Live Life Aberdeenshire have today launched ‘Cycle Aberdeenshire’ a two-week programme of events that will provide local communities with a range of options and activities during the build-up to Stage 1 on Sunday 4th September 2022 from Aberdeen to Glenshee Ski Centre.

CLD achieves Standards Mark for Professional Learning

Aberdeenshire Council’s Community Learning and Development Team (CLD) has successfully achieved its Standards Mark for Professional Learning from The CLD Standards Council for Scotland.

‘Pick Up My Period’ app to help you access free period products

With funding from the Scottish Government, Aberdeenshire Council now provides access to free period products, including re-usable alternatives to disposable pads and tampons. General feedback has been positive, especially as many families may be struggling with the rising cost of living.

Communities put best foot forward as wraps come off impressive coastal path improvement project at Stonehaven

Communities across Aberdeenshire are putting their best foot forward in a bid to improve the region’s coastal paths.

Trading Standards warning over cold-calling offers of leftover road materials to repair private driveways

Aberdeenshire Council’s Trading Standards are raising awareness of cold-calling at rural properties offering driveway services following concerns raised across the region in recent weeks.

Fraserburgh 2021 Conservation Area Regeneration project crowned overall winner in coveted awards

A landmark regeneration scheme in Fraserburgh has been crowned the overall winner at the inaugural RTPI Scotland Awards for Planning Excellence 2022.

Aberdeenshire Council progresses Spring 2023 launch of enhanced household recycling service

Aberdeenshire Council continues to progress the introduction of its new household waste collection strategy by providing residents with more recycling capacity and reducing non-recyclable capacity to better match the materials they throw away.

Memories of lockdown in treasured time capsule for next generation to dig up

Aberdeenshire Council has buried a time capsule full of children and young people’s memories of lockdown in 2020 and 2021.

Public to get chance to comment on Pennan Conservation Area later this month

Aberdeenshire Council is seeking the views of both residents and visitors to the Pennan Conservation Area in relation to the draft Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan.

Scottish and UK governments urged to back North East Scotland Green Freeport bid

Up to 30,000 high-quality jobs will be created in the North East of Scotland under ground-breaking plans to transform the region into the Net Zero Capital of Europe.

Platinum Jubilee celebrated at Garden Party

Deputy Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire Steve Mackison was among the guests of honour at a garden party marking Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Street Party and Green Canopy tree planting ceremony mark Platinum Jubilee

Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire Steve Mackison planted trees at Gordon Primary School and Nursery to commemorate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Trees were donated by school and Parent Council to commemorate the event.

Taste of Grampian this Saturday (June 4)

The best of the north-east’s produce is at the heart of Taste of Grampian, the region’s biggest one-day food and drink festival at P&J Live on Saturday, June 4.

Highers are important, but it’s important to recognise the value in all learning and work experience

As a council we are sometimes asked about the percentages of young people leaving school with five Highers. Head of Education Vincent Docherty has taken some time to explain why this is no longer a fair comparison of how well schools are doing.

Community engagement begins on £20 million Levelling Up Fund bid for Aberdeenshire

Community engagement has begun on Aberdeenshire Council’s £20 million bid to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

125th anniversary of Dracula commemorated at civic reception

The 125th anniversary of author Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula was marked at a civic reception held in the hotel where he wrote his classic books.

£1.9 million of new investment to help improve places across Aberdeenshire announced

Nine local projects aimed at improving communities and places across Aberdeenshire are to share around £1.9 million in new funding to help improve local facilities and town centres and to support regeneration activity

Dales Park School reaches national singing competition final

Dales Park School is among ten schools in with a chance of winning a national singing competition.

Hillside School only school in Scotland to gain prestigious ‘Into Film’ nomination

Hillside Primary School, near Portlethen, has become the first school in Scotland and the only primary school in the UK to be nominated for an ‘Into Film’ award. The school’s submission was selected from among hundreds of UK entries and has been shortlisted in the Into Film Club of the Year category.