Storms Arwen, Malik and Corrie tested some in our communities to the limit recently. While service providers of electricity, water and communications are under pressure to future-proof their infrastructure to protect consumers, community groups and individuals are already looking to have their own resilience plans in place. The following links show some ideas on how to be prepared!
Did you know that the criteria for accessing free priority services from SSEN in the event of a power cut includes: those over 60, those with children under 5 and those who are recovering after a hospital stay? For the full list please check the link below and register if you fit in to one of the categories. If you know of someone nearby please share the link or help them to register. You can also register with gas and water priority services.
Attached are the Minutes from the last Garioch Bus Forum held on 1st September. I was double-booked that evening but thanks to Councillor Miller, he passed on some of the local issues raised. Next meeting will be in the Spring.
I am disappointed that there has been no local election hustings organised for candidates in Westhill and District. Hustings are a good way for voters to meet their prospective councillors before deciding who gets their vote and the candidates get to meet each other too! If I am lucky enough to be re-elected, I will be one of four councillors for this area.
I thought I would collate the questions I have been asked most, either on the doorsteps or via email/telephone and I set out my responses below. If you have any further questions, there is still time to get in touch! If re-elected, I will, as always, be concentrating on local issues – your priorities are my priorities.
Q: You stated in one of your leaflets that you wanted to promote wellbeing and resilience. If you are re-elected, how are you going to do that?
A: I already work with local groups who have set up or are in the process of setting up resilience hubs. The hubs are a one-stop place where in the event of an emergency, residents can gather for shelter, heat, or food. There is much more work to do to make sure that each individual thinks about their own resilience and what they can do in their own homes to be prepared for different events – whether that is a power cut, a snow storm or anything else. Picking up on the wellbeing strand, I am really keen to bring conversations about health out into the community and to be able to discuss the preventative measures that we often forget about. Access to some health services was severely restricted during lockdown, coinciding with a time when people’s mental health was poor because of bereavement, job loss, loss of social interactions or just the general worry over the pandemic. Physical health and mental health are so inextricably linked and it’s about balancing good access to NHS and other health services with what we can do for ourselves.
Q: Do you want to see council employees (and councillors) back in the office now that Covid restrictions are eased?
A: The council has been working on an Office Space Strategy for some time now looking at how office space can be best utilised. Covid has obviously changed drastically how services can be delivered with very little staff physically in the same building or in a council building at all. Luckily, with previous investment in IT equipment, officers and councillors moved quite seamlessly on to online meetings. The downside of that, I think, is that collaborative working and informal conversation has been lost. More importantly, I think the link between some council services and the public has deteriorated. Many people do not use smart phones or the internet and prefer talking to someone either face to face or by telephone. That very much needs to remain an option for our residents.
For staff and councillors, I think we need a balance and the hybrid model gives us that: online working from home when we can and going in to an office, within easy travelling distance when we need more face to face interaction. I am really keen that all employees within the council are treated fairly and given the chance to work more flexibly – where public services are delivered, no employee group is more important than the other. In terms of meeting the needs of residents, we should all pull together to communicate in the way best suited to the individual or community group.
Q: We live in a rural area – why do councillors never attend our local parent council meetings?
A: councillors cannot attend parent council meetings without being invited. I think as parent councils change from year to year with new parents and office bearers etc coming on board, some school communications get lost or explicit invitation is not circulated. The parent councils we are invited to are really informative and are a good way to pick up on issues that we can help the school community with, so please encourage your parent council chair to extend an invitation.
In general, communication between the Quality Improvement officers for our school cluster has diminished during Covid and through various staff changes and this is something I am really keen to re-establish should I get re-elected.
As a councillor I regularly attend all three community council meetings, parent council meetings when invited, and other local meetings. I make all areas of my ward a priority, and although I live in Elrick, I attend meetings and arrange site visits with residents in Midmar, Millbank, Sauchen, Cluny, Echt, Garlogie, Dunecht, Lyne of Skene, Kirkton of Skene, and Westhill.
Q: Why isn’t there a consistent council policy around the selling off of pockets of land which are of no great value if there is a willing buyer?
A: I agree with you that there has not been consistency in recent years with some spaces being sold off and other offers refused. The Surplus Property policy is in the process of being reviewed and at a recent area committee I supported the view that if a piece of open space has no real recreational value or is a burden for the council to maintain, it should be released. I also think that there are instances where the council does not know exactly which land assets they hold – and they should! At the same area committee I proposed that work commence on a comprehensive mapping exercise and I hope that this can be supported and progressed by the new council.
Q: What are you going to do about the lack of basic maintenance in and around Westhill?
A: I think in terms of grass cutting, we have turned a corner since lockdown days and the town is looking pretty good (so far, but it’s only 2nd May!). There are always going to be pockets of tidying up to do. The frustration for us as councillors is that we cannot always be given a timescale for this work to be done. I think we have to give thanks to the many volunteers who supplement the work of council operatives in terms of litter picking, flower planting and maintenance – and that includes within the rural settlements as well. The lack of street sweeping has a real knock-on effect on road drains, and loose chippings find their way on to pavements if road works are not swept up timeously. I appreciate that the service has had difficulty in recruiting staff to this neck of the woods, but a universal standard of service across Aberdeenshire needs to be provided. If re-elected, the first priority for me is to seek the support of ward colleagues to have a fresh look at how the basics are being delivered across Westhill and District as well as trying to improve communication between the council and the people they serve.
Q: How will you ensure that the projects and ideas from people who live locally are considered and taken forward?
A: most projects start as an aspiration from somebody in the local community – by attending local meetings as well as council events and speaking to residents, I am able to pick up on local conversations and match these aspirations, where I can, to funding pots. Sometimes, it’s just a case of connecting the right people. As a councillor I have fully supported funding to enable officers to take forward Community Action Plans (CAPs). Some of our settlements such as Echt and Kirkton of Skene have already started this process. It is really important if you live in one of these settlements and you have an idea or aspiration for your area, that you feed it in to the public consultation, contact your local community council or your councillors. The CAP is a key document to bring all aspirations together so that the council, their partners, private funders and anyone with an interest can work towards making these projects happen. The Westhill and Elrick CAP is next in line, and the Westhill and Elrick Community Council will share details of how to get involved in due course.
The Chair reported on successes over the last year which included the provision of a bus shelter at Lyne of Skene Hall, improvements to the Garlogie footpath, Carpenter Croft flood relief measures, helping to fund defibrillators in Dunecht and Skene as well as funding improvements to local halls. They also contributed comprehensively to the Local Development Plan process.
The community council welcomed two new members; Steve Gibson and Neil MacBeath. There are still two vacancies which can be filled throughout the year if anyone comes forward.
I was delighted to present John Foulkes, on behalf of Aberdeenshire Council, a long service certificate. John has served on Echt & Skene since 1986 (with a two year breather in 1988/89). He has been Chair and Secretary in the past; at one time fulfilling both roles at the same time. John has always been up for cross-boundary working, supporting Westhill and Elrick Community Council on issues that affect both areas and networking with the wider Aberdeenshire community councils through the Garioch Community Council Forum. I know some groups struggle to keep volunteers because of one-issue agendas, but I think it is safe to say that as John stuck around for more than thirty years, he definitely saw the big picture!
I was able to give an update on the Skene School safety issue. The Head Teacher and the Quality Improvement Officer for Aberdeenshire Council are in discussions around improvements to the car parking area. The Roads service have advised that the repainting of the white lines near the school crossing will not be done until well in to the summer break. There are plans to add a new “SLOW” marking on the approach to the school as well. Councillor McKail is following up progress on the latest speed survey.
The following dates/venues have been agreed for the next Community Council year:
Thursday 1st August 2019 – Milne Hall, Kirkton of Skene
Thursday 5th September 2019 – Echt Hall
Thursday 31st October 2019 – Dunecht Hall
Thursday 19th December 2019 – Lyne of Skene Hall
Thursday 30th January 2020 – Garlogie Hall
Thursday 19th March 2020 – Milne Hall, Kirkton of Skene
The Garioch Bus Forum meets again on Wednesday 22nd May 2019 from 1900-2130 hrs in the Council Chamber, Gordon House, Inverurie. Attendees will have a chance to raise issues relevant to their own area and in addition, on this occasion, bus operators and the Council wish to hold a short discussion (of up to 20 minutes) on Inverurie bus services and seek people’s views on the current levels and coverage of the town, including suggestions on where improvements could be considered.
If you wish to provide comments but cannot attend on the night, please email: public.transport@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
The Minutes of the previous meeting can be found here:
Kingswells Community Council have a raft of information on the bids Aberdeen City received as part of the Local Development Plan process. You can access their website here.
The Aberdeen City Main Issues Report consultation is expected to open on 4th March and will run for ten weeks.
The next Local Development Plan (LDP) 2021, once agreed, will shape our area for the next number of years and determine where new development will take place, whether it is new homes, offices, retail or leisure facilities. Aberdeenshire Council Planning Policy Team have been working hard to prepare a Main Issues Report (MIR) to support the preparation of the new LDP, carrying out consultation with local councillors and key stakeholders. It is now YOUR turn to have a say on the suggested policy changes and the planners’ preferred sites from over forty bids lodged by developers for land in Westhill, Elrick, Kirkton of Skene, Lyne of Skene, Garlogie, Echt, Dunecht, Midmar, Sauchen and Cullerlie. The consultation can be accessed here.
Responses must be made in writing by Monday 8th April. Response forms are online, in libraries and in the Area Office at Gordon House, Inverurie.
You may think that any future development in the local area must be backed up by appropriate infrastructure first; or it may be your view that there should be no further major development locally at all; or indeed you may welcome lots of new opportunities for development! One aspect residents should be aware of is the proposals being submitted to Aberdeen City Council as part of their Local Development Plan – some of which will affect Westhill and the surrounding rural areas. Although your elected representatives have no say in Aberdeen City planning matters, you can make representations to the Aberdeen City MIR too. My next post will take you to the Aberdeen City maps and bids.
Don’t forget, there is a drop in session on Thursday 21st February from 1230-1900 hrs at Holiday Inn, Westhill where you can meet the planners and discuss any aspect of the Main Issues Report.
It’s the time of year when residents raise some issues around firework displays and bonfires. The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service issue very good advice on staying safe and encourage people to attend organised events. Although there are a number of nearby events, Westhill has not held an organised public bonfire or firework display for many years now and I know this is something many residents would welcome. Any public event would need good organisation as well as public liability insurance, but lots of communities manage to put on a great display.
There is always concern over pets at this time of year as they can get very distressed by sudden, prolonged and loud noises. There have been horrific stories in the news about members of the public and fire officers being injured by anti-social use of fireworks.
Whether you love fireworks or dread the weeks leading up to 5th November, I would like to hear your views. Please complete the attached survey.
“Many people will remember a time when getting involved in local snow clearing wasn’t that rare an occurrence and people now have even higher expectations about their ability to travel in bad weather.”
Applications are now being taken for Aberdeenshire’s volunteer snow warden scheme, aimed at supporting and assisting communities and individuals to increase their resilience to winter weather.
Although recent years have been variable in terms of snowfall, last year was particularly notable for the ice which formed where snow couldn’t be cleared quickly enough from surfaces.
Many communities, such as those within the Cairngorms National Park, are well prepared for winter, getting regular snow, but others can be caught by surprise.
Establishing a volunteer snow warden scheme in a community with direct support from the council is one way to increase resilience to winter events, expected or not.
Aberdeenshire Council’s Head of Roads, Philip McKay, said: “It seems fairly obvious to point out the sheer physical size of our area, perhaps not so much the substantial areas of road and pavement surfaces which stretch to about 3370 miles in length, 10.3% of the non-trunk road network in Scotland.
“Despite their experience and dedication our teams cannot keep all surfaces clear at all times when snow is falling with the resources available.
“One way to increase the resource available is to equip and train volunteers in local areas who can see the value and sense in being part of keeping their community moving.
“Many people will remember a time when getting involved in local snow clearing wasn’t that rare an occurrence and people now have even higher expectations about their ability to travel in bad weather.”
At the full council meeting back in September, the Proposed Aberdeen City & Shire Strategic Development Plan (SDP) was ratified after having been agreed by members of the SDPA and also ratified by Aberdeen City council members. The proposed plan is now open for public consultation and comments can be made until 17th December 2018.
More information on the Proposed SDP can be found here and a copy of the response form is below:
You will see in the proposed plan that western expansion is still considered to be premature and is not supported at this time until a range of studies is undertaken which will include an appraisal of the effect of the AWPR.
