Echt & Skene Community Council held their AGM last Wednesday evening. Office bearers were confirmed as:

Chair: Fiona Bick, Vice Chair: Nick Pilbeam, Secretary: tbc, Treasurer: tbc

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

Thursday 30th April 2020 – Echt Hall

Thursday 18th June 2020 (AGM) – Dunecht Hall