Putting the “community” in to Community Planning

                                                                                                                              CPP

The next Ward 13 forum will be on Wednesday 8 October in Westhill Community Church, Westhill.

With refreshments at 7.00 pm for a 7.15 pm start.

AGENDA:

Welcome and introductions

Community Planning Partners’ Updates:

Police Scotland

Garioch Community Plan: Jill Sowden, Community Planning Officer

Aberdeenshire Council:Doug Milne, Garioch Area Manager

Community Issues

All welcome.

 

Sauchen residents have their say on night light switch off

Sauchen 1 DSCF4509Cluny, Midmar & Monymusk Community Council are seeking evidence from residents on whether the majority still favour retaining the Part Night Switch Off or if other options should be considered.

When the trial started in March 2011, Aberdeenshire Council issued questionnaires to all residents. Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee agreed in November 2012 to approve the introduction of a policy allowing villages or neighbourhoods to opt for part night switch off in their area. Based on the responses at that time, the lights in Sauchen were switched off between 12 midnight and 6am.

Residents approached their community council and local councillor to ask if it would be possible to re-consider the switch off in Sauchen. Some residents believed that they felt safer when the lights were kept on overnight and asked for a reversal of the switch off.

Tony Gauci, who represents Sauchen on the Community Council said “We are keen to find out what the majority of residents in Sauchen want. We will be hand-delivering surveys to each household and it is important that residents have their say. Residents will be given 3 choices; retain the midnight to 6am switch-off, change switch-off to 1.00-5.30am or revert to all night burning”.

Westhill & District Councillor, Iris Walker added “Once the Community Council know what the majority of the village prefers, this information will be fed back to elected members and we can make a decision through the Garioch Area Committee.  It’s quite acceptable for people to change their views from the time of the original survey and I would encourage all Sauchen residents to complete and return their survey so their views can be included”.

Sign update

global sign

Back in May 2012, one of my first official engagements as a new councillor was to attend the unveiling of one of the “Global Centre of Excellence in Subsea Engineering” Welcome to Westhill signs.

Confirming the Aberdeenshire town’s subsea status, it was quoted that “Aberdeen City and Shire is home to almost 40% of the UK’s subsea industry which generates £6billion per annum and supports 50,000 jobs.

The oil and gas industry has certainly put Westhill on the map. At that time I quoted “Great news for Westhill and I hope that Subsea UK along with other local companies will get involved in the community aspect of the town and be interested to hear what local facilities and groups have to offer.”

Since the signs were unveiled, following complaints from nearby residents, I have been asking Aberdeenshire Council to look at moving the Hilltop sign to a more appropriate place instead of encroaching on residential space. I believe a more appropriate site has been identified but it is taking longer than expected to finalise due to the land not being in the ownership of the council. I am advised that the sign will be removed from the Hilltop location by the end  of March 2014.

Looking out for residents across Aberdeenshire…….

tree

Aberdeenshire Council responded to a number of weather-related issues yesterday.

The Roads teams were out from early morning clearing and treating roads. There were 15 reported incidents of trees blocking roads across Aberdeenshire between 5.30am and 7.50am and numerous more during the day. I also spoke to local residents who contributed to the clear up operations in their own, more rural areas.

Gritters were out treating priority routes yesterday morning and again last night. Residents are advised to check Police Scotland and Transport Scotland social media feeds for up to date information on travel conditions.

Despite the weather, over 160 schools remained open with just 19 schools closing to everyone. A further 12 schools were affected by transport problems and pupils who couldn’t make it to school were asked to log on to Glow (the school intranet system)where work was provided for them. I know for some even this was not an option yesterday as many homes were without power. Reminiscing my own pre-internet school days – a day off because of bad weather really was a day off!

Finally, today is International Volunteer day and in that spirit Aberdeenshire Council is asking people to check on any elderly or vulnerable neighbours during this cold spell.

Wall at Broadshade Estate

dykeThanks to residents who continue to report and send in photographs of the dyke at Broadshade on Old Skene Road. I have again spoken to Stewart Milne Group who are responsible for maintenance of this wall and have been assured that they hope to appoint a contractor to make permanent repairs very soon. Aberdeenshire Council has also been made aware of the safety issues in the meantime. I will keep you updated.

10th September 2013 – Stewart Milne Group have confirmed that their contractor will commence repair work within the next 2-3 weeks. Meantime, safety barriers have been put in place.