Six members of the public – and a reporter from the Mearns Leader – were at tonight’s Portlethen Community Council meeting. Chairman Ron Sharp started the meeting by highlighting the success of the gala, run by community councillors with the help of a few others. However he went on to say there were not enough helper, leaving those in charge frazzled and stressed.

Bluntly, he said the community “needs to get off its backside” or there won’t be a gala next year … and maybe not even be a community council. The lack of participation is putting the nucleus of volunteers under too much pressure.

The gala itself was a great success, raising more than £3500 for the kitty for next year.

The meeting was also attended by Aberdeenshire Council’s area manager Willie Munro and local police inspector Stuart Ednie. They responded to various complaints and comments about road conditions and road safety. In particular community councillors raised points about the Portlethen Primary School area, Bruntland Road, Cookston Road, and the roundabout at the flyover. The police were urged to enforce traffic laws regarding parking and speeding.

Inspector Ednie gave a brief resume of crime figures in the area, emphasising that the number of stop-and-searches has dropped by a third in this area. He said officers were not under pressure to use this power – it will only be used when needed.

The meeting also heard about problems with the men’s shed planned next to the Porty Cabin. However offers of help were made which should help keep it on track. The council has agreed to make the premises available for a token rent.

This is just a flavour of what was discussed. If you want to find out more, come along to the next meeting on 28 October, in Portlethen Academy.