Lots of interesting news at tonight’s North Kincardine Rural Community Council meeting in the Corbie Hall.

– Aberdeen councillors will decide on 2 June whether to change the zoning for Cults Academy, which currently accepts pupils from the north Lairhillock Primary School catchment area. Henry Irvine-Fortescue told the meeting that the recommendation from council officers is expected to be that the status quo with the exception of the Blairs development. The children from that development would have to be accommodated elsewhere by Aberdeenshire Council. Local parents will make a presentation at the city council meeting.

– Henry had attended a meeting between city community councils and the AWPR managing agent, John Wilson. Further public meetings will be held to inform residents about what is plans. New leaflets are also available. The contractors are now starting to engage with the community. More information is available at www.transportscotland.gov.uk/awpr-bt

– The new bus shelters at Riverside of Blairs have bus stops saying Brig O Blairs – the name the developers wished to call the community. Aberdeenshire Council has been asked to correct the mistake. [UPDATE: Council officers agreed today (Tuesday) that the signs will be changed.]

– An appeal was made for volunteers to join the Kincardine and Mearns community safety group. An extraordinary general meeting is to be held in three months. Grants are available from the group for suitable good causes. There is about £6000 in the kitty.

– Michael Saunders of Digs2Go has told that his planning application for a workers’ camp at the Mill Inn are “on hold” while his negotiations with the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) team continue. He said that the chances of the development taking place look “increasingly remote”. His company plans to develop a similar camp at Craibstone and it is facing difficulties there regarding water and power. He said that the AWPR team had not disclosed their intentions.

– The community council agreed to give grants to the Friends of Cookney Hall of £200 towards the £400 cost of replacing a microwave, and £250 to the Friendship Club to help with bus trips. The club has some 50 members and used to receive significant support from the now-closed Mill Inn.

– Saturday’s plant sale and coffee morning made a profit of £900. The guides and Blaikieswell animal sanctuary provided the catering.

– The campaign for a community buy-out of the woodland at Kirkton of Maryculter is within touching distance of raising the necessary funds. The target is £50,000, and so far £40,000 has been raised, on top of some £8000 which has been spent so far. Once the target is achieved the campaign will be able to apply to the Scottish Land Fund to make the purchase from the Forestry Commission.

– Kincardine and Deeside Befriending is appealing for more volunteers.

– The next meeting of the community council will be the annual general meeting. There are three vacancies, and in particular Banchory Devenick needs more representatives.