A number of local issues were discussed by Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee today.

Portlethen Community Allotment Association was awarded a grant of £4000 towards set-up costs after a presentation by Christine Lorimer. The one-acre site is to the east of the railway line off Thistle Drive. At present 18 people are signed up for an allotment.

The Men’s Shed is to receive further help. The council will meet the £1889.80 cost of removing asbestos from the Cookston Road premises. A further £3000 will be made available to pay for the removal of an internal wall.

Fewer people are using Aberdeenshire swimming pools. I have asked for the figures for Portlethen.

It was agreed to name the new primary as Hillside School. This is in line with the public consultation.

Councillors are to have a site visit to the EIS Waste Services premises to see where the company wishes to erect a stone cleaning plant. There were 41 objections to the planning application. Resident Andrew Smith put forward their concerns and agent Lesley Tierney put the case for approval to councillors. Both faced questions. The date for the site visit is still to be fixed.