Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee met today, online. A number of issues relevant to the North Kincardine ward.
The reports are available on the council website, and you can listen back via the livestream at item 0 of the agenda papers: here
EDUCATION
Portlethen head teacher Neil Morrison told councillors about the attainment of pupils in the 2019/20. In line with the national (and Aberdeenshire) trend, the percentage of leavers obtaining a positive post-school destination fell from 95.8% to 93.4%. Attainment in literacy and numeracy among leavers was also up, as was the percentage of leavers achieving five or more awards. Still room for improvement though, he said.
“We had been concerned about the disruption lockdown would cause. Pleased at how it turned out. We learned a lot from the first lockdown and were more effective in the second lockdown.”
He also talked about foundation apprenticeships which are on offer, which catch a different group of young people. It has supported them in moving into employment or other destinations.
However only 93.4% of leavers were going to positive destinations, which was concerning. A range of multi-agency support was available to those still seeking a way forward. The academy has nurtured links with the Wood Foundation, Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust, Maryculter House Hotel, and the Chapelton Development Company.
He thanked the young people, their families, and staff for their commitment.
Mr Morrison was making his final presentation to councillors as he will be retiring shortly. He was thanked for his efforts and contribution to the academy.
INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES
The Roads Service is now trying to catch up after the worst winter in 10 years and of course the impact of lockdown on routine maintenance. Officers have promised “a sustained and concerted attack” on potholes. Some £4,994,000 is earmarked for roads maintenance and resurfacing, drainage, street lighting and winter maintenance in 2021/22.
Resurfacing
Newtonhill – Old Mill Road is to be resurfaced with asphalt, at an estimated cost of £22,500.
Surfacing dressing
B9077 – Blairs westwards to Netherlands, costing £23,850.
C25K – A92 trunk road to A90 AWPR, £49,500.
U59K – Bishopston Farm, £49,500.
U66K – C13K to C5K, £32,400.
U88K – B979 to C12K, £41,400.
U167K – A92 to U88K (Cantlayhills), £40,950.
Surface dressing preparation
C34K – Causeyport, at an estimated cost of £30,000.
U65K – C34K to Butterywells, £52,000.
High friction surfacing
Newtonhill – C24K (Cookney road) – approaches to zebra crossing and approaches to mini roundabout at Tesco, at an estimated cost of £17,000.
Newtonhill – Newtonhill Road approaches to zebra crossing, £8,500.
Footway works
Portlethen – Slurry seal on Muirend Road from A92 roundabout junction to Asda/retail park junction, costing an estimated £2000.
Portlethen – Slurry seal on Muirend Road from Cookston Road to Asda/retail park junction, costing an estimated £2010.
Councillors also heard that Scottish Water will be installing a new main in Muirend Road.
Lighting works
Portlethen – North side of Bruntland Road, column replacements at an estimated cost of £45,000.
Drainage works
B9077 – from A90 AWPR flyover eastwards, and at the C30K junctions at an estimated cost of £50,000.
C12K – from Springfield Steading to Burnhead, for £14,700.
Landscape Services
Maryculter Cemetery – Some £25,000 is allocated to the purchase of land from the Church of Scotland. A further £100,000 is earmarked for infrastructure construction such as paths and road access on the site which is to the east towards the Den in the Glen.
Banchory Devenick Cemetery – Access and parking improvements will cost an estimated £60,000.
Portlethen Cemetery – Repairs will be undertaken at the car park – and its access road in particular – at a cost of £30,000.
Walking and cycling initiatives
A project to design a walking and cycling route between Marywell and Portlethen is to cost £50,000. It is part of a greater Aberdeen to Stonehaven project.
Portlethen integrated travel town masterplan will cost in total £290,000, supported by Scottish Government grants. This will see the construction of shared use paths within the town.
Potholes
These will be tackled under general maintenance programmes, with £904,500 being allocated for this financial year.
Extremely disappointed and annoyed that temporary repairs on the Berrymuir Road, Cairngrassie Drive and Cairngrassie Circle have been left the way they have. It is without doubt, the most pitiful effort I’ve ever seen on any road. I’m seriously bewildered that anyone could walk away from that, thinking they’d done a good job. I urge you to look it over yourself and get the roads department back to do the job correctly.
Many thanks for drawing my attention to this. I’ll certainly have a look. In the meantime, it may well be that these are temporary repairs until permanent ones can be undertaken.