The other day I was at the retirement presentation for Kincardine and Mearns area manager Bruce Stewart at the council offices in Stonehaven.

The post is a key role in liaising between local communities and Aberdeenshire Council. It can be a tough one as quite often the council cannot – usually for financial reasons – always meet the aspirations of the community. Bruce Stewart, like his predecessor Willie Munro, did their best. When I was a councillor I always found Bruce and Willie to be most supportive. I hope Bruce enjoys his retirement (after more than 35 years with the council) as much as Willie!

I had a chat with the new area manager, Tim Stephen, who I knew from his time with the council’s sports and culture arm Live Life Aberdeenshire. I wish him well.