The street lights in Cliff View, Newtonhill, are due to be replaced and I have asked that the lighting column nearest the path through to the park be moved to the entrance. Many local people have complained to me how dark is in that passageway, making them feel unsafe. I’m pleased to say the council officers have given me a positive response, depending on available budget. They say: “it is envisaged that these works will be carried out in financial year 2018/19”.
Key decisions on council offices
A big talking point from today’s meeting of Aberdeenshire Council is where should our HQ be located.
To cut a long story short, by a large majority councillors voted to go forward with new council offices in Inverurie to house staff from Gordon House and from Woodhill House in Aberdeen. I did not vote for that.
It was also agreed to explore options for consolidating existing offices in Ellon into one building, and similarly to explore options for refurbishing and expanding the offices in Stonehaven at Viewmount and Carlton House.
Officers are also instructed to negotiate to acquire Harlaw Park (the Locos’ ground) to provide an option to facilitate a public sector hub. In plain language that means any new council offices in Inverurie could be shared with other organisations. A masterplan is to be prepared for the Harlaw site.
The meeting was assured by business services director Ritchie Johnson that final approval will still be required at the conclusion of the negotiations.
We were told that there could be significant savings and increased efficiencies from the moves. It was estimated that it could save £445,000 a year in revenue costs, including repayments on loans to pay for the new buildings.
Gordon House in Inverurie is apparently coming to the end of its days, and something needs to be done. This was seen as an opportunity to combine with Woodhill House in new premises. However there would be 45% less office space than at present. Woodhill House is not at capacity, and to be economically viable ideally the council should rent out the top floor of Woodhill House. That has proven difficult since Grampian Police moved out.
One of my concerns is that much is made of the fact that Woodhilll House is in Aberdeen. Aberdeenshire Council is the only local authority to have its headquarters outwith its boundary. Frankly, that doesn’t bother me. Aberdeenshire inherited the premises from Grampian Region, having bought out Aberdeen City Council and The Moray Council. It is central, and has good transport links. It is the quality of the service to residents that counts, not where it is located. There are also more than 800 staff to be considered. Plus moving to Inverurie takes the HQ further away from the people I represent in North Kincardine. I also made the point that it is as logical to remove “Aberdeen” from the name of the council as it is to move the HQ just because its in Aberdeen. Mind you the people of Kincardineshire and Banffshire might like that!
So we had a voted, with 50 in favour of pressing on. I could not support that, but neither could I back an amendment which would only take forward the Ellon and Stonehaven options, leaving Gordon House in limbo.
There is plenty of information in the reports on how these changes will take place, but precious little on the why. I would rather see efficient use made of Woodhill House. If all were to go to plan all the changes could be completed by 2021.
As the project progresses there will be reports at key stages on the implementation of the timetable, with scrutiny from councillors. At those points it would be possible to change course. I’ll be watching!
Here is the technical bit, the motion and the voting record:
Councillor Thomson, seconded by Councillor Gifford, moved approval of the recommendations in the report and the additional recommendation 1.7 to instruct officers to bring forward a timetable, to be considered by the Working Group, to demonstrate a staged implementation plan, scrutiny and reporting mechanisms for each part of the process.
As an amendment, Councillor Tait, seconded by Councillor Agnew, moved that the Council take no further action to move the headquarters to Inverurie, in effect rejecting all the recommendations in the report except 1.1.1 and 1.1.2.
The members of the Council voted:-
for the motion (50) Councillors Aitchison, A J Allan, A M Allan, Argyle, Bellarby, Blackett, C C Buchan, Cassie, Chapman, Christie, C Clark, G J Clark, K L Clark, L Clark, Cowling, Cullinane, Davidson, Duncan, Evison, Findlater, Ford, Gifford, Grant, Hendry, Hood, Howatson, Ingleby, Ingram, Johnston, Latham, Lonchay, McKail, McRae, Merson, Owen, Petrie, Pirie, Pratt, Robertson, Shand, N J Smith, S W Smith, M M Stewart, B H Stuart, I W Taylor, Thomson, Topping, Vernal, Walker and Webster.
for the amendment (4) Councillors Agnew, Carr, Nelson and Tait.
declined to vote (2) Councillors Mollison and D Stewart.
absent from the vote (6) Councillors Bews, Cox, Dick, Gardiner, Roy and Watt.
The motion was carried.
If you wish more information, click on this link and scroll down to item 10 on the agenda. The pdf has the paper presented to councillors. http://committees.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/committees.aspx?commid=1&meetid=18343
Tight vote on business rates protest
Today’s meeting of Aberdeenshire Council kicked off with a long debate on the increases in business rates in the North East.
This debate centred on a motion backed by independents, Liberal Democrats and Conservatives that the council protests now about the financial burden facing many of our local businesses cause by a combination of a revaluation and an increase in the poundage levied by the Scottish Government. We wanted the increases suspended. Meanwhile the council’s administration of SNP, Labour, Green and others favoured a more measured approach. They wanted data gathered first about the impact the changes are having before contacting the Scottish Government to ask for mitigation or suspension.
During the debate I cited the impact on businesses, saying that a local hotelier had commented it was like the final nail in the coffin – “kicking us when we are down.”
This was the first revaluation in five years.
The outcome was a vote tied at 31-31. The provost gave a casting vote in favour of the more pragmatic approach from the SNP and their colleagues.
Here are the details, for those who wish to see the detail:
Councillor Tait, seconded by Councillor Watt, moved:-
“Council, as a minimum, will request the Scottish Government to apply the recent Rates rises on a phased transitional basis in order to avoid damage to businesses and employment within Aberdeenshire and absorb the shortfall over the transitional period so that it is not passed on to Councils.
The Council notes with real concern the impact that the Business Rates Revaluation will have on Aberdeenshire businesses.
The Council instructs the Co-Leaders to write to the Finance Secretary Derek McKay MSP to highlight this impact and to:
1. Request that he suspends the planned increases until the ongoing Barclay Review is completed and actioned
2. Request, if it is possible to do so, that the Barclay Review includes a re-valuation of all NE businesses in order to take into account local market conditions and, if not, to ask the Minister to action a re-valuation of NE businesses and
3. Press the case for transitional arrangements for Aberdeenshire businesses in order to mitigate the impact of future increases.”
As an amendment, Councillor S W Smith, seconded by Councillor Evison, moved:-
“Council notes with concern the reported impact of the current Business Rates Revaluation.
The Council notes that it must remain mindful of the impact of the current revaluation on its own finances and limited financial scope to intervene.
The Council instructs officers to conduct an analysis of changes to the business rates roll across Aberdeenshire with a view to:
1. Identifying the scale of any changes, and to identify any geographical areas or business sectors within Aberdeenshire which appear to be particularly affected.
2. Instructing the Co-Leaders to share the outcome of this analysis with the Scottish Government, and to request any appropriate mitigation measures including transitional relief or suspension in response.”
The members of the Council voted:-
for the motion (31) Councillors Agnew, Argyle, Bellarby, Carr, Chapman, C Clark, K L Clark, Cowling, Cullinane, Davidson, Findlater, Gardiner, Gifford, Hood, Howatson, Ingleby, Latham, McKail, Mollison, Nelson, Owen, Robertson, Roy, N J Smith, D Stewart, M M Stewart, Tait, I W Taylor, Walker, Watt and Webster.
for the amendment (31) Councillors Aitchison, A J Allan, A M Allan, Bews, Blackett, C C Buchan, Cassie, Christie, G J Clark, L Clark, Cox, Dick, Duncan, Evison, Ford, Grant, Hendry, Ingram, Johnston, Lonchay, McRae, Merson, Petrie, Pirie, Pratt, Shand, S W Smith, B H Stuart, Thomson, Topping and Vernal.
There being an equality of votes, the Provost exercised his casting vote in favour of the amendment and the amendment was carried.
B & M confirms opening date
B&M has now confirmed it will be opening its new store in Portlethen on Friday 3 March, creating 50 jobs. The firm sells toys, food and drink, pet products, health & beauty lines, homewares, DIY, decorating and furniture range, and a garden centre.
I am delighted that there is now a date for opening the store. However it still baffles me that the company could not answer a simple question about the opening date when I asked the other day. It was as if they don’t know what they are doing! But that’s in the past now. The jobs are most welcome.
Job roles are advertised on the B&M website – roles range from sale assistant to floor managers and cleaners, there are a mixture of full and part time positions – temporary and permanent.
Sportlethen ticking over
Another evening another meeting. This time the Portlethen sport hub meeting. Represented were two bowling clubs, archers, badminton, tennis, joggers (new), Rebel PT, RGU, and Sooyang Do martial arts. Also present were various council officers and three local councillors.
Sportlethen is ticking over, with training programmes the main talking point.
The next meeting is on 8 March in Portlethen Academy. All local sports clubs and anyone interested in sport are welcome.
Spotlight on Portlethen
A lively meeting of Portlethen community council tonight, attended by five residents and three Aberdeenshire councillors.
Significant time was devoted to retrospective planning permission for an extension to Kirk Croft, Portlethen, beside a right of way. A meeting is to be held with Aberdeenshire Council’s access officer.
Sgt Chris Smith promised meaningful regular reports in future to the community council. This is a low crime area with high detection rates. His focus was on anti social behaviour, housebreakings, and car thefts. He was also asked about speeding and abuse being directed at lollipop personnel.
The residents survey on line and in the Clochandighter magazine attracted 1300 paper responses plus web submissions.
Little progress is being made with preferred site for allotments, so alternatives are being considered as a fall-back. One possibility is in the Hillside pitches area. More than 100 people are signed up.
The deadline for the next Clochandighter is due shortly. Half of the 88 pages is advertising, and the rates may be increased, the first in many years. Articles welcome.
Proposals are being drawn up for a pensioners’ playground in Burnside Park.
Paul Melling was thanked for his efforts as founding chairman of Kincardineshire Development Partnership. He was asked to remain as the community council representative.
Chairman Ron Sharp is prepared to put his name forward at the annual general meeting fir a further term in office. Six members of the community council are due to stand down – but are eligible to stand again. Anyone who is interesting joining should get in touch with the community council.
The community council agreed in principle to give a donation to a new running group in Portlethen, but only once it is formally constituted.
Many other issues were covered including the forthcoming opening of B&M, plans for an 830 vehicle car park in the greenbelt west of the A90 for Arnold Clark, the average speed cameras at Charleston go live tomorrow, the excellent staff at the new recycling centre, a play area in Marsh Place, and Portlethen Sports Hub (which meets tomorrow in the academy at 7pm).
More power for communities
A law that allows communities to take over land or buildings currently in public ownership has come into force.
The asset transfer section of the Community Empowerment Act (Scotland) 2015 allows community-led organisations to request to buy, lease or use any land or buildings belonging to a range of public bodies, including local councils and the Scottish Government.
Groups must show how they will use the land to benefit the community and requests must be agreed unless there are reasonable grounds for refusal.
Find out more at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/engage/CommunityEmpowermentBillFAQs
Speed cameras go live
Take note! The new average speed cameras on the A90 at Charleston go live on Wednesday.
New waste bin waiting to be used …
A new litter bin joined the dog poo bin on Old Mill Road in Newtonhill a couple of days ago. I’d asked council officers to provide a bin following a request from a resident. She had pointed out there had been an increase in litter in the area recently. I was pleased by the very quick action.
However when I walked by this afternoon, guess what? A plastic bottle in the bushes, and on the other side an Irn Bru can.
The new waste bin on Old Mill Road
Store stumped by a simple question
I contacted B&M to ask them when they are opening the new store in Portlethen. It is not listed on their website under “New Stores”. The construction work appears to have finished, and there is a B&M sign at the entrance to the retail park. An advert for staff appeared on the website yesterday for “energetic” staff: http://jobs.bmstores.co.uk/vacancies/3397/sales-assistants–new-store–portlethen.html
However the answer from B&M is baffling, as you can read for yourself:
______________________
Thank you for your below email, B&M aim to open 50 new stores each year, however, we are not aware where these store will be located until final contracts are signed. Once contracts are signed the new store details will be advertised within the area.
All publicly available information regarding new stores opening can be found on our website.
The website is updated as soon as there is anything new to add.
I have also forwarded your email to the relevant department for their consideration of future sites.
Yours Sincerely,
Customer Services.
_______________________
Oh well, they might consider Portlethen for a future site!
No mention of Portlethen