How to order a grit bin
Disappointment over rail cuts statement
The Scottish Government’s Transport Minister has no solution to plug the gap left by timetable changes to CrossCountry train services later this year, according to a response to North East Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Rumbles.
From December cuts on the Aberdeen to Edinburgh route proposed by CrossCountry could mean that regular passengers will be forced to find other means of transport.
Recycling centre officially opened
A cold and blustery official opening of the new household waste and recycling centre today at Badentoy, Portlethen. The formal ceremony was conducted by Provost Hamish Vernal, watched by the four local councillors, and council officers.
It has taken years of pressure from local councillors to achieve this outcome. Indeed former councillor Paul Melling showed me a cutting from the Mearns Leader of 2008 about the campaign for the centre!
If you have not been there yet, you will get a warm welcome from the three attendants – Josh, Colin and Dean – who will advise you.
Community council discusses AWPR
Representatives of the Aberdeen bypass builders will update North Kincardine Rural Community Council on Monday 16 January. The 7.30pm meeting in Lairhillock Primary School is open to the public. http://www.nkrcc.org.uk/nkrcc-awpr-public-meeting-monday-16th-jan-7-30pm-lairhillock-school/
Opportunity for young pipers and drummers
Young pipers and drummers from across Aberdeenshire are being encouraged to join a new pipe band for young musicians.
The first meeting of the Aberdeenshire Schools Pipe Band will take place between 10am and 4pm on Sunday, 22 January in Inverurie Town Hall. The event is open to any pupil who plays the bagpipes or drums and is interested in joining. The band will formally launch in the summer.
Those who cannot attend the kick-start day but are interested in joining can complete the application form on the council’s website www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/spb
Council reviews licensing fees: views sought
Members of the public, community groups and businesses are being asked for their views on a proposed fee structure for a variety of civic licences issued by Aberdeenshire Council.
The council is the licensing authority for a wide range of civic licences, including those for taxi and private hire car vehicles and drivers, and those for public events.
There is a legal requirement for the council to make sure that the fees charged cover the cost of running the licensing service – but at the moment the council is facing losses.
The licensing service is not permitted to make an overall profit so, following a review, a new pricing structure has been prepared that aims to better reflect the work involved in processing an application.
Many licences are relatively straight forward to process but detailed applications, such as those for large public events, involve a great deal of work and consultation with different partners.
There has been no increase to the fees for many years and, in some cases, the cost of processing a licence is now more than four times as much as the fee charged.
The proposed fees are closely based on the actual cost for processing each type of licence but there may be some flexibility around the proposed increases.
The proposed structure can be found at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/shirelicensing where views can be shared until Monday, January 23
Search continues for more teachers
Information sessions for people considering a return to teaching will take place next week across Aberdeenshire as part of the council’s drive to recruit more teachers.
The sessions are aimed at registered teachers, including those who have previously taught elsewhere in the UK or abroad.
An afternoon session at 2pm and an evening session at 7pm will take place at each of three locations – Peterhead Academy, Inverurie Academy and Portlethen Academy – on Thursday, January 19.
Council officers will be on hand to explain the different options open to teachers who may not have taught for some time, may never have taught in Scotland or perhaps have never used their teaching qualification.
There are currently 34 (28.6 full time equivalent posts) primary teaching vacancies currently advertised and 31 (30.2 FTE) secondary teaching vacancies currently advertised.
Where would you like to go?
This year the local Doors Open Day will be on 16 September. It is a free nationwide architectural event where the owners of buildings (of architectural, cultural or historic interest) open their doors to the public.
In previous years this has included mills, castles, private homes, small museums, lifeboats, fire stations, police stations, churches, country estates etc. If you would like to know a little bit more about Doors Open Days please go to http://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/
For the owners it is a great way to promote what they do especially if they have any big projects coming up. Also, although they have to let people in for free they can ask for donations and sell refreshments so it is a great way to fund raise.
Any suggestions for properties you would like to see open in this area of Aberdeenshire?
Extra council house
Today’s Press and Journal reports that Aberdeenshire Council is planning 95 affordable homes across the shire, including one in Portlethen.
I made enquiries yesterday to find out more about the Portlethen plans. It transpires that this is one house in the Fishermoss area which is no longer required by the social work department and can be transferred to the council housing stock.
By the way, I also found out yesterday that there are about 8000 people on the housing waiting list. This is much, much lower than it was.