Home now from North Kincardine Rural Community Council. At the AGM there were two changes in officer-bearers with Drew Russell being elected chairman, and new member Colin Pike becoming planning officer. Thanks to Robin Baxter and Sean Fettig – who are stepping down – for their contributions. There are still vacancies for three community councillors.

During the meeting a number of topics were discussed including planning applications (21 caravans at Bishopston for Aberdeen bypass workers), police report (mainly road offences and a warning about bogus callers), rezoning for Cults Academy (Aberdeen City Council decided the status quo remains except for the Blairs development whose pupils will have to be educated in Aberdeenshire) and the plans for bypass workers at the Mill Inn site.

A positive meeting of the Chapelton liaison committee last night. There are now 21 families in the new community. Here are some snippets:

– The initial tenders for a community bus have proved to be not commercially viable. Further solutions are being sought.

– The car park at the park and ride beside the Newtonhill flyover should be ready around the end of June.

– A community woodland is to be established between the flyover and Chapelton (south of the access road). The first planting should take place on 26 July. One option is that in the future the area could also host a cemetery, which has to be provided in the development after 4000 houses.

– When the employment land to the west of the A90 is developed it may be cut into to the land to give a lower profile.

– An extension to Portlethen medical centre – including more parking places – should be completed by this time next year. The number of health visitors at the surgery has already been increased. Chapelton is in the surgery’s catchment area.

– Chapelton is looking forward to working “hand in hand” with the council’s design team over the first primary school in the new community. It will be the first public building there.

– There is a greater interest in purchasing smaller houses as the community developments. Hume Square should be finished later this summer.

– The developers are working with Scottish Water over the repeated burst mains pipes in Newtonhill Road, Newtonhill. The committee heard that the monitoring has been installed. It may be that the pipes in Newtonhill – thought to be asbestos – may be at the end of their life. Elsick House is now available for corporate and wedding occasions (10 bedrooms and a function room).

As part of North East Business Week, Elevator (formerly Enterprise North East Trust) and Business Gateway have launched a video pitch competition – a chance to win £1,000 for simply submitting a 60 second Elevator pitch.

The closing date is Friday.

Here’s a link to the page to submit applications:www.elevatoruk.com/pitchperfect, and here is a link to a blog post advising ‘Top Tips for your Elevator Pitch’: http://bit.ly/ElevatorPitchtips

Today I and others received a letter from Aberdeenshire Council about the provision of education in Portlethen, and in particular the building and opening a primary school in Hillside, a controversial issue. I have copied below the letter from Craig Clement, the council’s head of resources & performance. Read on …

Hillside School

At the outset, I would acknowledge that a delay in opening the new school is regrettable. I fully appreciate the disappointment for pupils, parents, staff and the wider community that the building will not be completed by August 2016. I have received a number of requests for information which I set out below:-

Timescale for building Hillside School

Significant work has been undertaken regarding the provision of a new school. A detailed plan for the new building has been agreed (following consultation), a contractor appointed and budget has been agreed for the project. This preparation would have allowed the school to open in August 2016. However, due to the delay referred to below, the Council is now expecting work to begin on site in late 2015. This will result in the new school being completed during the 2016/17 school session, hopefully before the end of the end of the calendar year 2016.

Reason for Delay

Aberdeenshire Council is very disappointed that the completion of the new school has been delayed. This delay has been caused by issues with the acquisition of and obtaining access to the site. Council officers have been working diligently to ensure that all necessary preparations, including legal agreements and associated works are completed to allow the building of the school to commence timeously. The Council are taking active steps to engage with those third parties causing the delay to comply with their obligations

Contingency Planning

Understandably there is some concern over the impact the delay of the new school will have. However, over the coming months, in consultation with parents and the wider community, we will continue to plan for the opening of the new school. In particular, a Head Teacher will be appointed; stakeholder groups will meet; parents and pupils will be consulted on the name for the new school, pupils will be involved in designing a logo for the new school and deciding the colour of the school jumper.

The new catchment areas for the Portlethen network will be effective from August 2016. A report on the consultation exercise will be considered by the Education, Learning and Leisure Committee in Autumn 2015. While estimated pupil numbers are already available, in January 2016 through the P1 admission process, we will have definite numbers of the P1s who will be attending the new school. We will also be asking all parents residing in the catchment area for the new school (and whose children are already in primary school) whether they intend to move their children to the new school when it opens. I would emphasise that there is no requirement for children to move, but many families may choose to do so.

In August, 2016, there will be an opportunity for the classes for the new school to be formed, and pupils taught by their ‘new teacher(s)’. This will take place in Portlethen, with actual location(s) being dependent on actual numbers and further discussion with parents and school staff. The position will be confirmed in sufficient time for parents to make any necessary arrangements. The children will be able to wear the uniform of the new school rather than that of the ‘host’ school. When the new building is completed, and is ready to open, the teachers will take their classes to the new school in a managed way, with minimal disruption to learning & teaching.

Meeting in Private

Concern has been raised about the recent report heard in private at the Kincardine & Mearns Area Committee, with a suggestion that there is something that the Council is trying to hide. This report related to the consideration and acceptance of the tenders submitted for building the new school. This report contained commercially sensitive data, and because of the relatively small number of companies that submitted a tender bid, it would have been possible for them to have identified what price their competitors submitted. This information is classed as exempt under Schedule 7a to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, and therefore the paper needed to be heard in private.

Portlethen School Over Capacity / Not fit for purpose

Many comments have been made about Portlethen Primary School being over capacity, or not fit for purpose with suggestions that the children are being crammed in to inadequate spaces.

Portlethen Primary School has 16 classroom spaces available for teaching, including those in the temporary accommodation. The roll of the school has recently been capped at 16 classes, and once that upper limit has been reached and those classes are full, no additional pupils will be enrolled at the school. Notwithstanding this, all P1 pupils who are in zone and have applied to the school have been given a place for the next session. The size of individual classes is also capped, so there will not be more children than is permitted by legislative regulation in each single class. P1 classes will have a maximum of 25 pupils. Single stage classes in P2 and P3 will have a maximum of 30 pupils, and single stage classes from P4 to P7 will have a maximum of 33 pupils. Composite classes (more than one stage in the same class) are capped at 25 pupils.

Prior to 2013, the capacity of Portlethen Primary School was set at 475. A cap of 16 classes allows for a range of 415 to 442 pupils depending upon class composition. The roll for the start of the 2015 session is currently expected to be 419 pupils.

Enhanced Provision

Some comments were made about the changes to enhanced provision in the Portlethen Primary network. These potential changes are at consultation stage as it is essential parents and the wider community have an opportunity to contribute to how these services are provided. The aim is to improve provision for pupils and these proposals will not have any impact on available classroom space at the school.

Early Years

Currently all eligible children whose parents have applied for Early Learning and Childcare have been allocated a place within the Portlethen network. For session 2015/16 we anticipate that there will be sufficient places for all eligible children within the 8 settings that serve the Portlethen network.

Capacity at Portlethen Academy

A number of parents have also raised concerns about the capacity at Portlethen Academy. The capacity is currently set at 940 pupils. Based upon the number of pupils already in the primary system, and the number houses due to be built, the school is forecast to stay within capacity until 2020. We monitor the rolls of primary and secondary schools regularly and so if this position changes we will be able to respond in sufficient time. The capacity of all 17 Aberdeenshire secondary schools is currently under review (as primary capacities were reviewed in 2013). The introduction of the National 4 and 5 qualifications has resulted in a change to the way classes are timetabled. The capacity of Portlethen Academy may change as a result of this review, and the changes to timetabling and until this is completed later in 2015, we would not be committing to further extensions of any existing secondary schools.

In conclusion, I would reiterate the delay is disappointing. However, Aberdeenshire Council is committed to resolving issues as quickly as possible, albeit this is subject to other parties completing enabling works. Notwithstanding this, contingency plans are in place and we are committed to engaging with parents/carers and the wider community to ensure we minimise any disruption.

It is proposed to have a stakeholder meeting on 17 June (more details will be provided in due course), which will provide an opportunity to share more information and for questions to be raised.

Tonight saw the Skateraw Hall host the monthly meeting of Newtonhill, Muchalls and Cammachmore Community Council. Here is a taster of the issues discussed:

– There were 20 calls to the police over the past month but only three resulted in reports. Crime statistics for this are are very low.

– The community council noticeboard at west Cammachmore has been repaired, with local farmer Sandy Shepherd planting a bit of old telephone pole to replace the broken stand.

Today we had the regular meeting of Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee. We had a report from Police Scotland about crime. Compared with the previous year in general crime is notably down in the North Kincardine ward Portlethen, Newtonhill, Netherley and surrounding areas).

Housebreaking, crimes of dishonesty, vehicle crimes, theft, assault, vandalism, drug offences, speeding, driving offences all down.

The senior officer Richard Gray said that the force is taking a proactive, preventative approach, and tackling known criminals. “Working harder and smarter,” he said. He also added that the drop in the number of speeders (from 33 to 13 over a year) was “not as a result of any lack of focus by Police Scotland).

Lots of interesting news at tonight’s North Kincardine Rural Community Council meeting in the Corbie Hall.

– Aberdeen councillors will decide on 2 June whether to change the zoning for Cults Academy, which currently accepts pupils from the north Lairhillock Primary School catchment area. Henry Irvine-Fortescue told the meeting that the recommendation from council officers is expected to be that the status quo with the exception of the Blairs development. The children from that development would have to be accommodated elsewhere by Aberdeenshire Council. Local parents will make a presentation at the city council meeting.

– Henry had attended a meeting between city community councils and the AWPR managing agent, John Wilson. Further public meetings will be held to inform residents about what is plans. New leaflets are also available. The contractors are now starting to engage with the community. More information is available at www.transportscotland.gov.uk/awpr-bt

– The new bus shelters at Riverside of Blairs have bus stops saying Brig O Blairs – the name the developers wished to call the community. Aberdeenshire Council has been asked to correct the mistake. [UPDATE: Council officers agreed today (Tuesday) that the signs will be changed.]

– An appeal was made for volunteers to join the Kincardine and Mearns community safety group. An extraordinary general meeting is to be held in three months. Grants are available from the group for suitable good causes. There is about £6000 in the kitty.

– Michael Saunders of Digs2Go has told that his planning application for a workers’ camp at the Mill Inn are “on hold” while his negotiations with the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) team continue. He said that the chances of the development taking place look “increasingly remote”. His company plans to develop a similar camp at Craibstone and it is facing difficulties there regarding water and power. He said that the AWPR team had not disclosed their intentions.

– The community council agreed to give grants to the Friends of Cookney Hall of £200 towards the £400 cost of replacing a microwave, and £250 to the Friendship Club to help with bus trips. The club has some 50 members and used to receive significant support from the now-closed Mill Inn.

– Saturday’s plant sale and coffee morning made a profit of £900. The guides and Blaikieswell animal sanctuary provided the catering.

– The campaign for a community buy-out of the woodland at Kirkton of Maryculter is within touching distance of raising the necessary funds. The target is £50,000, and so far £40,000 has been raised, on top of some £8000 which has been spent so far. Once the target is achieved the campaign will be able to apply to the Scottish Land Fund to make the purchase from the Forestry Commission.

– Kincardine and Deeside Befriending is appealing for more volunteers.

– The next meeting of the community council will be the annual general meeting. There are three vacancies, and in particular Banchory Devenick needs more representatives.

I was somewhat heartened by the response from the council officer who is working on the proposals for a cycle path come walkway from Muchalls to Stonehaven, parallel to the A90. At the council’s infrastructure services committee on Thursday we heard that the cost is now estimated at some £1 million.

I had thought the cost would have ruled out any progress, but no.

A cost benefit study will now be prepared and presented to Transport Scotland for them to consider. The council officer hopes that some of the work could be combined with maintenance and repair work. For example the embankment at Bridge of Muchalls has been waiting for repair work for some two years now. Onwards!

Well that’s been an eventful day. The headline news must be the delay to the opening of the new Hillside primary school. Instead of opening as planned in August next year, the scheduled date is now October 2016. The news was shared with Portlethen Community Council tonight by Cllr Carl Nelson, as chairman of the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee.

Today the committee took a paper in private that set out the reasons for the delay – over access – and agreed which company would be awarded the contract. The meeting was in private for various reasons (financial affairs, terms of acquisition, tenderer for contract, and legal proceedings).

After a meeting in private the chairman is the only person who can discuss what was decided. Carl told the meeting that a tender had been accepted and the contract will be awarded subject to land acquisition. The successful bid is within budget. The work will also include drainage, grassing and fencing for community pitches. However, he said, there are access issues with a third party. Nonetheless this is close to resolution. He added that Stewart Milne road works might take until September which could delay the building of the school. That was resulting in an October opening.

As you would expect, community councillors were not pleased. Many blamed the council, though Carl advised that a judgement should not be made without being in possession of all the facts. Community councillors wanted to know what the consequences would be for the children of the new school, and for the pupils of Portlethen primary school. The council’s education director is being invited to attend the next meeting.

Unfortunately there is little more I can say, which is one of the consequences of having meetings in private.

A reporter from the Evening Express was present so no doubt we will be able to read more in due course.

Tonight’s meeting also discussed the changes to local bus services and the lack of timetables; plans for a recycling centre at Badentoy; the empty General George store; a local community plan; the Portlethen gala including a “wonderful” grant of £1000 from the local Rotary club; the lack of a police report again; progress with the allotments campaign; and a £500 grant towards the Bourtee pre-school garden.

At area committee earlier today, councillors agreed that £8000 would be spent on drainage in Nicol Park, Stonehaven; and £25,000 on purchasing land for the cemetery at Maryculter, amongst other landscape services projects. I also made the point that landscape services staff should liaise with communities before undertaking significant work, such as the many bushes and trees planted in the park beside Newtonhill Road, in Newtonhill.

Planning permission in principle was granted for four houses at Stripeside, Netherley, replacing existing buildings. And finally full planning permission for a vehicle inspection facility

I have now had a response from the council’s landscapes services about the little forest at the west end of the Newtonhill Park. Officers concede it was an error to proceed with this planting without notifying councillors and “this is something we need to rectify for future work.”

Here is what I have been told: “Community councils also should be made aware of our proposals, along with relevant groups such as NEAT who were singing our praises a couple of weeks ago.

“From what correspondence I have seen I believe most complaints relate to the proliferation of tree shelters and the immediate visual impact they have, rather than the trees themselves. The area planted is an extension to a group of trees planted a few years ago and is being done at this time simply because we generally plant trees in the winter/early spring, nothing to do with surplus budgets.

“The area of open grassland remains extensive at this park with new trees only taking up a small percentage of available ground and the intention is to create informal footpaths through them so residents can walk between the trees as they develop and grow. We do tend to plant quite densely and in large numbers to increase the overall success rate and if necessary we can thin them out as time goes on.

“As a general note it is likely we will be planting increasing numbers of trees in future years to assist with increasing biodiversity by creating woodland habitats including much more fruit tree planting than we have previously done.   Where appropriate we are also likely to increase planting of ornamental species to provide colour and interest. There are implications in terms of reducing areas of grass requiring regular cutting, but this is not the sole reason for increased tree planting, which itself does require a suitable maintenance regime to be implemented at least until trees are well established. That said, budgets are under increasing pressure as you are aware and we have to prepare for what lies ahead in that respect. This is one method by which we can sustainably reduce costs over a longer term, yet still provide horticultural and amenity interest.

“With regard to species – trees here include varieties of alders and willows and beech amongst others.

“We do accept the tree guards are visually intrusive and have given thought to removal of at least some, but believe its best we leave them for the time being to help maintain survival rates. They will be reduced in number as the trees grow, become more firmly rooted and are better able to withstand the elements themselves.”