Aberdeenshire Council’s Trading Standards service today issued the latest bulletin on local doorstep crimes.

COLD CALLING
One resident in the Garioch area has been getting pestered recently by a high volume of calls, apparently from Amazon. The calls were all pre-recorded but came from a variety of phone numbers, both land lines and mobile numbers, from as early as 6am till as late as 11pm, often there are several such calls in any one day.

The calls advise that £799 has been taken from the resident’s Amazon account and to press ‘1’ for further information.

This resident was not unduly concerned by the calls as they didn’t have an Amazon account and they knew full well that the calls had nothing to do with Amazon. It was a scam, probably from abroad and from a single source, which spoofed the numbers shown in Caller ID, to trick the recipient into answering.

The calls were intended to frighten the recipient into pressing ‘1’ on their keypad, so that the call was diverted to a high tariff service where the recipient would be charged as much as £3.60 per minute, then kept on hold for as long as 30 minutes before being cut off without ever speaking to anyone but having inadvertently racked up a whopping phone bill.

Call blocker devices or similar services from telephony providers can filter out as much as 95% of these calls so that the recipient never gets bothered by them. If you are being bothered by scam calls, high pressure sales calls or similar it might be worth speaking to your service provider to see if they can help.

Call blocker devices can also be helpful and can be obtained from such websites as trueCall at https://www.truecall.co.uk/ or CPR Call Blocker at https://www.cprcallblocker.com/ though it should be noted that other devices are available and you should do some research to see which one suits your needs and budget best.

Also, a new service which has recently gone live is the Stop Scams UK 159 service. This is a pilot service being provided by some of the major banks such as Barclays, Lloyds, Natwest and Santander and is supported by BT, Virgin, O2, Vodafone and others.

The principle is fairly simple: if you get a call from someone purporting to be from your bank (such as in a ‘safe account’ scam), simply hang up and then call 159.

This will put you though quickly to your own bank where you can report the matter to someone and discuss what to do next. Calls are charged at the national rate. Please note that this service is for suspicious calls only and shouldn’t be used to contact your bank for other reasons.

Further information on how to tackle these problems can be found on the Ofcom website at Ofcom; Unwanted Calls or at the Stop Scams UK website at https://stopscamsuk.org.uk/159

SOCIAL MEDIA SCAM
One resident in Formartine was recently contacted by a friend on a well-known social medium stating ‘I won money on this Covid lottery and saw your name on the list too! Have you got your winnings yet?”

The resident was then contacted by an ‘agent’ of the lottery to arrange payment of her winnings of more than £100,000. Firstly, the resident was instructed to buy several gift vouchers, photograph the vouchers and then send the photos to the agent, which she did, so that her winnings could be released in cash.

Next day, the resident was asked to buy more vouchers, in fact twice as much as the first batch, for ‘customs’ costs, then the money would be delivered the following morning, in cash. This she did.

The resident later spoke in person to her friend. The friend advised the resident that she had not won any money. It also appeared that her social media account had been hacked. The lottery win was a scam and the hacker was the scammer.

The social medium and the voucher company had taken no active part but had simply been used by the agent, or as we call them, “criminals”, to perpetrate the scam on the resident. In all likelihood the scammer had hacked the friend’s account and used it to message people about the scam, including the original message asking about the resident’s ‘win’.

The classic signs of a scam are there: winning a competition you didn’t enter (you can’t win it if you’re not in it), a message from a trusted ‘friend’ (establishes credibility), a large sum of cash winnings (bait), delivered in cash within days (near instant riches; who wouldn’t want that?). Also, why would there be customs costs for cash, which is legal tender and already present in vast amounts in the UK, so why the need to import cash?

The payoff for the scammer is the photos of the gift vouchers. First a little bit to see if the scam might work, then more when the first attempt is successful and the scammer gets bolder. Also, so long as the scammer can read the serial numbers on the photos of the vouchers, they can use them up to their full value.

They don’t physically need to possess the vouchers.

The scam has been reported to the social medium concerned who have taken down their profile, but she has already created another. This has also been reported to the medium.

Some points to consider:
• Always use a separate, strong password for each of your online accounts. This could be the traditional 9-12 characters (including a capital letter, a number and a special character such as a question mark), three random words or a password generated by your browser. Further information can be found here https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice-andinformation/internet-safety/cybercrime/
• If you believe any of your social media accounts has been compromised, report it immediately to that medium.• Post a message to your online friends on that medium warning them that you believe that your account has been compromised (hacked).
• Watch out for the warning signs of a scam or unexpected online contact from strangers (beware of geeks bearing gifts).
• If you think a scam is being perpetrated on you, report the matter to Police Scotland or Trading Standards immediately.
• If possible, search social media for the lottery, agent etc. and look for any posts advising that it is a scam. If you see such posts, heed them.
• If you have parted with any money, report the scam to your bank or credit card company to see if they can get a refund or compensate you.

MISCELLANEOUS
In previous bulletins we have covered articles on how some unscrupulous home appliance insurance companies have targeted elderly and vulnerable victims, calling them at home and persuading them to take out often costly and unnecessary insurance for appliances like fridges, washing machines and televisions.

It has recently come to our attention that the Information commissioner’s Office (ICO, https://ico.org.uk/ ) has taken a dim view of this and has taken action against five such companies.

These companies have been fined a total of £405,000 by the ICO and ordered to stop these practices immediately. Further details can be found at ICO takes action over predatory companies.

DISPOSABLE VAPES
Trading Standards work continues into the sales of disposable e-cigarettes (vapes). Worryingly, what it tends to show is that there is a widespread misunderstanding about the health risks these vapes pose to young people. There also appears to be a lack of knowledge about it being:
• a criminal offence for people under 18 years of age to buy a vape
• a criminal offence for people under 18 years of age to sell a vape to another person (even another youngster)
• a criminal offence for an adult to buy a vape on behalf of someone aged under 18 (a proxy purchase, usually outside a shop)
• a criminal offence for anyone to give a vape to someone aged under 18 anywhere (even their own child) and even if the vape wasn’t bought with the intention of doing so.

CONTACTS
For urgent Trading Standards matters, contact Aberdeenshire Council’s Trading Standards at 01467 537222. For non-urgent enquiries, please contact Consumer Advice Scotland at https://www.consumeradvice.scot/ or on 0808 164 6000.

Contact Police Scotland on 999 if you need urgent police assistance or 101 for non-urgent matters.

For more information about scams please visit Friends Against Scams at https://www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/ or Take Five at https://takefivestopfraud.org.uk/

Aberdeenshire Council will cease its covid mobile testing and community collect programme at close of play on Thursday, 14 April.

The decision follows the recent Scottish Government announcement confirming that people without covid symptoms will no longer be asked to take regular lateral flow tests from Monday 18 April.

The council’s programme will end on the previous Thursday (as Friday 15 April is a public holiday).

The operation throughout Aberdeenshire has resulted in:
• 200,000 kits being issued,
• 40,000 kits being given out by communities, and
• 5,500 observed tests being undertaken.

In addition to operating pop-up centres, the council converted three mobile library vehicles to enable residents to undertake lateral flow tests safely in their own communities without the need for lengthy travel.

More here: https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/apps/news/release.aspx?newsID=8509

Aberdeenshire Council’s seasonal garden waste points will operate from 2 April to 29 October this year – including a return to the Coastal Park car park in Newtonhill.

There is no need to book. Council officers say these sites are only to be used for grass clippings and small trimmings – not for larger trees and bushes which take up too much space and which should be taken to a household recycling centres.

They ask that residents don’t arrive before the opening times to enable council operatives to have traffic management measures in place.

The seasonal garden waste recycling points operate on Saturdays at:
• Aboyne: Station Square car park – noon to 3pm.
• Ballater: Roads Depot, South Deeside Road – 8am to 11am.
• Balmedie: Leisure Centre car park, Eigie Road – 1pm to 4pm.
• Blackburn: School car park, Fintray Road – 8am to 11am.
• Inverbervie: Beach Front car park, off Kirkburn – noon to 3pm.
• Kemnay: Birley Bush council depot – 8am to 11am.
• Kintore: Midmill School car park, Carnie Road – 1pm to 4pm.
• Mintlaw: Waste Depot, South Street – 8am to noon, and 12.30pm to 3pm.
• Newmachar: Summerhill Park car park, Pinkie Road – 8am to 11am.
• Newtonhill: Bettridge Centre car park – 8am to 11.40am.
• Oldmeldrum: Academy bus car park, Colpy Road – 1pm to 4pm.
• St Cyrus: Ecclesgreig Road car park – 8am to 11am.

To book a slot at an HRC visit: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/waste/recycling/book-recycling-centre-visit/

Good news! Portlethen Library is increasing its opening hours!

The new opening times are:
Tuesdays 10am – 6pm
Thursdays 10am – 5pm

They will also be offering Click and Collect by appointment on:
Wednesdays 1pm-5pm
Saturdays 10am-2pm (alternate Saturdays starting 26 March)

For all the details please see the Live Life Aberdeenshire website www.livelifeaberdeen.org.uk

Meanwhile Newtonhill Library reopens in the Bettridge Centre on Wednesday 6 April, from 3.30pm to 6pm. It will also be open on Fridays thereafter from 1pm to 3.30pm. If there’s sufficient demand, the hours may increase.

I hear that Scottish Water’s contractor Caledonia Water Alliance is due to complete the work on Newtonhill Road by Friday 22 April, although potentially it could be slightly earlier.

That’s still four weeks the access southbound off the A92 into Newtonhill will be closed. The sooner the work is completed the better.

Free lateral flow testing kits for people without covid symptoms can be collected from Aberdeenshire Council staff next week at the following sites in Kincardine and Mearns.

Monday 28 March
Stonehaven: Market Square Car park, 10am – noon.

Tuesday 29 March
Portlethen: Asda car park 10am – noon.
Laurencekirk: Scotmid High Street 10am – noon.
Inverbervie: Fire Station 1.30pm – 3.30pm.

Wednesday 30 March
Stonehaven: Market Square 1.30pm – 3.30pm.

Friday 1 April
Portlethen: Asda car park: 10am – 12.30pm (closed for lunch half hour) 1pm- 3.30pm.

North Kincardine Rural Community Council met this evening, via Zoom. As usual, much of interest. As well as community councillors and Aberdeenshire councillors, the meeting was joined by two Chapelton residents, Blair Moir and James Leadbeater, and Portlethen resident Mel Sullivan.

SCHOOLING – The plans for providing a primary school for Chapelton children were briefly discussed. A new Chapelton primary will grow within Newtonhill School to transfer to a new building in the new town. Secondary children will continue to go to Portlethen Academy. We heard that Lairhillock School had held a festival of colours, Holi.

POTHOLES – A number of temporary repairs have been carried out in the rural area. Permanent repairs should take place in the new financial year when contractors will be brought in.

BROADBAND – Work taking place including from Bridge of Muchalls to Netherley and around Cookney.

WAR MEMORIALS – Community councillors discussed applying for grant from Aberdeenshire Council to improve the various war memorials in the area.

PLANNING – Community councillors discussed current applications, of which there were few. They also considered the application for houses at the former Mill Inn site at Maryculter – comments have already been submitted and the community council may ask to address the area committee.

VACCINATIONS – The meeting noted the transfer of the vaccination centre for Kincardine and Mearns from Stonehaven Town Hall in April to Invercarron Resource Centre in Low Wood Road in the town. Concerns were expressed about parking.

GRAVEYARD -The state of the Templars’ chapel and graveyard near the Maryculter House Hotel is to be discussed at the next meeting.

WANT MORE? – The next meeting is on Monday 18 April at 7.30pm.

As everyone who lives in Newtonhill will know, Scottish Water is installing a new mains into the village. I’ve just received an update from the company about what will happen when the work reaches the A92 southbound carriageway.

Here is what Scottish Water has to say: “Phase four of the work on Newtonhill Road is about to begin, and this will involve the closure of the southbound A92 slip road entering Newtonhill from the North. This is to prevent any possible back up of traffic onto the A92 caused by the temporary traffic lights near the top of Newtonhill Road and to allow a safe working area for the works next to the slip road.

“A diversion will be in place via the Stonehaven junction on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. The southbound exit from Newtonhill onto the A92 will remain open.

“This phase of works will start on Monday 28 March and last approximately four weeks.”

There are now notices from Aberdeenshire Council at bus stops advising of the impact on local buses.

It says that southbound services will be affected. During the closure the X7 buses will stop at the former bus stop on the dual carriageway outside Tesco. Traffic leaving the village to go to south will have to beware of these buses.

Otherwise the southbound exit from Newtonhill on to the A92 will remain open as normal.

As well as closing the southbound access into the village, it will affect the three afternoon buses returning from Portlethen Academy. See the letter displayed below.

UPDATE 22 March:

We received an addressed leaflet via Royal Mail today with information from Scottish Water about what they are going to do. Presumably every household in the village received a copy.

I raised the length of the closure with council officers today. Officers have been urging Scottish Water – and their contractors – to move as quickly as possible and reduce how long the access from the A92 will last. However it is up to Scottish Water.

Council officers have provided the following update on how children from Chapelton will be accommodated at Newtonhill School (until there is a primary built in the new town), and at Portlethen Academy.

There is nothing particularly new here, but it confirms the direction of travel. The information comes via Kincardine and Mearns area manager Bruce Stewart.

“With over 4,000 houses proposed new town of Chapelton is Aberdeenshire Council’s largest housing allocation, and it is key for housing delivery in the region, located in the southern strategic corridor.

“As part of the vision and masterplan, education facilities and many other facilities have been planned into the development and in line with the Section 75 planning agreement a primary school is to be provided after the 489th house is completed.

“We would highlight that the programme for the delivery of the school is linked to housing delivery on site at Chapelton and this may create some fluidity in the programming.

“Further to continuing conversations and meetings held with the developer, Aberdeenshire Council including the relevant services such as education and the experience Aberdeenshire Council have from other locations it has been identified that an appropriate way forward would be to ‘grow’ a school at Chapelton.

“This approach would also include a virtual school being formed within Newtonhill Primary that would support the growth of the school and be timetabled accordingly with the new build programme, so that on the opening of the new school there would be classes of pupils established and ready to start at the new school. The virtual school process has been successfully used at Hillside Primary also in the south of Aberdeenshire.

“The entire process from virtual school to new build opening on site at Chapelton, will be programmed in conjunction with the housing delivery numbers and the projected pupil yield to ensure that the process is smooth and to manage the capacity at Newtonhill Primary. Aberdeenshire Council recognises the importance for a community to being fully involved in the unique experience of developing a new school and the community will be invited into the process in due course.

“There are many opportunities and benefits to this process which will ultimately shape the future for all learners within a newly created catchment zone.

“The Learning Estates team in collaboration with property colleagues have developed a strong brief which has shaped our primary school new builds in the last 8 years, and council project officers have been developing a proposed schedule of accommodation which is linked to the primary school design brief for Chapelton. This has enabled indicative whole life project costs to be assessed which in turn has fed into the initial stages of the required project governance.

“Regarding capacity at Portlethen Academy, the calculation of capacities for secondary schools is complex. It’s based on an aim for 80% occupancy in Aberdeenshire, so there are always extra teaching spaces available, but we also base it on ensuring we can deliver an effective mix of practical (20 pupil maximum class size) and non-practical (30 max) subjects.

“The stated capacities are what we call ‘published’ capacities which only account for main school buildings, where as our ‘working’ capacities include non-linked units. Practical teaching areas like technical often require fixed equipment so it can sometimes be that the overall capacity of a school is limited until we reconfigure spaces.

“This is where ‘planning’ capacity comes in. From year to year and where there are pinch points in our secondaries, our learning estates team works closely with schools to ensure they have ample space to deliver the right mix of subjects on behalf of their learners.

“We set annual secondary limits and reserved spaces and will not accept placing requests from those out of area when we need to limit numbers. Right now, none of our secondary schools, including Portlethen Academy, are over working capacity and where we are expecting school rolls to increase, we are planning ahead.”

The following new applications in the North Kincardine ward can be viewed on the Aberdeenshire Council planning register: https://upa.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/online-applications/.

APP/2022/0452
Date validated: 15 March 2022.
Site address: Broomhill, Netherley, AB39 3SN.
Applicant: Messrs c/o Christopher Farquhar, Savills (UK) Ltd, Elm House, Cradlehall Business Park, Inverness, IV2 5GH.
Application: Prior notification for the erection of agricultural building.
Public comment expiry date: Not applicable for this type of application.

APP/2022/0523
Date validated: 14 March 2022.
Site address: Garage/store to east of, Nether Ashentilly Cottage, Maryculter, AB12 5GQ.
Applicant: Mr M Bhatti c/o Duncan Bennett, Bennett Architectural Design Limited, Commerce House, Commerce Street, Aberdeen, AB11 5FN.
Application: Full planning permission for the conversion and alterations of garage/store to form a dwellinghouse.
Public comment expiry date: 14 April 2022.