Break-in closes recycling centre

Stonehaven Household Waste and Recycling Centre was closed after a break-in left key equipment damaged and not safe for use.

The site was closed to allow an electrician assess the damage, for safety checks and to let the police investigate.

The nearest alternative recycling centre is at Badentoy, Portlethen. It is open Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Thursday 9am to 4.30pm, Friday 9am to 4pm.

In response to my request about opening Badentoy HWRC this coming Tuesday and Wednesday if Stonehaven HWRC isn’t re-opened by then, council officers told me: “The team are working hard to try and get Stonehaven open to the public as soon as possible.

“If we are unable to reopen Stonehaven HWRC before Tuesday, we will open Portlethen HWRC for the public to cope with the demand.”

However this turned out not to be required with the Stonehaven centre reopening at 1pm today (Friday 27 July).

Downturn at local firm

Findon-based firm Forum Energy Technologies has “suspended” manufacturing.

In a statement, Forum AMC said: “Effective Thursday, July 19, 2018 Forum Energy Technologies will suspend the manufacturing of capital equipment in our AMC facility located in Aberdeen, due to market conditions.

“While these products are no longer for sale, Forum are committed to offering service support on a local level to help ensure your operations are not disrupted. Our AMC product specialists will continue to be located strategically around the world, and continue to provide service and support through the Forum RFS (Repair & Field Service) Organization including:
 Installation, Servicing & Training
 Product Engineering & Software
 Calibration

“Forum is well positioned to re-enter the Torque Machine & Equipment space when the market recovers and demand for these products returns.”

A worrying situation for staff. It is believed 35 jobs are at risk.

Spotlight on Portlethen issues

Portlethen Community Council met tonight in the academy, with about a dozen members of the public attending. Here are some of the issues …

• The replacement synthetic pitch has been laid at the academy, with final work now taking place. Community councillors want to know what the maintenance regime will be so that there will be regular checks. They are to invite Robertson’s – who run the campus – to attend a future meeting.

• There was a lengthy discussion about the smell in the vicinity of the abattoir. Chairman Ron Sharp and secretary Mike Lloyd-Wiggins had visited McIntosh Donald and they were convinced the smell does not emanate from within the plant. One resident told the meeting it was a “putrid” smell. The community council is writing to Scottish Water and Aberdeenshire Council’s environmental health service to try to get to the root of the problem.

• Asda’s petrol station will close on 29 July, to be rebuilt. The work will take several months. The plans will also see a McDonald’s being built between it and the A90.

• Dismay was expressed about a vandalised sign in the Woodland Park.

• The meeting heard that an 8ft log has been purchased by the Moss Preservation Group to be carved into a World War One soldier, timed to mark the armistice at the end of the war.

• There have been only two applications submitted to the community council for grants from a £20,000 fund under a Portlethen Priorities scheme being run with Aberdeenshire Council. The deadline for applications is 3 August.

• The community council agreed to donate £500 to Bourtree Pre School group and a similar sum for a scheme at the academy which will help 20 new S1 pupils settle in.

New ambulance unveiled

I’m always in awe of the success of the Portlethen Community Ambulance Group, raising funds every few years for a new community ambulance. The new vehicle was unveiled at the weekend.
A ceilidh is being organised to raise funds to maintain this valuable service.
It will be held in the Bettridge Centre in Newtonhill on Saturday 3 November. The hall capacity is 250 and obviously they would like to fill it. Tickets costing £15 each are available from Portlethen Medical Centre and Newtonhill Pharmacy.
Portlethen Church Lunch Club is holding a cheese and wine evening on Friday 7 September in the Church Hall at 7.30pm to support this. Tickets costing £12 available at the Church Office.
The vehicle – which is run by volunteers – will collect people who are unable to drive or walk to Portlethen Medical Practice. For more information on the charity, visit www.portlethen-ambulance.co.uk
The Press and Journal has more about the new community ambulance:

Happy birthday Business Gateway

A service providing advice and support to local businesses for the last decade is celebrating the creation of more than 100,000 jobs by assisting nearly the same number of businesses.
 
Ten years ago control of the business support agency Business Gateway was handed to local authorities by the Scottish Government. Aberdeenshire Council is the lead authority for the North-east.
 
Since then 99,004 businesses have been supported, creating 108,904 jobs.
 
A local team of 16 advisers is available to help those thinking of starting a business, to assist new businesses start and help existing businesses grow.
 
Impartial, comprehensive business advice and guides are available on a variety of subjects such as human resources, marketing and finance. 
 
If you run, or know of, a business that could benefit from additional support or advice,  call 01224 289725 or see: http://www.bgateway.com

Police step up local patrols

Police Scotland have stepped up patrols in Newtonhill and Portlethen to prevent an increase in antisocial behaviour and vandalism during the school summer holidays.

Sergeant Mike Stobie explains: “Over the course of the school holidays there can sometimes be an increase in antisocial behaviour and reported vandalisms in towns.

“This type of behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“Officers will be out patrolling on foot and vehicles around the towns and looking to engage positively with young people and deter them from becoming involved in antisocial behaviour.

There is more information on the Police Scotland North East Division Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NorthEastPoliceDivision/photos/a.194069490655652.54181.164977286898206/2041908692538380/?type=3&theater

Warning signs to be fixed

Two warning signs above the cliffs at Newtonhill are to be replaced. One sign is falling over, and the other is so weather-worn it is very difficult to read.

The area has been the scene of a number of emergency call-outs (including helicopters) over the years.

Council officers have assured me that new signs are being made and will be installed in due course.

Portlethen venue for mental health event

Work is underway to develop an adult mental health and wellbeing strategy for Aberdeenshire. It will determine Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership’s future mental health and wellbeing priorities. 
A series of public engagement events are being held in August when people can share their thoughts and views about mental health and wellbeing. Light refreshments will be provided.

All of the events will be run on a drop-in basis, and you will see below that the nearest one to North Kincardine is in Stonehaven, on 24 August from 2.15pm to 4.30pm. You can to secure a space in advance by emailing integration@aberdeenshire.gov.uk, stating your preferred location and any special requirements.

My Life Dynamic will also be running HearMe events throughout August and September at three locations, including Portlethen on 27 September, from noon until 2pm. These events will provide another opportunity for people to contribute. Places can be booked by emailing enquiries@mylifedynamic.org.uk.

Council seeking views on BSL plan

Aberdeenshire Council is looking for comments on its first British Sign Language (BSL) local plan.
The document aims to improve equality of access to services or support for BSL users in Aberdeenshire and sets out proposed actions for delivery from now until 2024.
It reflects the same long-term goals as the Scottish Government BSL National Plan 2017-2023, which include education (early years), training and work, health, mental health and wellbeing, culture, arts, justice and democracy.
The draft document is available for public view until Monday, 30 July, supported by a BSL signed video.
Comments are being accepted until 30 July, in a number of ways:
• BSL users can share their views via contactSCOTLAND-BSL and leaving a comment on voicemail by calling 01467 536767.
• Feedback can also be shared by email to equalities@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or by mail to Lynne Gravener, Strategic Policy Lead (Engagement & Equalities), Aberdeenshire Council, Woodhill House, Westburn Road, Aberdeen, AB16 5GB.
• An online survey can be found at http://bit.ly/BSLdraftplan
Further information, including the video, can be found at http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/equalities/bsl-plan/
A final version of the plan will be brought before councillors for approval later in the year.

Rail bridge to be closed

For anyone heading from our area south down the A90 to the Castleton farm shop near Fourdon or to Auchenblae, you will have to take a diversion. That’s because Aberdeenshire Council is closing the B966 Abbeyton railway bridge, for safety reasons.
A one-way system was already in force to reduce strain on the 168-year-old bridge, but after assessment of deterioration, this is not sufficient to protect it from the risk of collapse on to the rail line below, given its on-going use by heavy vehicles.
The introduction of a weight limit was considered, but this would be impossible to enforce properly.
The closure will be in effect from Tuesday, 24 July, thereafter a remote monitoring system will be installed on the bridge to highlight any further deterioration.
Signage will be put in place to advise of the closure and diversions.
Castleton Farm Shop can still be reached from the south, using the diversion route.
There is no timescale for reopening of the crossing – the council will be discussing the next steps with Network Rail, which may include demolition and replacement of the bridge in the longer term.
Diversions will be:
Northbound via: C3K Old Aberdeen Road
Southbound via: A90 – Stracathro flyover – A90 – C3K Old Aberdeen Road