Spotlight on Portlethen

Portlethen community council was well attended tonight by a dozen community councillors, members of the public, and three Aberdeenshire councillors, plus council officer Karen McWilliam and a police officer.

The police officer assured the meeting that the firing range at Hillside is only in use for two working days in a row, and then only between 9am and 2.30pm. Chairman Ron Sharp asked if the officers are using more powerful weapons as there seems to be a louder report when they are practising. The officer promised to find out.

A steering group is to be set up to pull together a settlement plan for Portlethen. This is a new initiative from Aberdeenshire Council, with the town being a pilot. The plan would cover housing roads, the economy, safety and other key issues. It would help inform decisions being made about the area. The group would include community council members, local councillors, the business community and others.

The community council has more than £13,000 available for local groups if they wish to apply for a grant.

The Clochandighter community magazine is being distributed, and two volunteers have been found to fill delivery gaps.

There was a discussion about the proposals from Stagecoach to change bus services in the town. A public meeting is to be held shortly as any comments have to be lodged by 10 March. Details of time and venue will be shared by the community council once known.

Other issues covered included Christmas lights, planning applications, Portlethen police office, play equipment, developer contributions, telephone scams, a residents’ survey, Portlethen sports hub and a review of planning legislation.

The next meeting on 28 March will be the AGM. If anyone is interested in becoming a member they should get in touch. Anne Wilkins is stepping down, and tribute was paid to her for her contribution.

Changes proposed for bus timetable

Changes are afoot for bus services. Stagecoach is looking for comments now from passengers ahead of registering the new timetables which kick in from 1 May. Further information is available on the website.
The proposals include improvements to connections between Aberdeen and Stonehaven with an amended and more consistent route through Portlethen. The frequency between Portlethen and Aberdeen will be revised to every 20 minutes Monday – Saturday. The X6 service will be replaced with new X7 journeys, operated by Stagecoach Bluebird.  These will be offered in addition to the X7 journeys operated by Stagecoach East Scotland. The 7A/7B/7C services will be replaced with a simplified 7/7B service.
The company says all feedback is welcome and should be sent to nscotmarketing@stagecoachbus.com no later than Friday 10 March.
The Stagecoach information event in Portlethen about bus timetable changes will be on Tuesday 7 March at Asda between 1- 6pm.
Click here for further information

Our new-look MP constituency

The Portlethen and Newtonhill area would be part of a new UK Parliament seat covering Kincardineshire and East Angus, if proposals from the Boundary Commission for Scotland are accepted.

The commission is holding the second stage of a public consultation on the proposals. Information can be found on the commission’s website at www.bcs2018.org.uk.

Any comments on the review of the UK Parliament constituencies should be submitted no later than 27 March.

Enhanced provision moves to Portlethen

Aberdeenshire Council is to move the enhanced provision centre from Newtonhill School to Portlethen Primary School. Although this will be welcomed in Portlethen, not so in Newtonhill.

Members of the education committee made the decision after discussing the outcome of a statutory consultation on the proposal.

Enhanced provision centres are a support base for children with additional support needs.

Committee members heard that there are at least 20 children in Portlethen who would be accessing enhanced provision and it is where the need is greatest. Pupils from Newtonhill who need additional support would still receive it as required.

Sports charges to rise

Charges for using Aberdeenshire Council’s sports and physical activities facilities are to increase. The council’s communities committee agreed to a new pricing structure from 1 April.

To mitigate the impact of the price increases they will be phased in, and by 2020 it will allow the council to recover 60% of the costs. Currently the council only recoups 45% of the costs.

Under the pricing structure some of our prices will rise whilst others will fall. We will continue to offer a range of discounts for young people and those on low incomes.

Under the new pricing scheme, for standard prices, by 2020, the cost of an adult swim will rise from £3.80 to £5, a fitness class charge will rise from £5.10 to £6 and a junior swim lesson will rise from £4.30 to £5.50.

The price of a monthly Active Aberdeenshire membership, which gives one adult access to any of the council’s gyms and swimming pools, will rise from £24.10 to £31 by 2020.

The new structure will also change concession rates for those over 60, whose 60% discount will gradually be reduced before being removed by 2020.

From 1 April 2017 the discount for those on low incomes and in receipt of certain benefits will increase from 50% to 60%. This will include those eligible for free schools meals on a means-tested basis.

From 1 April 2017 a 30% discount will be introduced for all young people aged 18 and under as well as those under 25 in full-time education. If a young person aged 18 or under or someone aged 25 or under in full-time education is from a low-income background they will qualify for a 60% discount.

Looked After Children will continue to be able to access facilities for free as well as carers attending with the person they are assisting.

The hire of swimming pools, rooms, pitches and facilities like tennis courts by groups and groups will increase in some circumstances although if the members of a group using them qualify for concession or junior prices, they will be eligible for a reduced rate.

All existing club bookings through to 31 July 2017 will be charged at the existing rate recognising that clubs will have budgeted for these prices when making their original block booking. All new club bookings from 1 April 2017 will be charged in line with the new pricing policy.

Praise for council service

An Education Scotland report has praised the positive impact of Aberdeenshire Council’s educational psychology service.
The Aberdeenshire Educational Psychology Service provides a range of services to children and families, schools and the local authority, with the aim of improving the learning and well-being of children and young people.
The report highlights the “strong leadership” of the principal educational psychologist and said the leadership evident across the service team has “impacted positively” on the quality of the service delivered to children, young people and their families.

Council provides new bench


Aberdeenshire Council’s landscape service has replaced a memorial bench which had fallen into disrepair at Newtonhill. The new bench – with a plaque – was put in place on a path along the cliff top just south of the Braehead in the village. The views from the bench are spectacular.

Cashless parking across the shire

Aberdeenshire Council is to introduce cashless parking across the region. The council has teamed up with RingGo which allows motorists to pay via a mobile phone app, by text or by phone.

The traditional methods of paying for parking will, however, continue to be available for those unable to use the new system.

Personally I prefer just to make use of the free first 30 minutes!

https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/cashless-car-parking-to-be-introduced/

No plans at the moment to close police office

After hearing from a resident there were proposals to close Portlethen police office I contacted Police Scotland to ask what is being planned. It seems that there is nothing concrete. At the moment. Here is the response:

“Police Scotland has instigated a national project reviewing all buildings and estates, which North East Division are participating in. This includes assessing all our buildings, some of which are aging, or in need of considerable modernisation or maintenance, or no longer fit for purpose.

“The review will consider how best to deliver a highly visible, sustainable policing presence throughout our communities. It will also consider any opportunities locally to share accommodation, improve partnership working, and reduce costs, whilst maintaining a high quality service.

“Following initial review, any buildings deemed appropriate for further consideration will be subject of consultation with the Scottish Police Authority, Local Authorities, Communities and Key Stakeholders.

“This review will be carried out in stages to maintain stability in the North East.

“At present, no documentation for change has been submitted regarding Portlethen Police Station and no decision in respect of it has been made.

“Any such documentation would not necessarily mean removing police provision in a community – it may simply be the catalyst to finding more suitable, modern and cost effective alternatives.”