• Portlethen Primary School – Tuesday 1 September.
• Newtonhill Primary School – Thursday 3 September.

The meetings will be convened by the council and the council will present the reasons for bringing forward the proposal. There will be an opportunity for questions and comment. A note will be taken so that comments can later be summarised and considered

“As it stands, the surface does not have any Category 1 defects, but it does look like a patchwork quilt, so I am pleased to confirm that we intend carrying out a surface dress next year on this section so as to address the condition of the carriageway, which will include more traditional means of patching as required.”

The sooner the better.

– Some 33 houses are now occupied, with a further two abut to be occupied. In total 69 have been sold or reserved. Occupation rates are slowing down, in common with other developments because of the downturn in the local economy. Further marketing is to take place, with adverts on Northsound and Original.

– More than 500 trees have been planted in Pheppie Park, which will become part of a community park between Newtonhill and Chapelton. More trees will be added. They are all native species including birch, oak and apple.

– Dr Ewan Clark told us that a further 500 patients have joined the Portlethen medical centre’s list in the past year. To help cope the practice has taken on an extra part-time doctor, nurse and phlebotomist. Planning permission was received last week for a six room extension. It is hoped it will open in the spring.

– Stagecoach operations manager Graeme Leslie was present given that the park and choose opened recently. I raised complaints I had from residents, particularly the confusion over the X7 using the park and choose, but not the 7 services and the X6. These local services should make the switch in November and then the two A90 stops will no longer be in use. However we were told that the shelters and stops will not be removed. This will only cause confusion, and I asked that tis be looked at again. The park and ride will eventually see three buses an hour in either direction off peak and more at peak times. In due course a shuttle bus will link into Chapelton.

– The Chapelton development is in the running for two planning awards, with the outcome being announced in November.

– Concerns were raised about speed limits. The access road, called Greenlaw Road, has a 60mph limit though it has been designed so that traffic will travel more slowly. On reaching Chapelton the limit will be 30mph, though there are no signs yet. The main routes – which will be suitable for buses – are designed for 30mph while the side streets are designed for 20mph traffic. There was a call at the meeting for all the streets to be 20mph.

– The lack of bins (including dog bins) between Newtonhill and Chapelton was also raised. Discussions are under way with the council. Meanwhile the developers will ask the contractors to remind workers to take their litter home!

A gala dance will be held in the church hall on 5 September, with tickets costing £5.

There was agreement that there is much that residents could do to make Portlethen a better place, including a fireworks display and an environmental improvement group, but as CC member Alex Reid said there is a lack of volunteers to make it happen.

A discussion followed about how better the CC could let residents know what it does. Two members of the public said they were unaware of the CC, with one adding he only skimmed through the Clochandighter magazine and didn’t look at Facebook. Former vice chairman Kevin Fraser described CC members as unsung heroes.

There was good news about the plans for allotments, with progress being made in securing land. Very positive.

This Christmas there might be a decorated tree at the site of the new shops at Hillside. This would complement the traditional tree opposite the Asda shops.

A police report said there had been 125 incidents since the last CC meeting, mainly road traffic accidents, domestic incidents and vandalism. There had also been vehicle thefts locally and householders were reminded to keep their front doors locked.

Aberdeenshire Council has withdrawn its adverts for a school crossing patroller at Portlethen Primary School. Instead the council hopes to create a combined patroller/caretaker role at the school, which would hopefully attract applicants.

Chairman Ron Sharp urged local organisations to apply to the Meikle Carewe wind farm fund. CC member Paul Melling pointed out it was important that the criteria was met by applicants, as this had been a problems in the past.

Vice chairman Ian Bruce reported that because of extra children moving unexpectedly into the area the senior classes at Portlethen Primary School had to be reshuffled twice in a week. The parent council has had to cancel meetings because no janitorial cover was available.

The building and opening of Hillside primary school is eagerly awaited. A public meeting is to be held next month.

The meeting also heard about the plans by Aberdeen City Council for a power from waste plant on the south side of the city. Questions were also asked about a national ban from 2020 on biodegradeable waste going to landfill. How will this impact on Aberdeenshire?

The updated numbers are below (previous 0845 numbers remaining active for emergency calls).

Emergency telephone numbers available 5pm to 9am weekdays and all weekend:

Housing Repairs 03456 08 12 03 
Environmental Health 03456 08 12 07 
Homelessness 03456 08 12 06 
Social Work 03456 08 12 06

Office hours phone numbers

Benefits 03456 08 12 00 
Council Tax, Business Rates & Payments Due 
03456 08 12 01 
Education & Leisure Facilities 03456 08 12 02
Housing 03456 08 12 03
Planning & Building Standards 03456 08 12 04
Roads, Parks & Open Spaces 03456 08 12 05
Social Care 03456 08 12 06
Waste & Environmental Health 03456 08 12 07
General Enquiries 03456 08 12 08

I asked if the fund could help fund the reopening of Newtonhill station and increase the number of trains stopping at Portlethen station. Sadly I was told that at the moment the answer is “no”. However on a positive note, I was told that this could change in the coming years when a fresh look is taken at interventions. The campaign goes on!