LOCAL Liberal Democrats have criticised the Scottish Government for ignoring the concerns of business over the level of empty property business rates relief on empty property. 

The comments came after the Local Government Finance (Unoccupied Properties etc) (Scotland) Bill passed the final stage to become law due to an SNP majority. 

Liberal Democrat housing spokesman Jim Hume MSP had pressed an amendment which would have removed the provisions which allow the Scottish Government to reduce the level of empty property business rates relief.   

The amendment had gained support from both Labour and Conservative parties, but was passed by the SNP majority, defeating opposition amendments. 

North East Liberal Democrat MSP Alison McInnes said: “This was an extremely disappointing day for business in Scotland and a disappointing day for jobs in Scotland. The debate saw the SNP bulldozer in top gear, ignoring the concerns of opposition parties and respected business groups.” 

Stonehaven councillor Peter Bellarby commented: “Liberal Democrats remain concerned that this will hit businesses hard and do nothing to regenerate struggling town centres. The SNP government wants to hammer businesses with high taxes when it should be helping them to recover and grow.” 

North Kincardine councillor Ian Mollison added: “Reducing the level of rates relief on unoccupied properties will increase the burden on businesses. This is not the way to get Scotland out of a recession.”

Campaigners against the Aberdeen bypass have lost their appeal to the UK’s Supreme Court. Among those welcoming today’s decision was North Kincardine councillor Ian Mollison.

He said: “The years of uncertainty have not been good for objectors or supporters of the route. Now the Scottish Government can get on with the job of building a road which will take the pressure off the existing A90 and off the unofficial bypass – the Netherley road.”

The 28-mile road was given the green light by Scottish ministers in 2009. However, campaigners led by Westhill resident William Walton challenged the decision through the courts including a two-day hearing at the Supreme Court in London earlier this year. Mr Walton now lives in Newcastle.

Business leaders and several politicians have been critical of legal delays to the road, arguing it is vital for the North East economy.

North East Liberal Democrat MSP Alison McInnes commented: “I welcome the Supreme Court’s judgement and sincerely hope that Mr Walton will accept it and allow this vital project to proceed without further delay.

“The Scottish Government must now act quickly to drive this project forward. It has had months to finalise its plans while awaiting this latest appeal. It needs to finally provide a concrete timetable, details of the construction costs and explain how it will fund the project. It can no longer blame legal gridlock for its inaction.”

Sir Robert Smith, Liberal Democrat MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, added: “The North East of Scotland’s crucial role in supporting the economy requires effective transport links. The Scottish Government must now deliver the project as quickly as possible.”

Sir Malcolm Bruce, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Gordon, stated: “The Scottish Government now needs to proceed to construct this vital route as soon as possible and stop needlessly delaying the Balmedie-Tipperty A90 upgrade. The by-pass is essential for the development of the Gordon constituency but it is only part of the transport plan for the North East.

“It is clear that our local road infrastructure does not meet the needs of our expanding local communities and businesses. The AWPR, alongside the Third Don Crossing and improvements to the Haudagain, will help relieve the congestion problems that blight Aberdeen.”

More details on the Supreme Court’s judgement can be found here:

http://www.supremecourt.gov.uk/docs/uksc-2012-0098-press-summary.pdf

http://www.supremecourt.gov.uk/docs/uksc-2012-0098-judgment.pdf

More pressure is being put on Transport Scotland to construct grade-separated junctions at Laurencekirk on the A90. 

A report in support of the case has been commended by the board of the North East Transport Partnership Nestrans. It highlights that previous predictions for future traffic levels in the Laurencekirk are have been significantly underestimated. 

At present there is a 50mph zone at the southern exit to Laurencekirk, with speed cameras, in an effort to prevent serious accidents.

The analysis of recent studies also compares the situation with Newtonhill which saw a flyover built by Grampian Regional Council in the early 1990s. The population of Newtonhill in 1991 was 2139. At that time Laurencekirk had 1513 residents, which rose to 1808 in 2001, and 2440 in 2008. With more houses now planned for Laurencekirk, it is estimated that the town’s population in 2023 will be 4768.  

Councillor Ian Mollison told the Nestrans board meeting that he had been one of the campaigners for a Newtonhill flyover. “Our junction with the dual carriageway had been a tragedy waiting to happen. It took up to 40 minutes to get out of Newtonhill in the morning. Thankfully the flyover averted a major loss of life. Laurencekirk is in desperate need of such investment.” 

Nestrans chairman Cllr Peter Argyle commented that if a flyover could be built for a garden centre between Dundee and Perth on the A90 then surely Laurencekirk had a very strong case. 

The report is now being submitted to Transport Scotland, urging the Scottish Government department to give further consideration to grade separated junctions at Laurencekirk.

North Kincardine councillor Ian Mollison today welcomed the Aberdeenshire Council decision to give the green light to a £300,000 investment at Hillside.

“This will be a boon for the residents in the new community. However this is just the start of a long process. 

ScotRail is expanding its timetable in the North East from Sunday 9 December. And the news that this will include more trains stopping at Portlethen has been welcomed by local councillor Ian Mollison.

Improvements to the Monday-Saturday timetable include Portlethen gaining a total of five more calls a day, including services to Inverurie and Glasgow. On a Sunday there will be four more calls at Portlethen.

Councillor Mollison said: “I am pleased that ScotRail and Transport Scotland are improving the train service between Aberdeen, Stonehaven and the south. At the ScotRail customer forum in Stonehaven in June I called for more trains to call at the stations between Aberdeen and Dundee, especially Portlethen.

“These changes are a step in the right direction but further improvements are necessary – including a re-opened station at Newtonhill – so that we have a service that fully meets the needs of local travellers whether commuting or going on longer journeys.”

More and more youngsters are cycling or walking to school in Aberdeenshire, according to figures given to Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure services committee. 

The figures show a rise from 46.8% to 52%, compared to only a slight increase nationally from 57.2% to 57.4%. 

Meanwhile the number of Aberdeenshire pupils being driven to school has fallen from 24% in 2006 to 21%, according to the latest figures compiled from a national survey. 

Committee member Councillor Ian Mollison, who represents North Kincardine, said: “This is good news. It is good for the environment and it is good for the fitness of our young people. However more needs to be done to encourage everyone – adults included – to walk or cycle.” 

The Cyclists’ Touring Club (CTC) had representatives at the Portlethen Gala on Saturday highlighting their plans for better links between Cove, Portlethen, Newtonhill and Muchalls. It is possible to cycle along the route at present but there are missing sections between the communities which would be more direct. 

Councillor Mollison commented: “People are more likely to walk or cycle if they can do so in safety and within a reasonable time. At present the routes zigzag along country roads, tracks and paths. 

“For example between Cammachmore and Portlethen there is a very convoluted route to use via Downies or by going alongside the A90. Neither is direct, and the A90 route is not particularly pleasant, especially when lorries and buses zoom past only inches away. 

“I welcome the plans by the CTC to establish new paths which I am sure would be well used. 

“The challenge is getting the agreement of local landowners to allow routes to be provided along the edges of fields.”

Newtonhill’s village shop is changing hands after operating for a number of years as a Co-op store.

A spokesman for Scotmid Co-operative confirmed “that Scotmid will transfer ownership of the Newtonhill store on Friday, August 31 to Aberdeen-based food convenience store operator Sky Convenience Stores.” 

Local councillor Ian Mollison commented: “There had been fears for the future of the village shop – which has been in Skateraw Road for more than 100 years – following the opening of the Tesco store beside the A90. So the assurances I have received from the new owner will come as a relief to staff and customers.” 

Kanwar Pal Singh Chouhan will be in charge of the shop. He plans to make improvements regarding prices, organisation and variety of products.

He said: “I would welcome the views of local residents on how we can make this store a true convenience store for Newtonhill. I am in talks with different groups and my only approach is to get good variety of products with excellent prices for the residents. For example I will bring in good range of fruits and vegetables.

“Lottery and PayPoint services will continue as usual. The ATM machine will be removed from the wall for now, however I am in talks with few companies who can provide me ATM machine which will be free to use for the customers but will be inside the shop.

“I will take over the shop on August 31, starting at 7am. I will try opening the shop as soon as possible but it might not materialise that day. The shop will open at the normal time on 1 September. I am looking forward to this venture and the support of residents of Newtonhill to make it a success.”

Scotmid announced they will close the shop at 7.30pm on Thursday 30 August in preparation for the change-over. A notice pinned to the shop door thanked residents for their custom over the years.

Buses: Some buses on the St Michael’s Road and St Ternan’s Road route have only been picking up passengers at the stop outside the school. Stagecoach has confirmed it is a Hail and Ride service, and that the bus should stop when requested. Drivers have been informed.

Brave: Three showings of the Disney Pixar film at the Bettridge – and its North East premiere as well! Great entertainment. Just shows what can be done to make things happen in our village. 

Weeds: The rose bed on Old Mill Road outside Quoiter’s is no longer being maintained by Aberdeenshire Council. A check has shown the land is not owned by the council. It is unclear who the owner is. The local action group NEAT is considering tackling the weeds. 

School: The new head teacher at Newtonhill primary is Jonathan Revell. He told me he is very much looking forward to the challenge. 

Benches: Aberdeenshire Council’s landscape services hopes to replace benches in the play area north of the Courts and at Murray Road as soon as possible.

Poo: Some dog owners are failing to clear up after their pets. The dog bins are emptied once weekly, and if overflowing, the waste operative who empties them advises his supervisor, and they are emptied more frequently. A rusty dog bin in Hillhead Road is not to be replaced by the council as this is on a private road. There is another (plastic) dog bin within 100 yards. 

Litter: Volunteers from the action group NEAT have been picking up rubbish around the village. Who keeps chucking drink cans on to the grass on the A90 slip road towards Aberdeen? Meanwhile Aberdeen Journals has apologised for the mess being left by staff at the bus shelter opposite St Crispin’s Road. The council has been asked to review the bin situation at the refurbished tennis courts now back in use – and the chip van is there most nights as well. By the way, maybe people who drop chewing gum in the tennis courts might use a litter bin? 

Unkempt: The ground in front of the electricity sub station in Crollshillock Place has become overgrown. I have written twice to Scottish Hydro and await a response.

Danger: Some drivers are overshooting the turning from St Ternan’s Road into St Crispin’s Road. There is a dotted white line and a cul-de-sac sign but still there are near misses. Council officials take the view that “anyone who is flying past a junction is driving without due care given the limited visibility at many junctions within this estate.” 

Village shop: Scotmid Co-op transfers ownership of its Newtonhill store on August 31 to Aberdeen-based Sky Convenience Stores. The implications at not yet clear, at the time of writing. 

Wi-Fi: Partnership working between Aberdeenshire Council and Stagecoach is expanding the availability of free Wi-Fi on buses. Stonehaven routes will get the service in the autumn, meaning all mainline commercial bus services between Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen will have free Wi-Fi.

The Queen was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and his wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, as she mingled with the 3000 guests. 

Local councillors Peter Bellarby and Ian Mollison have welcomed the announcement by the Westminster Government that new trains have been ordered for the Aberdeen – Stonehaven – London service.