Police Scotland is asking restaurants and takeaway food outlets to be vigilant following reports of used cooking oil thefts in the Deeside area.

Three males and a female have been attending at various locations in the area and are falsely claiming to be from a legitimate company. The female is described as white with a pale complexion, aged in her 40s to early 50s and about 5ft 3in tall with a European accent.

North East Division crime reduction officer PC Mike Urquhart said: “I would advise restaurant and fast food outlet owners to be particularly vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police via 101.

“This appears to be a very sophisticated and organised group of criminals whom have the ability to travel throughout the country committing these crimes.

“Used cooking oils are being stolen across the country and being taken south to be processed. Keep rear gardens or yards securely locked and consider CCTV and security lighting.”

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/2022/0158
Date validated: 4 February 2022.
Site address: Woodburn Cottage, Bridge of Muchalls, AB39 3RR.
Applicant: Mr Toms Cesbergs c/o John Aitken Architectural Services, 2 Cameron Court, Stonehaven, AB39 2FH.
Application: Listed building consent for internal alterations and replacement door.
Public comment expiry date: 10 March 2022.

APP/2022/0272
Date validated: 10 February 2022.
Site address: The Old Mill Inn, Maryculter, AB12 5FX.
Applicant: Mr Victor Sang c/o Ross Aitken, McLaren, Murdoch & Hamilton, 229 Balgreen Road, Edinburgh, EH11 2RZ.
Application: Planning permission in principle for the demolition of existing hotel, restoration of old mill building to form retail unit/cafe, erection of garden centre and erection of five dwellinghouses and associated parking and road improvements (part retrospective).
Public comment expiry date: 17 March 2022.

Portlethen resident Penny Wells is looking for poems from residents for her new show on community radio station Mearns FM1.

She has broadcast ‘Creative Writing Corner’ for four weeks now, on a Wednesday at 10pm. You can hear the programme by clicking on ‘Listen Again’ on the Mearns FM website: https://www.mearnsfm.org.uk/listen-again/

“We start with a Scots poem, then another older English one, then a story serialisation, then avant garde poems, usually with sound effects.

“So far we have had two poems from listeners, but are asking around … so it would be wonderful if anyone who has a poem or two stuffed away in a drawer that we could read out … they can be ‘anon’ if they prefer. The email address is creativewritingcorner@mearnsfm.org.uk.”

I have asked the Roads Service about this Portlethen street sign which has fallen down. They will investigate. It was face down on the grass when I came across it!

Here is a sight to cheer up Muchalls residents. Hunter Construction staff are hard at work repairing roads in the village on behalf of the council. That might mean some delays in driving through the work in Dunnyfell Road today.

I have been asking council officers what is happening about the Murray Road landslip in Newtonhill … and today I received an update. Work is going on in the background.

I was told that there are a range of potential options that can be considered for this location. Colleagues in the Kincardine & Mearns Roads Service are looking to procure the services of specialist geotechnical engineering consultants to do an investigation and prepare a design, depending on which option they would prefer to go with.

The Roads Services team is the lead for landslips affecting the road network. Various pieces of information are being collated, including an outline brief.

It was in August 2020 that the landslip occurred, due to heavy rains. Part of the cliff face slipped towards the beach, taking parts of gardens with it. There were concerns that the public road could also be at risk, and as a precaution barriers and cones were placed along the road. Unfortunately high winds has blown the barriers over the cliff.

So that a BT engineer can work safely on an overhead structure it will be necessary for the U61K Portlethen/Findon road to close.

This closure from the railway bridge until Mains of Findon will take place on Tuesday 29 March and Wednesday 30 March between 9am and 4pm. Site notices showing the diversion route will be erected in due course.

Pedestrian access is to be maintained, as is vehicular access to affected properties whenever possible.

Council houses rent charges could be limited to 1.5% this year, to take account of covid-19 pandemic and the rising cost of living for tenants.

The proposal will go to a meeting of all 70 councillors of Aberdeenshire Council 23 February after being unanimously supported by members of the council’s communities committee last Thursday.

This follows an extensive review of the authority’s housing rent strategy by a working group involving officers, councillors and tenants.

There is more here: https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/apps/news/release.aspx?newsid=8449

Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee met via Skype today. Here are some of the highlights, with the most interesting one last – will Stonehaven continue to have a vaccination centre …

CHILD POVERTY – There are 4289 children and young people living in absolute poverty in Aberdeenshire. This is where a household income is below a necessary level to cover basic living costs such as food, fuel and housing. The data shows that not all families living in poverty live in deprived areas.

Councillors were updated on progress in tackling these issues through a local child poverty action plan.

GRANTS – Three grants were awarded via the Coastal Communities Fund from Crown Estates Scotland.

A project to improve the path from Castle Street up to the Bervie Braes in Stonehaven was awarded £22,975,75. This will be spent cleaning drains, installing a handrail, laying a concrete path, and new stone steps.

The Merchant Coastal Heritage Trail group was awarded £50,000 to protect the trail from coastal erosion and storm damage with 720 tons of rock at Seagreens cottages between Johnshaven and St Cyrus.

Catterline Braes Action Group was awarded £25,000 towards the cost of engaging a consultant to undertake a feasibility study on protecting the braes from landslides triggered by marine erosion and soil saturation.

SUPPORT – Four good causes were given grants from the area committee’s top-up budget. They are Dickson Memorial Hall, Laurencekirk (£5205.60 for the replacement of a fire alarm control panel, Bervie Caledonian Football Club (£3600 to replace lighting units at Gourdon), Durris Kirkton Hall (£1800 for the removal of five large conifers), and St James Episcopal Church, Stonehaven, (£2000 towards improvement and repairs works).

Some £7,263.39 remains to be spent this financial year. So far in 2021/22 two projects in the North Kincardine ward have received grants – Skateraw Hall (£8000) and Maryculter Driving for the Disabled (£2000).

PROJECTS – Councillors were presented with a chunky progress report on projects in the area. A number of comments were made, and questions asked. These included provision of a primary school at Chapelton, the future of Newtonhill Library (currently closed), and investment in the customer-facing aspect of Portlethen Pool. Answers will follow in due course. I also challenged the use of jargon in the report.

PROPERTY – Councillors were asked for comments on a refresh of the surplus property policy. This includes a general presumption against the disposal of playing fields, open space and amenity land.

We heard that the Property & Facilities Management Service will consult with ward councillors, the area manager, other services and partner organisations to determine whether there is an alternative use for the property, including, if appropriate, future strategic requirements. If no alternative use is identified, the property disposal procedure will be followed.

PUZZLE – As well as lots of jargon, sometimes reports present me with a word or phrase I haven’t come across before. I have found out that “a concatenated process” refers to the linking or joining of two things to achieve a certain result. Another school day.

VACCINATIONS – The area committee decided, on the casting vote of chair Wendy Agnew, that £75,000 should not be spent on converting the Invercarron Resource Centre into a vaccination centre for Kincardine and Mearns.

Currently the vaccination centre is based in Stonehaven Town Hall, on a temporary basis. The Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership is setting up seven such centres, with Banchory and Inverurie already operational.

However, five councillors objected to the recommendation from officers to proceed, and five (including me) were in favour. I told the meeting we need somewhere for vaccinations and this apparently was the only suitable site in Stonehaven. I also asked if anywhere in Portlethen had been considered – “no”.

It would take six weeks to complete the work and it has to be done within this financial year. Accordingly we heard that emergency measures could be taken by officers in consultation with senior councillors on the Aberdeenshire-wide communities committee. Another option is have a special meeting of the communities committee.

WANT MORE? All the reports can be found here: https://committees.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/committees.aspx?commid=8&meetid=19925

Police Scotland’s report on January for Kincardine and Mearns was published today.

ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, VIOLENCE AND DISORDER:

There has been an increase in the number of anti-social behaviour, with 66 calls received. There were 13 calls received that related to youth specific disturbances.

There were eight assault crime reports; six have been reported to the procurator fiscal. Meanwhile, two are still being investigated. Three of the assaults were domestic related.

ACQUISITIVE CRIME:

There have been seven. Six are still being investigated. One of the thefts relate to shoplifting at Aldi in Portlethen. A theft of note was that of a caravan valued at £30,000 which is still being actively investigated.

A theft by housebreaking has taken place that resulted in a theft of quadbike. This enquiry is still ongoing.

ROAD SAFETY:

In January three drivers were found to be under the influence of alcohol. They have been charged and reported to the procurator fiscal.   

There was one reported incident of dangerous driving, which is still under enquiry.

The local police team continues to prioritise safe driving, and officers have undertaken numerous road safety checks using the Unipar laser device. Several new locations have been provided as areas of concern, which will be visited in future operations. Please use the email address below to forward areas of concern.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:

Three drug search warrants were executed. All were positive and quantities of illegal drugs seized. All persons concerned were cautioned and charged with recorded police warnings issued. All instances of illegal drug use should be reported to the police. Any report will be treated in confidence and be completely anonymous. 

CONTACTS:

• 101 – Non emergency
• Email – StonehavenLowerDeesideCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk
• Twitter – @NorthEPolice
• Facebook – www.Facebook.com/NorthEastPoliceDivision
• Web – www.scotland.police.uk
• 999 – Emergency;
• 0800 555 111 – Crimestoppers.