Some local issues of note which came before today’s infrastructure services committee …

HILLSIDE SCHOOL – Bay markings at Hillside School, Portlethen, and Hanover Street, Fraserburgh, will be rectified by repainting the green bay markings with the correct black and white markings in early 2022.

CYCLE ROUTES – Design work is now almost complete for three integrated travel town cycle routes in Portlethen. Once completed the three routes will be tendered as a single package for construction this summer.

Design works for the Aberdeen South route from Portlethen to Wellington Road have been progressed as far as possible and title searches will commence early 2022 with a view to approaching landowners early spring 2022.

I have asked that the four North Kincardine ward councillors have sight of what is proposed. I would normally have asked that Portlethen Community Council be included, however it collapsed last year due to a lack of interest.

RAIL – The committee was updated on the Aberdeen to Laurencekirk multi-modal study – including case for new railway stations.

The first phase of the study, referred at as the “Case for Change” has now been completed and agreed by Transport Scotland (as funder through the Rail Development Fund). Nestrans is the lead partner with consultants AECOM commissioned to undertake the work.

The second phase of the study which will look at the potential options to address the issues raised is now underway with a public consultation recently completed with a high response of 1,104 online surveys received. Officers confirmed there is demand for additional rail infrastructure along the corridor, particularly. from Cove and Newtonhill.

I am told by Nestrans there are a number of stages that need to be completed to ensure that the correct option for the area is identified and that the option identified has a robust business case for it.

Today changes to waste collections in Aberdeenshire were unanimously approved by councillors.

The biggest change affecting residents will be the addition of a 180 litre bin in a three-weekly collection cycle. Where space for a third bin is an issue such as flats, the infrastructure services committee heard assurances that a case-by-case approach would be taken.

The new collection service will comprise of:

 Week 1: Food waste (existing caddy) and non-recyclable waste (existing 240L bin).
 Week 2: Food waste (existing caddy) and paper and card (existing blue lidded bin).
 Week 3: Food waste (existing caddy) and containers – food and drinks cans, cartons, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays (new 180L bin).

Ros Baxter, the council’s waste manager, said that missed bin collections would not be acceptable in a three-week cycle and officers would look at how to address that.

The new kerbside collection service is expected to divert 1,249 to 6,434 tonnes of material into recycling, increasing the council’s recycling rate from 44% in 2019 to 45-49% by 2023. The Scottish Government target for recycling is 70% by 2025.

Waste analysis undertaken in 2016/17 showed that over half of materials put into non-recyclable waste bins in Aberdeenshire are recyclable through existing services.

It is anticipated that the roll-out will start in August and proceed one of the six waste depots at a time to ensure the Waste Service can deal with customer enquiries generated and give time to resolve any teething problems. There will be a break in the roll-out over winter and will restart in spring with a completion aim of June 2023.

The addition of the new bin is being financed by a grant of £3,439,328 from Zero Waste Scotland, with the council having to fund £145,345 for printing costs and £419,883 for temporary staffing costs to deliver the project.

FUTURE CHANGES

More changes might take place regarding glass recycling and garden waste.

Councillors also agreed that the Waste Service reviews the service provision for collecting containers, including glass, once the Scottish Deposit Return Scheme has been fully implemented for 12 months. It is due to go live in August 2023.

Secondly, officers will further explore a business case to provide an opt-in chargeable garden waste collection service, with a report to be taken to the committee.

A paid-for garden waste kerbside collection service would allow householders to recycle their garden waste more easily with the potential to capture more garden waste out of the non-recyclable waste bin. That would reduce waste requiring to be disposed of currently through landfill, which should increase the council’s recycling rate.

Currently, 26 out of 32 local authorities in Scotland provide a garden waste service, with 13 of these being an opt-in chargeable service.

I asked when the report on garden waste would come back to the committee, and was told officers are aiming for June. This would allow for an analysis of residual waste in May.

I also asked what the impact might be on the Saturday garden waste service in a dozen communities including Newtonhill. Ros Baxter said it would be taken into consideration and could be part of the savings to help pay for the new service. Interestingly she said that a kerbside garden waste collection could be financed through subscription or savings elsewhere.

The full report can be read here by scrolling to Item 11: https://committees.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/committees.aspx?commid=495&meetid=19813

As BT requires access to renew cable and restore customer service it will be necessary in the interests of public safety to close a country road west of Portlethen for three days.

The closure will take place from Tuesday 8 March between 9:30am and 3:30pm daily on the U144K from its C5K junction to Swellhead farm.

Site notices will be erected in due course indicating the temporary restriction to traffic and the diversion route via C5K – C30K – School Brae – Cookston road – A92 – U144K and vice versa.

The Roads Service says pedestrian access is to be maintain, as should vehicular access to affected properties whenever possible.

A programme to increase digital connectivity – including broadband and mobile coverage – in Aberdeenshire has started in Portlethen and Newtonhill.

Aberdeenshire Council has established a team of three to support this roll-out, the infrastructure services committee heard today.

As part of this project a new page on the council website has been set up: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/business/support-and-advice/communities/Digital-Connectivity/

The team is working to advise the public on the options available, and best courses of action to improve their digital connectivity.

They support the national “Reaching 100%” programme (R100) which aims to provide superfast broadband to every premises in Scotland. An internet speed of 30Mbps or above is considered to be superfast broadband.
The Scottish Government has established the Scottish Broadband Voucher Schemes. There are two categories – Interim Voucher Scheme (IVS) and Main Voucher Scheme (MVS). Properties which are included in planned build-outs, can utilise a £400 IVS to obtain an interim broadband solution, to gain access to superfast broadband by the end of March 2022. Properties who are not included in planned build-outs, can utilise a £5,000 MVS to obtain a permanent broadband solution.

So far 487 vouchers have been issued locally.

The report before councillors says that “builds within Aberdeenshire commenced in November 2021, starting with the Portlethen and Newtonhill areas. At the time of writing this report, no properties have gone live on full-fibre within Aberdeenshire as part of the R100 build-outs.”

I asked for further details of what is happening in Newtonhill and Portlethen, and this will follow shortly.

I also expressed concerns about the lack of publicity about this roll-out. I was assured that the new team are considering how best to ensure information is shared, including the possibility of a mail drop.

The full report can be found here by scrolling to Item 6 on the agenda: https://committees.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/committees.aspx?commid=495&meetid=19813

Police have issued a warning regarding mobile phone courier fraud following an incident in Portlethen.

The resident received a parcel from a well-known courier company but was unaware of having ordered anything. A few moments later she had a knock on the door from a fraudster dressed in hi-vis and with false identification asking for the phone back claiming it had been delivered by mistake.

This is a scam – do not hand over the parcel.The resident contacted her mobile phone provider who confirmed three brand new iphones had been ordered from her account.

Police Scotland’s North East Division crime reduction officer PC Mike Urquhart warned: “Delivery scams are one of the sophisticated methods fraudsters are using to leave victims out of pocket.

“The scam involves criminals ordering and then attempting to intercept – or trick you into handing over – high-value packages. It normally happens when criminals manage to obtain your personal details to place the order. It can be one consequence of identity theft.”

The police advice is:
– If a courier unexpectedly comes to collect an item at your home, do not hand it over.
– Check their credentials and call the company they claim to be representing. If you have any fears, contact the police.

Newtonhill, Muchalls and Cammachmore Community Council held their monthly meeting by Teams tonight for the first time. A packed agenda.

LIBRARY – Tim Stephen from Live Life Aberdeenshire attend the next meeting to speak on a variety of issues including library provision and developer obligations.

POTHOLES – Contractors are working in Portlethen and are expected to turn their attention to repairs in Newtonhill in two or three weeks. I told the meeting that resurfacing of Old Mill Road should take place before the end of the financial year. The road surface on the approaches to the zebra crossing should be resurfaced and new markings, also in March.

PARKING – Concerns were expressed about inconsiderate parking by people attending Saturday’s football match in Newtonhill. Traffic jams were the result, and contact has been made with Aberdeenshire Council to expand the number of no-parking cones. The community council was asked to write to Police Scotland with a freedom of information request asking how many motorists had been fined for parking offences in the village in the last six months.

PLANNING – A replacement mobile phone mast south of the Bettridge Centre has been approved by council planners.

DRAINAGE WORK – This is due to take place in Monduff Road, Muchalls, from 24 January.

SCOTTISH WATER – Community councillors were concerned about the implications of the mains replacement when work starts at the top of Newtonhill Road at the junction with the A92 in Newtonhill. The access from the dual carriageway will have to close. Members are worried that the diversion will be via the Stonehaven junction. What will this mean for bus services, not only the service buses but the school buses too. The community council is to contact Aberdeenshire Council.

BROADBAND – Aberdeenshire Council is to be contacted to ask for an update on fibre roll-out in Newtonhill. A report before the local authority’s infrastructure services committee tomorrow says that “Builds within Aberdeenshire commenced in November 2021, starting with the Portlethen & Newtonhill areas. At the time of writing this report, no properties have gone live on full-fibre within Aberdeenshire as part of the R100 build-outs.” R100 is the Scottish Government’s “Reaching 100%” programme providing superfast broadband to every premises in Scotland.

FANS – Community councillors agreed that the police should be contacted after football fans heading to Pittodrie last night were seen to be alighting from supporters’ buses on the A92 at Newtonhill to relieve themselves. This was unacceptable.

WANT MORE? The next meeting is on Wednesday 16 February, but whether that is in person in the Skateraw Hall or via Teams will depend on covid-19 restrictions, among other factors. No members of the public asked to join tonight’s meeting.

Owing to Aberdeenshire Council’s Road Service carrying out drainage investigation works it will be necessary in the interests of public safety to close Monduff Road in Muchalls for five days from Monday 24 January.

Site notices will be erected in due course indicating the temporary restriction to traffic and the alternative route.
Vehicular access to affected properties is to be maintained whenever possible.

Earlier today a Scottish Gas van stopped one of the Stagecoach buses on its route through Newtonhill. It was parked in a public road between Skateraw Road and Hillhead Road which is a turning point for local buses.

This part of Newtonhill is an old fishing village where the roads are narrow.

However, to be fair to the driver there are not any parking restrictions in this location, though all locals know this area should be kept clear. Presumably the driver was working nearby.

I asked the council officers to consider parking restrictions in this small section of road. This is not the first time this has happened, though it does seem to be happening more regularly now.

The service responded by saying that they will use this as a catalyst for reviewing the route of the buses in this part of Newtonhill to ascertain any prohibition of waiting that is required to prevent this happening in the future. This process will need to successfully pass through the Kincardine & Mearns Area Committee for approval and resultant action for the permanent prohibition of waiting.

Aberdeenshire Council Trading Standards Service today issued its latest warning about local scams.

DOORSTEP CRIME

Trading Standards has received a couple of reports recently about people coming to residents’ doors claiming to be ‘officials’ (unfortunately, I’m unable to disclose any further detail at this time), then gaining entry to the house, and in one instance misleading the resident who then lost a substantial amount of money as a result.

Can I take this opportunity to remind everyone that when a cold caller comes to your door, please don’t take them at face value no matter who they say they are.

Keep them on the doorstep, ask for identification and ask what they want. If they offer identification, accept it, advise the caller(s) that you will lock your door then verify their identity by calling their HQ (remember to obtain the phone number from the Phone Book or Yellow Pages – don’t use the contact information on the
ID card as it may be fake), then call the agency concerned to ask if they have employees as detailed on the ID card and if they should be at your door. Examine the card carefully for signs of tampering in case it has been stolen and altered. You may also wish to call a friend or neighbour to come over to support
you in this sort of situation.

Remember too, no-one can legally force their way into your home without a warrant (and if they have one, they should show it to you) except a police officer in uniform and only when trying to quell a disturbance, responding to cries for help or when in close pursuit of a suspect, otherwise you can refuse them entry.

If you have any concerns about a cold caller at your door, especially one who is becoming problematic, call Police Scotland on 101 or, if it’s an emergency, call 999.

SCAMS

Amazon – One resident in south Aberdeenshire recently received a phone call purportedly from Amazon, advising that an £800 mobile phone had been ordered on her Amazon account. Immediately discounting the matter correctly as a scam, she hung up.

The truth of the matter was that the call had nothing to do with Amazon and its intent was to frighten the resident into taking action to stop the ‘sale’. Similar reports from outwith the Shire suggest that the scammers are trying to get residents to press a number on their phone keypad to sort things out about the phone, but what actually happens is that the resident is transferred to a high tariff phone line where they are put on hold, all the time racking up a large phone bill which is later credited to the scammer’s account.

If you receive such a phone call, be like our resident and simply hang up.

Courier – A resident in the Formartine area recently tried to sell his old bicycle on social media. Shortly after advertising the bike, he was contacted by a person who was keen to buy. He was advised that payment would be handed to him via private courier, but there would be an additional charge for insurance, for transporting the cash in a sealed envelope. The resident was also advised that he would have to pay the courier first for the total amount but the envelope would contain a full reimbursement.

In truth of course, there would be no money in the envelope which would likely only be discovered once the courier had left, leaving the resident out of pocket to the tune of several hundred pounds.

Thankfully, the resident realised very early on that it was a scam and took the offer to buy no further. Sharp-eyed readers will also recall a similar scam in Bulletin 31 involving second hand beds.

Rogue roofers – Over the last few weeks, after the effects of Storm Arwen and the high winds we’ve had recently, Trading Standards have received a substantial number of complaints about problems with rogue roofers.
Needless to say, the excellent work done by genuine tradesmen goes unremarked. These problems have involved ‘roofers’ who: ask for money up front before any work takes place; fail to turn up at the agreed date to start work; fail to respond to customers’ messages; are aggressive or intimidating with customers; produce shoddy work and fail to remedy the problem they were employed to remedy; fail to provide written quotes or invoices, take cash payments then deny payment had been received and more besides.

Problems with rogue roofers is a subject covered a number of times in previous bulletins. In summary, some points to consider:

• Many of these problems start when customers ask for recommendations on social media or advertise on certain websites for tradesmen to do work for them. This is a risky strategy. Too often this results in the customers
having no way to check a tradesman’s history, so the customer goes into the transaction blind and they end up with shoddy work and a large bill.

• Normal practice is that the customer will arrange for the tradesman to view the work required and arrangements made between both parties.

The tradesman then gives the customer a quote, usually written or emailed, which is also proof that a particular company had been approached about doing the work. The quote should cover the type of work required, an approximate cost and an estimate of how long the work will take. This document, which is required by law, is an important document should a dispute arise, so should be kept safe by the customer.

• Tradesmen do not normally ask for a deposit before any work commences. They usually have the financial resources to cover the work and invoice the customer on completion or, if it’s a big job, once the work has reached a particular stage. This latter point should be agreed beforehand with the customer. Where a tradesman asks for a deposit upfront, it may be a sign that a company might struggle financially to complete the work.

• Once the work is complete or when big jobs reach certain stages, the tradesman usually invoices the customer for all costs; time, materials and any incidentals incurred BEFORE payment is made. Like the quote it should be in durable form (written or e-mailed). This is also an important document as it shows that the company took on the work and now considers it complete. This document should also be kept safe by the customer, in case a dispute arises. With both the quote and invoice, they should be provided wholly by the tradesmen and the customer should not be involved in compiling these, as has happened in the past.

• Should a tradesman become aggressive or intimidating to a customer, this should be reported to Police Scotland immediately.

• Where tradesmen fail to turn up to start work or progress it or fail to reply to respond to customers’ messages, these could be grounds for ending the contract. If a customer decides to do this they should advise the tradesman in writing or by e-mail as soon as possible. This message should also be dated, to show when the contract was ended.

• Likewise, where the work has been completed to an unsatisfactory standard, the customer should allow the tradesman the opportunity to remedy this. Where the work hasn’t been remedied, this too may be grounds for ending the contract. Please note though that with these terminations, there may still be costs payable by the customer for work already done or expenses incurred by the tradesman.

• Where payment of any sort is made to a tradesman, cash should be avoided unless a signed and dated receipt for the cash is provided as unscrupulous traders have claimed that cash payments they’ve received were not actually paid. Where possible traceable methods such as cheques or direct bank transfers should be used as these will show up on bank statements at a later date and can assist in tracing missing tradesmen. Also, please don’t be tempted by promises of avoiding taxes by paying cash as this could lead to more serious problems with HMRC.
It is strongly recommended that the above advice is followed when dealing with tradesmen, to reduce the likelihood of problems. Reputable tradesmen will probably already follow these rules.

CONTACT

For urgent Trading Standards matters, contact Aberdeenshire Council’s Trading Standards at 01467 537222. For non-urgent enquiries, please contact Consumer Advice Scotland at https://www.consumeradvice.scot/ or on 0808 164 6000.

Contact Police Scotland on 999 if you need urgent Police assistance or 101 for non-urgent matters.

For more information about scams please visit Friends Against Scams at https://www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/ or Take Five at https://takefivestopfraud.org.uk/

Today local councillors attended Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee.

We discussed proposals to change the process by which planning applications are dealt with. In essence the proposals would mean less involvement for councillors.

Councillors on the area committee were being asked for their views before the matter goes to full council for a decision.

Officers were suggesting that 10 public representations would be required to trigger a direct referral to the area committee. At the moment the trigger is six. The majority of councillors – including me – today urged that no change was required. It was also proposed that all applications if recommended for refusal would be decided by officers without referral to councillors. There were other technical proposals which would affect the role of ward councillors.

What concerned me most was that – if approved – there would be less involvement in making planning decisions for ward members. It may be a more efficient system, but less democratic. In my view.

The committee voted by 8-3 to reject the proposals and express our support for the current system.

Councillors supported a proposal to increase charges by 10% for providing biological data to commercial users of the North East Scotland Biological Centre (Nesbrec). The final decision will be taken by Aberdeenshire’s infrastructure services committee.

Backing was also given to a proposal to introduce charges for the delivery of exclusive activity sessions which the Ranger Service provides for commercial organisations. The suggested rate would be £28.89 to cover costs and overheads.

It is thought there will be a demand for such a service from the tourism and cruise liner industry. The final decision will be taken by Aberdeenshire’s infrastructure services committee.

All the reports discussed at the meeting can be found here: https://committees.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/committees.aspx?commid=8&meetid=19924