Report out on primary school

In March inspectors from Education Scotland visited Banchory-Devenick School. Their report has been published today. The inspection team found the following strengths:
 – Bright, articulate children who are proud of their school.
 – The Parent Council’s support for the school.
 – The growing commitment of the staff team, under the leadership of the interim headteacher to work together and improve the school.
The following areas for improvement were identified:
 – Staff should raise their expectations of children’s attainment and increase the pace of learning for children.
 – The school should continue to develop robust assessment and tracking systems to ensure all learners reach their potential.
The report can be viewed here:

Housing plans lodged with council

Barratt North Scotland has lodged an application for full planning permission for the erection of 121 houses and associated infrastructure and landscaping south of Park Place, Newtonhill (the site identified as Site OP1 in the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan).

The case reference is APP/2018/1213, and you can find out more at https://upa.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/onl…/applicationDetails.do…

The closing date for comment is Thursday 28 June.

Meanwhile in Portlethen, a planning application has been lodged for full planning permission for change of use of Unit 12-13 at The Green from Class 2 (Financial, Professional and Other Services) to Class 10 (Non-Residential Institution) Childcare Business. The case reference is APP/2018/1174, and there are more details at https://upa.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/…/search.do;jsessionid=B51…

The closing date for comments is Thursday 21 June.

Patching on country road

I hear that council staff have been patching various defects along the C13k road between Portlethen and Lairhillock over recent days, utilising hot patching material.

This is an ongoing issue with the continual pummelling from the AWPR site traffic using the Rothnick site/depot.

Following completion of the AWPR the council’s roads service will have to carry out more substantial works, including full depth patching, verge restoration, possibly embankment works and/or drainage works. The AWPR contractors are aware of the additional works required to this road … and this is without taking account of the on-going deterioration caused by their traffic.

Roads close for surface dressing

The Kincardine and Mearns road surface dressing programme is currently on-going. The programme of works for the next two weeks will be as follows:

W/C 04/06/18

C30K – AWPR flyover at Birken Braes to the U59K junction at Sunnyside – Monday 4 June to Wednesday 6 June – road closure. 
U59K – The Steadings, Ardoe East to Whin Cottage – Tuesday 5 June to Thursday 7 June – road closure.
U60K – C34K Crossroads to U60K Junction Arnwell House, Banchory Devenick – Wednesday 6 June to Friday 8 June – road closure.
U59K – Jockston House southeast to Jameston Farm – Wednesday 6 June to Friday 8 June – road closure.
U81K – Newton of Barras to Smiddymuir Cottage – Thursday 7 June to Friday 8 June – road closure.
C22K – C26K junction at Smith to Mill of Barras – Thursday 7 June to Friday 8 June – road closure.

W/C 11/06/18

C1K – Cleughead Kennels southwest to U75K Junction – Monday 11 June to Wednesday 13 June – road closure.
U75K – C1K junction south to Cowden/Greenhead Farm access – Wednesday 13 June to Friday 15 June – road closure.
U74K Mains of Dellavaird to Hawkhill Farm, Glenbervie – Wednesday 13 June to Friday 15 June – road closure.
C19K Kinkell Farm southwest to the C1K at Burnmouth Bridge – Wednesday 13 June to Friday 15 June – road closure.

The roads service says that in the event of bad weather, some adjustments may be required with regards to the dates.

Stagecoach school contract ends

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency recently carried out checks on vehicles operating to Portlethen Academy.

Vehicles operated by A + I Coaches Ltd, Central Taxis (Aberdeen) Ltd and Stagecoach Bluebird were checked.

One Stagecoach Bluebird single deck vehicle was issued with an Immediate Prohibition for a tyre defect whilst a double deck vehicle was issued with a Delayed Prohibition for a leak in an air suspension caliper.

A + I Coaches and Central Taxis (Aberdeen) were given a clean bill of health.

However the contract for the Newtonhill to Portlethen Academy service operated by Stagecoach Bluebird will be terminated with effect from Friday 6 July.

The operator has the right to appeal this decision and must do so by Tuesday 5 June. Should their appeal be unsuccessful, the contract will be re-tendered with the successful bidder commencing the replacement contract on Tuesday 21 August.

Country road to close

Owing to GCU-UK Ltd carrying out cabling works on behalf of BT it will be necessary in the interests of public safety to close the U67K country road (from B9077 South Deeside Road to Altries Croft) for eight days. This starts on 11 June.
Pedestrian access is to be maintained.  Vehicular access to affected properties is to be maintained whenever possible.

The cost of burying a child

Perth and Kinross Council is expected to approve plans today to end charges for child burials, a move which would leave just seven councils in Scotland as the last parts of the UK where parents are asked by their local authority to pay in order to bury their child.
 
Fees have been scrapped in England and Wales, and last month it was reported in the media that East Lothian had become the first Scottish local authority to follow the example. Since 1 April 2014 Aberdeenshire Council has made no charge for stillborn or under the age of 16 children. This covers the interment fee, but not the cost of the lair.
 
There is currently financial assistance available through a Funeral Expenses Payment.  Full information is available here https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments
 
In summary the Funeral Expenses Payment can help to pay for some of the costs of the following:
• burial fees for a particular plot
• cremation fees, including the cost of the doctor’s certificate
• travel to arrange or go to the funeral
• the cost of moving the body within the UK, if it’s being moved more than 50 miles
• death certificates or other documents
 
It can also provide support up to £700 for any other funeral expenses, such as funeral director’s fees, flowers or the coffin.
 
A Scottish Government spokesperson said a “new funeral expense” plan will be introduced next year.

Introducing entrepreneurship

Elevator is preparing for the next “Making it Happen” conference to introduce entrepreneurship to the next generation of business owners and leaders.
The trust aims to attract around 1,000 young people from across Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen to the event on 11 October at the AECC. 
 
Pupils are invited to submit a short video pitch about how they might improve their school or community. This could be through a business idea or community initiative but there will be a £1,000 prize to the winning team to help turn their idea into a reality.
 
Elevator will help any school that expresses an interest by running a workshop to suggest ways of identifying ideas, researching the need and presenting the pitch. Full details and frequently asked questions can be found at http://www.elevatoruk.com/pitch2018/

Pitch and houses in the spotlight

Two issues dominated tonight’s Portlethen community council meeting – the replacement synthetic pitch at the academy and proposals to build thousands of houses around the town.
The meeting heard that the petition about the 2G pitch at the academy will be heard by the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee – 12 local councillors – on 5 June. Councillors will have the opportunity to ask for a report on the plan by officers and Robertsons for a like-for-like pitch rather than a 3G pitch which is more suitable for football. Chairman Ron Sharp plans to speak to the councillors when the matter is discussed in the Stonehaven council chambers.
Aberdeenshire Council has received bids from developers to build some 4585 houses all around Portlethen and at Findon. This is part of the process in refreshing the council’s local development plan. If a bid is turned down it greatly lessens the likelihood of it receiving planning permission in future years.
Ron Sharp commented that the community was in a similar position five years when the plan was last reviewed. Community councillors agreed to hold a special private meeting to discuss the bids in detail, however it was the consensus that they do not want to see coalescence with other communities.
Among other matters there was a discussion about setting up a Portlethen radio station. Ian Hunter from Mearns FM outlined how this could be done on the internet for around £2000. There could be space for a studio in the Porty Cabin. Community councillor Paul Melling volunteered to find out more.
A member of the public thanked community councillors – and councillors – for all their efforts on behalf of the community, and wondered how more people could be persuaded to attend the meetings.