At last a start has been made on tackling potholes in Portlethen, Newtonhill and Muchalls. A rolling programme of work is being undertaken on behalf of the council by Hunter Construction. The photograph shows Hillside Road.

As I have posted previously, young people in Scotland aged five to 21 will be able travel for free on bus services from 31 January with a new or replacement National Entitlement Card or Young Scot card.

However national plans start marketing this now have been put on hold by Transport Scotland. Here is the reason: “Due to the rising cases of covid-19, and current messaging which encourages people to stay at home as much as possible, the decision has been taken to pause the launch of the marketing campaign until the situation improves.”

However, young people and children can still apply for their card from 10 January as planned, to access the scheme from 31 January onwards. Only those for whom bus travel is considered essential are being asked to submit their applications at this time.

This will also help to minimise pressure on councils, also impacted by the current situation with the pandemic, who will be responsible for processing applications and responding to enquiries.

Information about the scheme and how to apply is now available on the Transport Scotland website ahead of applications officially opening on 10 January: https://www.transport.gov.scot/concessionary-travel/young-persons-free-bus-travel-scheme/

Enhanced resources are being provided by Aberdeenshire libraries for families and carers for home-based learning during the pandemic.

Recognising some of the challenges faced by such families and carers, Live Life Aberdeenshire libraries will allow parents, guardians and carers to borrow many of the resources that teachers and schools across Aberdeenshire have access to.

For more information, see the Live Life Aberdeenshire website: https://bit.ly/LLAcres

Aberdeenshire Council’s business services committee yesterday unanimously agreed to make Friday, 3 June an additional holiday to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The decision means council workers will get the day off, or additional pay if this is not possible, while school pupils will also have an extra day off.

The extra day of leave will cost the council around £150,000 in staff costs that will be accounted for in the 2022/23 revenue budget.

In November 2020 the UK Government announced the late May public holiday was to be moved to Thursday, 2 June, and an extra public holiday was approved for Friday, 3 June to allow a four-day weekend to celebrate the historic event.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee will make her the first British monarch to reign for seven decades.

Meanwhile Aberdeenshire Council has set up a webpage from which you can find information about jubilee celebrations this year including details on the Queen’s Green Canopy, beacons and street parties. It also links to a national database where anyone can upload details of their planned event.

Individuals and community groups are encouraged to participate in any way they wish, whether this is by planting a tree or joining a Big Lunch hosted by a local group.

Here is the link to the webpage for more information: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/communities-and-events/events/platinum-jubilee/?fbclid=IwAR3PsEpMnvl-Ty56AGbP_4euqdOs6N3dYwBfDatr79eapEH-886fLwpM9B0

The next meeting of Newtonhill, Muchalls and Cammachmore Community Council will be held on line, via Microsoft Teams, at 7.30pm on Wednesday 19 January.

This will be the community council’s first online meeting. Last year in-person meetings resumed in the Skateraw Hall after a long period without any meetings due to the pandemic.

The meeting will be limited to a maximum duration of one hour.

North Kincardine Rural Community Council has continued to meet on line via Zoom since covid-19 struck. Portlethen and District Community Council no longer exists due to a lack of interest among residents.

As Scottish Water will be carrying out water mains renewal work from Monday there will be parking restrictions in Newtonhill on Newtonhill Road, Elsick Place and Park Place for 30 days, from 10 January.

There will be some disruption to traffic on Monday 7 February when a section of St Crispin’s Road at its junction with Newtonhill Road will be closed for 10 weeks, as part of the same work.

The council’s Roads Services says that emergency and pedestrian access is to be maintained, and access available to affected properties whenever possible.

The First Minister today set out new guidance for self-isolation and PCR testing.

The new arrangements mean that self-isolation for those with a positive lateral flow test can be reduced to seven days in certain circumstances, and PCR tests will not be required for asymptomatic people who test positive for coronavirus.
With coronavirus cases still extremely high, the First Minister urged everybody to get vaccinated, follow all guidance, and limit contact with others. As of 31 December, it was thought that one in 20 people had coronavirus.

Changes to self-isolation guidance

From midnight tonight (Wednesday):

· If you test positive for coronavirus you will be able to end isolation after seven days rather than 10, as long as you have no fever and record two negative lateral flow tests. The first test should be done no earlier than day six of isolation, and the second test at least 24 hours after that.

· For close contacts of positive cases*, self-isolation will be replaced with a requirement to undertake a lateral flow test every day for seven days. If any test proves positive, isolation and testing will be required. Those who are not fully vaccinated should still isolate for 10 days and undertake a PCR test.
(*including household contacts who are under 18 years and four months, or who are older and fully vaccinated with two doses of a vaccine and a booster)

Changes to PCR testing guidance

From tomorrow (Thursday):

· If you have symptoms of coronavirus, you should continue to book a PCR test.

· If you do not have symptoms of coronavirus but get a positive result from a lateral flow test, you do not need to book a PCR test and should instead isolate and post your test result online, following which you will receive an online form so contacts can be alerted.

Aberdeen International Airport is on the lookout for charities, community groups and organisations to benefit from the ABZ Propeller Fund.

Previously known as the Aberdeen International Airport Community Fund, £25,000 has been made available to donate to worthy recipients.

The ABZ Propeller Fund is open to groups, charities, and organisations with links to education, sustainability, and economic regeneration.

In 2019 more than £22,000 was donated to 20 applicants including VSA, Cyrenians and 30th Aberdeen Guides.

Aberdeen International Airport was unable to award any funding during 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Members of the ABZ Propeller Fund include airport staff, as well as representatives from the local authorities and government. It meets four times a year with the applications set to open in January.

“The ABZ Propeller Fund is a great way for community groups, charities and organisations to get help with funding and get their project off the ground. We encourage groups with a focus on young people, the environment or that make a tangible and real difference in their local communities to consider applying for funding. Everyone is aware what happened to the aviation industry during the pandemic and we took the difficult and decision to pause the community fund for 2020. However, we are delighted to be relaunching with a new name for our group, the ABZ Propeller Fund. We are an important company in the Aberdeen city and shire region and are looking to back as many organisations as we can from the ABZ Propeller Fund.”

More here: https://www.aberdeenairport.com/about-us/community-matters/abz-propeller-fund/?fbclid=IwAR37XP46NxdUWrbC1noKZ_PYSKfGqeHY7PwoR1uVwtidy1PMMWjKURxbr5c

I was saddened today to hear of the death of two local residents.

David Northcroft from Muchalls was aged 79. He had been a vice-principal of Northern College, Aberdeen, and was also known as an author with an emphasis on local history. It was always a delight to have a chat with him and Kathleen whenever we met. We had been in the same baby-sitting circle many years ago!

David died in Kincardine Hospital on 22 December.

The Press and Journal carried a fitting tribute: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/…/david-northcroft/

Sandy Massie from Newtonhill died aged 92 in Havencourt Nursing Home, Stonehaven, on 29 December. He too was a lovely chap to have a chat with, along with Mary. Always had a twinkle about him!

Both funerals are private due to covid restrictions.

The following new application in the North Kincardine ward can be viewed on the Aberdeenshire Council planning register: https://upa.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/online-applications/.

APP/2021/2883
Date validated: 22 December 2021.
Site address: Site at Pinewood, Portlethen.
Applicant: Mr and Mrs Colin Russell c/o Cumming and co, Albion House, 6 Castlehill, Aberdeen, AB11 5GJ.
Full planning permission for the erection of a replacement dwellinghouse and garage.
Public comment expiry date: 3 February 2022.