I’m pleased to see that a project aiming to secure the future of red squirrels across Scotland is to be extended for another two years.

Here in the North East, the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels project has worked towards removing an isolated population of grey squirrels that was introduced to Aberdeen in the 1970s and spread to the surrounding countryside. Greys are now largely limited to the centre of the city with eradication considered “achievable”.

Grey squirrels – who are not native but were brought to Britain and Ireland from North America in the 1870s – are the greatest threat to reds as they compete for food and space and can also carry squirrelpox which is deadly only to reds.

One of my roles with Aberdeenshire Council is as a biodiversity champion for red squirrels.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-59740294

Tonight I attended the annual general meeting of Home-Start Kincardine. Its home-visiting volunteers provide non-judgmental, confidential support to families with at least one child under five.

The aim is to help transform their lives, preventing them reaching crisis point and this can reduce the involvement of other, more acute, services. It was really heart-warming to hear of all the good work that goes on, helping those who need a helping hand over a very difficult year.

There are 14 volunteers who have helped 22 families with 41 children.

Families are referred to Home-Start primarily through health visiting and social work teams or, increasingly, via self-referrals byfrom families themselves. These families are then assessed and matched with a suitable volunteer. Families struggling with post-natal depression, isolation, physical health problems, bereavement and many other issues receive the support of this volunteer.

If you are interested in volunteering, then please email office@homestartkincardine.org. They are based in David Street, Stonehaven, and cover all of the Kincardine and Mearns Area. The group’s website is https://www.home-start.org.uk/home-start-kincardine

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

APP/2021/2751
Date validated: 13 December 2021.
Site address: Brooke Lane, Block 3, Plots 1-5, Chapelton.
Applicant: Elsick Development Company, c/o Turnberry Planning Ltd, 41-43 Maddox Street, London, W1S 2PD.
Approval of matters specified in conditions for Conditions 3a (Levels Survey), 3b (Drainage Plan), 3c (Foul Water Drainage), 3e (Cut and Fill Operations), 3f (Roads, Footpaths and Cycleways), 3g (Screen Walls/Fencing), 3h (Landscaping), 3j (Layout, Siting, Design and Finish), 3l (Waste/Recycling), 4 (Phasing of Development), 6a (Finished Ground Levels), 6b (Existing Landscape Features), 6c (Existing and Proposed Services), 6d (Location of New Trees, Shrubs, Hedges, Water Features), 6e (Schedule of Plants), 6f (Hard Landscaping), 6g (Existing Trees, Shrubs and Hedges to be removed), 6j (Completion and Maintenance of Landscaping), 7a-f (Disposal of Surface Water), (8 (Street Design), 17 (Construction Method Statement), 19 (Site Investigation), 20 (Remediation Scheme), 27 (Soil Audit), 36 (Waste Management Plan) and 37 (Environmental Management Plan) (Erection of five Dwellinghouse) of Planning Permission in Principle Reference APP/2011/3100 for New Settlement Comprising Residential (up to 4045 Dwellinghouses), Commercial, Retail and Community Facilities with Associated Landscaping, Open Space, Drainage and Roads Infrastructure and Services.
Public comment expiry date: 13 January 2022.

APP/2021/2818
Date validated: 4 December 2021.
Site address: Land to the south of Corbie Pines, Polston Road, Kirkton of Maryculter, AB12 5FS.
Applicant: Mr George Knox c/o Mackie Ramsay Taylor, 21-23 Waverley Place, Aberdeen, AB10 1XH.
Full planning permission for the erection of a dwellinghouse and garage.
Public comment expiry date: 13 January 2022.

APP/2021/2840
Date validated: 17 December 2021.
Site address: Land at Mains of Cairnrobin, Portlethen.
Applicant: OEG Offshore Ltd.
Hazardous substances application for the storage of hazardous substances. (Amendment to APP/2016/1813).
Public comment expiry date: 6 January 2022.

The Asda Foundation’s “Bringing Communities Back Together Fund” has awarded grants to three local good causes.

Stonehaven Amateur Swimming Club was awarded £810, The Friday Luncheon Club for Senior Citizens in Newtonhill was awarded £495, and Panthers Basketball Club was awarded £1000.

Last year the Asda Foundation invested more than £500,000 in community projects and good causes in Scotland. They are always looking for new good causes to support. If you know of a project that might benefit from our support, please speak to the store manager or community champion at Asda in Portlethen.

I hear that the drainage works on Monduff Road in Muchalls which were scheduled for this month have been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances.

The Roads Service says the work should take place at the end of January or start of February.

Surface water has been running off the public road on to a private road, causing erosion damage.

I have asked the Roads Service if nearby potholes could also be filled when the the squad is attending to this work.

Police Scotland’s look-back at November in Kincardine and Mearns has been published.

ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, VIOLENCE AND DISORDER:

There has been a slight decrease in the number of anti-social behaviour calls, with 41 incidents reported. Seventeen of these calls relate to youth specific calls, and 24 relate to other anti-social behaviour incidents including noise and neighbour issues.

There were 11 assault crime reports, an increase against the previous month. So far, four incidents have been detected, and reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and seven are still being investigated with strong lines of enquiry.

There were no serious assaults reported.

ACQUISITIVE CRIME:

There have been no thefts reported.

ROAD SAFETY & ROAD CRIME:

No drivers found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There were no reported incidents of careless or dangerous driving.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & REASSURANCE:

If travelling in severe winter, tune in to the Met Office information and Traffic Scotland for public transport announcements (0800 028 1414). Tell someone your destination, route and timings. Allow extra time. Fully charge your mobile and take a charger. Pack food and equipment. Think about winter tyres, a first aid kit, battery jump leads, torch, GPS, space blanket, reflective warning signs, ice scraper, shovel for snow, warm clothes, boots, warm drink in a flask – the list could be endless.

Identify key neighbours or family who may require assistance. Have their contact numbers to hand. Offer to collect groceries or other essential tasks. Help clear their icy / snow covered paths.

DRUG SEARCH WARRANTS:

One drug search warrant was executed within Stonehaven with a positive detection for controlled drugs.

CONTACT:

• 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.

I have been checking up on the Stagecoach bus service in Chapelton as some doubts had been expressed to me about how and where people can catch the bus.

It has now been confirmed that Stagecoach have instructed their drivers to operate on a hail and ride basis until bus stop locations are fixed.

Meanwhile a temporary style bus stop is to be provided on Quarryline Street opposite Landale Court as this is the bus layover/turning point. A bus shelter will also be provided in due course outside Teacake.

Here are dates for your diaries if you would like to donate blood. Sessions are being held in April and July in the Bettridge Centre in the Coastal Park, Newtonhill. By the way, Greystone Place is simply the postal address!

North Kincardine Rural Community Council met tonight via Zoom, with potholes one of the key problems being discussed.

We heard that some of the rural roads are in dire need of attention. One suggestion put forward was that residents take direct action to fill potholes, however there were concerns that there could be public liability issues. Two roads in particular were causing concerns, at Altries and on the Netherley-Bridge of Muchalls road.

Community councillors had an interesting discussion about the merits or otherwise of the design of some house extensions. It is all a matter of taste!

The aftermath of Storm Arwen also prompted comment, particularly over the impact on mobile communications with transmitters going down. Meanwhile a landline will still work as long as the phone wires are still standing. However BT is switching is over to digital, and that will rule out using an old plug-in analogue phone. Progress maybe isn’t everything.

There was a warning about incidents in the rural area of doors being tried at 2am one night recently. Please lock your doors and be vigilant.

The next meeting is on Monday 17 January.

UPDATE 14 December: The potholes at Altries and all the way up to Muirskie were filled today by and Aberdeenshire Council Roads Service squad.

Kincardine and Mearns is set to receive £89,558.75 from the Coastal Communities Fund. The money comes from the Crown Estate’s marine licences for offshore wind farms, oil and gas pipelines and aquaculture leases.

Do you know of a project which is virtually ready to go, and all that’s needed is funding? Only constituted groups are eligible.

The award letter from the Scottish Government requests spend in 2021/22 which will be challenging given the timing of the notification. Aberdeenshire Council officers are exploring potential flexibility on this date with the Scottish Government with a view to allowing spend in 2022/23.

One of the key criteria is that the site of the project or the community is within one mile of the coastline. Projects must have a tangible link to the coast and/or the sea.

Examples of settlements that could be eligible are Findon, Portlethen, Newtonhill, Muchalls, Stonehaven, Catterline, Kinneff, Inverbervie, Gourdon, Johnshaven and St Cyrus.

Groups must provide a brief outline of any projects and likely costs that would help in deciding which projects can be supported. A report will then be prepared for Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee to allow councillors to have input into the disbursement of the funds.

Applications must be submitted by noon on Friday, 31 December 2021 to the K&M area project officer Diane Henderson.

I can send an application form if any group interested would like to send me a message (or email me at cllr.i.mollison@aberdeenshire.gov.uk).