Extra council house

Today’s Press and Journal reports that Aberdeenshire Council is planning 95 affordable homes across the shire, including one in Portlethen.

I made enquiries yesterday to find out more about the Portlethen plans. It transpires that this is one house in the Fishermoss area which is no longer required by the social work department and can be transferred to the council housing stock.

By the way, I also found out yesterday that there are about 8000 people on the housing waiting list. This is much, much lower than it was.

Road to close

I have just been told that owing to AWPR bridge construction works it will be necessary in the interests of public safety to close the C5K country road at Greens of Crynoch from Saturday 4 February for 16 days.

Emergency and pedestrian access is to be maintained, and vehicular access to affect properties is also to be maintained whenever possible.

2017-0109-crynoch

Should council tax go up?

Council tax is set to increase from April for houses in bands E, F, G and H, in line with the decision made by the Scottish Government.

Aberdeenshire Council will set its 2017/18 budget on 9 February and the council has the option to raise council tax on all bands (A to H) by up to 3%. The council cannot be selective; if a decision is taken to increase council tax, the increase is applied to all bands.

The old and new rates for bands E to H under the government plans are:
Band. Current Rate. New Rate
E.      £1394.56        £1499.15
F.      £1648.11.       £1854.13
G.     £1901.67.       £2234.46
H.     £2282.00.       £2795.45

These rates will increase further if the council decides to raise council tax rates by up to 3%, the maximum allowed by the Scottish Government.

Do you think Aberdeenshire Council should increase council tax by up to 3%? The increase would bring in roughly £3m, for a 3% rise across the board.

The alternative is that the council makes deeper cuts to its services. Cuts are hard to avoid though given that the Scottish Government is cutting its grants to local authorities by 3.5% (£350 million). The exact details for Aberdeenshire are not known yet.

Complaints over beauty spot eyesore

2017-0104-braehead

I have received dozens of negative comments about a cabinet erected at the Braehead in Newtonhill which blocks out the view from the road of the village bay. In response to these complaints I contacted Scottish Water and here is what they had to say: 

“Thank you for your recent email regarding the replacement kiosk which was recently installed at Braehead, Newtonhill. This kiosk was installed by Kelda Water Services who operate infrastructure in the area on our behalf.  

“I appreciate the concerns the community have regarding this site and would like to assure you that we are looking to identify whether there are any potential solutions which would allow the local waste water network to continue operating effectively while allowing people to continue enjoying the views.” 

I hope to meet their representatives in the next few days. 

Public utilities including Scottish Water have powers which can trump the local authority (under Class 38 of the General Permitted Development Scotland Order 1992). I have also asked questions of the council who say: “”We are aware of the structure that has been erected and investigations are being carried out in relation to the need or otherwise for any permissions.”

Click on this link for the Press and Journal coverage:
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeenshire/1132369/scottish-water-reviewing-decision-to-place-eyesore-at-cherished-north-east-beauty-spot/

 

Millions spent on supply teachers

Figures from the Scottish Liberal Democrats reveal that Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire councils have spent more than £51m on supply teachers since 2011.
The party’s education spokesman Tavish Scott MSP blames the Scottish Government for not providing support to teachers to assist the retention of quality staff. Aberdeen has seen the cost of supply teachers rise from £1,584,989 in 2014/15 to £1,744,469 in 2015/16 – and has had 100 teacher vacancies in that period.
Click on these links for more information:

Keeping warm can be a challenge

Winter has been kind to us so far here on the coast. Daffodils are starting to pop up. But in some areas the even relatively mild cold weather is no pleasure if you find it challenging to afford heating your home. Homes nestling in the countryside might look romantic but they are more expensive to heat.

A report produced by the independent Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force sets out a realistic and practicable set of actions. Can the government deliver?

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/10/2017

Let there be light

The street lights in Cliff View, Newtonhill, are due to be replaced and I have asked that the lighting column nearest the path through to the park be moved to the entrance. Many local people have complained to me how dark is in that passageway, making them feel unsafe. I’m pleased to say the council officers have given me a positive response, depending on available budget. They say: “it is envisaged that these works will be carried out in financial year 2018/19”.

Advice on hand in Portlethen

I was delighted to hear from Jane Neilson-Adams, manager of the Kincardine and Mearns Citizens Advice Bureau, that an outreach service has been set up in the medical centre in Portlethen on Tuesdays, between 2.30pm – 5.30pm. But it is by appointment only, so call 01569 766578 first.
Unfortunately the CAB is closed until Wednesday 4 January.
Citizens Advice Bureaux are local, independent charities that provide free and confidential advice and information whoever you are and whatever your problem.