Members of the public from across the Kincardine and Mearns Area are being invited to have their say on getting around Kincardine and Mearns at a Community Forum being held next week. The event is on Tuesday 8 March at 7pm in the Assembly Hall at Mackie Academy, Stonehaven and is being organised by the Kincardineshire Development Partnership.

The theme of the evening will be “Transport Matters … because Transport Matters” and there will be an opportunity for discussions on ideas for better transport, community based transport solutions, non-motorised solutions and how to integrate the various alternative solutions.

Councillors today approved emergency funding to cover the costs of flooding in Aberdeenshire.

£3 million was approved for remedial works required following damage caused by Storm Frank and associated flooding, although the expected costs of the flooding across Aberdeenshire is estimated to be up to £7.6 million.

A £400,000 property investment fund was also agreed for North Aberdeenshire. Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Banff and Macduff will benefit from the fund aimed at bringing derelict and vacant properties back into use.

Progress with the household waste recycling centre at North Badentoy in Portlethen. Morrison Construction who took possession of the site on 4 January, report works are progressing to programme, with the target completion date set for 5 August.

I was pleased to see a very good report on the Lairhillock School Nursery by the Care Inspectorate. The conclusions are:

“Lairhillock School Nursery provides a good service to children and families that it serves. The children have a very good choice of activities which help to promote their learning and development. The staff team are respectful and have formed very good relationships with children and their families.

“Children appear happy and content within the setting, they were confident in approaching staff and involving them in their play. Staff should become familiar with best practice guidance and ensure that all staff are trained in the documentation and administration of medications.”

This afternoon local councillors were given a draft plan for roads maintenance in the coming financial year. I was pleased to see the Muirend Road roundabout and Bruntland Road in Portlethen were included as promised.

I pressed the case with officers that it is important that Bruntland Road is particular is resurfaced. I was told that patching will taking place after Easter with a new surface in mid June. Roads officers Philip Leiper, Wendy McLaren and Ewen Smith are well aware of local concerns!

Aberdeenshire’s secondary school pupils are to take part in mock elections. Mirroring the forthcoming Scottish Parliament election, pupils will be campaigning, voting, and counting votes.

The 17 secondary schools will stage its own contest as part of a single constituency, with up to five pupils at each school standing as candidates. They will represent the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Scottish National and Green parties.

Voting will take place on Thursday, 10 March, with the count being held in Stonehaven the following day.

Monday’s North East Transport Partnership reports have some interesting information.

Passenger numbers at the eight stations in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire have doubled to 6 million in 10 years. And passenger number growth was greatest at Portlethen, up 18% over a year, to 57,152 in 2014/15. More stations and services could take these totals even higher.

A consultant’s report suggests a half hourly train service between Stonehaven and Aberdeen, with four trains an hour between the city and Inverurie. This is however a draft, but it is going in the right direction.

By the end of March it is anticipated that there will be 77 houses occupied at Chapelton. Despite the current economic climate linked to the low oil price, housebuilders on the site remain positive regarding sales and the core infrastructure is now well developed. Phase 2 planning is now well underway. It is anticipated design work on the new town’s primary school will begin this year to allow plans to be lodged when required

It is disappointed that a bill to ban parking on pavements will not make any further progress in the Scottish Parliament before May’s elections. There has also been some dispute about whether Holyrood or Westminster has this power. The Scottish and UK governments are working to resolve this through an amendment to the Scotland Bill which is currently before the Westminster parliament.

This bill was first brought before parliament in the 2007-2011 session by the then Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Ross Finnie. The current Footway Parking and Double Parking (Scotland) Bill, introduced by Sandra White MSP, builds on his work. It would enforce restrictions on pavement parking, dropped kerb parking and double parking. The bill has the backing of more than 20 major charities and organisations.

Tonight Portlethen Community Council. As well as two other councillors, there were two members of the public to hear various issues being debated. Here are the ones that caught my eye:

– The surface of Bruntland Road was raised again, with disquiet raised about the council’s plans to fill the ruts and apply a new surface dressing, rather than resurfacing. Councillors promised to press the case with officers..

– A questionnaire is to be produced as part of the process in producing a community action plan. This will cover various issues such as assets like parks, access to the academy, satisfaction with the swimming pool, transport, shopping, and the town’s image.