Aberdeenshire Council by elections candidates
Aberdeenshire Council by elections candidates 2024
Aberdeenshire Council by elections candidates
Aberdeenshire Council
Aberdeenshire Council
New Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week 2024
Diners in for a mouth-watering culinary treat during Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week
Hungry diners across Aberdeenshire are preparing to choose from a variety of special offers and menus during the region’s first ever Restaurant Week running from November 4-10.
Forty restaurants, cafes and hotels have so far signed up to the inaugural festival being organised by Aberdeenshire Council’s Economic Development Service.
It has teamed up with organisations including local business groups, VisitAberdeenshire, Scotland Food & Drink, Aberdeen City & Shire Hotels Association, Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Scottish Chefs to encourage business sign-ups and raise consumer awareness.
Food festivals such as this are hugely successful, proving popular with both businesses and customers alike across the country and November’s event will help to highlight all the fantastic places to eat across the region.
Facing the ongoing challenges around supply chain costs and the wider cost-of-living, it’s hoped Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week will give the local hospitality sector a much-needed boost and bring a wealth of new customers through their doors.
During the event, customers will be able to enjoy a host of food and drinks offers which will help increase footfall by showcasing the incredible offering across Aberdeenshire to locals and visitors alike, highlighting value, quality, provenance and choice at a traditionally quieter time of year.
To celebrate their involvement, participating venues have cooked up some mouth-watering special offerings for the week-long promotion, with something for all tastes and budgets.
Among them is the award-winning Falls of Feugh Restaurant at Banchory which helped launch the promotion with Aberdeenshire Council Leader Cllr Gillian Owen and Cllr Isobel Davidson, vice-chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee.
Cllr Owen said: “I’m really excited to be at the launch of the first-ever Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week and I want to encourage local people and visitors alike to support all the participating businesses and sample the tremendous range of menus and rich dining experiences the region has to offer. The north-east hospitality and food and drink sectors are incredibly important to our economy and we must continue to do everything we can to engage existing and new customers for our businesses.”
Cllr Isobel Davidson added: “It’s great to see so many restaurants signing up to our inaugural Restaurant Week. The excellent range of offers across the region and the range of menus will ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy. The hospitality industry is vitally important, not only for our home market but also for our growing national and international tourism offering. Thanks to our traditional industries of farming and fishing an abundance of quality local produce is available to help the sector set a benchmark for hospitality in Aberdeenshire.”
John Chomba, chef patron of the Falls of Feugh Restaurant, said: “We are delighted to be part of Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week. We’re really looking forward to welcoming new and existing customers to sample our special offers and wider menu and enjoy the friendly atmosphere here in Banchory. November can traditionally be a fairly quiet time for the hospitality sector before the hugely busy festive period, so this is a great way to boost business for us all and showcase what we can all offer all year-round.”
You can check out all the restaurant offers at www.aberdeenshirerestaurantweek.com or follow our social media channels by searching for Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week on Facebook or Instagram.
It’s not too late to register a business for Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week – email restaurantweek@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Preparing for Winter – Week 4
Resilience Month Aberdeenshire Week Four: Preparing for Winter
Over the course of September, Aberdeenshire Council is encouraging residents to consider how they might respond to a household emergency or severe weather incident.
This week, we are focusing on the theme of ‘Preparing for Winter’.
Winter weather brings a number of challenges for Aberdeenshire, and not all just due to lower temperatures alone.
High winds, heavy rain, snow and ice can slow us down or even prevent us leaving our homes at their most severe.
That’s why making sure your home is ready for winter can help prevent unwanted surprises when the temperature drops, and now is a good time to be thinking about taking action.
To support this, North East Scotland College is running free sessions in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council to help you protect your home before the cold weather kicks in.
Sessions run from 6pm to 8pm but places are limited, so make sure to register as soon as you can. The next sessions are taking place as follows:
But should the worst happen, there is advice an out there to help you deal with an unexpected situation.
Scottish Water has prepared a video on what to do if you have a burst pipe
Taking extra care on the roads is essential when winter weather poses challenges and the RAC also has a range of advice around winter driving including how to reduce the chance of breaking down in cold weather, how to demist your windscreen in double-quick time, and what to do if your car won’t start in the cold.
Of course, keeping a check on Met Office weather warnings and SEPA flood alerts is just as important, especially when advice is not to travel at all.
With a little early preparation at your house and for your car, winter could be just a little easier to navigate this year.
Information on Resilience Month Aberdeenshire Week Four: Preparing for Winter, and others, can be found at www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/resilience-month
Live Life Aberdeenshire Unveils October Holiday Programme (2)
October Holiday Programme Live Life Aberdeenshire Unveils 2024
Live Life Aberdeenshire (LLA) has launched its October Holiday Programme, offering a diverse range of activities to keep children and teenagers engaged and active during the school break.
Live Life Aberdeenshire (LLA) has launched its October Holiday Programme, offering a diverse range of activities to keep children and teenagers engaged and active during the school break. Running across LLA sports centres and libraries throughout Aberdeenshire, the programme is packed with multi-sport sessions, outdoor adventures, creative workshops, discovery events and activities designed specifically for young people with additional support needs (ASN).
The October Holiday Programme offers something for everyone, providing an ideal mix of physical, creative and educational opportunities:-
Multi-Sports Sessions: Young people can enjoy football, basketball and other team sports. Encouraging physical activity, teamwork and skill-building.
Outdoor Activities: Featuring Balance to Pedal sessions, tubing, a Nordic half-day camp and guided walks. These activities promote exploring Aberdeenshire’s stunning natural environment while staying active.
Creative and Discovery Sessions: LLA’s libraries will host workshops including Lego Club, reading activities, coding and discovery sessions. These are designed to foster creativity and provide enriching learning experiences.
ASN-Specific Sessions: The programme includes tailored activities for children and teenagers with additional support needs, ensuring all participants can enjoy and benefit from their holiday experience.
A special highlight will be Fishy Fun and sports activities from the Macduff Marine Aquarium and Active Schools. Children will have the chance to discover the incredible diversity of marine animals through hands-on activities and experiments. Meanwhile Active Schools and Partner Clubs will run sporting events, showcasing the various clubs available in and around Banff. In Banff, the library team will be running STEAMathon sessions at the Deveron Centre from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, featuring coding, science experiments and story time for P1/2 pupils.
Cllr Anne Stirling, chair of the council’s Communities Committee, said: “We are committed to providing inclusive and enriching opportunities for all young people and the October Holiday Programme is a perfect example of this. It’s especially encouraging to see activities tailored to support children with additional needs, ensuring they can participate and enjoy the programme just as much as everyone else.”
Avril Nicol, Head of Service of Aberdeenshire Council’s Communities Wellbeing & Partnership, said: “The October Holiday Programme is not just about keeping kids entertained, but also about encouraging lifelong learning, physical activity, and social engagement. From sports to creative sessions, the programme ensures that young people can explore their interests, build confidence, and stay healthy in a fun and supportive environment.”
Parents can book places by logging in as their child’s account on our app or website or visiting the nearest Leisure Centre.
For more information and to view the full programme, visit www.livelifeaberdeenshire.org.uk or download the Live Life Aberdeenshire app: http://bit.ly/LLA_app
consultation on proposed changes to taxi charges
Aberdeenshire Council launch consultation on proposed changes to taxi charges
North-east residents are being encouraged to participate in a consultation on proposed new taxi charges.
Local authorities are required by law to review the charging scale and Aberdeenshire Council has consulted with the trade and developed a new scale for the public’s consideration.
The Aberdeenshire Council launch consultation on proposed changes to taxi charges is now live until October 4, 2024 and can be accessed at
https://engage.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/taxi-fare-scale-consultation
Among the proposed new charges, which would come into effect on December 1, 2024 are the following:
| Standard | Late Night | Festive Season | |
| First 880 yards or part thereof | £3.00 | £4.30 | £4.60 |
| Each additional 1/11th part of a mile or part thereof | £0.22 | £0.22 | £0.33 |
| Waiting time per 10 seconds | £0.11 | £0.11 | £0.11 |
Standard Rate
Applies at all times out with the Late Night and Festive Season Rates which are detailed below.
Late Night Rate
Applies (a) Mondays to Thursdays from 10pm to 6am the following day; (b) Weekends from 6pm on Friday to 6am on Monday; and (c) Public Holidays from 6am to 10pm these being the 3rd of January, Good Friday and May Day.
Festive Season Rate
Applies (a) between 6pm on the 24th of December until 6am on the 27th of December; (b) between 6pm on the 31st of December until 6am on the 3rd of January; and (c) Weekends in December from 6pm on the Friday until 6am on the Sunday.
Multiple passenger surcharge
In vehicles so licensed carrying more than four passengers, a surcharge of 50% of the above fares may be charged.
Booking Fee
£0.50
Airport booking fee
Taxi drivers may add any current charge incurred at airports when either dropping off or picking up passengers. Drivers must make passengers aware in advance that extra charges may be added to the fare. Booking fees are to be shown on the meter.
Unacceptable mess
Passengers are carried on the understanding that the driver may charge a passenger, creating an unacceptable mess in the taxi, a maximum of £100.
Anyone wishing to make representations regarding the proposals which apply to taxis only and not to private hire cars, may do so within one month by way of our online consultation or by writing to us at: Licensing, Taxi Fare Review, Viewmount, Arduthie Road, Stonehaven, AB39 2DQ.
Red Ensign at Saltoun Square in Fraserburgh 3.09
Aberdeenshire Council raises the ‘Red Ensign’ at Saltoun Square in Fraserburgh
Aberdeenshire Council raises the ‘Red Ensign’ at Saltoun Square in Fraserburgh
The brave men and women who kept our island nation afloat during both World Wars have been remembered with the raising of the Red Ensign in Fraserburgh.
Aberdeenshire Council was honoured to raise the Red Ensign – affectionately known as the ‘Red Duster’ – at Fraserburgh’s Saltoun Square on Tuesday, September 3.
Merchant Navy Day is celebrated in September and also provides an opportunity to celebrate our dependence on modern day merchant seafarers who are responsible for 95% of the UK’s imports, including half the food we eat, plenty of the fuel we burn and virtually all the products and goods we take for granted.
Attending the poignant event were Fraserburgh and District councillors together with representatives from Fraserburgh’s Lifeboat, Mission, Sea Cadets, Harbour Commissioners, fishing organisations and The Salvation Army.
Gabriel Watt of Fraserburgh RBL Pipe Band played ahead of the flag raising while Sarah-Jane Urmston of the Salvation Army performed the Last Post.
Chair of the Banff and Buchan Area Committee, Cllr Doreen Mair, addressed those present before Councillor James Adams raised the flag.
Cllr Mair said: “In Fraserburgh, the importance of the sea to our community and the safety of those who sail on it is very much to the forefront of our thoughts and deeply embedded in our day to day lives. Merchant Navy Day was established to remember those who kept our nation afloat during two world wars ensuring that we had the supplies we needed to keep going.
“This corner of the coast was known as hellfire corner during the war because of the danger posed to merchant shipping from the Luftwaffe so remembering those brave seaman in the Broch is even more poignant and important as many came from this area.
“Too often they are the forgotten or invisible service. By raising the Red Ensign today we will ensure that at least – on this and the following days – they are remembered and saluted. This simple act will mean so much to the families of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, to those who have retired after a lifetime of service and to those who still go to sea now and face all its many perils.”
Macduff Marine Aquarium prepares for major redevelopment
Popular Macduff Marine Aquarium prepares for major redevelopment from 2.09
Macduff Marine Aquarium prepares for major redevelopment
Formartine and Buchan Way improvements-min
Formartine and Buchan Way improvements
Formartine and Buchan Way
Scotland Loves Local Pledge signing in IMAGE 1-min
Aberdeenshire Council makes pledge to choose local
Aberdeenshire Council has made a pledge to boost the region’s economy by choosing to support local businesses whenever it possibly can.
Rallying cry for Aberdeenshire residents to get behind region’s businesses
Aberdeenshire Council has made a pledge to boost the region’s economy by choosing to support local businesses whenever it possibly can.
Council Leader Cllr Gillian Owen has signed the Scotland Loves Local Pledge on behalf of the authority, promising to prioritise spending with enterprises in the region.
It states: “We will choose local, prioritising the people and businesses around us at every opportunity.”
Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the organisation which spearheads Scotland Loves Local with support from the Scottish Government, believes millions of pounds more can be injected into regional economies if more residents think local first.
The statement of intent has been made ahead of next week’s Scotland Loves Local Week (Aug 26 – Sept 1) – seven days of national activity highlighting the work taking place to make communities fit for the future, underpinned by critical local support.
Local businesses, politicians and customers are being urged to shine a spotlight on the brilliant enterprises locally on social media using the hashtags #ScotlandLovesLocal and #ChooseLocal.
And it is hoped that the move will encourage other people and businesses to follow their lead, making a promise to target support and spending with those around them.
Businesses and councillors gathered in Ellon today (Friday, Aug 23) to call on everyone across Aberdeenshire to help build a better future by choosing local.
Cllr Gillian Owen said: “By choosing local, we can all play our part in keeping communities alive – protecting the jobs of our neighbours, friends and families. We are working incredibly hard to create better, more sustainable places to live, work and visit – with superb shops, amazing attractions and great greenspaces. But all of that is underpinned by having local businesses which not just survive, but thrive.
“By thinking local first for all of our needs, we can be there for businesses at a time of once unimaginable challenges of Covid and cost of living – while helping with our region’s response to the climate emergency by reducing travel and food miles.
“And by signing up to the Aberdeenshire Loves Local gift card initiative, the benefits you will get from keeping the spend local are clear for all to see – whether you operate a retail business, coffee shop, restaurant, salon or tourist destination. An ever-increasing number of businesses are appreciating that the gift card is a quick, efficient and cost-free way to encourage customer spending and that can only help drive sales within our retail and service sectors.”
Among the businesses supporting the choose local call in the region are Fraser’s of Ellon and Hybrid Gaming and Computing who joined Aberdeenshire Council in promoting the cause.
Flooring and furniture retail store Fraser’s of Ellon was established in 1930 and employs 24 staff in addition to sub-contracted floor layers.
Managing director Colin McKay said: “Every penny spent with businesses like ours is an investment in the future of our community. Our team has worked incredibly hard in recent years to be there for people when they’ve needed us most. We want to play our part in a better future for our area. But, to do that, we need people to be there for us and choose local. It’s something simple that we can all do.”
Hybrid Gaming and Computing was established in 2021 but opened in April of this year, with its team of five providing a range of IT services for both consumer and small businesses.
Owner Dave Goodwin explained: “Our strategy is to feel like a part of our local community and local support has always been a critical part of our mission. As part of that mission we also often partner with other local businesses to try and generate shared benefits. The Scotland Loves local initiative ties in perfectly with those goals as the cards can be used in a variety of shops and businesses instead of just a single outlet.”
Leigh Sparks, Chairman of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, said: “We are delighted to see Aberdeenshire Council sign the Scotland Loves Pledge and publicly demonstrate its commitment to supporting local businesses. The power of choosing local more often – whether that be residents doing so in their daily lives or businesses supporting other local businesses – is transformational.
“Greater support for local enterprises protects jobs and businesses. And that support underpins the tireless work taking place to help communities adapt to our ever-changing world, seizing opportunities to innovate, invest and make our communities better places to live, work and visit.”
You can find out more about the Pledge at https://lovelocal.scot/sign-the-scotland-loves-local-pledge-and-show-your-support-for-choosing-local/
You can view all participating Aberdeenshire Loves Local businesses here: https://scotlandgiftslocal.com/product/aberdeenshire-gift-card/
More information about the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card – including how to sign up – go to www.lovelocal.scot/giftcard or email aberdeenshireloveslocal@aberdeenshire.gov.uk