Aberdeenshire Council

Communities invited to share views on library services

Communities invited to share views on library services events taking place in the Cairnbulg, Kintore, Newmachar, Insch, Boddam, Rosehearty, Macduff, New Pitsligo, Inverbervie, Newtonhill, Strichen, Cruden Bay and Balmedie libraries.

Discussions around the future delivery of library services in a number of communities are to take place across Aberdeenshire over the next fortnight.

During the events, Live Life Aberdeenshire (LLA) will outline options that are currently being explored and invite customers and residents to share additional ideas for consideration.

The sessions are being delivered in two phases, with the first events taking place in the Cairnbulg, Kintore, Newmachar, Insch, Boddam, Rosehearty, and Macduff libraries.

Further events will take place in January at the New Pitsligo, Inverbervie, Newtonhill, Strichen, Cruden Bay and Balmedie libraries.

Head of Communities, Partnerships & Wellbeing, Avril Nicol, said: “Our aim through these discussions is to provide reassurance that our intention is to continue to provide an element of face-to-face contact with our communities in the future, albeit this might be in a different location or delivered in a different way.

“It’s also an opportunity for us to outline our approach to delivering an affordable, sustainable model of service delivery in partnership with our communities. This will be supported by a network of 18 core libraries across Aberdeenshire and an ongoing wide range of digital services alongside the already popular ‘Click & Collect’ and doorstep delivery options which have been developed over recent years.

“The discussions we’ve already had in some areas has helped us identify some exciting opportunities that we believe will be mutually beneficially to the service and our communities.”

Communities invited to share views on library services:

December’s events will take place as follows:

Cairnbulg Library: Wed, Dec 11, from 12.30pm-1.30pm.
Kintore Library: Thu, Dec 12, from 1pm-2pm
Newmachar Library: Thu, Dec 12, from 3pm-4.30pm
Insch Library: Fri, Dec 13, from 2pm-3.30pm
Boddam Library: Tue, Dec 17, from 10am-11.30am
Rosehearty Library: Tue, Dec 17, from 12.30pm-2pm
Macduff Library: Tue, Dec 17, from 2.45pm-4.15pm

Communities invited to share views on library services:

January’s events will take place as follows:

New Pitsligo Library: Mon, Jan 6, from 10am-11.30am
Inverbervie Library: Mon, Jan 6, from 1.30pm-3pm
Newtonhill Library: Wed, Jan 8, from 3.30pm-5pm
Strichen Library: Fri, Jan 10, from 10am-11.30am
Cruden Bay Library: Fri, Jan 10, from 12.15pm-1.45pm
Balmedie Library: Fri, Jan 10, from 3.30pm-4.30pm

Communities invited to share views on library services:

The options currently being explored by LLA for the libraries concerned can be found below:

Cairnbulg: LLA is exploring alternative buildings for the co-location/delivery of services, and to explore potential interest in asset transfer or lease of the existing library building.
Kintore: The existing library space will remain within Kintore School, with the focus of discussion being around the proposed changes in delivery.
Insch: LLA is considering the use of Insch Community Centre for the future delivery of local library services.
Newmachar: LLA is exploring the possibility of delivering library activity in the Newmachar Primary School and perhaps working with local community managed facilities.
Boddam: Options are being explored at the school and village hall.
Rosehearty: The existing library space will remain within Rosehearty School, with the focus of discussion being around proposed changes in delivery.
Macduff: LLA is exploring the potential of delivering library activity in alternative buildings such as the Myrus Centre and perhaps working with local community managed facilities.
New Pitsligo: LLA is exploring alternative buildings for the co-location/delivery of services.
Inverbervie: LLA is exploring alternative community owned buildings for the co-location/delivery of services.
Strichen: LLA is exploring alternative buildings for the co-location/delivery of services.
Cruden Bay: LLA is exploring alternative community owned buildings for the co-location/delivery of services.
Balmedie: LLA is exploring alternative options including community owned buildings for the co-location/delivery of services.

Feedback can also be shared with Live Life Aberdeenshire directly at: llacustomerservice@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Communities invited to share views on library services | Communities invited to share views on library services | Communities invited to share views on library services

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Festive Bins Collections and Household recycling centres

Festive Bins Collections 2024

Festive Bins Collections and Household recycling centres

New Museum of Aberdeenshire and Peterhead Library

Noise App release

Aberdeenshire Council Noise App release 27.11.24

Nearly 1,000 cases of nuisance noise have been reported since the introduction of Aberdeenshire Council’s noise app.

Nearly 1,000 cases of nuisance noise have been reported since the introduction of Aberdeenshire Council’s noise app.

Launched as a trial back in November 2020, the app allows residents to make 30-second recordings on their smartphone each time there is a problem.

Around 1,500 people have downloaded the app and such as been the success of the system that it’s now widely used by the council’s Housing, Environmental Health and Community Safety services.

To-date, the council has seen the resolution of 862 cases following investigation, with 101 live cases where noise complaints are currently being looked into.

The most common complaints continue to be around domestic music, anti-social behaviour and noise from animals. Loud voices, live music, domestic or industrial machinery and TV and gaming have also led to complaints.

The Noise App allows residents to capture an offending noise quickly, rather than wait for officers to attend to witness the noise or to install noise-measuring equipment.

It also allows officers to start their investigations far earlier and take rapid action. Under the latest version of the app, users can now play back a recording before it’s submitted to ensure they have clearly captured the issue.

Cllr Anne Stirling, chair of the council’s Communities Committee, said: “First and foremost, I would encourage all residents and businesses to always be considerate to those living around them. We all have varying tolerances when it comes to noise disturbance and it can be particularly upsetting if the noise is coming from a neighbouring property. I am delighted that the Noise App has proved so successful and trust it will provide further benefit to those impacted by nuisance noise.”

Housing Manager Andrew Mackie added: “I would encourage anyone who is experiencing issues surrounding noise to download the Noise App, make a clear recording and provide us with the basic information required to allow us to investigate your complaint. By taking this simple step, it enables our officers to assess the options open to them in order to get a resolution. In many cases we’ve found that the recordings have clearly demonstrated to neighbours – be that residents or businesses – how they are inconveniencing people and that can lead to a speedy resolution.”

You can download the app at www.thenoiseapp.com

For guidance on some types of noise that may be regarded as a nuisance:

Noise

Sound is essential to our daily lives, but noise is not – noise can be defined as unwanted sound. It is a source of irritation and stress for many people and can even damage our hearing if it is loud enough.

A nuisance is often difficult to establish but, generally speaking, if something is unreasonable to the average person, a court might decide it is a statutory nuisance. Noise nuisance is covered by Part III of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 opens in a new tab.

Listed below are some types of noise that may be regarded as a nuisance.

Noise Pollution

Noise and Planning

The Environmental Health team are currently reviewing our guidance for applicants and developers, it is hoped this will be completed in the second half of 2023. In the meantime, applicants are encouraged to contact the Environmental Health team to discuss their methodologies at the earliest opportunity.

Aberdeenshire Council Noise App release 27.11.24

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New Aberdeenshire Councillors Elected

Aberdeenshire Council gearing up to tackle the winter season ahead

Aberdeenshire Council is once again ready to respond to the challenges of the coming winter season in order to keep its pedestrians and traffic safe and moving.

Council services have been getting a fleet of gritters and support vehicles ready for action and stocking up on salt and grit, while councillors last week agreed the Roads Winter Maintenance Policy on how it will respond to all cold weather conditions.

And it’s hoped that the ever-growing population of Snow Wardens who generously volunteer their time to help with clearing and gritting in their communities will expand even further this winter season.

Aberdeenshire’s resilient communities and Snow Wardens play a vital role in helping to support the council’s winter maintenance approach. The council scheme is growing in popularity and actively supports members of our communities by supplying them with equipment, PPE and training to manually clear snow and grit publicly-adopted footways.

These self-managing groups of community-spirited residents jump into action whenever they are required – providing help in both residential areas and in town centres to bolster the council’s own efforts.

Some groups have asked for mechanical equipment to help their efforts and the council is investigating various options. New volunteers are always welcome – find out more at https://bit.ly/AbshireSnowWardens

As we have all seen over recent years, the region can be severely impacted during the winter – be that through rain, heavy snow or freezing temperatures. While the council is hoping to avoid excessively harsh conditions, crews will remain on-call 24/7 from now until April to deal with winter conditions.

Aberdeenshire Council gearing up to tackle the winter season ahead

The council has a variety of equipment and vehicles for use to keep Aberdeenshire 3,500-mile roads network and 925 miles of footway in a serviceable and safe condition, including:

55 gritters
48 footway gritters
14 mini gritters
15 ploughs and blades
13 loading shovels
3 snow blowers
2,000 grit bins

Support is also provided by landscape and waste services, with paid-for external resources also being used including contractors and farmers.

Historically the council has used between 36,000 and 45,000 tonnes of salt annually to ensure roads and footways remain safe for all users, with regular supplies coming in from Aberdeen port. The pre-season restocking of salt began this week, with more than 10,500 tonnes expected to be delivered by the end of the month.

Aberdeenshire’s primary road network receives preventative treatment with gritters and ploughs starting a morning treatment at 5.40am when required and finishing an evening treatment no later than 9pm each day. On the minor routes, gritting is undertaken if sub-zero road temperatures are forecast for 48 hours.

Council teams use the latest weather forecasting technology in planning its gritting operations with the over over-riding aim of keeping priority one roads passable at all times unless weather conditions are particularly severe.

The council is introducing a number of additional live camera feeds so that operations can be targeted more effectively and this will also be made available to the public to monitor the conditions of roads they are likely to be using.

Between the hours of 9pm and 5.40am an emergency response is provided if requested by any of the emergency services. This retains the council’s 24-hour service capability while ensuring a level of consistency.

Cllr Alan Turner, chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, said: “Last winter was a long, drawn out affair and the icy conditions required a lot of gritting rather than the removal of heavy snow. That placed a considerable pressure on our staff, however once again our dedicated teams worked tirelessly throughout the challenging conditions and really did go above and beyond to ensure our roads and footways remain safe and passable wherever possible. As a council we’re always hoping for a mild winter but as we saw last year it can last far longer – and cost us a lot more – than anticipated. I would like to reassure all our communities that we do have a strong winter maintenance programme in place, however while our teams and crews will do all they can to help keep traffic moving, it’s also important for all road users to proceed with caution and to consider whether their journey is absolutely necessary.”

ISC vice-chair Cllr Isobel Davidson added: “Our winter maintenance operations are a major and expensive undertaking for our roads teams and other services, but we know our communities value all the efforts our crews and support contractors go to year after year. That appreciation is certainly extended to all our wonderful Snow Wardens who undertake a huge amount of snow clearing and gritting in their own time free of charge to support our own efforts. I would encourage more of our communities to consider volunteering, to band together in times of need during the winter and really play their part in keeping Aberdeenshire moving.”

The myAberdeenshire app can also be downloaded to live-track our gritters as they carry out treatments, request grit bin refills, request a new grit bin, and much more https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/my/mobile-app/

For more information on all our winter services visit: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/roads/winter-maintenance/

To see the council’s planned gritting for each day, go to: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/roads/winter-maintenance/gritting-routes/#plannedgritting

For information on road closures and restrictions, go to: http://bit.ly/Road-closures

You can also follow roads updates from the team on Twitter/X@AbshireRoads

Salt delivery 1 min — Aberdeenshire Council gearing up to tackle the winter season ahead

Aberdeenshire Council gearing up to tackle the winter season ahead

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Aberdeenshire Council gearing up to tackle the winter season ahead | Aberdeenshire Council gearing up to tackle the winter season ahead | Aberdeenshire Council gearing up to tackle the winter season ahead | Aberdeenshire Council gearing up to tackle the winter season ahead | Aberdeenshire Council gearing up to tackle the winter season ahead

Aberdeenshire Council by elections candidates

Aberdeenshire Council by elections candidates 2024

Aberdeenshire Council by elections candidates

Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week

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

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Preparing for Winter

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

Preparing for Winter Aberdeenshire winter graphic — Resilience Month Aberdeenshire Week Four: Preparing for Winter

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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.

Live Life Aberdeenshire Unveils October Holiday Programme

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.”

Live Life Aberdeenshire Unveils October Holiday Programme 2

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

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