Full Council met today for the first time in 2018.

The Provost began proceedings with notification of the passing of two former Councillors – George Swapp and Jim Anderson, and also the former Lord Lieutennant Angus Farquharson who all made substantial contribution to  Aberdeenshire.

The first item of business on the main agenda was an Update on the response to the Planning Enforcement notice we received from the Scottish Government for the Gypsy/Traveller Site at North Esk, St Cyrus.
This is a site that was previosuly deemed adequate by Aberdeenshire Council but then called in and overturned by the governement making the site, currently, illegal with enforcement action required to clear the site.
I don’t agree with that decision to overturn the Council’s decision but fully respect the position the Council now finds itself in.
Council noted that dialogue continues with the residents and an action plan has been drawn up incorporating various options.  There is a clear communication strategy.
Officers have been asked to provide an update to Full Council in June – with the formal eviction date that everyone hopes never to see being the 31st July.

We then approved the Legislative Change to the Aberdeenshire Integration Joint Board Integration Scheme, allowing it’s forward to the Scottish Government for approval.

Council then decided to establish one single Licensing Forum for Aberdeenshire to take effect on 1st April.  THe current three-forum model has seen poor attendance in the most part so moving to one is likely to improve things.
Cllr Topping spoke briefly on his support for the status quo, but failed to find a seconder to his amendment.

In a late addition to the agenda, Council then revisited the plans to move our sport and cultural facilities into an arms-length Aberdeenshire Culture and Sport Trust.
The net financial benefit has changed by more than £100,000 compared to when the position was agreed in November therefore Council deemed it necessary to stop to move and insted look at ways of establishing a business unit within the Council to make use of the work that has gone in to the Trust move to date.
I again find myself disappointed with a decision being made following a Scottish Government decision – this time it being the case that the move has to be stopped due the Government deciding we began the move too late to be included in the group of ALEOs that can continue to have Non-domestic Rates Relief.

The penultimate item on the agenda was held in private – where we agreed the Financial Close of the Inverurie Community Campus project – a decision that will now see the project move forward, and also see my much loved former school demolished for a new, fit for purpose facility.

Our final discussion of the day was with the Team responsible for the A96 Dualling who gave a very thorough presentation on the current state of play.
I reitterated my position that “Option Q” which takes the route along the A947 is the best one – not for the much publicised reason of ‘Saving Bennachie’ but mainly to help aid the current congestion issues in Inverurie and Oldmeldrum and providing relief for smaller communities like Newmachar, Whiterashes and Hattoncrook.
There is a very good engagement programme on-going.  I did suggest the Meldrum, Bourtie and Daviot Community Council should be included in the group with Inverurie Community Council as there remains a chance that the route will go down the boundary line between these two and it makes sense for both Councils to be present when information comes forward for comment.