Another day at the office - another knife in the back

Yesterday my ward colleague Cllr Rob Merson (SNP) sprang an emergency motion to remove me as Vice Chair of the Formartine Area Committee.  To my astonishment, Rob was unable to clearly articulate what the emergency was - but the Chair Cllr John Loveday (LibDem) agreed to take the motion.  And the motion was passed.

Cllr Merson cited comments I have made about my colleagues indecisiveness re the siting of a new Ellon Academy and my failure to attend some site visits as the reasons for my removal as Vice Chair.  I don't think these have anything to do with me as Vice Chair.  And indeed I have received no complaints or even adverse comments regarding my role as Vice Chair.

So what motivated Cllr Merson and the other Formartine Councillors to act in this way?

I know Cllr Merson doesn't like me mentioning him on this blog (see comments to post below).  And of course we have political differences.

But I think this is simply a continuation of the divide on the Formartine Area Committee post Trump.  Faced with a planning application at Menie, my colleagues are prone to saying things like "We must press ahead as quickly as possible with this development".  No.  We have a duty to scrutinise all proposals and ensure that the conditions of the permission granted by the SNP government are complied with.

Not being Vice Chair will not stop me doing that job.  And it will not stop me speaking out to protect the Menie residents whose homes remain under threat because my colleagues refuse to rule out compulsory purchase and keep giving the Trump Organisation every reason to believe that they can ask and it will be given.

Myself as Vice Chair (may 2007 to 31st August 2010) in a display at the area office.

MP doesn't want constituents to email him

Tory MP, Dominic Rabb has complained about campaign group 38 Degrees facilitating constituents sending emails to him.  The poor inundated soul asks his constituents not to email him.  He doesn't want his email address published anywhere and says that "My approach is to ask those with a problem or issue they want me to take up to write in, so I have full details and can check they are constituents (it is a protocol that you do not take up the case of other MPs' constituents.)"

The 38 Degrees system does this preliminary check for Mr Raab - and I spent ages when first elected encouraging people to use email as it made dealing with casework more efficient.

You can read 38 degrees side of the story at http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2010/08/09/dominic-raab-tells-constituents-dont-email-me.


You can read Dominic Rabb's comments at http://www.dominicraab.com/dom_s_blog.html and you can email Dominic Raab on dominic.raab.mp@parliament.uk - I publish it here as a public service as it's not published on the House of Commons website or Mr Raab's own website.

Perhaps it's having 58% share of the vote that engenders arrogance.  An excellent argument against any system that makes "safe seats".

Trump land grab

On Tuesday at Menie, large machinery was used to clear fishing nets and other equipment from the land and a fence was erected.  However Michael Forbes, whose family home is threatened by compulsory purchase, has title deeds showing the land belongs to him. 

The Forbes family are shocked and angry.  Trump's agent called on them to confirm the land boundaries and Michael Forbes showed his title deeds.  He was assured that all was well.  But now it appears that the Trump Organisation have simply decided to clear and occupy this parcel of land.

I called on the Forbes family yesterday.  Estate security had a vehicle on the track to Michael Forbes house and when I and a few others walked to the disputed land, we were followed by Estate security in their vehicles.  When standing on the disputed land we were asked to leave with the security guard claiming it was a construction area.   It clearly was not.

Ten days ago the water supply was cut off to Mill of Menie, the home of Mike and Sheila Forbes, and Paradise, the home of Mike's 85 year old mother Molly.  The supply has just been restored. 

Ten days to restore a water supply is disgraceful and I understand that the estate did not even attempt to supply water until Saturday.   This inaction and the continuing surveillance of the Forbes family must feel like part of a campaign to intimidate them into leaving their home.  I totally understand why the Forbes family are angry but I know they are determined not to be bullied.

But they will need help to defend their property and homes against Trump with his deep pockets.  Layers cost money.

Aberdeenshire - Final Local Development Plan

The Aberdeenshire Development Local Plan was agreed by the Council on 24th June.  I did not vote for it but a future post - or perhaps posts - will talk about the issues.  After all, we have until 1st October to lodge our representations on the plan.  My previous post talked about the form required for representations.  This post will discuss the form of the plan itself.

Instead of one document, the Plan has been published as a plan containing just 14 polices, 6 maps and a schedule. One of my colleagues described the plan as vacuous - there is so little detail in the Plan itself that it is difficult to see what objections there could be.  Most of the detail is in the Supplementary Guidance.

In addition to the Plan there are (currently) 51 pieces of Supplementary Guidance, 6 of which are Settlement Maps for each Area within Aberdeenshire and the rest give details on the 14 polices.

Therefore, it is likely that if you wish to make a representation about anything you will need to make two representations - one for the policy in the main plan and one for the relevant Supplementary Guidance.

Aberdeenshire has provided two forms (in two forms, pdf and online), one for the Plan and one for Supplementary Guidance.   But as you are not required to make your representation on the specified form, I would suggest that you  make one representation per issue covering both the Plan and the Supplementary Guidance.  If you follow the 7 required pieces of information from the Schedule 4 form, you will have provided all the necessary information.   The Council can then cross reference your one representation into two parts to cover the Plan and the Supplementary Guidance. 

Over the summer, I'll post some comments on the content of the plan itself.  Remember, you only have until 1st October to make you voice heard.

Local Development Plan - Consultation and Examination

On 24th June, Aberdeenshire Council agreed to publish its new Local Development Plan for public comment and that this plan should have some degree of materiality for planning decisions.

Since the previous round of Local Plans, there has been a change in legislation. This is not a draft plan that will then be turned into a Finalised Plan by the Council and then be subject to a Public Local Inquiry. This is IT. A reporter will be appointed and this plan will be subject to an examination to ensure it is "appropriate and sufficient".

So Representations (objections and expressions of support) will need to be made over the summer with a closing date of 1st October.

The process is new.  The Council will turn your representation into a Schedule 4 form which will contain

1. Issue Reference and Heading
2. Development Plan Reference
3. Body or persons raising the issue
4. Provision of the Development Plan to which the issue relates
5. Council's summary of issue
6. Modifications sought by those submitting representations

andthen the Council will add

• Summary of Response by Council
  
• Any further plan changes commended by Council

and finally the Reporter will add

• Reporters Conclusion
• Reporters Recommendations

In order to avoid your representation being misinterpreted by the Council and so that you know that you have included all the necessary information, I suggest that you format your representation under Headings 1 to 7 above.  You are restricted to a maximum of 2000 words plus limited supporting productions.


Thanks to Planning Aid Scotland for the session from which I gleaned the above.  Any errors are mine not theirs!

In my next post, I will comment on the format of the local plan and what that means for you if you want to make a representation - the form is very different from previous plans.

Site for a new Ellon Academy

Last Tuesday, Formartine Area Committee discussed 6 possible sites for the new Ellon Academy and it was clear that there was a consensus about Options 2 and 3 which would put the Academy into the planned Cromleybank development. These were the options clearly favoured by Ellon Community Council the previous day at a special meeting. Councillors were all also agreed that a second road bridge across the Ythan was needed at an early point to make the development work with the rest of the Town (and stop Bridge St seizing up!).

However, my colleagues wouldn't simply made the decision - they expressed a preference for Options 2 and 3 but left it open to be somewhere else. And it seems as if they are willing to totally revisit the agreement to development Cromleybank in the Local Plan. With Aberdeenshire Council due to approve the Local Plan on 24th June and no meeting of the Formartine Area Committee in the meantime, this risks this very important decision regarding Ellon having to be taken by Infrastructure Services which only has one representative of the area on it - or by the full council of 68 members.

I believe that local councillors working with local people and the Community Council should be calling the shots on this and that my colleagues have done the town a dis-service by dithering rather than making a decision.

City Councillors finally talk about Union Terrace Gardens

After months of spouting nonsense that they were somehow legally barred from telling people their views re City Square/Peacock/Union Terrace Gardens, a few have now decided to speak.

I don't think Cllr John Corall puts up a solid defence of voting in favour of City Square - but at least he was willing to be filmed. Do you think he knows what he is talking about?

Watch this video.


He starts by telling us that people do not know what is proposed ... and that he doesn't either ...

Sir, it's in your ward. Don't you think you should take an interest?

Masterplans and golf courses

Last Tuesday, my colleagues agreed to the discharge of a heap of conditions, the Masterplan and the golf course at Menie. Many of my colleagues seemed, at least before the meeting, to be under the misguided impression that the Masterplan did not impact the homes of the Menie families. I check at the meeting and it does.

I moved refusal of the Masterplan on the basis that it was not deliverable unless these parcels of land were in the control of the applicant. The Masterplan itself acknowledged this in that it said it would need to be redesigned.

And then we have the golf course. Contrary to Trump spin, work can not yet start - the rest of the Masterplan conditions need to be met. So an opening in 18th months is not likely.

But the developer may believe they have an excuse to close off the constrcution area. That I believe will cause problems. People walking along the beach north from Balmedie may decide they have had enough and want to get back to the A90. If the whole golf course area is closed, that will be a problem. I have no interest in increasing conflicts on the Menie estate - local people are suffering enough without this. But I think it would be sensible if the Menie estate retained route across their land - perhaps limiting themselves to closing one of the masterplanned routes at a time. Else the police will get bored with dealing with casual walkers coming into conflict witht he developer. And be less able to distinguish anyone out to cause trouble.

Public Access at Menie - again

I have had reported to me three more incidents where people were stopped on the Menie Estate. References to previous incidents can be found here.

One incident I regard as very serious. I quote from part of an email from a young woman horse-rider

... so went for a ride down through the dunes beside the Trump area. Was outside the fences and on the path when they're (sic) security jeep drove down. Carried on back onto the beach and further down the the jeep with flashing orange lights comes powering out of the dunes and storming up the beach towards me - really motoring along, splashing through puddles, lights flashing - you can imagine how this went down with Lenny! .... Eventually 2 big fancy blacked out range rovers turn up and 4 Americans in suits jump out of each one and start accusing me of the vandalism that was in the papers a couple of weeks ago. There were really quite aggressive and if Lenny hadn't been freaking out and running round me in circles, it would have really been intimidating - they had to keep their distance because of him though.

A complaint has, I understand been made to the police.

There have been two further incidents in the past few days, one a pedestrian and one another horse rider.

This intimidation is not acceptable.

I shall be discussing the situation with the local police. Detaining me last March was one thing. Endangering people peaceably riding horses is serious.

Please do not be put off using the dunes. pedestraians, cyclists and horse riders are perfectly entitled to exercise their "responsible right to roam". I believe construction work has stopped - we are out of the marram grass planting season. Please be careful not to disturb the areas of planting and fencing.

I carry a mobile phone when I am on the dunes. I shouldn't have to but ... If I were stopped I would ask who was stopping me and why. If there was any effort to detain me, I would dial 999 immediately.

Hopefully this will be properly dealt with and we have no more in the long running series of incidents. I will be meeting the police on Friday.

Nature's Fecht for Union Terace Gardens

The craws war chattin ti the doos
Hiv ye heard the affa news
They’re destroyin oor gairdens at Union Terrace
Thae humans are a bliddy menace
The doos said are ye sure yer richt
We ken you craws are nae that bricht
Oh aye we heard it fae a wise aul owl
Fa wis doon the Toon’s Hoose for a prowl
Noo Jenny Wren wis hoppin aroond
Fin she heard the doos kickin up a soond
She flew up high ti see fit’s fit
Fit she heard she didna like ae bit
Oh michty me an gweedness gracious
Fillin in oor gairdens fit are richt precious
The trees and shrubbies far a hop aboot
Wull aa be for the chap nae doot
The tale wis telt ti the snails
They lit oot some affa wails
Iss surely it jist canna be
Destroy the gairdens an we’ll aa dee
Syne the news it reached the bugs
They hid heard it fae the slugs
The Toon’s Hoose wull be oor destination
There ti hae a wee bit infestation
We’ll crawl aa ower the Provost’s chair
An get in yon Sue Bruce’s hair
The wifie’ll hae ti hae a scratch
Serves her richt the silly vratch
The moles they noo heard the chatter
An said we’ll hae a wee bit natter
We can undermine St Nicholas Hoose
So’s the foondations are a bittie loose
Noo the robins war maist pit oot
As roon an roon they did scoot
Iss is news jist affa silly
As they passed it on ti a blue tit billie




The Blue Tits they warna overjoyed
In fact they were fair annoyed
We’ll hae ti flit ti Westburn Park
An that’ll nae be much o a lark
Syne a butterfly it flitted bye
On hearin aa the spik did cry
Fit aboot the bonnie flooers
Far a spent sic happy oors
The squirrels they cam oot o hidin
Fae holes in trees far they wis bidin
They canna chap doon oor hame
Fa thocht up iss silly game
The bees noo they war bummin
Wi frustration they wis hummin
We’ll hiv ti sting aa the bums
O Sir Ian Widd an his chums
The flooers, shrubs an the trees
War duncin wi anger in the breeze
Iss his been oor hame for yonks
Aa ti be trashed by stupid gonks
The aul aul trees hid some inspiration
We’re covered by an order o preservation
Jist aabody bide in oor leafy green tops
Agin the diggers we’ll pull oot aa the stops
Leave us aa aleen is nature’s plea
Nae hairm ti humanity did we ivver dee
Ye humans are jist bliddy feel
As oor gairdens ye try ti steal

Thanks and © Bob Smith 22/5/2010

Bunkerin Donald's Plans

Some times it's best to express yourself in verse
Thanks for permission to reproduce (and copyright) Bob Smith

Michael Forbes his decided ti sell
Some grun fit’s ca’ed The Bunker
Ti some fowk fa are affa keen
Ti stymie a Manhattan mumper

Trump ti buy iss plot o lan
Needs ti contact mair than a few
Fa hiv bocht iss bittie grun
An are part owners o it noo

There’s nae doot iss clivver ploy
Wull mak Trump nae verra happy
In fact I’ll gyang as far’s ti say
The chiel’ll be a grumpy chappie

Here’s ti Michael and his plotters
We aa hope iss dis some eese
So’s Trumpy’s plans are bunkered
An Menie fowk are left in peace

Ti aa ye gweed fowk oot there
Please tak in iss bittie verse
The best thing that could happen
Is Trump kicked up the erse

© copyright Bob Smith 2010

http://www.thebunker.org.uk

The Lunatic Fringe

On Wednesday, Aberdeen City Council voted to support the razing (not a misspelling!) of Union Terrace Gardens and the replacement of these with Sir Ian Wood's vision of a City Square.

I think this was a wrong decision for three reasons

1. It has dished Peacock Visual Arts proposals for a new Northern Lights Arts Centre which had secured most of the required funding and would have delivered a £5m/year economic boost to the City as well as making the gardens more accessible and providing handy facilities such as cafe and toilets.
2. No economic case for the City Square has been made.  This makes the proposed funding for the £90m+ that will not be given by Sir Ian Wood - Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) - dubious.  TIF depends on the infrastructure being developed actually delivering tax increases locally - and for central government agreeing that those extra taxes can be used to pay of the local debt.  Neither of these are certain.
3. The gardens themselves are used and loved.   They are a important cultural, historic and enviornmental asset to the City.   55% of the people in the City Square consultation said No to the City Sqaure proposals.  As I have already said "Which bit of No, don't you understand?".  Ian Wood said he would withdraw the offer unless the proposals were supported.   But ASCEF wanted to pursue the issue and the City Council has agreed to this.  

It's hard for councillors to say No to £50m.  I am sure that the P&J and the Evening Express would have told us that councillors voting against City Squre were numpties and a danger to the economy of the north east of Scotland if the vote had gone the other way.  Those against the proposals have been labelled as the Lunatic Fringe.  This blog is called National Disgrace, Scroundrel and Extremist because those are labels that Donald Trump and his accolytes tried to attach to me and I am plainly none of those things.  So I am happy to add Lunatic Fringe to the list - along with the 55% of those who were consulted on City Square who also said No.

People are genuinely angry about this decision and desperate for someone to take a lead in stopping this awful  "development".  I think that the economic case does not exist and the funding mechanism is too dubious.  So the odds are that this willnot happen.  It hasn't happened for 20 years .....

So let's group together as friends of Union Terrace Gardens and do what we can to conserve and improve them. 

Meanwhile, thanks for this video of the Gardens on Saturday 22nd May 2010.

Democracy

This Parliament does not represent us. We demand fair votes now. There must never again be an election under this broken system.

We need change - http://www.takebackparliament.com/

Vote for policies

It always fascinates me how people decide who to support.  But actual real policies often seems to have little do do with it. 

So I have been watching www.voteforpolicies.org.uk with interest.

This is a screen shot of the current result for Gordon, broken down by policy area.  This needs to be treated with caution - just 75 users is hardly representative - but Green policies are popular, particularly in regard to Crime, Economy, Education, Europe, and the Environment - 5 of the nine policy areas.    For up to date results, click here.

Nationally the results are moe significant with over a quarter of a million users of the tool.  And there the Greens are well ahead with 24% support.  See http://voteforpolicies.org.uk/ for the detail.

Hung parliaments and fitness to govern

In a time when Governments of  all colours have messed up and thrown us into an economic mess, a little humility would go a long way.  Whatever hand in terms of seats, is what the politicians will have to deal with. 

No party leader is going to make definitive statements about who they will/won't work with or on what terms.  They fear that Voter A will be put off if they say they favour Party X and Voter B will be put off if they say they favour party Y. 

So what should we be asking them about hung parliaments?

I'd suggest

To those who have said a hung parliament would be "bad"
Does that mean you won't work with others for the good of the country?  Why not?

To those that countenance a hung parliament,
How detailed a programme for government would you seek to negotiate and when can we expect the next general election?

More at http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/speakout/hungparliamentpr

Election campaign visit

It was truly a delight to have Patrick Harvie MSP visit the Sue Edwards' Gordon campaign yesterday..  It was just a busy day that I've not had a chance to write it up until now.

We started with a visit to the lovely Molly Forbes who made us all most welcome (home-made blueberry muffins, cake and biscuits) and tolerated another round of media circus very patiently.  The good news for her and other residents that are threatened with compulsory purchase if Trump's plans are to be realised, is that 64% of Scots are now against the resort - see press release for details.

(Pictured: Sue, Patrick and Molly)







We then called into Ellon and then had a most interesting visit to Pitmedden Udny and Tarves Community Composting.  Sue, of course, took the quality control of the finished composted garden waste very seriously and Patrick couldn't resist a closer look at one of the toys.


Thanks to Vicki, Dave and Chris for giving their time to show us around and to discuss the issues.

One in a hundred ....

All the fuss from airlines about the so-called over-cautious approach of NATS seems to me to be geared to trying to strong arm compensation out of the government rather than a sound basis of science

I keep looking at the Met office maps.

One maps shows satelite imagery of teh volanic ash plume.

Another shows the no-fly zone predictions

So just how dangerous is it to fly though this ash?  This news report from the BBC gives some details.

If one airliner in a hundred has total engine failure due to volcanic ash, then that seems to me to be a pretty big risk.  The risk not only impacts the crew and passengers but in crowded Europe, the risk of a crash on an urban area can not be ignored.

Would you get on a plane if you thought there was a one in a hundred chance of engine failure.  I wouldn't.

Which bit of "No" don't you understand

ASCEF's Chairman Tom Smith thinks that a 55%/44% vote against the City Square proposals is unclear - and therefore that the City Square proposals should go to a next stage - an international competition to design Ian Wood's dystopia. That 55%/44% votes goes up to 63% to 37% if the numbers on the two online petitions are included. 55% is clear. 67% is very clear.

Just which bit of No doesn't Tom Smith understand.

People very clealy wanted a green space and the arts centre. When asked what they would like to see in the City Square project the answers were

1. Formal gardens 3071
2. Contemporary arts centre 1968
3. A cultural centre for the performing an visual arts 1734
4. A meeting space 1732

The Northern Lights Arts Centre that Peacock are spearheading deliver these top four.

Let's just get on with it.

If Sir Ian Wood wants to help the City, then I'd suggest he focus his efforts into moving local industry faster to the renewables sector. As he has pointed out, we need to do this soon if Aberdeen is to become a world class centre for off shore renewables.

I think he is a better businessman than he is a town planner.

I don't know when ASCEF next meets - their website is very coy about this.  But Aberdeen City Council will apparently discuss the issue on 19th May.  I suggest that people contact City councillors to ensure that the clear view of the public is fully taken into account.

No should mean No.

Voter power

One thing I have always believed is that we must move to a system of electing our representatives that gives voters more power.  And that means the single transferable vote (STV) - the best system to maximise voter power (although like any system, it has its faults).

This video explains just how crazy the current First Past The Post system is - and ties the issue firmly to the laziness and arrogance of some MPs. Thank you to http://www.voterpower.org.uk/ and the New Economics Foundation.

If you recognise the problem, please don't vote for any Party that will not commit to introducing STV - so that leaves Greens, LibDems and SNP.

Policies not tribes

Choices in thsi General Election for some may be hard.  Neither Labour nor the Tories look attractive and I have lost faith in the LibDems.

What I do this time is clear,  I have the opportunity to vote for Sue Edwards who is a woman of principle with a big heart.   It's interesting watching someone new to politics grapple with doorsteps, hustings etc.  Sue takes it all in her stride and stays beautifully herself.

There are big issues.  Clearly "business as usual" won't be enough to solve problems with the economy, the environment and help people live high quality lives.  And I worry that people will vote out of fear of "the other" rather than hope to create a future they really want.

Just as a matter of interest, try looking at the policies at http://voteforpolicies.org.uk/  and see how your views align to the various parties.  The result are more than interesting.  You might surprise yourself!

Robin Hood tax

The campaign for a Robin Hood Tax (a small tax on financial transactions) has launched a new video. Please click here and watch it.

Mobile Police Office

I am happy to advertise Grampian Police Open Surgeries on Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th March.

THE CAR PARK, METHLICK- TUESDAY 23 MARCH 2010 1000 – 1130 HRS
THE SQUARE, TARVES = TUESDAY 23 MARCH 2010 1330 – 1500 HRS
MAIN STREET, NEWBURGH - WEDNESDAY 24 MARCH 2010 1000 – 1130 HRS
LEISURE CENTRE CAR PARK, BALMEDIE - WEDNESDAY 24 MARCH 2010 1330 – 1500 HRS

Come along to the Mobile Police Office to discuss any local matters of concern, obtain advice, or just have a chat with your local Community Officer PC Iain Clark

New Aberdeenshire Local Plan

Yesterday and today I spent looking at allocating houses and employment land to settlements in Formartine (my bit of Aberdeenshire).


View Aberdeenshire Local Plan 2007-2023 in a larger map

It's difficult to get information out on what is happening but I'm trying so I've put the decisions so far onto a Google map.  I've used symbols for housing, employment sites and written in the detail.  Some sites are very large and you'll need to look at the full documentation.

A further report will come to a future meeting of Formartine Area Committee to look at development around Potterton as an alternative to development at the south of Oldmeldrum.  The debate amongst the local councillors is mainly a) whether Potterton is in the Strategic Growth Area or not (50:50 according to the Head of Planning Policy) and b) whether development should be north or south of the Potterton.

But what do the people of Potterton think?


I'll post more as as I can try to expand to other bits of Aberdeenshire when I can - but currently I don't have the information.

Let me know what you think and I'll let you know when the formal plan is published and how you can comment or object to it formally.

Primary school visits

Today and last Thursday, I toured the eight primary schools in my ward, along with council officers and councillor colleagues.  What most impressed me was the children.  In several of the schools, the head teacher delegated touring the school to a small group of pupils.  Now, it's great to have a small group of children that are confident about engaging with strange adults.  But everywhere, it was clearly evident that most of the children could have taken on the role of our guide.  I was impressed.

Education is more than test results and exams.  And these schools are getting good results on these measures.  But they are also, I think, producing more than mere schooling.  The children look set to being great adults - enagaged with the world. 

The schools themselves varied from the relatively large primaries in Ellon and Newburgh and small primaries with multi-yesr classes in Arnage, Foveran, Tipperty and Slains.  You can have long debates about the benefits of small more personal schools versus the range of opportunities a larger school can offer.  But what is important is the quality and enthusiasm of the staff.  Good teachers make good schools.  And good schools provide us with the most valuable asset we can have for all our futures - children able and willing to reach their own potential.

I'm looking forward to planned visits to the Academys to see how they take up the challenge!

Climate change adaptations for the NE of Scotland

The audience at the Royal Society of Edinburgh's presentation and debate on Climate Change last night had some very clear views.

Firstly, in stark contrast to the Cassandra's such as Ian Wood and Co, the audience had a great belief that the shift to a low carbon economy was an opportunity for the north east.  The overwhelming feeling was that with the assets of our ports, our universities and the engineering expertise, particularly sub-sea, we had a wonderful opportunity to embrace change.  That didn't particularly surprise me.  Industry seized the opportunity of north sea oil and there is no reason why the renewables, particularly subsea renewables, shouldn't find a natural home here.

Secondly, and this did surprise me, there was strong demand for better public transport.  FirstBus came under fire for its high fares in the city - justifiably as a minimum of £1.50 for ajourney is high by any standard.   Stagecoach services in the Shire were seen as infrequent and slow.

This is a bit of a chicken and egg issue.  With just 6% of journey's by bus and 60-70% by car, it would take a small shift from car to bus to expand bus services greatly.  Think about it.  If just 1 in 10 car journeys were replaced by bus, then this would double the number of bus journeys.    OK - it's not quite that simple but part of the solution is in our own hands.

Scale and management of cuts

the Accounts Commission has called on councils to take urgent and radical action to deal with the financial challenges ahead in their annual report, An overview of local government in Scotland 2009. The reports points to a likely real term drop in the Scottish budget of between seven and 13 per cent between 2009/10 and 2013/14.

Things could be worse - the Conservative Shadow Chancellor George Osbourne now saying the Conservatives will be "tougher than Margaret Thatcher" when it comes to tackling Britain's budget deficit. This will inevitably put more pressure of local government.

The Democratic Independent Group called for an inclusive all-group approach to making the hard decisions that will be needed in the recent budget. The LibDem/Tory administration may regret refusing this approach.

If the LibDem/Conservative administration on Aberdeenshire want all the power, then they can take all the resoponsibility.

Private lives and public roles

Two senior officials in Aberdeenshire are on leave while the Council investigates matters that have been in the press over the weekend. I have sympathy for the individuals involved. Their private lives should be exactly that (so long as they do not bring it into the workplace.) The intrusion into their lives by The Sun is appalling.

However it is entirely appropriate that claims of bullying and intimidation are investigated. I hope this happens as swiftly as possible. Education is a key service for all our futures and we need good quality, stable management to allow our schools to thrive.

Unions Terrace Gardens v Peacock

Architecture and Design Scotland have now commented on the proposals.

I think it fair to say that they were not impressed.

I started to pick out some choice quotes .... but it was most of the document so I recommend you read the whole thing.



We are nearing the end of the City Square Consultation.  I have seen nothing to change my mind from when I first posted on this topic.

The CitySquare, ASCEF, Ian Wood camp sound increasing strident and unrealistic.  Getting a Guggenheim is the cherry on the top of culture led regeneration - not the start.  For example, Dundee getting a V&A outpost builds on Dundee Rep, DCA, Scottish Dance Theatre - and we have - well what?  The best arts organisation we have is Peacock ... and we are putting their future at risk if we go with CitySquare.

A peacock in the hand is worth a hundred times more than 490 car parking spaces in the bush.  And there are ways forward from Peacock that open up the gardens and link them with e.g. Belmont Street.  The compromise solutions have clearly be laid out by Peacock and their brilliant and hugely committed architect Edgar Gonzalez. 


Why won't Ian Wood add his money to the funds Peacock already have and make UTG brilliant.  

Make your voice heard!

Roe Deer

This roe deer was hungry enough to spend a lot of time snacking from one of my bird feeders.  After emptying the feeder, the deer browsed spilt seeds on the ground before finally losing its nerve.

They must be hungry to be so bold and therefore we need to be careful not to disturb them so they can conserve energy after this bad winter.

Masterplan for Menie

Now please don't confuse a picture with a masterplan.  But for what it is worth, this is what Trump put out to the press today with my annotations of what is where.

At the published scale is is difficult to tell what happens to the homes Trump does not own.  It looks like David Milne's Hermit Point is buried under an apartment block.  Mill of Menie is part under the first and is where the second golf course is planned.  And Leyton Cottage seems hidden by trees - perhaps a return to the Racho Palos Verdes tactic.

The main issue is of course whether the Masterplan includes the disputed properties.  And if so, whether the families who have made it clear they do not wish to sell will again be threatened with Compulsory Purchase. 

When that is settled, then I'll comment on the Masterplanning process in more detail.  But I'll be looking out for progress in the issues I highlighted to Gareth Hoskins back in September.

Robin Hood - Can good come from the banking crisis?

A small tax on banking transactions could yield enormous sums.  It's also known as a Tobin Tax.  Watch the video and perhaps sign the petition.

Petition text is

Dear Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg

It’s time for banks to pay their fair share.

We call on you to support a “Robin Hood Tax” on banks. It’s a small tax on high value transactions between banks that would raise hundreds of billions of pounds that would be used to fund action against climate change, poverty and other big issues in Britain and around the world.

Together we can turn the banking crisis into an opportunity for Britain and the world. Please support the Robin Hood Tax.

Budgets - when the going gets tough you can see where priorities lie.

As central funding gets tighter, the sustainability of Council tax freeze gets further called into question and the prospect of a George Osborne austerity budget looms, the stresses of Council budgets are starting to show.

Aberdeenshire has survived fairly well up to now.  Despite the low central government grants, good management and tight control has limited the pain.  And Aberdeenshire prided itself on maintaining standards in Education.  But now the prospect forwards looks grim.

For 2010/11, there was a funding gap of £10m and agreement between the LibDem/Tory administration and officers on how to find £6m.  That left us this morning trying to fill a £4.49m hole.

The LibDem/Tory administration proposed "realignment of budgets", heavily impacting Education as follows:

Life Long Learning & Leisure

• £250,000 Cuts in support for Learners Auxillaries
• £646,000 No increase in nursery school hours
• £1,031,000 No provision of free school meals for Primary One to Three pupils.
• £840,000 Saving from turnover and recruiting at lower salary levels.
• £200,000 Undefined efficiency saving from Community Learning & Development and Libraries
• £244,000 Cut in per capita allowances to devolved school budgets
• £45,000 cut in health education
• £85,000 5% cut in budgets for Sure Start and Community Network budgets
• £200,000 Pre-school Education and Nursery (to be achieved by using Council school premises where possible)
• £52,000 Cut in travel and subsistence budget.

and in other areas

• £225,000 Community wellbeing -cuts in posts
• £325,000 Reduction of funding to external partners
• £132000 Cuts on day care provision
• £14,000 Reduction in North East Chief Executive Forum funding
• £60,000 Efficiencies in officer accommodation use and from WorkSmart
• £100,000 Efficiencies from transferrring more services to Contact Centre.

The offical opposition, the SNP responded with a rather vague budget.

• £2,429,000 Resource efficiency (£1,1020 target recurring underspends, £500,000 review end year flexibility, £500,000 redcue business mileage, £250,000 Shared Service opportunities, £150,000 Review methods of publicity)
• £879,000 Workforce management (£500,000 vacancy management, £225,000 review staff absences, £150,000 review staff shift allowances)
• £745,000 Capital funding adjustments (£500,000 reprofiling capital plan, £200,000 review treasury management, £45,000 sale of surplus assets)
• £400,000 Procurment cuts (£200,000 reduce expenditure on consultants, £100,000 review software licences, £100,000 savings from corporate contracts)

As the details are nearly all expressed as round hundreds of thousands of pounds, I suspect the rigor of the analysis.  £500,000 from reprofiling the capital plan equates to £5m cut in capital spending and I'd dearly like to know where this was to come from.  The whole budget seems to me as just "we need to find the money so we'll just spread the pain around."

The Democratic Independent Group last year proposed a budget without "growth" items and instead with one-off spends designed to save money later.

This year, with the situation worse, we wanted to provide a breathing space by

• transferring £3,500,000 of revenue spend in schools and roads to capital,
• scrapping the unsuccessful unadopted roads scheme for £300,000,
• anticipating a low rise in salary levels for most staff (£865,000) and mandating a freeze for senior officers (£90,000) and, in order to share the pain, cutting special resonsibility allowances to Vice Chairs (£25,000). 
• We also believe that a cut in administration f £250,000 is achieveable
• We also believe that we need to stop the drain on our Visitors Attractions and therefore proposed cutting £150,000.  This was done with some sadness - Archeolink is a great idea but its future needs to be independent of the Council.
• We also cut £253,000 from the growth initiatives.

That then allowed us to put £653,000 into Spend to Save initiatives and add an extra £331,000 to balances in case the risks are even more adverse than expectations.

My ward colleague Rob Merson didn't understand our switch of revenue funding to capital.  Rob, Fergus could, I hope, explain that cutting £500,000 from revenue by reprofiling the capital plan does means that somehow about £5m of capital spending needs to be delayed.  What we proposed was roughly the reverse.   More alarmingly Jill Webster, Vice Chair of Infrastructure despite her long service as councillor also didn't understand this common mechanism.  

So, LibDems and Tories are prepared to sacrifice education.  The SNP don't know what their priorities are.  And the Democratic Indpendent Group aim to plan for long term savings and protect our most valuable services especially education.

But LibDem/Tory cuts in education it is.  What a future.

Police website consultation

The police are interested in hearing your views on the force website and have asked for the following to be distributed as widely as possible. 
Their text from here on ....

Grampian Police wishes to develop a new Force website that meets the needs of the people of north-east Scotland. You can help by answering a few questions about how you currently or might use the Force website.

Please look at the Grampian Police website www.grampian.police.uk and then complete the survey to let us know what you like or what you would like to change.

We would like to hear the views of as wide a cross section of our communities as possible so if you have any further contacts who may wish to contribute please forward this email on.

The survey can be completed by clicking the link below

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/newgrampianpolicewebsite 

Scotblogs Awards 2010 : Top 10 politicians

I am very grateful to have been placed 7th in the ScotBlogs Awards 2010 for Politicians.  My colleague Paul Johnston came in 9th (very unfair as he works harder than I do).  Congratulations to Paul for 5th for Hyperlocal.

And now I get 4th on th Env/Green blogs.


I am delighted that the Democratic Independent Group on Aberdeenshire Council has gained this recognition for our own brand of open and honest engagement on the issues. 

Thank you!

Ocean Lab 2

Congratulations to Aberdeen University on the offical opening of Ocean Lab 2 at Newburgh. 

I attended the opening this morning and benefited from a guided tour.  Thanks to Daniel for an explanation of some of the strands of work underway and Alan for a tour of the technologies.  (And apologies to both for forgetting their surnames - please take this as an expression of friendliness)

Some of the facilities are used by the north sea industry for testing.  A vessel capable on simulating the pressures 7km deep in the ocean, mean of testing the types of sudden drop in termperatures from the tropics to the deep sea and a serious vibration plate are available for commercial use - and the business sdie of the oepration subsidises the research that covers a wide range of issues. 

And the new building is lovely - graound source heating and what must be the best view from a workplace coffee room anywhere.

Auditor asked to look into Menie land deal

I have asked Audit Scotland to investigate whether Aberdeenshire Council is failing in its statutory duty to get the best possible value from the sale of Council owned land at Menie to Trump - refusing all other bidders.

I opposed the sale of this land to Trump and the rejection of other bidders.  I argued that the only way anyone can know that the best price is realised is via an open competition.   However seven other councillors were determined to sell to Trump and I fear that this will be at a much lower price than if an open process had been used.

Writing to the Council's external auditor, I have asked for the matter to be investigated urgently and cite section 74(2) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as requiring councils to only accept offer that are "the best that can ... reasonably be obtained"

Update: Audit Scotland will be investigating further and reporting on the matter as part of the 2009/10 audit.

Picture: Cllrs Martin Ford and Debra Storr at disputed land

ScotBlog nomination

I am flattered to have been nominated  for a ScotBlogs 2010 Award especially as this blog has only been running since March 2009. 

There is a wide range of blogs nominated so please do browse the nomination list - you never know who else you'll find.  It was fun!


Voting in the Scotblog Awards is open until Wednesday 27th January at 8pm.

Research into Masterplanning

Camilla Klemme is a final undergraduate at Edinburgh University studying Geography. She is doing a thesis on: How Sustainable is Sustainable Development in the case of Ellon?

She will be asking the councillors and the community council for their views but I offered to see if anyone else wanted to comment via this blog and she is delighted at the idea.    If you'd like to comment, please copy the questions below into an email and email your responses back to Camilla at cklemme@gmail.com (not to me!).  You only need answer questions you are comfortable with - just leave any question you don't want to answer blank.


To Camilla,  cklemme@gmail.com

Age
Sex
Ethnicity
and How long you have lived in Ellon?  



Sustainable Development –

KEY QUESTION: What is your understanding of sustainable development/sustainable community development?

2 Are you a strong supporter of Sustainable Development?

3 Do you think the sustainable urbanism project of Ellon is sustainable?

Achieving Sustainable Community Development/Community involvement –

Housing –

Do you feel there is a need for more mixed/affordable housing in Ellon?

Aims of the Princes Foundation for the Built Environment (PFBE) – Ellon:

• 
  
  
  Do you feel it has made a positive change in the design and planning?
  
  

• 
  
  
  That the architecture is sensitive to traditions and history of Ellon?
  
  

• 
  
  
  That it will increase the quality of life of the residents?
  
  

• 
  
  
  That a sense of place is created?
  
  

KEY QUESTION: The PFBE has been accused of being a private lobbying firm/ not being a responsible charity…what are you views on this?

Aims of Scotia/SCD –

3 areas –

• 
  
  
  Cromleybank, south of the River Ythan – to include a new high street and several other key amenities that are needed for village life.
  
  
• 
  
  
  The Town Centre – small re-workings of the existing town centre to create better connections, more parking facilities and improved services.
  
  
• 
  
  
  Castleton and the Castle Gardens – the focus of this development aims to create a continuous link between the north of Ellon and the town centre, seamlessly blending into the existing character and fabric of the town. Revenue from this development will allow the beautiful hidden Castle Gardens, right in the heart of Ellon, to be re-opened to the public, creating a magnificent attraction right in the centre of town.
  
  

Castleton – Aims:

1 Walkable communities

2 Connected spaces (rid cul-de-sac)

3 Public places

3 Mixing it up (housing)

4 Visual variety (housing)

5 Local first (traditional development)

3 Sustianbale Community Development (what does it involve) –

Do you believe this will –

1 Meets the needs of all existing and future resources for Ellon?

2 Contributes to a higher quality of life?

3 Offers appropriate ladders of opportunity for households advancement, either locally or through external connection?)

4 Limits adverse external effects on the environment, society and economy?

Against Sustainable Development:

KEY QUESTION: Wildlife is being destroyed…. Is it then fair to say that this is sustainable development? What are your views?

2 Do you feel you will use your car less/walk or bicycle more?

3 Do you fell that new housing development will just increase the population and car use/increase Ellon’s use as being a commuter village?

Community Engagement?

KEY QUESTION: Has the sustainable community development of Ellon involved an integrated approach of community participation, partnership and engagement with urban professionals?

2 Do you believe that the Enquiry by Design process (of Scotia homes and PFBE) has sufficiently and successfully involved and integrated the views and ideas of the community of Ellon?

3 Do you feel you that you have had adequate power in the planning and development process of Ellon? That conflicts of interest have been identified discussed and changed?

4 Do you think the open workshops/public forums/engagement process has been a success?

5 Do you feel that the developers have put the community first in the decision making process?

KEY QUESTION: Do you believe that the new community of Ellon will be welcomed by the old community?

Press/Alliance for lobbying transparency –

KEY QUESTION: They have slated sustainable community development as a form of ‘greenwashing/green bling’…that it is just a dusted down scheme to enable more property development… do you have anything to say about this?

Planning Alerts is back!

Delightfully, given my motion to Council yesterday, I can now advise that Planning Alerts is back up and running!

Today I got the first results

CULTERTY HOUSE MAIN STREET NEWBURGH AB41 6DA AB41 6DA (APP/2009/4114)

Demolition of Culterty House and Outbuildings and Erection of Residential Development of 10 Houses and 9 Flats with relative amenities and parking

MORE INFORMATION: http://tinyurl.com/y99kos3
MAP: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=ab41+6da&z=15
WHAT DO YOU THINK?: http://tinyurl.com/yeecvou

If you are interested in planning applications submitted near you, please go and set up an alert.  You just need to give email address and a postcode and decide on an area of search.

You now (sadly) only have 21 days to response to applications so this is the best way to keep on top of what is going on and making your voice heard.

Open Data, Open Systems

Aberdeenshire Council took forward for detailed consideration a move to make its data more accessible to people that I proposed. It was a pity support wasn't warmer on the day that saw the launch of www.data.gov.uk

My motion called on the Council to make data available in common data formats so that individuals and intersested parties can reuse this information and combine information togather in any way they chose.

The BBC recently used data on serious road accidents to publish interactive maps of accident blackspots and other public bodies are embracing the "Open Data, Open Systems" concept.

I start from the principle that the data a council holds belongs to all of us and therefore should be shared.  There are lots of examples across the world of public bodies making their data available and in the UK, these moves are supported by the Cabinet Office and councils are starting to catch on.  Kent dubs their initiative "Pic and Mix" and I like the idea of making data available for people to use.

This can also save Councils money.  Making it easy for people to access data can save councils from building systems themselves.  PlanningAlerts is used by thousands of people to be notified of nearby planning applications - without the expense of Councils building their own system.    This gaves much better service to the public than trawling through weekly lists.  WriteToThem.com is another initiative that enable citizens to find and contact their elected representatives.  Let's make it easy for these systems to grow to meet public demand rather than building everything ourself and paying to do so.

Word of the day : MonopsodyCouncil land to be sold to Trump

In economics, a monopsony (from Ancient Greek μόνος (monos) "single" + ὀψωνία (opsōnia) "purchase") is a market form in which only one buyer faces many sellers. It is an example of imperfect competition, similar to a monopoly, in which only one seller faces many buyers. As the only purchaser of a good or service, the "monopsonist" may dictate terms to its suppliers in the same manner that a monopolist controls the market for its buyers.

Wikipedia

Today Aberdeenshire Councild decided to make Donald Trump a monopsony*.

On a vote of 7 to 3, Formartine Area Committee decided today to reject 7 other interested parties and negotiate to sell a small piece of land to Trump.

If you reject all possible purchasers but one, you have no way of knowing that the price you get is the highest possible. And Aberdeenshire Council does not have a reputation as a tough negotiator with Trump.   

I argued for an open process and let the highest bid win.  Logically that highest bid should have been Trump.  The land, if it is key to the development, is worth more to Trump than anyone else.   But my colleagues with the honorable exceptions of Cllr Paul Johnston and Cllr Davidson, are simply happy to sell to Trump.  Frankly the numbers mooted in the surveyors report don't sound large to me.

Why we must trip up Trump from Adam Proctor on Vimeo.

I also worry that the value put on this land will somehow impact the value put on my constituent's houses if - and I sincerely hope sense prevails well before we get that far - if CPOs are even used.

 * I've wanted to use the word monopsody for years and never before came even close to having a chance!

Leaks

It seems that the report into the sales of land at Menie was leaked to various newspapers.  And weirdly the council decided to publish much of the material that I argued could have been debated in public itself after the meeting.

And two journalists who would regard me as a friendly source complained to me that they hadn't got a copy of the report.

For the record, when I was consulted on the report some weeks ago, I asked that the report be split into two - one part that could be debated in public about process and one that would need to be private taking about value and bidders.  Today, I moved deferral so we could have these two reports this morning.   I tried ....

No doubt there will be an investigation into the leaks.  Last time the focus of an investigation as to who had leaked a memo about Menie that was sent to all 68 councillors focused oddly on Cllrs Merson, Davidson, Owen and myself.  Will the investigation this time reveal anything useful? 

I donlt think there was anything in the debate today that couldn't have been done in public.   It would have been so much simpler if the my colleagues had simply decided to debate matters of legitimate public interest in public. 

Disagree with me if you will, colleagues.  But have the grace to do it in public - and then you can be properly accountable to the public. 

Standards for windows.

Formartine Area Committee actually brought themselves to agree with Cllr Paul Johnston and I today!

We argued that it was disgraceful that the standards for replacement windows in Sheltered Housing just barely met building regulations while the council put better windows that woudl reduce heating costs into other properties. I want the highest standards in both!  But is is very important to put low u-value windows into properties occupied by some of the most vulnerable people in society.  This reduce their fuel bills in future helping achieve reduction in fuel poverty aims as well as reducing CO2 emissions.

After some resistance, the committee finally agreed to raise the matter with Social Work and Housing.  Thanks to Cllrs Duncan and Davidson for chipping in.

I put down my marker now - if standards are not improved, I will be voting to reject contracts in future.

Main Issues: Enabling Development, Protection of Nature Conservation Sites, Landscape Character, Historic Environment, Safeguarding Resources - Water, Agricultural Land, Woodland, Transport Facilities, Employment Land, Oil and Gas Sites, Mineral, Wind Farms.

A final run at this .... again, if you can get comments to me by 20th,that would be helpful.  The Formartine Area Committee will be discussing on 27th January.

Enabling Development: permited for retaining a Listed Building or (newpolicy) start-up of employment, leisure, tourism in Regeneration Priority Area
Protection of Nature Conservation Sites: These water down protection in the current plan.  The plan will include a list of designated sites at International, National and Local levels, lists of protected species under EU and British Law and Local Priority Habitats and Species, and Geological Conservation review sites.  Others are better placed than I to review these.
Landscape Character: Recognises the value of our landscapes and introduces Valued Views (list provided).
Historic Environment:  There is Supplementary Guidance for Listed Buildings, Conservation AReas, Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes, and Archeological sites and Ancient Monuments.    The polices are good and I welcome a requirement for development in Conservation Areas to be for Full Planning Permission.
Safeguarding Resources - Water, Agricultural Land, Woodland, Transport Facilities, Employment Land, Oil and Gas Sites, Mineral, Wind Farms.  This policy covers a lot of ground!  The policy of water trys to ensure than water quality, flooding, ecology and flood plans are properly considered.  There is a presumption to retaining the best quality agricultural land.  Trees and Woodlands not covered by TPOs gain some protection as are routes that may be useful for future transport (including paths) and other transport infrastructure.  A new presumption to retaining employment land in employment use.  St Fergus is recognised as special for oil and gas development and other developments will be resisted.  Land for mineral development is safeguarded in Areas of Search (see maps) and there are also areas of search for large windfarms and landfill sites

The extension into enabling development to support almost any for of economic activity is interesting.   There is Supplementary Guidance to limit this to where the public benefit outweighs the disbenefits of breaching public policy, and limits the scale to 5 houses or fewer.   We have had problems with developers selling of parts of the development and then finding they don't after all have sufficient funds to restore a listed building and therefore coming back for more.  The "prferably to be developed in full by the developer" is therefore welcome.   I do worry that the test is too easy - of course Trump was allowed 500 houses of enabling development at Menie - a long way from the regeneration areas and that proposal would have been a different matter in an area of high unemployment.

I have to be a bit of a cynic on the Nature Conservation Sites policies: they have been badly breached and now they say that that's fine.  It's not.  

On Resources, there is a lot of ground here.  I welcome the presumption that trees and woodland should be preserved even when not coverd by TPOs - with changes to and reviews of TPOs, this is sorely needed.  And the retention of employment land as such is very important - losing employment land to residential development has been an issue and we need to ensure we have residential and employment uses in our villages.
It'll be interesting to see the map for Area of Search for Minerals -and Landfills.

MPs expenses

OK - we all had good fun about this.  But now we have the final proposals for change. Do look and respond - you can do it online and it's well presented to make it easy.

I'm pretty comfortable with most of it except

MPs should not be allowed to "exploit" the system for personal gain.  Much damage was done by the "but it was within the rules" whinging of MPs.  It needs to be clear that claims should be within the spirit of the rules.

And all details must be published by the authorities as they are submitted (or as reasonably practical thereafter).  This is the best assurance that we can have that claims in future will be reasonable.

I think that the transitional arrangements are too long - up to 5 years.  MPs jobs should be insecure and if they make long term arrangements, they should take the risk.  Over to you ....

Main Issues: Flooding and Erosion, Hazardous Development, Contaminated Land, Carbon Neutrality in New Developments, Developer Contributions

Hopefully last but one lap - comments by 20/1/10 appreciated.

Flooding and Erosion : Stronger policy for both coastal and watercourse threats.  1:200 years limit for residential, commercial and key infrastructure.   5m and 10m countours considered for Flood.  Impact of hardened surfaces on flooding elsewhere considered.

Hazardous Development: talks about pollution, flooding, nuisance and hazard - restricting such new sources and development sround existing sources.
Contaminated Land: Talks about assessement and remediation.
Carbon Neutrality in New Developments: 30% below 2007 standards increasing to 60% by 2012, 90% by 2014 and 100% by 2016.  Lots of additional information re definitions and methods to achieve..  Off site permissible for Conservation Areas etc.

Developer Contributions: Appendix will include details of specific contributions required against major sites.    Individual sets talking about Access, Water and Drainage (cf SUDS), Waste Management.

Often pretty technical stuff but useful to be specific about Access (maintenance of such can be an issue), water but I can;t see anything that will help us ensure maintenance of SUDS schemes.  It'll be interesting to see how Carbon Neutrality pans out!

Aberdeenshire Council now honest - no action on climate change

Aberdeenshire Council today decided not to sign up to 10:10.  My colleague Cllr Paul Johnston could not even get a seconder for other LibDems, the Tories or the SNP.   I understand that members of Policy and Resources felt that the Council couldn't make the minimum commitment of a 3% reduction in 2010 - and a reduction of 10% from their own baseline.

This is disappointing.

Aberdeenshire Council made good progress in reducing CO2 emissions in the early years of its commitments but reduction have since slowed.  A report to Scrutiny and Audit in December showed

• the reduction in emissions over 3 years for Building and Property has been 3%, of which 2.9% was in the first year. 
• the reduction of emission from waste to landfill has decreased by 15.4% but only 1.4% reduction has been achieved in the past year.
• emissions from street lightling were static or slowing increasing initally but have grown by 5.2% over the past year
• emissions from business mileage has increased every year and are now 5% higher than the base year.

However the Council was happy to support Earth Hour and issued a press release in support of 10:10.

Now one of the reasons I left the Liberal Democrats and joined the Greens was the gross disparity being saying and doing.  It looks like I was right.  LibDem* controlled Aberdeenshire likes to sign Climate Change Charters but when it comes to making commitments to deliver - nothing.  

*Cllr Paul Johnston is a LibDem but not part of the ruling Administration.  He is therefore excempt from criticism.

Haiti Earthquake appeal

This poor country has now been devastated by and earthquake.  The Red Cross has launched an appeal - More details.

Union Terrace Gardens

It is with some trepidation that I comments on this - but as folk in the City had no inhibitions on commenting on Menie, I'll put in my tuppenth-worth.

I have carefully looked at all the material on The City Square website and also the Peacock Arts Proposals.  A useful comparison can be found at CompareTheSquare.  You may also be interested to read the Supplementary Planning Guidance Aberdeen City Council has already agreed for Bon Accord Quarter and put this in the overall context of the City Centre.  The Masterplan proposals had over 70% approval ratings.

My initial reaction to the Ian Wood suggestion for UTG was fairly open minded with some concern that this was another grand project.  However  I recognise that Union Terrace Gardens are under-used but the Peacosk Arts proposals seemed set to take care of that.

The actual details of the Ian Wood proposals are rather thin.  £50m from Sir Ian (presumably his investment not a gift).  But what other funds would be needed and from where.  The City Square website says it would not be taken from public services.  I assume that means no on-going revenue commitment but it leaves open the question of capital.  And just what does it consist of?  Parking, shops, public art, public open space.  My other job is in the IT industry and we have a term for stuff that sounds like a good idea but doesn't exist - vapourware. 

And how much does Aberdeen need more car parking and shopping with Union Square just opened and the general proposals in Bon Accord?  I also worry that the Union Square to Bon Accord axis is killing the shops on Union Street and George St.

So we have a choice - the Peacock Arts proposals in the hand - or Ian Wood's proposals in the bush.

I think that the way forward is Peacock Arts - This Time, This Place, This Generation - delivered.

Please do complete the CitySquare consultation questionnaire and if you want to save Union Terrace Gardens and the new Arts Centre, also complete the online petition.  I was the 4276th signatory.

Main Issues: Masterplanning; Layout, Siting & Design; Public Open Space; Public Access; Community Facilities

This is all about building in quality design to new developments - all the way from how a development relates to its surroundings to the deatil of individual buildings.  This is a hugely complex subject ....


Masterplanning of large developments : New requirement for development frameworks, masterplans and/or development briefs for large and medium sized developments.  Community engagement highlighted.  Differing requirements according to scale.  Very large < 600, Large 50 to 600 houses, Medium 5 -49 houses.
Layout, Siting and Design of New Development: Reference to masterplans and designs briefs and also assessments against Urban Design Toolkit (PAN 67), Manual for Streets, and Index 21.  Design Panel to advise on important design cases.
House Extensions: protection of amenity of area.
Infill development: OK subject to protection of character and amenity of area and important open space/woodland.
Public Open Space: Reference to Open Space Strategy and specific requirements for hierarchy of developments: 40% Major, 120m sq per dwelling, or 40 m sq for land previously allocated.  Protection of open space from development with exceptions.
Public Access: Connection to existing non motorised access routes highlighted.  If Core path or existing path, maintenance of it or replacement.  Mention of access to water.
Community Facilities: Principles governing adequate provision and requirements for developer contributions towards such.

I like the emphasis on masterplanning and design.  I strongly believe this leads to better development but it all depends on the "teeth" given - will we refuse purely on such grounds and will it stand up on appeal?
Not sure why developments in the Local plan have lower requirement for Public Space than others in Local Plan.  Rules change all the time ....
Good to see Public Access higher up the priorities.  Would like more emphasis on encouragement for walking/cycling rather than car use as part of the Design principles.

Comments by 20th Jnuary, please ...

More awards for Donald Trump

Private Eye's Rotten Borough Awards for 2009 have now been announced and Donald Trump has gained Brass Neck Award cited as to

"toupeed tycoon Donald Trump and his lackey George Sorial" for asking Aberdeenshire Council to use CPOs to remove local residents "to make way for a vulgar housing development and golf course which will forever ruin a pristine stretch of sand-duned coast".

Particular congratulations to George for featuring - part of the title of this blog is his gift to me.  Don't worry, Neil, Sarah, Ann, etc - I recognise your contribution.

Donald Trump will have been disappointed by his 98th place in the BBC's "Most Annoying People of 2009" awards also given in recognition of his demands for CPOs.

Also belated congratulations for Donald's place in the New Stateman's Top 20 Green Villians list.  The citation runs: -

"Money bags The billionaire Donald Trump attracted the ire of conservationists when he set his sights on remote Aberdeenshire in Scotland. In 2006 he announced plans to build a 2,000-acre, $1bn golf course and luxury resort, billed as the "great­est" in the world, on a coastline featuring sand dunes protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. He claimed that "environmentalists supported us" and "the locals were ecstatic", but faced opposition from the RSPB and the local council, which initially rebuffed his advances. After much legal wrangling (and a personal intervention by the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond), Trump gained planning permission in October."

The decision to allow the development was awarded a Pock Mark for Worst Planning Decision in Scottish Architecture's 2008 Carbuncle Awards.

Is there a trend here?

Will Donald ever get back to the dizzy heights of when in 2007, the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., was the first recipient of the Metropolitan Golf Association Environmental Award (best on six criteria from around 280 MGA members)?

Snow

We have had a long period of very bad weather and it is set to continue for another week at least.  Aberdeenshire Council has quite rightly concentrated resources on keeping the main routes clear and gritted.  After all, there is little point in being able to get out of your street/side road if the main routes are blocked.  So can we please say a big thank you to the staff who have been working long hours to keep routes open - and re-open blocked roads.

And can I also thank drivers for being sensible and the police for ordering road closures when necessary.  In contrast to stories from England of motorists getting stuck and abandoning cars, drivers have been pretty sensible and this helps keep the roads clear (imagine driving an HGV plough/gritter through a chicane of abandoned cars).

Council workers have also been trying to keep pavements clear - and as with roads this has been a uphill battle.  Most people have realised that the council workers are doing their best.  But with this amount of snow, a little bit of help from frontagers would be appreciated.  Please try to break up hard packed snow/ice and put sand, ashes, salt, - even cat litter - on it to give a little grip and help break up the surface further.

And finally, please do look out for each other.  If you can pick up a few things for the shops for your neighbour, then that is a nice thing to do and may save an unpleasant trip out.  If your neighbour is struggling with getting out in these conditions, you could be a life saver.

Useful numbers:
Elderly or vulnerable and afraid to turn your heating up during this cold spell? Call the Home Heat Helpline for advice 0800 33 66 99
For help in reducing future bills call Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012

Main Issues: Housing, 2007-2016, 2017-2023 and early draw down, Affordable Housing, Other Special Housing incl Special Needs, Residential Caravans, Traveller and Gypsy Sites.

In terms of the volume of housing, most of the decisions have already been made in the  

Housing Land Supply : follows Structure Plan but "to assist in long term masterplanning of development areas beyond 2023 ... may bring forward site specific supplementary planning guidance for periods beyond 2023".  20% housing due to be delivered in via Countryside policies with other 80% in allocated sites in settlements.  Attempt to address an issue that has arisen of plots being developed for more houses than originally envisaged via masterplanning/design briefs and justifications.    Provision to bring forward to maintain 7 year supply.
Affordable Housing : The plan maintains 25% requirements for affordable (read subsidised) housing and encourages a mix of house types and integration with non affordable housing.  (Hurrah!)   However there are some get out clauses which could mean less provision or provision off site or provision via Low Cost Home Ownership rather than for rent.
Special Needs : there are new policies to deal with 3 type.  Residential caravans are discouraged except as temporary arranagements. Special needs housing is accepted and most types are encouraged to be within or at edge of settlements.  However there is explicit provision for "continuing care retirement communities" (CCRC) outside settlement.  The need for Traveller and Gypsy sites is recognised.   

There are no great surprises as this has to follow the Structure Plan which is available as a pdf, in rtf or as an MP3 audio file. I was worried about the sheer scale of the allocation overall and in particular in the Blackdog - Ellon corridor but we are where we are.   I can understand why there is concern about over-development of sites but in general, if the design is good, it is better to try to achieve higher densities which mean more people can live closer to shops, bus routes and other services - and we lose less valuable farmland to development.
While there is some progress for improvement in affordable housing, I still worry that some developers will try to get out of on-site provision and there is enough wriggle room in policy for this.  I also note that the rule allowing the additional of 3 houses at the edge of rural settlements is just below the 25% threshold - perhaps making slightly larger extensions that gave more scope for some affordable housing provision would be better.
Continuing care retirement communities outside settlements does not fits well with other policies.  Visitors, staff and others servicing such facilities will need to travel and this seems to me to go against other policies aimed at reducing the need to travel and encouraging use of public transport.  I also worry about isolating groups from the wider community.
The policy on Gypsy and Traveller site indicates that there will be sites allocated specifically for this need.  We will see later where these sites are.  Other sites could be allocated according to need.  In all cases, there are requirements for sites not to "appreciably detract from the character and appearance of the area" not "significantly detract from the amenity currently enjoyed."    This will be a challenge to us all to achieve but I see no need for such sites to be a blot if we work with the users on design to fit everyone's needs.

Over to you - comments back by 20th please.