Next weeks Formartine Area Committee will, I hope, finally decide on the site for the new Ellon Academy. After a long process and having explored many options, it now looks like the Academy will be sited south of the river at Cromleybank with a new footbridge over the river around the Meadows helping link the Academy to the town in the short term.
This fits with the Local Plan, keeps the school as close to the town centre as possible and fits with the expectations of the town.
Now I know the offer of land to the north looks attractive to some. But the land is only worth £9m if it is at development land value - and it is agricultural land. I have opposed development to the north of the bypass; we need to bring the town together not simply add more peripheral estates to the edges. The Cromleybank development option was far superior and the Academy was an integral part of the plan. We would lose a lot in the long term to change strategy now.
Snow
And secondly, the Met Office Snow Map.
Enjoy!
Budget decisions - the very bad news
Today the LibDem/Tory administration of Aberdeenshire Council, with the support of the SNP supposed opposition decided to go ahead with some £27m of cuts.
Now we know that we shall have to make cuts that are of that extent. But looking at the proposed package of cuts the Democratic Independent Group had some serious reservations. While recognising the necessity of officers continuing to work on cuts (you can't make large scale redundancies in a matter of weeks - the council needs to start seeking volunteers and identifying and notifying "at risk posts"), we did not want to make some of the cuts at this stage.
For a sample of cuts agreed to today see the P&J
One oddity was that many councillors went into the Council Chamber believing that we were being asked to let the process start rather than finally decide. The DIGs have checked and we were careful to say that we only agreed to the process starting. The SNP had some detailed comments but clearly were not expecting final decisions to be made today. However, most of them voted with the LibDem/Tory administration (a few abstained) - so in my book they bear equal responsibility for the cuts.
To be fair the LibDem/Tory administration said they took on board some of the SNP comments. But as there was no formal amendment from the SNP, and no formal amendment of the administration motion, it is a mystery to me what has been agreed. I am pretty certain however that the DIGs comments will not be "taken on board".
Now we know that we shall have to make cuts that are of that extent. But looking at the proposed package of cuts the Democratic Independent Group had some serious reservations. While recognising the necessity of officers continuing to work on cuts (you can't make large scale redundancies in a matter of weeks - the council needs to start seeking volunteers and identifying and notifying "at risk posts"), we did not want to make some of the cuts at this stage.
For a sample of cuts agreed to today see the P&J
One oddity was that many councillors went into the Council Chamber believing that we were being asked to let the process start rather than finally decide. The DIGs have checked and we were careful to say that we only agreed to the process starting. The SNP had some detailed comments but clearly were not expecting final decisions to be made today. However, most of them voted with the LibDem/Tory administration (a few abstained) - so in my book they bear equal responsibility for the cuts.
To be fair the LibDem/Tory administration said they took on board some of the SNP comments. But as there was no formal amendment from the SNP, and no formal amendment of the administration motion, it is a mystery to me what has been agreed. I am pretty certain however that the DIGs comments will not be "taken on board".
Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Aberdeenshire Council today decided to meekly accept John Swinney's 2.6% cut in grant - and promised not to raise Council Tax.
They were forced into this position by the threat that if they raised council tax by even the smallest amount, the grant would be cut by 6.4% - leaving an even greater shortfall in resources.
The choice was not a real choice. The devil of a cut ... or the deep blue sea.
I worry about a government who argues for greater powers for Scotland but imposes straight-jackets on local government. Can't they see the inconsistency?
This continuing freeze is populist short term nonsense. Professor David Bell is right - there is no sense in an effective cut in property taxes which mainly benefit middle incomes when the poorest suffer most from council cuts.
They were forced into this position by the threat that if they raised council tax by even the smallest amount, the grant would be cut by 6.4% - leaving an even greater shortfall in resources.
The choice was not a real choice. The devil of a cut ... or the deep blue sea.
I worry about a government who argues for greater powers for Scotland but imposes straight-jackets on local government. Can't they see the inconsistency?
This continuing freeze is populist short term nonsense. Professor David Bell is right - there is no sense in an effective cut in property taxes which mainly benefit middle incomes when the poorest suffer most from council cuts.
Castle Park Planning Application
I am glad that Aberdeenshire has decided to approve this scheme, We all agreed that the process of involvement with the town via the Enquiry by Design was an exemplar that we would urge other developers to seek to emulate. The idea of high density, high quality, walk-able neighbourhoods, where the public realm focuses on people rather than cars, has become common currency in planning and development circles but as yet there are no large scale examples in Scotland.
So I am pleased that we now have in the pipeline a development at the new higher densities and high quality of design that were called for by the then Planning Minister Sam Galbraith a decade ago. He asked "Where are the conservation areas of the future?" and I hope that with this bold step Ellon has answered with a very loud "here".
Process concern
As I am getting some stick here, can I just mention that members of the Formartine Committee (Ellon ones in bold) split
Grant: Cllrs Duncan, Hendry, Johnston, Merson, Storr.
Refuse: Davidson, Gifford, Loveday, Norrie, Owen, Robertson.
Planning Workshops
Now it's not often that I have a good word to say about ACSEF. But I attended one of the workshops they are organising about planning and found it very interesting. A good mix of planners, community councillors and developers - with in this case me with my student hat on (quickly swapped to councillor) and one of my lecturers. And a true workshop with people discussing issues and listening to each others viewpoint (even me and Bob Collier)
Never fear, they are not facilitated by the forces of darkness that animate ASCEF but by the angels of Planning Aid.
Details of the current series can be found at Workshops and the next three are on
Enjoy now before ASCEF gets its funding cut as part of the overall budget reductions.
Never fear, they are not facilitated by the forces of darkness that animate ASCEF but by the angels of Planning Aid.
Details of the current series can be found at Workshops and the next three are on
- Friday 3 December 2010 Broadstraik Inn, Elrick, Aberdeenshire
- Tuesday 25 January 2011 Chamber of Commerce, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen
- Thursday 24 February 2011 Chamber of Commerce, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen
Enjoy now before ASCEF gets its funding cut as part of the overall budget reductions.
Planning Aid Training
Panning Aid, Scotland's Planning Advice Charity, is holding a day long session on Planning Procedure on Saturday 27th November from 10am-4pm , in the Kirk Centre, Station Road, Ellon AB41 9AE.
It is targeting at Community Council members but those interested can also attend so if you wish to register for the event, please let Robert McGregor know by Wednesday 24th for catering numbers.
For more information on Planning Aid for Scotland please see their website
at - http://www.
Robert McGregor
Area Committee Officer
It is targeting at Community Council members but those interested can also attend so if you wish to register for the event, please let Robert McGregor know by Wednesday 24th for catering numbers.
For more information on Planning Aid for Scotland please see their website
at - http://www.
Robert McGregor
Area Committee Officer
Direct Dial: 01358 726405
Email: robert.mcgregor@aberdeenshire.
Email: robert.mcgregor@aberdeenshire.
Trump on TV
I watched the BBC program me on Trump carefully and thought that it gave a fairly decent picture of the issues. Any programme is limited so it is forgivable that it omitted the disgraceful actions of local and national politicians. However, there are other films and sources for these. The only thing most people need to know is that there is now proof that if you want to protect the environment, none of the big 4 parties can be trusted.
The BBC film is available on iplayer until next Monday but you might also wish to view this short film (with a cameo from me)
The BBC film is available on iplayer until next Monday but you might also wish to view this short film (with a cameo from me)
The wrong side of a hole from jon Pullman on Vimeo.
Pacts with the devil
Ok .. So councils that smile at a 2.6% cut in grant, and promise not to raise council tax, get one sum of money.
But if any council wants to protect services by raising council tax, regardless of what their constituents may say, get punished by a 6.4% cut in grant.
Someone (except NF) please explain the logic of a SNP government arguing for greater powers for Scotland and refusing to let Councils make their own decisions?
But if any council wants to protect services by raising council tax, regardless of what their constituents may say, get punished by a 6.4% cut in grant.
Someone (except NF) please explain the logic of a SNP government arguing for greater powers for Scotland and refusing to let Councils make their own decisions?
Scottish Green Party Conference
You can really see how Caroline Lucas so deserved to be elected to Westminster. She is a very convincing speaker and engages with people so well. Definitely the highlight of the conference this weekend. Full text of her speech is here.
But conferences are not all about speeches so some good solid work honing policies and putting in place structures to manage the situation if the Greens are part of the equation for government at Holyrood next May. There are good grounds for believing that Greens will be represented across Scotland next May - certainly we are the only Party likely to be challenging cuts in our public services and a new economics rather than the expensive repair of the old.
And ultimately, the Greens will be talking a message of hope. Not hope for a return to a discredited system of greed and consumption. But hope for a more human scaled world where we recognise our interdependence and work together to make our lives better. Happiness can't be measured just in cash.
But conferences are not all about speeches so some good solid work honing policies and putting in place structures to manage the situation if the Greens are part of the equation for government at Holyrood next May. There are good grounds for believing that Greens will be represented across Scotland next May - certainly we are the only Party likely to be challenging cuts in our public services and a new economics rather than the expensive repair of the old.
And ultimately, the Greens will be talking a message of hope. Not hope for a return to a discredited system of greed and consumption. But hope for a more human scaled world where we recognise our interdependence and work together to make our lives better. Happiness can't be measured just in cash.
Planning Alerts
I am a big fan of Planning Alerts - just sign up to see applications submitted near you. These days you only have 21 days to put in a letter of representation so it's worth keeping on top of applications submitted.
It's interesting seeing the output for Aberdeenshire on a map.
It's interesting seeing the output for Aberdeenshire on a map.
Intimidation at Menie
Another twist in the continuing "bad neighbour" behaviour at Menie reached the Daily Mail.
David and Moira Milne have has a 20ft high and 100 yards long bund built behind their house. You can see the full story in this Daily Mail article.
I believe this topsoil storage bund is unacceptable ... if it is needed, then the Trump Organisation has many other locations to place it. A Reporter in a planning appeal regarding a 15ft bund further from a house said this would be "an entirely inappropriate and unacceptable form of mitigation from noise and vibration" (para 26). How much more unacceptable is a bund placed close to a residential property for no reason.
David and Moira Milne have has a 20ft high and 100 yards long bund built behind their house. You can see the full story in this Daily Mail article.
I believe this topsoil storage bund is unacceptable ... if it is needed, then the Trump Organisation has many other locations to place it. A Reporter in a planning appeal regarding a 15ft bund further from a house said this would be "an entirely inappropriate and unacceptable form of mitigation from noise and vibration" (para 26). How much more unacceptable is a bund placed close to a residential property for no reason.
March of the Menie
The threats to the families at Menie are increasing.
The Munro's at Leyton Cottage have the daily disturbance of heavy lorries past their house - and oddly the road put in to serve these lorries has had to be reconfigured a few times.
Trump is now claiming that David and Moira Milne have no right to part of the land their house is built on.
And the Trump's continuing harrassment of the Forbes is well documented.
My fear is that Trump, having realised that my colleagues on Aberdeenshire Council take delight in saying "Yes, Mr Trump and will that be all today?", will build the course, apply for permission to build the hotel and then refuse to do more unless they agree to CPOs for the Menie families land and the extra land at Leyton Farm.
Will my colleagues be able then to move from fawning over Trump to standing up for people's human rights?
Many thanks to the 250-300 people who marched from Balmedie to "the Bunker" at Mill of Menie in support of the families.
The Munro's at Leyton Cottage have the daily disturbance of heavy lorries past their house - and oddly the road put in to serve these lorries has had to be reconfigured a few times.
Trump is now claiming that David and Moira Milne have no right to part of the land their house is built on.
And the Trump's continuing harrassment of the Forbes is well documented.
My fear is that Trump, having realised that my colleagues on Aberdeenshire Council take delight in saying "Yes, Mr Trump and will that be all today?", will build the course, apply for permission to build the hotel and then refuse to do more unless they agree to CPOs for the Menie families land and the extra land at Leyton Farm.
Will my colleagues be able then to move from fawning over Trump to standing up for people's human rights?
Many thanks to the 250-300 people who marched from Balmedie to "the Bunker" at Mill of Menie in support of the families.
Child Benefit and Marriage Allowances
I thought that the government was being pragmatic when it announced that child benefit was to be withdrawn from families in the top tax bracket. A bit crude perhaps as in some families both parents will be high earners and in others only one and some the high earner will be the sole earner. But that is the way of our over-complex tax and benefit system.
I think it's pity to target child benefit rather than other options as it was regarded as the universal benefit that everyone shared at the time when they most needed the money - a transfer of money from perhaps later in life when earnings may be higher to the point when people tend to have children.
But I can't understand the Tory enthusiasm for marriage allowances.
The video explains the craziness better that I could.
But the LibDems seem to have agreed to the tax cut for married couple (OK to be fair - they get to abstain) without securing the raising of tax allowances for all. So much for fairness.
A Times article gives the cost of transferable allowances between married couples as £3.2 billion. Limiting this to those with children would reduce this to £1.5 billion. But just why should a marriage certificate give an advantage to one set of people over another?
I think it's pity to target child benefit rather than other options as it was regarded as the universal benefit that everyone shared at the time when they most needed the money - a transfer of money from perhaps later in life when earnings may be higher to the point when people tend to have children.
But I can't understand the Tory enthusiasm for marriage allowances.
The video explains the craziness better that I could.
But the LibDems seem to have agreed to the tax cut for married couple (OK to be fair - they get to abstain) without securing the raising of tax allowances for all. So much for fairness.
A Times article gives the cost of transferable allowances between married couples as £3.2 billion. Limiting this to those with children would reduce this to £1.5 billion. But just why should a marriage certificate give an advantage to one set of people over another?
Ellon Planning for Real
It's been a week for consultations.
Encouraged by the course director, I went to the opening of the Elsick design charette and looked into the workshop on Friday afternoon. It seems to be a very open consultation exercise with real efforts to involve the local community with special sessions for school children and the residents who are most affected.
And today was a Planning for Real event in Ellon. This was perhaps mistimed with the deadline for Local Development plan representations being yesterday but ...
Much attention was focused on the proposed sites for Ellon Academy. 6 sites were shown but I am still of the view that only the Cromleybank sites are viable. Discussions were lively and people really wanted to engage. I tried my best to explain the likely constraints and I think that most people share my view that only the Cromleybank sites are viable.
On the wider issues, there were a wide variety of suggestions of how Ellon could be improved and I'll await a full analysis of this before commenting.
However I do have one serious concern about the exercise. When I left at about 2pm, only one person in the 19-30 age range had shown up. How can we better engage with this age range?- they'll have to live with any decision that flow from the day.
Encouraged by the course director, I went to the opening of the Elsick design charette and looked into the workshop on Friday afternoon. It seems to be a very open consultation exercise with real efforts to involve the local community with special sessions for school children and the residents who are most affected.
And today was a Planning for Real event in Ellon. This was perhaps mistimed with the deadline for Local Development plan representations being yesterday but ...
Much attention was focused on the proposed sites for Ellon Academy. 6 sites were shown but I am still of the view that only the Cromleybank sites are viable. Discussions were lively and people really wanted to engage. I tried my best to explain the likely constraints and I think that most people share my view that only the Cromleybank sites are viable.
On the wider issues, there were a wide variety of suggestions of how Ellon could be improved and I'll await a full analysis of this before commenting.
However I do have one serious concern about the exercise. When I left at about 2pm, only one person in the 19-30 age range had shown up. How can we better engage with this age range?- they'll have to live with any decision that flow from the day.
Planning studies
I have just enrolled as a student on Aberdeen University's Urban Planning and Real Estate MSc course. I spent Thursday and Friday on a field trip with some of my fellow students and three lecturers.
It is shaping up to be an interesting experience made even better by the range of backgrounds of my fellow students as well as the engaging and challenging approach of the academic staff. So a warm hello to my new friends (I hope!) from China, Nigeria, Canada, Greece, Faroe Isles and those who are more local. And it is already fun debating issues with people who are approaching the course with backgrounds as geographers, economists, environmentalists, architects - and me as the politician/planner.
And to those from warmer climes, I do promise that September in Scotland can be something other than cold, wet and windy.
But I suspect that the outdoor equipment retailers will do brisk business with my fellow students before we venture out again.
It is shaping up to be an interesting experience made even better by the range of backgrounds of my fellow students as well as the engaging and challenging approach of the academic staff. So a warm hello to my new friends (I hope!) from China, Nigeria, Canada, Greece, Faroe Isles and those who are more local. And it is already fun debating issues with people who are approaching the course with backgrounds as geographers, economists, environmentalists, architects - and me as the politician/planner.
But I suspect that the outdoor equipment retailers will do brisk business with my fellow students before we venture out again.
Local Development Plan
We are in the last few days of the new Development Plan consultation period. So if you do have comments to make, please make sure you do so before 1st October. You can email ldp@aberdeenshire.gov.uk with you contribution but do be sure to give your contact details, clearly reference which bit of the plan or supplementary guidance you are concerned about and exactly what is you concern. And finally clearly state what Modification you suggest.
I do not find the online form or the pdf form they provide easy to use. So I suggest that you make your representation being careful to include all the required information and leave council officers to sort out the format.
I have made two submissions.
Along with my other Democratic Group colleagues, I seek to embed the requirements of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 as required by Section 72. The Aberdeenshire proposed local development plan does not do this.
Secondly, the Council is gradually working their way to needing to reserve land within Cromleybank for the new Ellon Academy. The developer is content with this. The Community Council is content with this. This is the best option for the traders. So I've asked that the "may be required" is changed to "will be required" so that we can get on with it. This is urgent as the funding from the Scottish Government is time limited and the timetable is looking increasingly tight.
It's slightly odd being a councillor asking for amendments to the Council's plan by this route. But it's the best chance for common sense to prevail.
I do not find the online form or the pdf form they provide easy to use. So I suggest that you make your representation being careful to include all the required information and leave council officers to sort out the format.
I have made two submissions.
Along with my other Democratic Group colleagues, I seek to embed the requirements of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 as required by Section 72. The Aberdeenshire proposed local development plan does not do this.
Secondly, the Council is gradually working their way to needing to reserve land within Cromleybank for the new Ellon Academy. The developer is content with this. The Community Council is content with this. This is the best option for the traders. So I've asked that the "may be required" is changed to "will be required" so that we can get on with it. This is urgent as the funding from the Scottish Government is time limited and the timetable is looking increasingly tight.
It's slightly odd being a councillor asking for amendments to the Council's plan by this route. But it's the best chance for common sense to prevail.
On the Holyrood road
Congratulations to my good friends Cllr Martin Ford and Rhonda Reekie who have been selected as the No.1 and No.2 places on the Regional List for the North East of Scotland by the Scottish Green Party.
While a Green, Shiona Baird, was elected for the seat in 2003, 2007 saw a retreat everywhere to the 4 establishment parties of Scotland.
I know Martin and Rhonda would both be very effective MSPs and I hope that Martin's high public profile will make voters consider voting for a politician whose views are well known and based on strong principle.
I wonder why the P&J failed to carry any news item about Martin's selection? Are they that frightened of him?
While a Green, Shiona Baird, was elected for the seat in 2003, 2007 saw a retreat everywhere to the 4 establishment parties of Scotland.
I know Martin and Rhonda would both be very effective MSPs and I hope that Martin's high public profile will make voters consider voting for a politician whose views are well known and based on strong principle.
I wonder why the P&J failed to carry any news item about Martin's selection? Are they that frightened of him?
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.
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".
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".
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