We Asked, You Said, We Will

We asked

Aberdeenshire Council needs to develop its next set of Equality Outcomes, along with the Bi-annual Equality Mainstreaming report. We examined changes over the past four years and asked what the current equalities challenges are in Aberdeenshire to help develop our next set of Equality Outcomes for 2025 to 2029. We engaged with many stakeholders in order to capture the widest and most representative sample of the main equality issues in Aberdeenshire.

You said

The survey was open to all residents and staff of Aberdeenshire Council, with in-person focus groups held with children and young people, and lived experience. This allowed us to capture what were the main issues were across Aberdeenshire. The feedback we received had similar themes which were:

• Accessibility
• Building capability
• Community Safety
• Children and Young People reaching full potential

We will

The feedback has been shared with the six Area Committees, Education and Children Services Committee as well as the Licensing Board. The feedback from the committees has been included in the main report which is going to Full Council for approval.

Once approved by Full Council, Officers will begin implementing the actions to achieve the identified Equality Outcomes.

We Asked

Aberdeenshire Council sought input from the local community to select new play equipment for three play parks within Kincardine & Mearns: The Queen Elizabeth and Hamish Park in Stonehaven and Memorial Park in Laurencekirk. As some of the popular pieces are nearing the end of their serviceable life, we aim to replace them with items that cater to a similar age range and offer equal or greater play value. The funds for this project, £145,000, will come solely from the Scottish Government Play Park Renewal Fund.

You Said

Submissions from four different suppliers were put forward: Hags, Kompan, Jupiter Play, and Sutcliffe Play. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed and voted. Thanks to your support, Hags obtained just under 49% of the total vote, receiving more than twice as many votes as the second-placed competitor.

Example of winning design:

We Will

Aberdeenshire Council's Landscape Services have formally issued a purchase order to Hags, signifying a major advancement in the enhancement of three local recreational areas. Installation dates for 2025 are currently being scheduled, and we are confident that the local communities are looking forward to enjoying the upgraded play facilities.

We asked

The Laurencekirk Memorial Park Group submitted an Asset Transfer request for a 50-year lease of the former Waste Depot on Johnston Street, Laurencekirk. The proposal involves using the building mainly for storage of the hanging baskets and Christmas lights which are displayed around Laurencekirk. Longer term it is hoped to create a community hub/workshop where members of the community can come together to undertake small projects for the community.

You said

A total of 122 representations were received with 117 supporting the request and 5 objecting. Some of the issues highlighted in the objections related to concerns over noise levels, an increase in traffic and access rights across the car park.

The Council was able to confirm that rights of access would require to be honoured through any transfer of title including the legal servitude rights of access for neighbouring properties. The current use of the building is Class 5 – General Industrial use and the community group would require to apply for a change of use to Class 10 – Non Residential Institutions.

This change will ensure that matters relating to a potential increase in traffic or noise impacts for neighbouring properties will be considered by the Planning Service before permission is granted for any future use of the building and the local community will have a further opportunity to make representation. The Asset Transfer process and the Planning process are completely independent quasi-judicial procedures and must be applied for and determined separately.

All of the documents relating to the Asset Transfer request and public comments can be viewed on the Council’s website - Asset Transfer - former Waste Depot on Johnston Street, Laurencekirk - Aberdeenshire Council.

We will

The Asset Transfer request was considered at the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee on 10 December 2024. Officers recommended reducing the period of the lease to 25 year given the age of the building and charging an annual rent of £250.

The Committee agreed in principle to the proposal but requested that the lease be increased to 30 years to ensure there was no impediment to obtaining grant funding. This change to the Officer recommendation triggered a requirement for the amendment to be approved by a Policy Committee, in line with the Council’s Governance Procedures.

A report was subsequently presented to the Business Services Committee on 6 March 2025 where the proposed lease of 30 years duration was approved. The Council will now conclude the lease with the Memorial Park Group.

We asked

The Peterhead Town Board, as part of the UK government's Long-Term Plan for Towns programme, aimed to carry out an initial phase of community engagement to achieve the following objectives:

• Gather community input on the prioritisation of planned interventions.
• Raise awareness about the Town Board and its decision-making role.
• Inform the community about the programme’s key themes and timelines.
• Ensure the Board is informed about ongoing projects and local organisations.

Aberdeenshire Council were tasked with supporting the Town Board by developing and distributing a survey, planning and attending events, coordinating the engagement phase, and reporting all collected data back to them.

You Said

The survey ran from early October 2024 to late December 2024, with 673 participants sharing their preferences, opinions, and feedback. Aberdeenshire Council analysed the data, and the key findings are outlined below.

High Streets

• Improve cleanliness by tidying streets, removing weeds, and cleaning buildings.
• Restore and maintain derelict buildings and shopfronts.
• Introduce greenery, street art, and cultural designs to enhance the town’s appearance.
• Support businesses with reduced rates, incentives, and prioritisation of vacant units.
• Develop more leisure, retail, and cultural attractions to increase footfall.

The top 4 priorities chosen were

1. Improving town centre retail and service centre infrastructure (435 – 64.6%) 
2. Improving and supporting sports facilities, tournaments, teams and leagues (358 – 53.2%) 
3. Creating or improving local green spaces (272 – 40.4%) 
4. Supporting social action projects (232 – 34.5%) 

Transport

• Reintroduce free or reduced parking to encourage visitors.
• Improve public transport connections and overall accessibility.
• Develop cycling and pedestrian-friendly routes.
• Enhance town signage and wayfinding for easier navigation.

The top 2 priorities chosen were -

1. Supporting active travel (387 – 57.5%) 
2. Improving bus infrastructure and connection (372 – 55.3%) 

Security

• Increase safety with more security patrols and CCTV in public spaces.
• Address antisocial behaviour to create a safer environment.
• Provide safe community spaces, particularly for teenagers and families.

The top 2 priorities chosen were –

1. Using design and management of streets and landscapes to discourage crime (481 – 71.5%) 
2. Measures to prevent anti-social behaviour, crime and reduce re-offending (371 – 55.1%) 

We Will

Comprehensive reports were prepared by Aberdeenshire Council for each theme and presented to the Peterhead Town Board during the Board meeting on 7^th February 2025.

Three dedicated sub-groups, made up of Board members, have been formed to focus on each theme. Their role is to review the engagement findings, analyse the collected data, and consult with subject experts. The insights from these sub-groups will then be presented to all Town Board members, enabling the development of a detailed plan for submission to the UK Government. This plan will outline the key challenges Peterhead faces and identify priority areas for investment.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their views. Your input is invaluable in guiding the next stages of shaping our investment plan for Peterhead.

Aberdeenshire Council publishes information about the Peterhead Long-Term Plan and Town Board here: Peterhead Long Term Town Plan - Aberdeenshire Council

We asked

Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week took place between 4th and 10th November 2024. This was a pilot to test out the appetite for such an event. To help us to understand if this should become a regular fixture in the Aberdeenshire culinary calendar, we wanted to know what you thought of the first ever Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week and if you participated by visiting any of the venues taking part.

We also partnered with the Aberdeenshire Loves Local Gift Card during the Week and so wanted to understand awareness of this scheme at the same time.

You Said

Communication

• When asked where you saw Restaurant Week promoted the most popular responses were Facebook (42%), via email (25%), and in the press (17%)

Feedback on the pilot Restaurant Week

• 85% of respondents rated the choice of venues as excellent or good
• 85% of respondents dined out during Restaurant Week
• Your main reasons for participating in Restaurant Week were – the discount was appealing (36%), to try a new restaurant (34%) and wanting to visit a favourite restaurant (17%)
• 62% of you dined with a partner, whilst 42% dined in a group (family or friends)
• Most people (63%) dined out once, with the majority of people spending between £21-£40 (22%)
• 32% of you also spent money in other businesses as a part of your Restaurant Week visit
• 50% of respondents said Restaurant Week encouraged them to visit a part of Aberdeenshire they don’t normally go to

Thoughts about future Restaurant Weeks

• 83% of you would definitely like to dine out again during any future Restaurant Week events
• When asked how long a future Restaurant Week should run for, 33% of respondents said 1 week, 52% said 2 weeks and 15% said 1 month
• 64% of you would like it to run at the same time again (November) or have no preference
• 52% of respondents felt that Restaurant Week should be extended to two weeks, 33% liked the one-week format whilst 15% said it should run for a full month
• 70% of you said the event should run twice a year with March being the most popular other month suggested
• General feedback received was focused on improving awareness/publicity, encouraging businesses to better promote their offer by having the special menu available without having to ask for it and doing their own promotion, increasing geographical coverage and the range of venues taking part

Aberdeenshire Loves Local Gift Card

• 63% of respondents were aware of the Aberdeenshire Gift Card, however the majority of people had not given or received a card
• Supporting the Aberdeenshire economy, receiving discounts and introducing an e-gift card were the most popular options for encouraging people to purchase a gift card in the future

We Will

We will use this feedback to inform our decision-making around the possibility of delivering future Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week events. If it does continue, we will use this information to aid planning and promotion. We will also share this with businesses so that they can understand why they should get involved and how they can improve their offer. As we develop any new plans, we’ll provide further updates so you can stay informed about potential opportunities to dine out and support the Aberdeenshire hospitality sector.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their views. Your input is invaluable in helping us shape our work to benefit the Aberdeenshire economy.

We asked

A survey was conducted on behalf of Evolving Inverurie, a charity established in 2022 to enhance recreational, environmental and cultural opportunities in Inverurie. Residents were asked to share their thoughts on recreational facilities in Inverurie.

You said

Over 400 people responded to the survey. The results from the feedback can be found here: Survey Feedback | Inverurie Recreation Survey 2024 | Engage Aberdeenshire

We will

As a result of this survey, we have identified specific projects that we are working on right now. These are:

• Working with landowners to identify ways of increasing the size of Ury Riverside Park
• Working with a cinema company to provide a pop-up cinema
• Identifying ways, we can address the access from Howford Bridge to Ury Riverside Park
• Working with local schools to increase Heritage Trails
• Looking at options for increasing tourism in the area

We asked

Live Life Aberdeenshire (LLA) wanted to understand your interest in potential full-day or full-week multi-activity holiday camps. Specifically, we asked:

• Preferred drop-off and pick-up times
• Ideal age groups
• Willingness to travel
• How far in advance you would like holiday activities to be announced
• Whether you’d like to be contacted about future LLA activities and services

You Said

Participation
We received a strong level of engagement from the community, with many people responding to the survey.

Interest in Full-Day Camps
The majority of respondents expressed interest in full-day, multi-activity holiday camps, indicating significant demand for this type of programme.

Preferred Number of Days

• 2–3 days: Nearly half of the respondents chose this option.
• 5 days: A notable proportion preferred a full week.
• 1 day: A smaller share indicated interest in a single-day format.

Preferred Timings
Over half of the participants favoured a 9:00/9:30 a.m. start with a 4:00/4:30 p.m. finish, suggesting that a standard workday schedule is most convenient.

Age Groups

• 5–8 years: A large portion of responses focused on this age range.
• 9–12 years: Another substantial group favoured slightly older children.
• Only a small number of respondents selected ages outside this bracket.

Willingness to Travel
Most participants were comfortable travelling a moderate distance (around 5–10 miles) for a full-day camp.

Planning Ahead
A significant portion preferred having at least a month’s notice to plan holiday activities.

Future Contact
A substantial majority indicated they would like ongoing updates from Live Life Aberdeenshire (LLA) about future activities and services.

Conclusion
Overall, the majority of respondents prefer a full-day, multi-activity format that aligns with typical working hours. Children aged 5–12 remain the core demographic, with participants showing willingness to travel a moderate distance. Allowing adequate planning time and providing consistent communication will be essential in meeting these community needs.

We Will

Based on these insights, we will use this feedback to inform our planning and explore options for future holiday programme provision. As we develop any new initiatives or pilots, we’ll provide further updates so you can stay informed about potential opportunities for your children.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their views. Your input is invaluable in helping us understand community needs and consider how best to deliver holiday activities in the future.

We asked

We asked residents in Aberdeenshire for their thoughts on a range of saving proposals to help balance the books for 2025/26. A survey took place between 28 October 2024 and 20 December 2024, with space for comments and feedback.

You said

We received over 4000 responses to the survey, along with a wide range of feedback. The survey results and feedback can be found here: Budget Engagement for 2025/26 | Engage Aberdeenshire

We will

The report, along with the feedback, has been shared with Councillors for consideration. The budget for 2025/26 will be discussed at the full Council meeting on 20 February 2025 and further details will be shared following the meeting.

We asked

The three deteriorating swing sets at the Play Park on Blairythan Terrace, Foveran require replacing. We asked for your views on replacing the play equipment to help inform us on the type of new play equipment to install in the play park.

You Said

From the survey responses we received people were keen to maintain swings on the site. Having equipment aimed at both the early years and junior age ranges was also identified through the survey. Views expressed stated the play park should have equipment for all ages and abilities.

We Will

The project to replace the Swing sets at Blairythan Terrace will proceed and the feedback has helped in the consideration of what type of play equipment to install at the site.

We will install new Swings sets for both early years and junior age groups including a Basket Swing for inclusive play, with future consideration being given to installing and upgrading other pieces of play equipment.

We asked

Within the Play Park at Panmure Gardens, Potterton the Multi-play Unit reached the end of its serviceable life and required removal. The Multi-play Unit now needs to be replaced.

We asked for your views on replacing the Multi-play Unit to help inform us on the type of new play equipment to install in the play park.

You Said

The survey responses provided insight to the variety of activities people would like to see included in a new piece of play equipment. The range of activities most popular included sliding, climbing, balancing and interactive panels. The responses were in favour of equipment suitable for both the early years and junior age group. Comments made also suggested new play equipment should be inclusive and accessible for children with a broad range of ability.

We Will

The project to replace the existing Multi-play Unit will proceed and the feedback has helped in the consideration of what type of play equipment to install at the site. We will replace the Multi-play Unit with a new updated inclusive unit which will include a slide, provide a variety of climbing and balancing activities aimed at covering children of a broad age range and ability.