We Asked, You Said, We Will

We asked

Aberdeenshire Council conducted a review of the Household Recycling Centre (HRC) with a trial of 3 different booking system models with a view to improving the service. We asked for your views on the booking system to feed into this review.

You said

We received 3797 responses.

Full booking system

Of those responding who used a HRC with the full booking system, 43.5% were very satisfied or satisfied with the current way of accessing the HRC, 13.3% neither and 43.2% were very dissatisfied or dissatisfied. 74% however did not want the booking system to remain/return.

Hybrid system

Of those responding who used a HRC with the hybrid booking system, 32.6% were very satisfied or satisfied with the current way of accessing the HRC, 17.7% neither and 49.7% were very dissatisfied or dissatisfied. 73.3% however did not want the booking system to remain/return.

No booking system

Of those responding who used a HRC with no booking system, 84.8% were very satisfied or satisfied with the current way of accessing the HRC, 6.6% neither and 8.6% were very dissatisfied or dissatisfied. 85.5% however did not want the booking system to remain/return.

We will

The results of the survey fed into a report on the household recycling centre trial which went to Infrastructure Services Committee on 30^th November 2023. The Committee members approved the removal of booking for cars at all sites except Inverurie and Westhill, where it was kept for traffic management reasons. The permit system, approved by committee in 2019, to limit trade type vehicles and trailers was agreed to be kept at all sites, commencing on 8^th January 2024. Households will be allocated 24 visits per year, each visit can be booked via the council website.

We asked

Macduff Marine Aquarium sits on a stunning bit of coastline and the immediate surroundings will be improved as part of an upgrade and extension.

Currently underused, the outdoor space around the aquarium will be sympathetically landscaped to encourage people to enjoy a children’s activity area and picnics by the sea, as well as increasing the natural biodiversity. We asked for your views to help us plan the changes.

You said

We received 100 responses to the survey.

51% said they had not used the space to the rear of the aquarium, 40% said they had occasionally used it, and 9% said they had used it frequently. For those that had used it, the top three activities were:

• Walking along the coast
• Wildlife spotting
• Picnic

When asked what would improve the outside area, the top three included:

• Picnic tables and benches
• Accessible paved footpaths linking to local routes
• Viewpoint / information panels

When asked how the outside space should be landscaped the top three was:

• Wildflower / coastal planted areas that promote bio-diversity
• Soft landscaping such as shrubs, trees and mounds
• Hard landscaping such as paving and seating

The top three for the children’s activity space was:

• Natural play such as mounds, wooden features, stepping stones and water features
• Interpretation for children such as rubbing posts, activity boards, species ID panels
• Sensory play equipment

Comments received included: concerns from residents about views being compromised by the extension and works to the grounds outside the aquarium; individuals stating they didn’t know there was outside space where they could eat a packed lunch but would welcome use of such a space in future; and a request for QR code use on any external interpretation to provide additional levels of information about aquarium related topics.

We will

Designs for the exterior areas have been adapted to move any seating/play as far as possible from residential areas to minimise noise, with soft planting and dunes used in between to further buffer possible noise. These mounded areas will not extend higher than the existing wall to minimise impact on residents’ views.

Natural play has been incorporated into the plans for outside space, as well as the relocation of existing play equipment.

A viewpoint has been included on the coastal path at the front of the aquarium, and the path itself will be upgraded along the coastal side of the aquarium to provide better connectivity to existing and planned path networks.

The main entrance to the building has been relocated further away from the nearest residential properties.

We asked

We asked for your views on a new cafe/restaurant that is planned for Macduff Marine Aquarium as part of an extension and upgrade.

You said

We received 98 responses to the survey.

85% said they would be very likely to use the café/restaurant as part of a visit to the aquarium. 41% said they would be very likely to use the café/restaurant without visiting the aquarium, with 35% saying somewhat likely and 23% saying unlikely.

The top three uses for the café/restaurant were:

• For lunch (92% of respondents included this in their top 3)
• For morning or afternoon coffee and cakes (76% included this in their top 3)
• For afternoon high tea (32% included this in their top 3)

When asked what the top three most important things the café/restaurant offers, the results were that:

• It offers affordable prices/value for money (79% included this in their top 3)
• It promotes best of local produce (62% included this in their top 3)
• It offers a variety of food to meet dietary requirements (38% included this in their top 3

When asked what matters most about the café/restaurant, the top 3 were:

• It has a quiet section for relaxed eating (59% included this in their top 3)
• It has aquarium related displays and interpretation (51% include this in their top 3)
• It offers table service and offers activities for children (44% include these two in their top 3)

Comments received included: requests for local suppliers and produce to be used, that there be a focus on sustainability; that the café be accessible and that there be associated facilities such as a Changing Places toilet; that there be an early evening offer in the café/restaurant for both visitors and locals; and that some interpretation/information sharing (eg on what marine life might be seen from windows) be made available within the space.

We will

The café/restaurant will be reached by a lift as well as stairs. A Changing Places toilet will be installed on the ground floor for both aquarium and café/restaurant visitors.

The interpretation planning for the aquarium experience will consider the flow of interpretation into the café/restaurant area as well as in the aquarium itself.

Early in 2024, work will begin to secure a catering partner for the venue and the information on local produce, sustainability, layout, and opening times/provision will be discussed in detail with them.

We asked

The community for their views to help identify key priorities to improve health and wellbeing for all, and asked residents to consider their ‘place’ in terms of moving around, food and health, play and recreation, social interaction, volunteering and work, natural spaces, and anything else they felt was relevant.

You said

A ‘Celebrate New Pitsligo’ Public Event along with an online survey helped to identify the following priorities for this area:

• Groups and activities including postnatal support and young people
• Play and recreation areas including natural spaces and footpaths
• Better access to health services
• Food initiatives including affordable healthy options
• Transport including bus information
• Local facilities and how these can be used

A sway report has brought together information about the local engagement with residents, what they identified as priorities, along with suggested solutions.

https://sway.office.com/sw8pr5LBOSNyDARK?ref=Link

We will

Use these priorities to support the local community to develop a community driven action plan consisting of short, medium and longer term goals for health and wellbeing with assistance from a range of Community Planning Partners.

We asked

We asked people across Aberdeenshire to tell us which 5 services were most important to them now and in the future. We also asked where we should focus attention on transforming our business and which services people would like to have a greater say in shaping and designing.

You said

Around 4000 people shared their thoughts. The top 5 services identified were:

• Education
• Roads
• Waste
• Leisure and Culture
• Care
  

Most support for transforming our business was around Buildings and Estate and Transport. However, the results from the survey alone should not be considered representative of the whole of Aberdeenshire as explained in our report.

We will

A report summarising the results from the engagement exercise was shared with Councillors on 23 November 2023. You can read the full report here. The report will be used by Councillors to help set the budget for 2024/25, which will be set early next year (February 2024).

We asked

To help us develop the Fraserburgh Beach Vision and Masterplan, we asked for your views on what Fraserburgh beach means to you, what you like and dislike most about it, and what could be done to make it a better place in the future. We also held several public events during 2022 and 2023 to further develop our understanding of local priorities for the beach area in Fraserburgh.

You said

We received over 800 responses to the survey, along with feedback from face to face public sessions and working with key stakeholders in Fraserburgh. All of this engagement work told us that the beach is highly valued by local residents but that it can do more to contribute to the local economy and social and health objectives for the town. You pointed to local priorities around improving accessibility to the beach, better facilities for year-round and all day use, improved and inclusive play, but maintaining and respecting the natural environment and its unique and special setting. All of this feedback has been taken into account in designing the Vision and Masterplan, which will be used as an evidence base to inform future projects in this part of Fraserburgh.

We will

The final Vision and Masterplan can be accessed here. We will use the Masterplan to inform future project development and investment decisions. We will continue to work with the community to progress the priority projects over the coming years.

The development of a Place Strategy is one of Aberdeenshire Council’s priorities agreed as part of our Council Plan for 2022-27. Our Place Strategy will explain how the Council and our partners will achieve the vision and objectives for Aberdeenshire.

We asked

To help us develop our Place Strategy we asked for your views on what Aberdeenshire means to you, what changes are needed and how the Place Strategy can help to achieve the vision and ambition for Aberdeenshire.

You said

We received 103 responses to the survey, along with feedback from face to face sessions led by Area Teams, Community Learning and Development and the Lived Experience Network. The survey responses provided valuable insight into how people define place, what people's ambitions are for Aberdeenshire and what people would like to see in the place strategy. A lot of the feedback focused on engaging with and empowering communities.

We will

All of your feedback will help us develop our Place Strategy which will be made available soon. This will be supported by a framework of place plans and you will also have an opportunity to get involved and have your say when these are developed. At the heart of the Place Strategy will be the current and future needs of our communities.

We asked

Through the North Public Health Team, we asked for feedback from community members on their experience of accessing health information in this area including Peterhead Library. The responses we received will help develop this provision in the future.

You said

Your feedback helped to tell us about the health information you think is most important.

• More promotion of website apps, social media and resources covering all health topics including health conditions
• More availability of printed resources
• More health information in public spaces
• Provide health sessions on a variety of topics

We will

Explore the use of web resources to complement existing resources.

The Healthy Reading initiative through Live Life Aberdeenshire and the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership will continue to create public resources which will help to highlight websites, apps, and books for various topics e.g., food and mood, menopause etc. Recently this has included posters to highlight the ‘Pick up my period’ app and free period products.

Continue to share relevant health information and useful resources via our North Public Health Facebook page: Aberdeenshire Public Health - North

We continue to link relevant websites and resources through social media.

We highlight important topics when they arise e.g., sun safe, infection control etc.

We are committed to posting regular weekly health topic posts in correlation with NHS health calendar topics and advice from the Advanced Public Health Coordinators and Public Health Coordinators.

Review and update existing resources at Peterhead Library based on the feedback received on what the public want to access.

All resources have been monitored for 6 months and we have tailored topics to the most popular and used leaflets. Topics include Alcohol, Tobacco, Stress, Money, Child health, Local wellbeing services etc. Advised on relevant Period Products and signage.

Explore other ways for individuals to access information within public settings e.g., Near me Healthpoint service.

Have liaised with Healthpoint on future opportunities, Unfortunately, due to funding the Nearme service couldn’t be implemented within the library however, we have been working hard on creating a model for resources that can be easily duplicated in other locations and continue to promote the Nearme Service which can accessed by individuals at home.

Explore other locations for health information.

Possible further locations; DWP, Health Centre, Men United, Peterhead Community Centre, HMP Family Centre, Rural Libraries.

Provide health sessions on a variety of topics

The North Public Health Team are delivering 'Cooking of a Budget' and 'Confidence to Cook' sessions throughout the area to help promote healthy eating and lifestyles. These are promoted through the Facebook page. The team also continues to explore other health session opportunities.

We asked

The Draft Housing Land Audit was published for consultation in May 2023. This is an annual consultation to update the status of all sites available for housebuilding across Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.

You said

Responses to the consultation were received from a range of developers, agents, key agencies and other stakeholders.

We did

Amendments were made to sites across the area in response to comments received. The final Housing Land Audit 2023 report has now been published on our website, which can be found here: Housing market statistics - Aberdeenshire Council

We asked

Community groups and organisations in Aberdeenshire to provide their views and feedback on Aberdeenshire Council’s Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) Policy documentation, particularly those groups that have previously shown or may have an interest in siting a PAD outside of a council building. The survey consisted of a small number of questions to gather views on the policy, the process and the Minute of Agreement document as well as inviting proposals for consideration in the development of the updated policy documentation.

You said

There was 34 responses to the survey. The feedback has been collated and is available in the ‘Community Consultation Feedback Summary’ available by clicking on the link below:-

https://engage.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/22706/widgets/72419/documents/43841

We will

All the feedback was considered by the Review Group in developing the proposed amendments to the policy documentation. Consultation with council services and Elected Members was undertaken.

All consultation summaries were appended to the Area Committee report that was considered by each of the six Area Committees during June (Formartine’s is attached at the link below as an example).

2023 06 27 FAC Report - Review of the Public Access Defibrillator Policy .docx

A report is now being prepared for Business Services Committee in September 2023 to seek approval of the proposed amendments to the policy documentation.