We Asked, You Said, We Will

We asked

Mill of Benholm Enterprise submitted an Asset Transfer request to take over ownership of the Mill of Benholm Site. The community was asked to give us their views on whether they supported or objected to the request.

You said

We received a total of 63 representations of support with no objections received. All the documents relating to the Asset Transfer request and public comments can be viewed on the Council’s website - Asset Transfer - Aberdeenshire Council.

We will

As a result a positive recommendation was made to the Kincardine & Mearns Area Committee on 23 January 2024 where Councillors approved the transfer. Aberdeenshire Council will now conclude the transfer of the Mill of Benholm site to Mill of Benholm Enterprise.

We asked

Within the Play Park at Hareburn Terrace, Blackdog the Multi-play Unit is deteriorating and reaching the end of its serviceable life. The Multi-play Unit 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. Overall, we received positive feedback to the proposal to upgrade the Multi-play Unit and making improvements to the play park.

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 Unit which will include a slide, provides a variety of climbing and balancing activities aimed at covering a broad age range of children.

We asked

The two deteriorating swing sets at the Play Park on Chapelhill Road in Ellon 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 see more climbing activities included in the park but maintaining swings on the site as well was a popular option. Having more equipment aimed at both the early years and junior age ranges was also identified through the survey.

We will

The project to replace both swing sets at Chapelhill Road 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, with future consideration being given to installing more climbing activities for a younger age group.

We asked

The slide within the Play Park at Castlepark in Ellon was identified as reaching the end of its serviceable life and requires 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

The survey responses helped provide insight into the age ranges and activities people were keen to see included in any new piece of play equipment. The responses were in favour of maintaining a slide at the site, but climbing activities were also popular. The junior and early years ages ranges are a priority. Comments made were keen to see upgrades to the park and suggested there should be more equipment aimed at younger children.

We will

The project to replace the existing slide will proceed and the feedback has helped in the consideration of what type of play equipment to install at the site. The slide will be replaced with a new Multi-play Unit that provides sliding and climbing activities for a younger age group.

We asked

Aberdeenshire Council asked the communities of Banff and Macduff to give their opinion on a proposed new Active Travel Bridge which will provide a safe crossing for pedestrians, cyclists, people in wheelchairs and those with buggies between the two communities. The community were asked to choose their preferred option between two designs.

You said

Following community engagement and feedback from in-person events and online, Option 1 was the preferred option. This option was preferred due to the aesthetically pleasing design which enables views of the original heritage listed bridge.

We will

We have applied for funding from Sustrans to develop a detailed and technical design for option 1. We will continue to engage with the communities of Banff and Macduff and surrounding areas to ensure that the detailed design meets the needs of the residents and visitors of the community. Please see the Options Report attached for visualisations of the design and further information.

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).