What you told us - What we're doing

What you told us

As part of the Balmedie Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) Project design phase, an online survey was conducted between 27^th January and 24^th February 2026 to gather the views and opinions of the local community and visitors to Balmedie Country Park.

A total of 250 respondents provided detailed insights into accessibility, travel patterns, facilities, infrastructure, priorities for investment, and overall visitor experience. Overall sentiment toward Balmedie Country Park was positive, with high levels of repeat visitation, strong appreciation for the natural landscape, and clear support for maintaining the park’s character. However, the survey also identifies several critical infrastructure challenges and priorities for enhancement.

Key Findings

Travel & Visitation

• The park is predominantly accessed by car, though walking and cycling form meaningful secondary modes.
• Regular use is high, with nearly 60% visiting at least monthly and over one‑third visiting weekly or daily.
• Most visitors stay 1–2 hours, indicating the park is a significant recreational asset.

Accessibility & Movement

• While 89% rated access as 'somewhat' or 'very' accessible, comments reveal recurring issues with path erosion, flooding, gradients, and inconsistent surfaces.
• Walking routes are the top improvement request (48.8%), followed by parking and cycling infrastructure.

Roads, Parking & Entrance

• The single‑track access road is a major pain point, with strong support for adding passing places and widening sections.
• Visitors rate parking mostly 'good' or 'fair', but there are clear calls for surface improvements, larger‑vehicle bays, clearer signage, and better management of horsebox areas.
• The entrance bollards generate significant anxiety; height barriers are strongly preferred over width restrictions.

Signage & Wayfinding

• Wayfinding is generally rated 'good' or 'fair', but respondents highlight outdated boards, insufficient route guidance, and a need for clearer, more consistent signage, especially toward the beach and accessible routes.

Paths & Cycling

• Paths are considered functional but fatigued, with drainage issues, surface deterioration, and missing links frequently noted.
• Cycling provision is rated mostly 'fair' or 'poor'; demand focuses on bike stands, shelters, and safer cycle access.

Toilets & Facilities

• Toilets are the single weakest‑rated facility in the park. The North block receives moderate but mixed ratings, while long-standing issues with the South block’s closure strongly influence visitor perceptions.
• There is overwhelming support for:
  1. Full renovation of existing toilets
  2. Re‑establishing a South toilet block
  3. Improved accessibility, baby-changing facilities, showers, and more modern layouts.

Motorhomes

• Two‑thirds do not want dedicated motorhome facilities, citing concerns about overdevelopment and environmental impact.
• Among supporters, interest focuses on basic, well‑managed service provision (waste, water, toilets) with strong preference for a South‑side location.

Open Comments Themes

The most frequent concerns relate to:

1. Toilets – poor condition, insufficient capacity, and lack of provision near the beach.
2. Bins and waste management – overflowing bins in summer, dog waste issues, and calls for better distribution and servicing.
3. Path quality and boardwalk condition – flooding, erosion, broken boards, and requests for accessible routes.
4. Access road and entrance layout – congestion, potholes, bollards, limited passing places.
5. Desire to preserve the park’s natural, wild character while improving essential infrastructure.

Additional recurring themes include benches, picnic areas, café access, ranger/warden presence, safer dog management, and improved play facilities.

Overall Conclusion

Balmedie Country Park is a valued and much‑loved community asset with high usage and strong emotional connection. The survey results highlight a clear set of priority areas (toilets, paths, signage, parking/road access, and waste management) that require targeted investment. Improvements should enhance safety, accessibility, and visitor experience while preserving the natural, low‑impact feel that defines the park.

What we are doing

The results of the Balmedie Country Park Survey have directly informed the development of a new Balmedie Country Park Masterplan. This document reflects the clearly identified need to improve facilities for both the local community and visitors, ensuring the park remains a high‑quality, accessible, and welcoming coastal destination.

To deliver these improvements, Aberdeenshire Council is working in partnership with our community partners to identify and secure funding that supports key infrastructure enhancements. Most recently, Aberdeenshire Council has submitted a funding application to the VisitScotland Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF). If successful, this funding will help address existing pressures and enhance the overall visitor experience through a coordinated programme of improvements across three areas of the park: the North, the South, and park‑wide interventions.

Park‑wide proposals include the creation of a unified Balmedie Country Park brand and identity, a coordinated suite of signage, and upgrades to key paths to support active travel and improve accessibility throughout the site.

In the North area, proposed improvements include enhancements to the park entrance, refurbishment of the existing toilet block, installation of a new shelter, provision of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points, new bike amenities, increased disabled parking bays, and the creation of dedicated BBQ facilities. Biodiversity enhancements will also be delivered through the removal of invasive species and the planting of native species.

In the South area, the primary focus is the replacement of the existing toilet block with a new modular facility incorporating Changing Places Toilet (CPT) provision. Additional improvements include the development of a purpose‑built motorhome facility offering overnight parking and dedicated toilet and waste‑disposal services for motorhome visitors.

Overall, Aberdeenshire Council aims to deliver high‑quality improvements at Balmedie Country Park that accommodate visitors with diverse access needs, address existing pressures, attract a broader range of tourists, increase visitor spend, and generate positive economic outcomes for Balmedie and the wider Aberdeenshire area.

You can view the original survey page here: Balmedie Country Park | Engage Aberdeenshire

What you told us

The charity Strichen Town House SCIO submitted an Asset Transfer request to take ownership of the former Strichen Library on Water Street. The proposal was to run the building as a community facility, hosting meetings and displaying local archive material. It was also proposed to work with the LiveLife Aberdeenshire so that Library Services could continue to be provided from the building.

We received one representation which was supportive of the request to transfer ownership of the asset. There were no other public representations made.

All of the documents relating to the Asset Transfer request can be viewed on the Council’s website by following this link: Asset Transfer - Strichen Library - Aberdeenshire Council

What we are doing

The Asset Transfer request was considered by the Buchan Area Committee on 11^th November 2025 and it was unanimously agreed that the proposal should be supported.

The Council formally transferred the building to Strichen Town House SCIO on 27^th March 2026.

What you told us

Over the past few years there has been a steady increase in the number of coach tours visiting Dunnottar Castle and Stonehaven town centre. Dunnottar Castle attracts around 120,000 visitors a year and this is expected to increase due to the cruise ships now docking in Aberdeen Harbour. If there is inadequate provision for coaches to drop off passengers in the town centre and park up nearby then they will simply go elsewhere, depriving the many businesses and attractions from potential income.

Through engagement with tour operators, we established that up to 9 coaches could visit Stonehaven in any one day. These coaches were spread across the day and did not all arrive at one time. Some coaches were bringing visitors from the cruise ships whilst others were tour operators from across the UK and abroad.

In 2025 a location plan was circulated to all known tour operators highlighting suitable locations outwith the town centre where they could park whilst waiting to collect their passengers.This included the bus bay at Mackie Academy during weekends and school holidays. However, these were not favoured by the coach drivers as they were considered to be too far away from facilities and amenities allowing the drivers to take a break and grab something to eat and drink before returning to collect their passengers.

Coaches have been reportedly parking in inappropriate locations such as junctions and parking at the bus interchange on Barclay Street impacting on the regular bus services. They are also regularly parking on the harbour piers coming into conflict with other vehicles and pedestrians. The route along the Old Pier towards the Backies car park is not suitable for large vehicles given the large numbers of pedestrians in that location all year round. The situation prompted a need to identify a suitable location(s) where coaches could park but still be close to amenities and somewhere to safely drop off and pick up passengers. Mill Lade Road is designated as an off street car park, therefore lends itself to providing bus bays since there is no provision within any of the other Council car parks in Stonehaven.

The purpose of the survey was to seek the views of the community at an early stage on proposals to create bus bays on the road behind Baird Park, as this area has been used in the past for visiting coaches attending community events. Direct contact was also made with the Quoitors Club, Allotment Users, Football clubs and nearby residents to ensure they were aware of the proposal.

Locations previously considered by the Council:

Leisure Centre car park – to allow coaches to manoeuvre around the car park and provide parking spaces would require the entire car park to be redesigned with the loss of a substantial number of car parking spaces. The Leisure Centre car park has been provided for users of the nearby leisure facilities. Therefore, reducing the number of car parking spaces would negatively impact regular users of the leisure facilities.

Beach Road – there is currently a weight limit of 7.5 tons on this road which prohibits large vehicles including coaches. There are inadequate turning facilities for large vehicles and during busy periods with vehicles parked close to junctions it would result in difficulties for coaches to turn safely.

B979 Road in front of Bowling Club – Additional bus bays in this location would create visibility issues for vehicles exiting Beach Road and the Bowling Club. Coach operators are not allowed to stop on bus stops provided for service buses. There is the additional safety risk for vehicles having to overtake several coaches parked on this stretch of road coming into conflict with vehicles coming in the other direction.

Opening out Mill Lade Road to make it one-way – Removal of the flower bed and allowing coaches to depart from this end was considered. However, this could not be achieved safely without impacting on the new road crossing, bus stops and vehicles exiting from the Bowling Club. Coach operators have also indicated that it is not possible to make a complete turn at the small roundabout at the Leisure Centre and buses have to reverse on the roundabout creating safety concerns.

What you told us

The survey generated 146 responses with the majority of people living in Stonehaven and those outwith travelling to Stonehaven for work or leisure/recreation reasons. Of the 142 responses received 82 supported the proposals whereas 65 were against it. Some were concerned at the loss of parking spaces, although this would have been overcome by allowing vehicles to park along one side of Baird Park from April to October, as has been in operation for the last couple of years.

However, there were a number of safety concerns over the mix of activities in the park which would put pedestrians into conflict with vehicles turning. Concerns were also raised over the loss of the area for parking and potential impacts for allotment users. A number of responses preferred that the coaches were parked on the outskirts of the town.

The following locations were suggested as alternatives by members of the public:

Old gas works site – this is privately owned and has planning permission for a housing development. The access roads leading to this site are unsuitable for coaches.

Stagecoach yard – this is privately owned and future plans for the site are unknown.

Near Dunnottar Castle – Due to the number of coach tours visiting Dunnottar Castle they have had to stagger coach arrivals to manage the parking situation. The area is also busy with motorhomes and cars from people simply enjoying the coastal walk. Vehicles are parking on the verges which is causing damage and would be made worse by heavy coaches. Many of the coaches dropping passengers off in the town centre have come from Dunnottar Castle and is considered too far for coach drivers to access suitable amenities.

Land next to Fetteresso Cemetery – to provide coach parking at this location would require significant investment and time to develop. Coach drivers have indicated that they require somewhere central so that they can purchase refreshments whilst on their break. Therefore, any out-of-town coach parking facility would also require to have toilet and refreshment facilities. Such a facility would have to be taken forward by a private developer as this is not a function of the local authority.

Grass area next to Swimming Pool – This area has already been included in plans for the formal pedestrianisation of the Promenade providing additional car parking spaces to offset the loss of spaces opposite the businesses. The new car park spaces will also prevent vehicles parking on both sides of this stretch of road ensuring there is a two-way traffic flow into the caravan site and Cowie village for emergency vehicles.

Creating a bus park within the Recreation Grounds – this land is privately owned by the Recreation Grounds Trust and not Aberdeenshire Council. The caravan park provides a regular income from stance fees which helps to maintain the wider site.

Cowie layby – This site was considered as a potential alternative to Baird Park but is slightly further out of town for coach drivers who may only have a short stop. However, it is worth considering further.

What we’re doing

Therefore, taking all of the feedback into account the Council has decided not to proceed with the proposal at Baird Park and will look at other locations including the Cowie layby. Further consultation will take place on this location after an initial mapping exercise has been undertaken to confirm whether this location could be made suitable for coaches.

You can view the original project here: Coach Parking Proposals for Stonehaven | Engage Aberdeenshire

What you told us

The Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Parental Consultation received almost 3,000 visits, with 1,016 parents and carers actively contributing and sharing their views. Responses were received from families who currently access Early learning & Childcare, those with previous experience, and parents who expect to use early learning and childcare in the future. Parents and carers reported using a mix of council nurseries, private nurseries, playgroups and childminders, providing a broad range of experiences to help inform our understanding.

• Parents and carers said having different session options is important. Some want sessions that match the school day (9am–3pm). Others need longer days or year round places for work, training or study. When the options don’t fit, some families can’t use all their funded hours in one setting.
• Many families said they used two settings to make childcare work, not because they wanted to. Parents told us it isn’t always clear how split placements work or how funded hours are shared between settings.
• Parents said applying can feel complicated, especially the first time. Families asked for simpler information about how to apply, funding rules and key dates, plus earlier reminders through places they trust (like health visitors, nurseries and schools).
• Families, especially in rural areas, told us they value local settings. Concerns have been raised regarding increased travel times should services be altered, with particular emphasis on the significance of smaller nurseries for children requiring additional support.
• Most parents said Early Learning & Childcare supports children’s learning, friendships and getting ready for school. Families also said funded Early Learning & Childcare helps at home by supporting parents to work, or by giving children valuable early learning experiences.

What we are doing

• We will continue to offer different funded session options where we can, such as school day sessions, mornings or afternoons, and term time or all year options. We use parent feedback to review what’s offered locally and work with funded providers in each area to promote a variety of different models for families.
• We’re improving the information for families who use more than one setting. This will explain more clearly how funded hours can be shared and what to do when you apply.
• We’re making our information about Early Learning & Childcare easier to understand, including admissions and where to get help. We’re also working with health visitors, nurseries and schools to share reminders about applications and key dates.
• We recognise that local and rural nurseries are important to families and communities. Your feedback will help shape future planning, including careful consideration of travel, accessibility and children’s needs should any changes be proposed.
• What you told us is helping us improve how Early Learning & Childcare works across Aberdeenshire from how we share information, plan provision and support children and families to use their funded hours.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their views. The feedback received from parents and carers with current, past and future experience of Early Learning and Childcare has provided valuable insight into what matters most to families across Aberdeenshire. Your views are already helping to inform future planning, improvements to information and communication, and how Early learning & Childcare provision is shaped across Aberdeenshire to best meet the needs of children and families.

You can view the original project here: Aberdeenshire Council ELC Parental Consultation 2025 | Engage Aberdeenshire

What you told us

The Central Buchan Bus Survey was live from the 27th October 2025 to 2nd January 2026 and received 256 responses. The council supports the current Central Buchan A2B on-demand bus service, and the contract is due to expire in August 2026.

The purpose behind the survey was to consult with the local community - both users and non-users of the current Central Buchan A2B bus service - to help us shape the bus service provision in the area for the next 5 years.

The primary focus of the survey was to gather information and opinions on either continuing the current Central Buchan A2B bus service, or replacing it with a fixed route timetabled bus service. We provided an example of a fixed timetable service within the survey, as a point of comparison with the current Central Buchan A2B service. We asked questions on how either type of service might meet, or not meet, the bus service requirements of the local area.

The feedback showed that 62% wanted the A2B bus service to continue, compared to 38% who would prefer a fixed timetable bus service. A higher percentage of respondents than not believed that the current A2B service satisfied more of their transport requirements than a fixed route service would. There were many responses that commented on the pros and cons of both types of bus service which are very helpful.

There was also a clear lack of awareness or understanding regarding the current A2B bus service. Many respondents do not perceive that A2B is a bus service and available to all residents. Many respondents expressed a demand for an online booking system, currently bookings can only be placed either by phone or email request.

What we’re doing

The Council’s Passenger Transport Unit will tender for both types of bus service provision to ensure dial-a-bus remains value for money, while taking into account the views of the majority of survey respondents and will include an option for an earlier start as requested by 60% of survey respondents. We will award a contract based on available budget and which type of service will best meet the transport demands of the area, while delivering best value to the Council.

A minority of respondents asked for a combination of both types of service. This wouldn’t be an option for the following reasons:

• We could not have fixed route in peak times and dial-a-bus in off peak times because this would mean the majority of current peak trips could not be accommodated (too many transport request variables and wouldn’t accommodate those in more rural parts of Central Buchan).
• It would not be an appropriate use of scarce council budget to have both types of bus services operating throughout the day. There is not enough demand in the area to justify the significant investment that would be required to operate both services in peak times, which is where costs are mainly generated from.

We are also currently working to bring in an online booking system, which will be available 24/7 to users of the Central Buchan A2B service. If testing is successful, we are hopeful to launch this in the first half of 2026.

Based on comments received in the survey, there is a lack of awareness within the area of the current A2B bus service, and we will explore promotion opportunities to raise awareness of the current A2B service.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the survey, the responses were helpful and informative. A link to a report and analysis of the responses can be viewed here: Survey report | Central Buchan Bus Services | Engage Aberdeenshire

You can also view the original project page here: Central Buchan Bus Services | Engage Aberdeenshire

What you told us

Our survey asked people across Peterhead, St Fergus, Boddam, Longhaven and Cruden Bay to share their experiences, priorities and hopes for the future by telling us what matters most within the four Peterhead 2040 vision themes. We invited you to rate what’s important and tell us why, highlight any challenges or gaps, and to describe how you’d like our places to look and feel by 2040. Your responses are now helping shape the priorities and actions for the Peterhead Partnership Place Plan which will be published in 2026.

Vision Theme - Blue & Green Natural Spaces

Peterhead and its surrounding landscapes are thriving with blue and green natural capital - where the coastline, Ugie River, parks, and countryside are cherished and accessible to all. These natural spaces are at the heart of a resilient community, supporting wellbeing, biodiversity, and a sustainable future for generations to come.

• Over 93% of you said this is a top priority.

Your responses told us that Peterhead and its surrounding areas of blue and green spaces are one of our biggest assets and strengths and should be a top priority for the future. People want to see better looked after natural areas, safer and more connected walking and cycling routes, and improved access to the coastline, parks and paths. The feedback showed overwhelming support for protecting and enhancing these spaces so they can be enjoyed by everyone now and in the future.

Vision Theme - Skills, Education & Enterprise

Peterhead and the surrounding area is a place where everyone can access learning and skills that prepare them for the future. It is a community that nurtures enterprise, values innovation, and celebrates the vital role of people working across all sectors in building a thriving, inclusive economy.

• 98% agreed this is an important priority.

Your responses told us that Skills, Education & Enterprise is a major priority for the future. People highlighted limited evening activities, a lack of local opportunities for learning and training, and the need for more support for small businesses and enterprises. Many said they want to see more accessible courses, better facilities, and vibrant places for young people and adults to learn, work and develop their skills. Overall, the feedback showed very strong support for improving opportunities that help people thrive and boost the local economy.

Vision Theme - Living Well Locally

Peterhead and the surrounding area is a place where everyone can live well, with easy access to the services, activities, and resources they need. It’s a connected and inclusive community where people feel empowered to take part in local life, move around safely, and choose how they travel.

• Almost 97% identified this as essential for the future.

Your responses told us that living well locally is essential for the future. Many people raised concerns about everyday issues such as unreliable or expensive transport, challenges accessing key services, and feeling less safe in parts of the town centre. They also highlighted the need for better local facilities, improved health and wellbeing support, and easier ways to move around the area. Overall, the message was clear: people want to feel connected, supported and safe within their own communities.

Vision Theme - Heritage, Townscape & the Built Fabric

Peterhead and its surrounding communities are places of pride, where the rich heritage, historic townscape, and unique character of neighbourhoods and villages are celebrated. The built environment is well cared for, creating spaces that feel safe, welcoming, and rooted in local identity.

• Over 91% supported strengthening the look, feel, and identity of Peterhead.

Your responses told us you want Peterhead to feel safer, more attractive and more welcoming, both during the day and in the evenings. People highlighted concerns about the appearance of the town centre, the condition of some buildings and public spaces, and the need to make more of the area’s unique heritage. Many said they would like to see better lighting, cleaner streets, improved public areas, and a stronger sense of place that celebrates Peterhead’s history and identity. Overall, the feedback showed strong support for revitalising the townscape and strengthening pride in the area.

What we're doing

We’re now using your responses from the survey to shape the first draft of the Peterhead Partnership Place Plan, making sure it reflects what really matters to local people. Your responses are important because they tell us where change is needed, what’s working well, and where partners should focus their efforts. By sharing your experiences and ideas, you’re helping us set clear priorities, agree actions with local services and organisations, and make informed decisions that will improve life across Peterhead and its surrounding communities.

One of the key ways we are doing this is by bringing partners together through a series of partnership sessions, which enable us to work through what you told us, agree shared priorities, and explore how we can take these forward collectively. By looking at your feedback alongside local data and evidence, we’ll build a clearer picture of what matters most to communities, what the facts show, and where the biggest opportunities for positive change lie. This partnership approach will guide the development of a well informed, practical Partnership Place Plan that reflects your experiences and supports meaningful action across Peterhead and the surrounding area.

You can view the original project here: Peterhead 2040 Partnership Place Plan | Engage Aberdeenshire

What you told us

Across Aberdeenshire we have 9 Community Hospitals which provide a wide range of services for people in their local community - from inpatient care including: mental health, palliative and end of life care, complex clinical care, rehabilitation and enablement through to outpatient clinics and Minor Injury Units. Each of our Hospitals is unique.

We are currently undertaking a review of our Community Hospitals to better understand how we might use them in the future to ensure that people in all of our communities can access the treatment and care that they need. Phase 1 of the review included community engagement with the opportunity for all Aberdeenshire residents to take part.

A series of in person, drop-in engagement events were held across Aberdeenshire in the 9 Community Hospital towns during October and November 2025 with approximately 550 attendees across all dates. The public survey captured feedback on Community Hospitals from 2,286 respondents.

Key takeaways from the Public Survey were:

• Local access is not just a convenience - it is a lifeline, especially for the most vulnerable.
• Staff are the heart of the service, their approachability and continuity matter as much as clinical skill.
• Clear, multi-channel communication are essential for trust and engagement.
• Centralisation and service reductions are deeply unpopular and seen as detrimental to health outcomes and community well-being.
• Community hospitals are valued not just for healthcare, but for their role in supporting local identity, employment, and resilience.

What we’re doing

In January 2026, the Integration Joint Board (IJB) considered the findings from Phase 1 of the Community Hospitals review, and agreed what should happen in Phase 2. These next steps include creating a 10-year route map and delivery plan to make sure hospital services remain sustainable and fit for purpose.

You can view the original consultation at: Community Hospitals in Aberdeenshire | Engage Aberdeenshire

What you told us

We received 46 responses in respect of the consultation, the majority of which were received from the licensed trade (87.0%). The bulk of these felt that the proposed increases were too high and could negatively impact on the trade given the increased costs that they were already facing.

Respondents also felt that although the Board has a statutory duty to ensure the fees it charges covers their costs, they should look at cutting their own costs rather than passing higher fees onto applicants or as an alternative they should look at absorbing some of the costs involved to help support the trade.

The responses received can be found within Appendix 2 to the report which was considered by the Aberdeenshire Licensing Board at their meeting on the 17th of December 2025.

What we're doing

Officers considered the responses received as part of the consultation and provided answers to these within the report considered by the Board on the 17th of December 2025. The officers confirmed that some applications like applying to change an existing licence are optional for businesses. They also explained the work the Licensing Board carries out, why this work has increased costs, and how the Board is continuously trying to reduce expenses, for example by using online applications and holding meetings online.

The Board considered all the comments made on the 17th of December 2025, alongside their statutory duties to ensure that the fees charged covered their costs, deciding that the proposed fees should be adopted from the 1st of April 2026, with inflationary rises applied annually thereafter.

You can view the original consultation here: Aberdeenshire Licensing Board - Consultation on Liquor Licensing Fees | Engage Aberdeenshire

What you told us

We received 171 responses across the different licence types included in the survey. Most people did not want fees to increase, and some preferred only small inflation‑level rises because of the impact on businesses. This is despite the Authority’s statutory duty to ensure fees cover the cost of providing the service.

General Themes:

• Affordability concerns about the proposed licence fee increases.
• Accountability and transparency about the council’s costs.
• Fairness and proportionality.

Taxi and Private Hire Car Licensing:

• The significant financial pressures already faced by drivers.
• Impact on services for vulnerable groups and rural communities.
• Height of costs when compared to other authorities.

Public Entertainment Licensing:

• Impact of increased fees on community events and the local economy.
• Perceived disproportionate burden on small organisations and volunteers.
• Calls for greater differentiation between commercial and community events.
• Discounts to be applied to events by charities and voluntary organisations.

Other Civic Licensing:

• Impact that licences can have on already established businesses.
• Calls for higher fees for certain activities over others.

Miscellaneous Licensing:

• Policy concerns regarding the licensing of some activities.

The majority of the responses related to the licensing of public entertainment licences and the taxi trade within Aberdeenshire. The responses received can be found within Appendix 2 to the report which was considered by the Licensing Sub-Committee on the 12th of December 2025.

What we're doing

Officers considered the responses received and provided answers in respect of all the themes listed above and these were included within the public report considered by the Licensing Sub-Committee on the 12th of December 2025.

Officers reviewed all consultation responses and addressed each theme within the public report considered by the Licensing Sub Committee on the 12th of December 2025.

The Sub Committee evaluated these comments alongside its statutory duty to ensure fees cover the Authority’s costs. It agreed to implement the proposed fees, applying varying discounts for voluntary and charitable organisations applying for public entertainment licences. These will take effect from the 1st of April 2026, with inflationary increases thereafter.

Full details of the fees and discounts are available via the report and appendices considered by the Licensing Sub-Committee, these will also be published online prior to these taking effect.

The Sub Committee also instructed officers to produce a monitoring report on the impact of the new fees, scheduled for the 7th February 2027, before the end of the current Council term.

You can view the original consultation here: Aberdeenshire Licensing Authority - Consultation on Licensing Fees | Engage Aberdeenshire

What you told us

We surveyed pitch users from August through to November 2025 alongside a series of Pitch User Group meetings. We received 33 responses to the survey, representing 31 individual teams

When asked for views on our current services (booking process, pitch maintenance, communication, and pitch location/commute), most people said things feel about the same as before. A small number felt things had improved, while less than a third felt things had gotten worse.

In response to being asked if teams would consider a commitment to support general maintenance (grass cutting, line marking, re-seeding), three-quarters of teams were in favour of some level of contribution.

In response to being asked if teams would be willing to pay for additional services, a number of clubs indicated in favour.

In response to being asked how frequently teams would like to meet, the majority were in favour of pre and post season as required.

What we’re doing️

Based on the feedback received through the survey, we are currently scheduling a 2nd round of Pitch User Group meetings with the intention of setting future meetings with as much advance notice.

We will aim to formalise opportunities for clubs to participate in pitch maintenance.

The booking process has been reviewed resulting in some improvements for clubs booking for fixtures. Further improvements are also being reviewed.

You can view the original project here: Aberdeenshire Pitch Strategy 2025 | Engage Aberdeenshire