It’s that time of year when inclement weather bursts the bubble of many a weekend sporting plan. Winter time is tolerable if your bag is indoor bowls or pub darts but it doesn’t pay to be a golfer when hurricane strength winds are alternating with snow showers to ruin your fun. Sadly then, Stonehaven Golf Club was closed for the majority of the weekend and pretty quiet when it was open given only a lunatic would play golf in such conditions.
The midweek golfers enjoyed better fortune, the Ladies Sweep and Men’s Senior Stableford events taking place in cold but relatively dry surroundings. The Ladies competition was won by Fiona Armstrong who nudged it around a foreshortened twelve hole course in 27 points. Yvonne Scott came a close second and Fiona Sim third despite a champagne birdie, birdie finish.
The Men’s Senior 14 Hole Sweep saw some excellent scoring, Neil MacArthur leading the way with 36 points in Divsion 1. His name has been occupying the higher echelons of leaderboards for some weeks now and he collected a trophy or two at the recent annual prize giving. He’s a marked man. Robert Hemphill won the second division and Ben Jufferman the third, a total of 54 seniors competing for the spoils.
The Seniors section is not only well populated but pretty successful these days too. Last month, after a fourteen year break they managed to win the Alliance Trophy, an inter-club competition between clubs across the region. The photo attached shows Alastair Duncan (left) and Steve McGhie (right) accepting the trophy from Forfar’s senior convenor, Doug McFarlane. It’s no mean feat to secure this trophy and our heartiest congratulations are extended to them. The last time they won it was 2007 and represented a third successive victory, here’s hoping that trend is to be repeated.
‘Due to the ongoing issues associated with the aftermath of Storm Arwen, in the interests of safety, certain activities are going to be stood down tomorrow.
Schools – All our schools will be closed to pupils and staff tomorrow (Monday) and Tuesday. Further information around remote learning will be communicated in the morning.
Waste services – All our Household Recycling Centres will remain closed on Monday. We anticipate our household waste collections will proceed as normal tomorrow but residents should anticipate some disruption.
WHEN the Infrastructure Services Committee met last week, one item on the agenda was the Council’s outdoor access strategy – making provision for non-motorised public access.
One key feature of the strategy is the ”effective and innovative management of outdoor access infrastructure.”
The map below shows the core path network for the area.
And it would appear the cliff path beyond Cowie is scheduled for some work due to be completed by March 2022.
A council spokesperson said: ”The path has been surveyed and highlighted a number of improvements required. This year we are aiming to consolidate the cliff area adjacent to Cowie and undertake design and build works for the ‘loop’ from Cowie, to up to the layby.”
Saturday 4th December sees Stonehaven recreation grounds resuming their Popular Christmas Fair.
They were unable to hold one last year because of COVID restrictions but are back with a bang this year having 20 tables of fabulous crafters, face painting and raffles.
Music will be provided throughout the day by Mearns Fm and there will be a visit from Santa and his sleigh courtesy of the Round Table. Doors will be open from 11am until 4pm.
At the previous fair, Cecile the bear was delighted to have found a new home when a raffle was held. This year his brother Wullie is hoping for the same when he is raffled so come along and make his day.
HAVING survived yesterday’s gales, Stonehaven’s Christmas tree in the Market Square will have the decorative finishing touches added to it tomorrow in time for an afternoon of festive fun and a celebrity switch on at 5pm by STV’s Andrea Bremner.
Please see the poster below for full details of the programme of events.
Councillor Wendy Agnew would like to share a copy of recent correspondence she has had with Humza Yousaf, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care,regarding the use of the Invercarron Resource Centre for vaccinations – which she feels,”raises matters of legitimate concern to members of the public directly affected.”
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP 28th October 2021
Dear Sir,
As I understand matters – “The Scottish General Medical Services (GMS), 2018”, is a joint agreement between the Scottish Government and the British Medical Association (BMA) which sets out “a new direction for general practice in Scotland which aims to:
Improve access for patients, address health inequalities and improve population health including mental health
Provide financial stability for GPs, and reduce GP workload through the expansion of the primary care multidisciplinary team
Redefines the role of the GP as an expert medical generalist focusing on complex care, reduce risks associated with becoming a GP partner and encourage new entrants to the profession as well as help retain existing GPs ”
“The memorandum of understanding between the Scottish Government, the BMA, Integration Authorities and NHS Board for new GMS contract was agreed in April 2018. The memorandum sets out the principles by which primary care redesign will be delivered. Crucial to this agreement is that services will only be transferred where it is sustainable for the local health care system and, most importantly, where it is safe, appropriate, and improves patient care. The development of primary care service redesign in the context of delivery of the new GMS contract should meet the following key principles:
Safe
Person-centred
Equitable
Outcome focused
Sustainable
Affordable
As a result of the new Contract, all integrated Authorities now have locally-agreed Primary Care improvement plans . ..” (Policy – “Primary care services General practice”)
See eg. – “Health and Social Care Integration Scheme for Aberdeenshire” February 2018.
Against the above abbreviated background, it appears plain that the current issue of immediate concern, namely the siting of a local vaccination centre, and choice of site, at Stonehaven is NOT, in itself, a matter for the Scottish Government or Parliament; however, it has been stated by Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) that, inter alia, “ By March 2022, the HSCP have a new statutory duty to take on several primary care services, including the vaccination programme, previously provided by GPs at their practices . . . An estimated 22,000 people will require vaccinations in the Kincardine and Mearns area. This situation is not going to change and a permanent site is required . . . Funding is only available to March [to] carry out refurbishments, so a permanent site requires to be in place by March 2022.” (Written information provided by Aberdeenshire HSCP).
2.
In my view this should be clarified because, taken literally, a functional permanent vaccination site requires to be in place by March 2022 or funding is lost. I am given to understand that the funding referred to is from the Scottish Government; standing this, there is a clear inference that any deadline imposed concerning award of funding relating to provision of said vaccination centre is set by the Scottish Government.
I will be grateful if you will answer the following questions – viz:
FIRST – The Aberdeenshire community of Stonehaven has recently been informed by their Health and Social Care Partnership that there is a statutory requirement to provide a permanent vaccination centre by March 2022 and that funding for required refurbishment is only available to March 2022. Given that meeting all necessary infrastructure, other practical and clinical criteria is more difficult to achieve in the planning and more protracted in delivery in some areas than in others and having regard also to recent Covid-19 restrictions; (a) was the deadline set by the Scottish Government? (b) if so, when was the deadline intimated ?; and (c) is it necessary and fair to insist upon the same fixed deadline in all cases and if so how can the potential consequences of that meet with the six key principles (safe; person-centred; outcome focused; sustainable; and affordable) to be applied to the delivery of primary care redesign of the new General Medical Services contract 2018 ?
SECOND – Having regard to the “key principles” cited above, (a) Can it be justified that a nominated vaccination centre cannot be accessed by direct public transport services ? – (b) Is there a maximum number of miles that members of the public should have to travel to a vaccination centre and if so what is the maximum ?
THIRD – What is the maximum amount of funding available for provision of an individual vaccination centre ?
FOURTH – Is there a specific list of care services that are to be removed from what are now to be described as “expert medical generalists focussing on complex care”, if so where can this be found by members of the public having a direct material interest ?
Yours faithfully
Councillor Wendy Agnew Kinnear House Stonehaven & Lower Deeside – Ward 18 33 Evan Street Aberdeenshire Council Stonehaven AB39 2ET
STONEHAVEN and District Community Council is inviting local groups to apply for small grants up to £500.
The funds are available thanks to bequests made for the benefit of Stonehaven.
If you would like to apply, please provide the information as indicated in the following form – a link to a downloadable version is available on the SDCC website.
Closing date for applications is 30/11/2021, with completed applications forms to be returned to the SDCC treasurer at SDCC@wma05.net
Welcome to the KDP Bulletin, and our new colourful format. Be sure and let us know what you think.
Good News The KDP Board is delighted to announce that Mairi Eddie has joined KDP as our Development Officer. With several years’ experience as a Trustee on the KDP Board, she already has a wide knowledge of the organisation and the groups that we help. Mairi is a Member of Benholm and Johnshaven Community Council and helped to set up and run the Johnshaven Community Larder at the start of lockdown. Through these roles she has been involved with many community projects, funding applications, event planning, etc. Prior to moving to the Mearns, she worked in local media before starting her own small retail business. It is fair to say that Mairi understands, first-hand, the challenges faced by community groups and is looking forward to offering them the support they need.
The BIG Halls Tour KDP is delighted to launch a new initiative to enhance the support we offer to village halls and community spaces. This is possible thanks to Scottish Government funding through the Community Recovery Fund and is administered by CEIS. Halls are at the centre of so many vital community activities and we are kicking off this project with a “BIG HALLS TOUR”. Over the next few weeks, we aim to visit as many of the halls in K&M as we possibly can, and we’ll be sharing our progress on our Facebook page. In the new year we plan to offer training and networking opportunities for those running local halls, providing some inspiring marketing tips, and sharing some of the imaginative ideas we hear of on our tour. If you would like us to visit your community space, get in touch with Margo at officesupport@kdp.scot.
Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund Community, voluntary, and third sector organisations in Aberdeenshire can apply for up to £50,000 to deliver initiatives that promote mental health and wellbeing. This Scottish Government Fund has been established in response to the mental health need arising from the pandemic to provide grants to small, grassroots community groups and organisations to develop a culture of mental wellbeing and prevention within local communities and across Scotland, with improved awareness of how we can all stay well and help ourselves and others. The Fund will be distributed by Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action who will act as lead partners to community groups and organisations within Aberdeenshire. Applications will be accepted in two phases: Phase 1: 17th November – 7th December 2021 Phase 2: 5th January – 15th March 2022* *or until all money has been allocated, whichever is sooner. Visit the AVA website for more information, guidelines, application form and how to access support with applications if you need it.
#PurpleLightUp #PurpleLightUp is a global movement that celebrates and draws attention to the economic contribution of the 386 million disabled employees around the world. #PurpleLightUp offers the chance for: Employers to showcase the economic contribution of disabled employees to economies across the world and their dedication to driving the disability inclusion agenda. Network / employee resource group leaders to demonstrate the return on employer investment into well-resourced, well-led networks; sharing their organisation’s strategic plans for the year ahead or celebrating their successes over the past year. Allies and Champions from every continent to share how they will contribute to the build of a better working world. If you would like to get involved in this campaign, or would like to know more please contact Dawn Tuckwood – dawn.tuckwood@nhs.scot
Chance to Flourish Funded through the Scottish Children’s Lottery, Chance to Flourish supports projects and activities in Scotland, with the aspiration of alleviating the impact of poverty or financial hardship, social exclusion, relative/multiple deprivation and disability or illness to young people. Projects or activities will work with the most vulnerable families with preschool children at a demonstrably high risk of being negatively impacted by poverty. For guidance and to apply visit the website.
Creative Lives Survey – Spaces Access to community spaces is a burning issue, post-pandemic. Creative Lives (formerly Voluntary Arts) has launched a survey which aims to gather info on voluntary creative groups’ experience of finding and using spaces. The survey can be found here.
The Platinum Jubilee Fund
The National Lottery Community Fund has launched The Platinum Jubilee Fund, which will support 70 projects across the UK to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s 70th (Platinum) Jubilee. Applications need to fit one or more of these areas of focus: Across Generations Community Renewal Our Shared Natural World Grants will be between £30,000 to £50,000 and projects will have up to 2 years to deliver their activities. More information can be found at the National Lottery Community Fund website. The deadline for applications is 17:00 on Wednesday 15 December 2021 (unless 700 applications are received sooner). KDP is here to help in any way we can. Please let us know how we can support you or your organisation. We will continue to share information and guidance in our Bulletins, however, due to the speed of change and quantity of information, the most current details will be found on our Facebook page (@kincardineshiredevelopmentpartnership).
Should you wish to get in touch, our contact details are as follows: Margo Titmuss Office/Windfarm Admin officesupport@kdp.scot
All of this information was correct at time of writing.
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