The latest Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee meeting was held on Tuesday 20th May at Viewmount. The agenda and supporting reports are available here along with the recording of the public part of the meeting.
The main reports presented and discussed were
· The Regional Coastal Change Adaptation Plan
· Library Changes Update
· Education and Children’s Services year end performance report 2024/25
Regional Coastal Change Adaptation Plan
The committee was asked to consider and provide comments on the Regional Coastal Change Adaptation Plan.
A presentation was given by Doug Pender of JBA consultants who prepared the report, followed by comments and questions from councillors.
This report was commissioned to create a framework to guide actions and decisions relating to meeting climate resilience goals. Aberdeenshire has over 250km of coastline making it vulnerable to coastal erosion due to rising sea levels and increasing storm intensity. The report states it takes a holistic approach, which is sustainable, provides the council with the agility to seek funding, and ensures that regional decisions steer local actions.
The Aberdeenshire coastline is divided into 20 coastal management units (CMUs) which should eventually all have Coastal Change Adaptation Plans developed. Of the five to be developed initially, only Inverbervie and Gourdon fall within K&M. Stonehaven is at number 17 on the priority list. CMU adaptations range from doing nothing, through maintaining existing defences, protecting existing defences, enhancing defences (particularly nature based solutions), and finally making space. Local plans will outline current and future management policies and identify the triggers to enable the council to take action. More detail on the methodology and data can be found in the report and appendix.
Councillors then had an opportunity to comment and ask questions. There were multiple comments but to summarise, Councillor Carr started by commenting that Johnshaven and Benholm hadn’t been mentioned, asking about 3rd party funding, and raising concerns about community councils being kept informed. He also highlighted the ongoing importance of maintaining existing sea defences – as had been done by our forbears
Councillor Black queried timelines, asking when Stonehaven was likely to have an adaptation plan. The answer was not specific, as timescales are dependent on funding. She then questioned the methodology, as the data appears to show higher risk to people and property in Stonehaven. Lee Watson from Aberdeenshire Council explained that the Coastal Flood Scheme developed 2017/19 is still on the radar, but remains dependent on funding.
Councillor Evison appreciated the multi disciplinary approach, but also raised concerns about communities being sufficiently involved and engaged. Making space, therefore losing areas and amenities, is concerning.
Councillor Turner had a number of issues to raise, including the involvement of SEPA and their data, and the use of rock armour rather than hard defences. He also queried the hierarchy of priority areas, stating the public would be concerned about how they are affected right now.
Lee Watson reiterated that this policy is to drive local development planning, and that some areas could not be maintained, therefore retreat rather than defence would be the result, although unpopular.
Councillors Dickinson shared the concerns regarding Stonehaven and queried whether area managers have capacity to lead on these plans. Tim Stephen explained he was already involved.
Other concerns raised included harbour maintenance, which is covered separately, and cliff landslides, which fall outwith the remit of this report.
The report, with councillors’ comments, will now go to the Infrastructure Services Committee on 19th June.
Library Changes Update
Avril Nicol, Live Life Aberdeenshire, presented the next report on library changes, for consideration and comment.
Budget pressures have led to a council policy of moving away from stand alone library buildings, and working towards alternative provision. In Inverbervie, following consultation, the library will be collocated within the primary school, with library staff retained. Bookbug sessions and summer programmes will be held in the sports centre, and community outreach is planned for the coastal villages to the south. In Newtonhill provision will continue in partnership with the Bettridge centre.
Comments from councillors praised the positive outcome, and hoped that this community engagement (including from young people), could be taken forward in other areas. There is a community group interested in the existing library building, and the area manager is in discussion with them. Stonehaven library will be in the next tranche of libraries being investigated for alternative provision, and this will start in early June.
Education and Children’s Services year end performance report 2024/25
Laurence Findlay presented this report and highlighted that 6 out of 10 indicators had been met or exceeded, with a key focus on literacy, where K&M exceeded Aberdeenshire results, and likewise for numeracy. CLD missed their engagement targets, due to staff shortages, and Live Life Aberdeenshire increased attendance, but fell short of targets. Their goals will be reviewed to ensure they are challenging but achievable. Councillors had no questions on the report.
The final item, relating to procurement for Mearns All-weather pitch upgrade, was discussed in private.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 10th June.