The latest Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee meeting was held on Tuesday 2nd September at Viewmount. The agenda and supporting reports are available here, along with the recordings of the public part of the meeting.
The main reports presented and discussed were
· Full planning permission for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Arbuthnott
· Asset Transfer Request for the former Social Work Offices in Portlethen
· Annual Scrutiny and Improvement Report 2024/25
· Education Scotland Inspection Report for Mackie Academy
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Arbuthnott
After the usual formalities councillors moved on to discuss this planning application. Gregor Spence gave a presentation on behalf of the planning department, who were recommending the application for approval. One of the issues discussed was the proximity of the proposed site to Bloomfield Cottage, the childhood home of Lewis Grassic Gibbon. There were 80 objections to the proposal, with some of the key concerns being the cultural importance of the setting, cumulative impact of renewable infrastructure, visual impact, noise/light pollution and impact on tourism. Technical consultees were all satisfied with the application, and national policy broadly supports battery storage systems.
Alexander Miejimolle, project manager for OPD Energy then spoke in support of the application, and reiterated some of the points in the first presentation.
Finally Rebecca Chapman, who lives locally to the proposed site, spoke with strong objections to the application. Her concerns centred around intrusive noise, no local benefit, visual impact, narrow access roads, and the number of objections.
Councillors had the opportunity to ask questions of each of the speakers, and some of their key concerns related to national policy versus the local development plan, but Mr Spence explained that they were not in conflict. The visual and ecological impacts were also discussed at length, with particular focus on how buildings could best be disguised in the landscape.
After extensive debate a vote was held, which resulted in a tie with 5 votes in favour of approving the application and 5 against. The chair’s casting vote meant that the application was approved, with the three additional conditions of a lighting strategy, a visual impact and landscaping strategy, and evidence of community wealth building and socio-economic benefit.
Asset Transfer Request for Former Social Work Offices in Portlethen
The second paper discussed was an Asset Transfer Request from Portlethen and District Men’s Shed for the former Social Work Offices in Rowanbank Road. Tim Stephen, area manager, introduced this application and explained that it was recommended for approval, but at a cost to the Men’s Shed of £92,500, rather than the £100 offered. Two members spoke of the benefits the organisation provides and the challenges of their current accommodation, and they were supported by a Men’s Shed development worker. This paper and speakers generated much discussion and debate, and councillors were reminded to confine themselves to the application itself.
Once the debate was concluded, it was proposed that the Asset Transfer Request should be recommended for approval for £100. This was agreed unanimously, but as it is against the officer’s recommendation it will now proceed to the Business Services Committee for further consideration.
Annual Scrutiny and Improvement Report 2024/25
Councillors were asked to comment on the Annual Scrutiny and Improvement Report for 2024/25, and if they wished to add any items for 2025/26. It was mentioned that the committee have covered a lot of ground over the past year, both in the Area Committee meetings, but also in informal meetings with stakeholders. Particular mention was made of useful meetings with Police Scotland, and a hope that a meeting would happen soon with Transport Scotland.
Mackie Academy Inspection Report
The final item on the agenda was the Education Scotland Inspection Report on Mackie Academy which was held in February. The two areas which were inspected were Learning, Teaching and Assessment and also Raising Attainment and Achievement. Both were rated as good by the inspectors, with the scale running from excellent, very good, good, satisfactory, weak and unsatisfactory. Louise Moir, head teacher at Mackie Academy presented this report and highlighted that the last inspection was in 2010, and that the inspection process was now more rigorous. Key strengths identified by the inspectors include supportive relationships between staff and young people, effective assessment and monitoring of progress and working with partners to ensure most young people achieve a positive destination on leaving school. The final report can be found here.
Areas for improvement are to continue to develop high quality learning and teaching with a focus on pace and challenge, and to continue to raise attainment, specifically in the senior phase (SCQF level 6 qualifications)
Councillors passed on their thanks and appreciation for the work of Ms Moir and all the staff at Mackie and asked some questions, ranging from the use of volunteers to opportunities for less academic pupils and enquiring how the school plan to improve to “very good”. One question related to staff wellbeing, and Ms Moir explained that through staff Professional Learning, they are investigating the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to reduce staff workload in a practical way, possibly for marking or feedback.
The next K&M Area Committee meeting will be on Tuesday 23rd September.