Formartine Community Plan 2013-16

This is the Community Plan for Formartine. It sets out the Formartine Community Planning Groups main actions for the next four years. If you have difficulty understanding this document and require a translation, or would like a copy in a larger print, please contact the Formartine Area Manager on 01358 726402.

Contents

1 Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

2 Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

3 Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

4 The Formartine Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

5 Looking Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

6 Developing the Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

7 Formartine Priorities 2013 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

8 Single Outcome Agreement (SOA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Priority 1: Ensuring Residents of Formartine enjoy

healthy and active lifestyles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Priority 2: Road Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Priority 3: Community Capacity Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Priority 4: Securing improved community facilities and partnership delivery of services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Priority 5: Support the development of economic activity and healthy town centres. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Priority 6: Transport and accessibility to services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

9 Other Local Priorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

10 How are we doing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

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Foreword

Welcome to the 2013 2016 Formartine Community Plan. This brings together the plans of a range of public services, community groups and voluntary organisations. It sets out how we all contribute to realising the vision of The Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership, Working together for the best quality of life for everyone in Aberdeenshire and how, by doing so, so much more can be achieved.

It is important to recognise the tremendous efforts of communities and community organisations, front line staff from the Council and other agencies, and service managers, who work in partnership to achieve community benefits. By pooling resources, sharing knowledge, cutting out duplication, targeting areas of need, and engaging with communities much more can be achieved than by working individually.

Many of the actions in the plan stem from ideas and suggestions made by local communities at Ward Forums, at Community Council meetings or through Planning for Real and Community Action projects. Communities such as Newburgh, Udny and Rothienorman have worked through such exercises and produced their own action plans. We hope that reading about their completed projects and plans for the future it will motivate you to think about what is important for your community.

Much has been achieved in recent years across the whole of the Formartine area.

Communities have been rolling up their sleeves and making improvements, large and small, providing new facilities and services ranging from new halls, community cafes and play facilities. to dealing with problems of service provision for young people with autism and addressing road safety issues a major concern to many in the area. Over the next months we will see a range of projects coming to fruition as a result of great community effort and the support of the Council (through the Investing in our Towns and Villages programme and Developer Contributions) and other funding providers More and more communities are taking part in the Formartine in Bloom competition and making their towns and villages more attractive places to live and visit. Events, such as the Turriff Show and the Oldmeldrum Sports, are an important part of community life and the Council and its partners are pleased to be able to support you in these. There is a huge commitment and I thank you all for your efforts.

We hope that you will find the Plan inspiring, interesting and easy to read. We also hope that you might want to let us have your ideas on new priorities that we should consider for the future.

FORMARTINE COMMUNITY PLAN2013 20163

If you wish to discuss any of these matters, please do get in touch by phone, e-mail or writing to the address at the back of the Plan. We will be using this document to help us decide on future funding priorities and we do very much welcome your views.

Thank you all for your efforts. Keith Newton Chair of the Formartine Community Planning Group

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4The Old Bridge crossing the River Ythan, Ellon

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Executive Summary

The Formartine Community Plan 2013 2016 brings together input from Community Planning Partners, Elected Members and most importantly involvement of the local community. Various workshops and community based forums have been held to capture views and information to inform this plan.

As a result of the engagement communities have told us that we should focus on 6 key priorities. These priorities are:

Ensuring residents of Formartine enjoy healthy and active lifestyles

Road Safety

Community Capacity Building

Securing Improved Community Facilities and partnership delivery of services.

Support the development of economic activity and healthy town centres.

Transport and accessibility to services.

Each of the priorities has had an outcome set against it in order to measure impact and the difference made to communities. Several actions have been developed to help deliver each outcome.

To promote healthy and active lifestyles, organisations such as NHS Grampian are working closely with communities and voluntary organisations to deliver health promoting projects, working groups and initiatives. The Welfare Reform agenda is also of high priority and work will be carried out to mitigate the impact on our communities.

Balmedie Beach


Pitmedden Church Tarves

Road Safety remains a priority for this area as partners and communities are committed to reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads and education and enforcement will continue to ensure this happens.

Working with communities to improve and enhance their surroundings is also important and we will work with them so they have the skills and knowledge to do even more than they are already doing.

At the heart of communities is usually an important asset such as a meeting space or facility and we will work together to deliver improved community facilities as well as working with our partners to ensure that, where possible services are delivered together from the same facility to reduce any duplication of effort.

The Formartine area lies in a scenic area of Aberdeenshire and we want to continue to attract tourists to our town centres and attractions and further work with local businesses will be carried out to create vibrant and healthy town centres.

Our last priority of transport and accessibility to services is frequently raised due to the rural nature of the area and we will work with our partners improve the transport network allowing our residents to reach services.

Finally, the plan will be monitored on a 6 monthly basis to determine progress made on each of the actions. An annual report will also be produced highlighting key achievements.

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Background

The Formartine Community Plan 2013 2016 has been developed to provide a strategy for delivering partnership projects or activities across the Formartine area in response to local issues highlighted. The plan covers a three year period, which gives opportunity to develop longer term aspirations. The plan will be reviewed on a yearly basis and will be updated as and when actions are completed.

The Scottish Government determine policy across Scotland and they determine priorities for Community Planning Partnerships to work towards. Community Planning was subject to a National review following the publication of the Christie Report in 2011. Subsequently a Statement of Ambition was produced to ensure Community Planning is at the heart of public service reform. A national group has been established to help implement and communicate the overarching vision of community planning and Single Outcome Agreements, identifying issues that have a national dimension.

Formartine in Bloom Bike in CuminestownOldmeldrum Sports


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The Formartine Area

Formartine has a population of 39,419 people and has 5 main settlements including Ellon, Turriff, Oldmeldrum, Balmedie and Pitmedden. Formartine has experienced rapid population growth, particularly around Ellon and Oldmeldrum and in the south east where development has spread from Aberdeen City. The population is getting older and the population of children has also increased. However, as the pensionable age has increased substantially the relative percentage of children in the population has decreased. This is recognised at a National level through the Reshaping Care for Older People agenda and as a result of this focus will be given locally to providing services and activities for Older People. Lying at the heart of the Energetica Corridor employment and economic activity is set to continue to grow along the eastern coast alongside the development of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) and the dualling of the A90 between Balmedie and Tipperty. Employment remains high throughout Formartine with strong transport links to Aberdeen along major transport corridors. The area around Turriff retains its strong dependency on the traditional agricultural economy. Formartine has a spectacular environment with protected areas like Forvie Nature Reserve and Ythan estuary and fantastic recreational and visitor attractions in Haddo Country Park and House, Fyvie Castle and Trump International Golf Links.

Formartine remains as one of the safest areas of Aberdeenshire and this can perhaps explain the increase in population as people want to live here. Successful schemes such as pub watch and road safety campaigns contribute to keeping the area as safe as possible. Education attainment in Formartine continues to remain high and the number of school leavers going on to a positive destination is above the national average at 91.7%.

Pitmedden GardensFyvie Castle

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Looking Ahead

Horizon scanning is a method of analysing real and potential pressures placed on a partnership and helps highlight where a partnerships strengths and weaknesses lie.

An example framework for horizon scanning is PESTELO. This stands for:

Political

Economic

Social

Technological

Environmental

Legislative and

OrganisationalThe Formartine Community Planning Group held a horizon scanning session using the PESTELO framework in late 2012 whereby local partners, the Formartine Area Management Team and Formartine Area Committee came together to identify possible opportunities and threats facing the area in the future.

A similar exercise was carried out at each of the ward forums in Formartine in March 2013 where communities were asked to identify local opportunities and threats.

The information gathered at both of these events has been collated and is detailed below and is current as of March 2013 and will be reviewed on an annual basis.


PoliticalNational Level Aberdeenshire and Formartine Level Police and Fire Reform

Single Outcome Agreement

Review of Community Planning

Welfare Reform

Homelessness

Independence Referendum

Self Directed Support

Health and Social Care Reform

Community Empowerment & Renewal Bill

Customer Expectations

Pressure on Banks to increase loans

Aberdeenshire Council Administration cycle

Rapid expansion of Ellon, increase in housing and infrastructure but not services and facilities to go with it eg Health Centre

Travellers Sites increase in travellers visiting Ellon

Trump Development

Council Cuts Funding for Services, Roads & Landscape Services

Provision for Elderly, Housing and Services

Planning / Infrastructure process needs to be reviewed to speed things up and keep communities in the loop

Tarves Doctors Surgery process in place to save the surgery but not a definitive solution yet

Lack of Social Housing / Affordable Housing housing of appropriate sizes

EconomicNational Level Aberdeenshire and Formartine Level Police and Fire Reform

AWPR Construction

Welfare Reform

Homelessness




Bulgaria and Romania EU Migration


Rising energy costs

Trump Development

Energetica Development

Housing Costs / Shortages

Staff Retention Council wide

Customer Expectations

Lack of Commercial Facilities for young people and general social facilities.

Public Transport, service frequency and stock quality.

Parking very expensive and lack of spaces and puts people off from using town centre

Rapid expansion of Ellon, increase in housing and infrastructure but not services and facilities to go with it

New academy away from Ellon town centre and impact on local businesses

Oil Industry what happens when the oil dries up

Lack of Hotel Provision for Tourism industry

Leisure facilities becoming unaffordable

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SocialNational Level Aberdeenshire and Formartine Level Police and Fire Reform

Welfare Reform

Broadband connectivity

Homelessness


Bulgaria and Romania EU Migration

Age Structure aging population

AWPR pre and post construction


Lack of Commercial Facilities for young people and general social facilities

Public Transport, service frequency and stock quality

Lack of Community Transport

New academy away from town centre and impact on local businesses

Travellers Sites increase in travellers visiting the town

Housing vs School Capacity Balmedie, Foveran, Udny Green

Road Safety Vehicle Accidents, cycle ways and pedestrians

Provision for Elderly, Housing and Services


Lack of Hotel Provision for Tourism industry

Leisure facilities becoming unaffordable

Lack of Social Housing / Affordable Housing housing of appropriate sizes

TechnologicalNational Level Aberdeenshire and Formartine Level Technology will change the

way we live people will need to make use of new methods

People in communities will need to understand how to use new technology

Broadband connectivity

Welfare Reform need to improve technology




EnvironmentalNational Level Aberdeenshire and Formartine Level Homelessness

Home Insulation improvement

Lifestyle Expectations accessing the outside environment as a way to promote health and wellbeing



Public Transport, service frequency and stock quality.

Road Condition Potholes

Rapid expansion of the town, increase in housing and infrastructure but not services and facilities to go with it


Council Cuts Funding for Services, Roads & Landscape Services

Road Safety Vehicle Accidents, cycle ways and pedestrians


LegalNational Level Aberdeenshire and Formartine Level Welfare Reform

Homelessness





Planning Process slow Process



OrganisationalNational Level Aberdeenshire and Formartine Level Police and Fire Reform

Welfare Reform partnership involvement


Community

Empowerment & Renewal Bill

Pension Age Changes



Trump Development

Customer Expectations.

Road Condition Potholes

Parking very expensive and lack of spaces



For more information on these issues please access the Formartine Community Planning Strategic Assessment by clicking here.

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Developing the Plan

This plan has been developed using a variety of methods including the production of the Formartine Community Planning Strategic Assessment, bringing together statistical data, community engagement data and professional knowledge. As part of this process an assessment of future opportunities and threats was carried out to determine future local threats. Priorities were set through discussion at the Formartine ward forums, Formartine Community Planning Group and through Joint Meetings with the Elected Members and Aberdeenshire Councils Formartine Area Management Team. The plan has been developed with reference made to two key documents, the first, Measuring Achievement which helps assess the difference made on the actions within the plan. The second, Criteria for Actions flowchart, which helps determine suitability for inclusion of relevant actions in the plan.

This plan will be monitored on a 6 monthly basis and an annual report will be produced highlighting achievements made. The plan was drafted and circulated around communities and other stakeholders for comment and was officially adopted by the Formartine Community Planning Group on the 19th June 2013.

An equalities impact assessment has also been carried out against 9 protected characteristics. Public Bodies must take account of these characteristics when developing projects or actions.


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Formartine Priorities 2013 2016

The Formartine Community Planning Group have agreed to continue with the agreed priorities from 2012 as these are determined to still be current and reflective of local needs. This has also been endorsed by communities in Formartine during the ward forum process as well as being evident in the Formartine Community Planning Strategic Assessment. The priorities are as follows:

EnsuringresidentsofFormartineenjoyactiveandhealthylifestyles

RoadSafety

CommunityCapacityBuildingWardForumandCommunityActionPlanDevelopment

SecuringImprovedCommunityFacilitiesandpartnershipdeliveryofservices

Supportthedevelopmentofeconomicactivityandhealthytowncentres

Transportandaccessibilitytoservices

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Single Outcome Agreement (SOA)

The Single Outcome Agreement is a plan for everybody in Aberdeenshire over the next 10 years. It sets out what we will do together to make Aberdeenshire a better place. It sets out the outcomes, actions and resources that will be used to take forward a number of local and national priorities.

FORMARTINE PRIORITIES AND ABERDEENSHIRE SINGLE OUTCOME AGREEMENT

FORMARTINE PRIORITY ABERDEENSHIRE SINGLE OUTCOME AGREEMENT 2013-2023 OUTCOME

Community Capacity Building

Communities across Aberdeenshire are more engaged in local decision making

Securing Improved Community Facilities and partnership delivery of services

Aberdeenshire is an area where residents, businesses and social enterprises are encouraged and assisted to make their communities self-sufficient and where there are opportunities for all

Support the development of economic activity and healthy town centres

Energetica will be recognised globally as a leading area for energy technologies

Improved town centres in line with place agenda

Ensuring residents of Formartine enjoy active and healthy lifestyles (including Welfare Reform)

Reductions in inequalities in health outcomes between communities and across Aberdeenshire

Physical activity increased across the population including those who are vulnerable through shifts in culture, improvements in infrastructure, opportunities and community empowerment

Vulnerable customers are recognised and supported through the Universal Credit journey towards or into work

Transport and accessibility to services

Businesses and individuals have access to a fully integrated transport network

Road safety Fewer Aberdeenshire residents are injured or killed as a result of preventable accidents, particularly in relation to road collisions, accidental dwelling fires and deliberate and non-domestic fires


Priority 1: EnsuringResidentsofFormartineenjoyhealthyandactivelifestyles

OUTCOME: Formartine residents will have improved health and wellbeing and will be able to access activities that help promote this. In addition, individuals and communities will be able to manage their finances appropriately following the implementation of the welfare reforms.

IntroductionSecuring the health and wellbeing of individuals in our communities is important. Good health makes an active and healthy lifestyle possible and ensuring this happens is of high priority for local community planning partners. It is seen that if we have a healthy and active population we will then have prosperous communities in which we live.

OverviewThe Formartine Community Planning Strategic Assessment has identified that the population is increasing and ageing in Formartine however the percentage of children in relation to the population has been decreasing year on year over the past 10 years. To this end the main thrust of activity around healthy and active lifestyles will be around services and activities for older people. However it can be ascertained that in order to promote prevention, working with younger ages is also needed.

Whats Happening NowThe Ellon Area Health and Wellbeing Group has been established to look at the health needs of the Ellon and District area and have been carrying out a number of initiatives such as Active Ellon and a community wide health and wellbeing survey. Meldrum Health and Wellbeing Improvement group have been looking at an event highlighting the dangers of Legal Highs as well as a health audit on young people. Homestart have been delivering baby massage to vulnerable families around the Fyvie area working closely with Health Visitors offering additional outreach work. The Central Aberdeenshire Health Improvement Fund has recently awarded grants to Balmedie Leisure Centre and Auchterellon Primary School for health promoting activities.

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Emerging Issues Closely linked to the health and wellbeing of our communities is the impact in which the

Welfare Reform agenda will have on families and households.

The lack of appropriate housing for older people to downsize to.

The increase of social media and web presence in society creating isolation for some people.

The increase in obesity.

Access to health promoting activities, costs and travel being a barrier.

Actions

1.1To set up a Welfare Reform Action Group in Formartine whose remit will be to implement local measures and projects to mitigate impact of the changes to the benefit system

Partners include:

Gordon Rural Action

Turriff CAB

CVS

CLD

Working 4 Families

Housing (Finance)

Signposting Project

Welfare Rights

Welfare Reform Officers

Resource Centre

Volunteer Centre

Tenant Participation

Benefit Team

March 2014

1.2To support and develop existing and new social enterprises to help increase opportunities for sustaining communities while increasing employment and volunteering possibilities

Community Inclusion Group, Formartine Partnership, Aberdeenshire Volunteer Centre and Economic Development

March 2014

1.3


To improve the general health and wellbeing of our communities by implementing a number of projects and initiatives promoting active lifestyles including:

Establishing community gardens and allotments

Delivering Grow Well Programmes in the Turriff School network to support children and their families

Fit Like Ellon, a networking event for groups and organisations

Increasing opportunities for walking and cycling

Delivering a local programme in relation to Housing Options and homelessness

Community based opportunities for people to meet and socialise including opportunities for arts and culture experiences

Reducing alcohol misuse in young people by targeting parents encouraging young people to drink at home

Developing the Energetica Corridor through the coastal area of Formartine offering future employment and leisure opportunities

Community Inclusion Group (Ellon)Ellon Area Health and Wellbeing Group, NHS Grampian, Aberdeenshire Council, Mental Health Aberdeen, Community Councils, Housing Associations, Aberdeenshire Volunteer Centre, Alzheimers Scotland, Alcohol Drugs Partnership, Police Scotland

June 2014

1.4To protect vulnerable people in their homes by offering agency staff training to raise awareness of hazards and risks as well as promoting referral pathways to enable requests for Home Safety Visits.

Scottish Fire and Rescue ServiceAberdeenshire Council and partner agencies.

June 2014

1.5To work with the Formartine GIRFEC group and Early Years Forum to establish the learning and social needs of children and young people.

Aberdeenshire Council, NHS Grampian and Police Scotland.

March 2014

1.6To support the delivery of the IDEA project in Formartine by participating in the Locality Development Group established to implement community based opportunities for those accessing day services within Aberdeenshire Council, including addressing the lack of employment / volunteering opportunities in the Ellon area.

Social Work Teams including day services, communities and CLD. Community Planning.

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Priority 2: RoadSafety

OUTCOME: The roads in Formartine will be safer with less incidents of inappropriate speed in our towns and villages and less casualties from road traffic collisions.

IntroductionThe Scottish Government along with other public services have developed a Road Safety framework to 2020 called Go Safe on Scotlands Roads, Its everyones responsibility. This framework can be realised locally whereby Community Planning Partners have an interest in ensuring our roads are a safe place to be.

OverviewRoad safety in Formartine has been a priority given the number of accidents that have occurred on our roads. The A947 and the A90 are particularly noted for their accident rate. Police Scotland also receive numerous complaints on the inappropriate speed people travel through our towns and villages. The police continue to receive complaints on speeding across Formartine and it is a regular discussion topic at some community council meetings.

Whats Happening NowPolice Scotland have been operating speed campaigns in our towns and villages in an effort to reduce speed. Community Planning Partners have also recently funded a portable speed sign which will be moved around areas of concern by police staff and the data captured can be shared with Aberdeenshire Councils Roads service. Aberdeenshire Community Safety Partnership continue to roll out their Safe Drive, Stay Alive campaign aimed at promoting safe driving messages to young people. Additional young driver education has been supported by the Formartine Community Planning Group in partnership with the councils Community Learning and Development Service. Aberdeenshire Council are also undertaking a route study of the A947 with a view to making the road safer. Improved signage has also been added to this route and to the A90 in an effort to help improve safety.

Emerging Issues In 2006 there were 62 people killed on Grampians roads reducing to 25 in 2012. Although

there has been a significant reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads, there is no room to become complacent.

The reduction in people killed could be related to the level of education, information and enforcement carried out. This way of working has been favoured to continue, to reduce the number of fatalities.

Inappropriate speed continues to be commented on and in order to create safer communities we need to reduce the speed in our towns and villages.


Actions

2.1To achieve a sustainable reduction in road traffic collisions by implementing a series of programmes to increase education and knowledge to driving, particularly around young people

Police ScotlandScottish Fire and Rescue ServiceCommunity Learning and DevelopmentAberdeenshire Community Safety Partnership

March 2014

2.2To use the data gathered from speed detection hardware to monitor and enforce speed limits in the communities of Formartine, by implementing special initiatives in response to issues raised by communities

Police ScotlandCommunity CouncilsAberdeenshire Council

March 2014

2.3To work collaboratively on proposals including using research such as the A947 Route Study, to reduce the number of collisions on the A947 and A90

Aberdeenshire CouncilPolice ScotlandAberdeenshire Community Safety PartnershipScottish Fire and Rescue Service

June 2015

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Priority 3:CommunityCapacityBuilding

OUTCOME: Communities will be successful, inclusive, resilient communities with the confidence, capability and capacity to tackle the things that matter to them.

IntroductionCommunity Capacity Building is defined as influencing and enabling individuals, groups and communities to develop confidence, understanding and skills required to influence decision making and service delivery. Communities are busy taking pride in their appearance and looking after things that matter to them, we need to build on this across the Formartine area.

OverviewA big part of the challenging financial climate is to do more with less money but by involving communities in the process a lot more can be achieved. In Formartine a number of projects have taken place where by communities have taken the lead on a particular issue. In order to help shape priorities for both communities and the Formartine area it is important to hold regular community engagement events to establish current needs and to then decide what can be done about them. By working with communities rather than working for communities, communities themselves with the appropriate level of support can achieve a lot.

Whats Happening NowThe Formartine Community Planning Group hold regular community ward forums to engage and involve communities right across Formartine. Partners such as Aberdeenshire Councils Community Learning and Development service and the Formartine Partnership engage regularly with communities to build capacity in our communities. Planning for Real events and community action research projects have been held to capture the views of residents and involve communities in making their surroundings a better place to live. There are a number of funding opportunities available to communities through Aberdeenshire Council and other services to help maintain and enhance their community.

Emerging Issues A coordinated approach is required with all our partners to consultation in the community

to ensure communities dont suffer from consultation fatigue.

The Formartine area remains a fairly affluent area resulting in statistics often skewing the fact that pockets of need exist in our communities.

Communities are diverse and each has a different need.


Actions

3.1To work with communities in the Planning for Real process by offering support, advice and time to implement the process

Formartine Partnership, Formartine Area Office, Community Learning and Development.

June 2014

3.2To develop community action plans including the provision of community profiles and support communities through the process using a community development approach and to provide statistical evidence and to help seek funding for implementing those plans

Formartine Partnership, Formartine Area Office, Community Learning and Development. Aberdeenshire Volunteer Centre.

June 2014

3.3To continue to support communities during any Community Asset Transfers, where communities have an interest in developing their own facilities and services

Formartine Area Office, Formartine Partnership, Community Learning and Development.

June 2014

3.4To increase the skills, capacity and effectiveness of community councils and community groups by implementing a number of measures such as:

Increasing the membership of community councils to include young people.

To develop a social media training programme

To provide additional volunteering opportunities in our communities.

To develop training and development plans for community councils

Aberdeenshire Volunteer Centre, Formartine Area Office, Community Learning and Development and Formartine Partnership

June 2014

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Priority 4: Securingimprovedcommunityfacilitiesandpartnershipdeliveryofservices

OUTCOME: There will be a variety of community facilities including community centres, pavilions, sporting and leisure facilities and meeting spaces available to the public. Services and organisations will be working together from shared facilities, delivering shared services.

IntroductionIn order to for communities to come together we need appropriate facilities and services according to need, linked closely to this is the requirement that where practical services for communities are delivered in partnership to reduce duplication and costs. Services could ultimately be delivered from improved community facilities by communities in partnership with the public sector.

OverviewAcross Formartine there a number of community facilities in varying levels of condition. Communities have taken action to improve them and get them up to a standard which would help increase usage of these facilities. Further work is needed to support communities in developing their facilities with support of accessing funding, planning matters and access to other council functions. Partnership delivery of facilities and services will help to reduce cost and possible duplication and the Formartine Community Planning Group will ensure where possible that co-location of services exists.

Whats Happening NowSeveral community facilities have received funding from Developer Contributions (Planning Gain) and from Aberdeenshire Councils key priority Investing in Towns and Villages fund. A number of community facilities have also managed to attract their own funding from external sources or from their own fundraising. Discussions are also taken place with residents in Oldmeldrum to improve the pleasure park and its facilities and in Turriff to look at transferring the municipal buildings to community ownership. New education provision is being built in Ellon and Turriff incorporating community facilities at both locations.

Emerging Issues Improving or building community facilities is a costly exercise and funding applications

can take time to progress.

Communities continue to need support to access funding to realise their aspirations.

Public services will need to continue to work together to deliver services to the public together and where possible in shared locations.

The rural nature of Aberdeenshire adds challenge to the possibility of sharing resources and facilities.


Actions

4.1To work with communities to bring forward proposals for enhanced community facilities by offering support, advice and guidance to deliver these projectsDaviot, Collieston, Newburgh, Udny, Balmedie, Meldrum, Methlick, Turriff

Formartine PartnershipFormartine Area OfficeCommunity CouncilsCommunity Learning and Development

March 2014

4.2To progress with the delivery of new Health Care facilities in the Ellon and Balmedie areas as a result of community need

NHS Grampian and Aberdeenshire Council

Update June 2014.

4.3To work with local communities and education, leisure and library venues to make best possible use of buildings when not being used, exploring possibilities for community use

Community Learning and DevelopmentFormartine Area OfficeCommunity Councils and Communities

August 2015

4.4To work with community planning partners including the Formartine Community Safety Group to identify high risk areas in local communities to reduce incident numbers, increase home fire safety visits and improve public safety

Scottish Fire and RescueFormartine Community Safety Group and Aberdeenshire Council

June 2014

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Priority 5: Supportthedevelopmentof economicactivityandhealthytowncentres

OUTCOME: Towns and Villages in Formartine will be vibrant and healthy and economic activity across the area will have increased following promotion of the area as a tourist and business destination.

IntroductionEnsuring vibrant communities exist will attract people to come and do business, live or visit and create a healthy and sustainable community for its residents. Economic recovery and growth features as a key priority for the Scottish Government and features highly throughout the Single Outcome Agreement, increased economic activity is therefore recognised an important feature of sustainable communities.

Overview

Formartine suffers in respect of each of its main settlements are near other larger settlements, Ellon to Aberdeen, Oldmeldrum to Inverurie and Turriff to Banff. It is therefore important to maintain and create additional opportunities to encourage economic growth in our communities. However, a number of Aberdeenshires key strategic infrastructure and development projects lie within the Formartine area and this area is in prime location for development given its proximity to Aberdeen. Communities themselves play a pivotal role in creating vibrant and healthy towns and villages and we must harness that drive and enthusiasm to build successful communities. The Energetica Corridor Development, which traverses Formartines coastline, will also bring additional economic benefits to the area.

Whats Happening NowThe Formartine Partnership has successfully been running the Formartine in Bloom competition as well as the Formartine Beginning to Blossom for schools. This annual competition encourages villages, towns and schools to take pride in their appearance and creates colourful and tidy communities. Aberdeenshire Council in partnership with the business community have appointed a Town Centre Coordinator in Turriff to develop an action plan and ideas to enhance Turriff town centre. In addition a Formartine Retail Enhancement and Improvement Scheme (FRIES) has been developed to encourage businesses to make improvements to their customer facing spaces to encourage increased business. The Energetica Corridor Concept will see a new energy community attracting innovative businesses and highly skilled people as well as quality housing and leisure facilities. The development of Trump International Golf Links and the dualling of the A90 between Balmedie and Tipperty as well as the creation of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) will see Formartine prosper. Aberdeenshire Council have recently launched Be Part of The Picture, a project that will showcase the region as a place of beauty, quality and innovation, using a range of creative engagement projects to explore all that Aberdeenshire, as a distinctive area in its own right, has to offer.


Emerging Issues The Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2012 (LDP) has recently been adopted

however; plans are in place to update the plan to create a 2016 edition. The LDP sets out key areas for developments and the key policies for accessing planning applications and therefore Community Planning Partners have an opportunity to influence the revised edition of the LDP.

In order to enhance our town centres, there is a need to involve the business community further in community planning to ensure true representation.

Concern also exists around the rapid expansion of towns particularly Ellon and the lack of services and infrastructure to go with it, concern is increased when the new academy in Ellon opens on the outskirts of the town, with potential impact on the town centre.

Improved broadband connectivity is required in rural areas to sustain communities and enhance local economic development.

Actions

5.1To work with local communities in maintaining and enhancing the appearance of towns and villages in the area through the development of:

Formartine Bloom Competition

Provision of planting material

Haddo Country Park

Nature Conservation

Coastal and beach areas

Paths and outdoor access

Towns and Village Enhancement Grant

Public Art

Formartine Area Office, Community Councils and Formartine Partnership

December 2014

5.2To work with, and meet regularly, developers and investors to ensure maximum benefit for our communities and businesses.

Formartine Area Office, Economic Development, Community Learning and Development and Community Councils

April 2014

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5.3To work proactively with Visit Scotland and other agencies and with the community to promote Formartine as a visitors destination by:

The regeneration of Haddo Country Park

Securing Ellon Castle Gardens as a visitors destination

Developing coastal paths and the Formartine and Buchan Way and the proposed Ythan Walkway

Working closely with tourism groups to promote the area

Formartine Area OfficeFormartine PartnershipCommunity CouncilsTurriff Tourism Action GroupEnvironment Planning

Update June 2014

5.4To work with communities on the development and protection of town centres by engaging the business community, developing an action plan in Ellon and Turriff and by the use of Formartine Retail and Enhancement and Improvement Scheme (FRIES)

Aberdeenshire CouncilBusiness CommunityTraders Associations and Business Groups

December 2014

5.5To work with the business community to lobby Aberdeenshire Council on the proposed implementation of appropriate parking charges and measures to improve parking turnover in town centres

Formartine Community Planning Group

December 2013

5.6Explore European Funding opportunities through partnership working for collaborative bids

Formartine Area OfficeFormartine Partnership

April 2015


Priority 6: Transportandaccessibility toservices

OUTCOME: Transport will be accessible to those living in Formartine when it is required whether public, community or private in order to access employment, services, facilities and events.

IntroductionAberdeenshire is a rural area and access to transport can difficult particularly if you dont drive and you are not on a main bus route. As a result accessing employment, services and other appointments can then be difficult.

OverviewAccess to transport is important to the health and wellbeing of the population and access to health care appointments is needed to maintain our health. Accessing settlements not a main bus route can be difficult and there are limited alternatives if you dont drive. Ensuring the public transport network is fit for purpose by being reliable and frequent is a high priority and communities play a part in that by highlighting routes or services that are not working and indeed ones that are working well.

Whats Happening NowIn response to Audit Scotlands report on Health and Social Care Transport the Grampian HTAP (Health and Transport Action Plan) Steering group has prioritised an Integrated Transport Hub offering advice and information on accessing health care services. In addition, Aberdeenshire Council in partnership with Stagecoach and Bain Buses have been offering a 50% reduction on multiple journey tickets for 16 20 years along the Banff to Aberdeen corridor. Dial a Bus services operated by the council continue to be used and adaptations have taken place according to needs of residents in Cuminestown. The Formartine Bus Forum continues to meet on a quarterly basis and a number of services have been amended to reflect local need. Ellon Park and Ride is currently being expanded to cope with increased demand and cycling improvements are being explored in Turriff, Ellon and Oldmeldrum.

Emerging Issues Access to appointments from smaller villages into larger towns in Formartine has been

raised as an issue and the need to coincide with public transport times.

Access to services such as the Job Centre take on average 59 minutes in Formartine compared to the Scottish average of 24 minutes. Given our rural location this has become acceptable and our communities are accommodating of this.

It is difficult to manage and plan for every eventuality but the Formartine Community Planning Group will, with the help of its partners and the community look at filling any gaps in provision.

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Actions

6.1Investigate the potential for a Park and Ride Scheme on the A947 connecting the Turriff, Oldmeldrum and Dyce Route

Aberdeenshire Council, NESTRANS, Community Councils

Update June 2014

6.2To implement a cycling strategy in Formartine following community consultation highlighting new infrastructure and opportunities for cycling

Aberdeenshire Council, Formartine Partnership, Ythan Cycle Club

June 2014

6.3aTo protect the former railway line between Aberdeen and Peterhead through Formartine from developments that would prevent reinstating these as future transport corridors

NESTRANSAberdeenshire Council

Long Term action

6.3bTo identity the optimum route for a proposed rail network through Formartine connecting Aberdeen and Peterhead by conducting a feasibility study

NESTRANSAberdeenshire Council

June 2015

6.4To work with service providers and communities to implement community based transport to improve access to services and facilities in more rural areas of Formartine

Aberdeenshire CouncilFormartine PartnershipNHS GrampianCommunity CouncilsThird Sector Organisations

UpdateDecember 2014

6.5To improve the parking situation in our towns and villages by working with the community to educate drivers on safe and considerate parking in towns and villages and near schools

Aberdeenshire CouncilPolice ScotlandLocal BusinessesCommunity CouncilsCommunities

June 2014


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Other Local Priorities

7.1To ensure the delivery of affordable housing and appropriate sized housing to address the identified housing need and to sustain existing communities in Formartine

Aberdeenshire Council Planning Policy Team and Housing Team. Community Councils

June 2016

7.2To deliver a local action plan for Formartine following the Housing Options and Homelessness event in Aberdeenshire in May 2013

Formartine Community Planning Group. Various local partners involved in Housing options

June 2014

7.3To work with local communities on enforcement, education and prevention in relation to dog fouling by reducing the number of times dog fouling is highlighted or reported as an issue

Aberdeenshire Council, Police Scotland and Formartine Community Safety Group

June 2014

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How are we doing

The Formartine Community Planning Group will monitor the plan every six months and both the Formartine Area Committee and the Formartine Area Management Team will be involved in this process.

Additionally the Formartine Community Planning Group will carry out an annual review of the plan every year to ensure it remains relevant for the people of Formartine.

You can find out what difference community planning is making in your area by visiting: www.aberdeenshire.org.uk/localcommunityplans

For more information please contact:

Formartine Community Planning Officer Aberdeenshire Council 29 - 31 Bridge Street Ellon Aberdeenshire AB41 9AA tel: 01358 726406 email: [email protected]

Produced by Aberdeenshire Council GDT August 2013

OLE_LINK1OLE_LINK21Foreword

2Executive Summary

3Background

4The Formartine Area

5Looking Ahead

6Developing the Plan

7Formartine Priorities 2013 2016

8Single Outcome Agreement (SOA)Priority 1: Ensuring Residents of Formartine enjoy healthy and active lifestylesPriority 2: Road Safety

Priority 3: Community Capacity BuildingPriority 4: Securing improved communityfacilities and partnership delivery of servicesPriority 5: Support the development ofeconomic activity and healthy town centresPriority 6: Transport and accessibility to services7OTHER LOCAL PRIORITIES

Formartine Community Plan 2013-16

Documents

Transcript of Formartine Community Plan 2013-16