MONQUHITTER 2018

PLACE STANDARDS CONSULTATION

MONQUHITTER PLACE STANDARD CONSULTATION 2018

Monquhitter is a parish in , situated about 35 miles NNW of . Its main settlements are the village of Cuminestown, population 550 (2018 est,) and the hamlet of Garmond. The parish was disjoined from Parish in 1649 and it is named after the farm owned by the Cumine family, on which the original church was sited. Cuminestown is a ‘Planned village’ built in the 1750s and designed by Sir Archibald Grant of , who was a friend of Joseph Cumine of Auchry. Grant's plan for the Cuminestown followed closely his designs used for New Keith, and , other planned villages in Moray. The construction of the Cuminestown was followed soon afterwards by the adjacent hamlet of Garmond. COMMUNITY CONSULTATION In August 2018, with support from the Community Planning Officer (CPO), , and Monquhitter Community Council decided to engage with its residents to establish the level of satisfaction with each of the three communities as places in which to live, and to identify issues which needed addressing. Place Standard was the method chosen. PLACE STANDARD is a new tool developed for the Scottish Government “to support the delivery of high-quality places in and to maximise the potential of the physical and social environment in supporting health, wellbeing and a high quality of life.” It assesses “How good is our place?” and compares different places by assessing their assets, their strengths and their weaknesses. The PLACE STANDARD TOOL consists of: 1. 14 THEMES relating to the physical and social elements of a place; 2. Each theme has a KEY QUESTION to answer and to be SCORED between 1 and 7; (1 means there is a LOT OF ROOM and 7 means there is VERY LITTLE ROOM for improvement) 3. Each Key Question has a series of SUBSIDIARY “PROMPT” QUESTIONS to help in assessing its score; and 4. Each Key Question has an OPEN COMMENTS BOX to give the reasons for the scoring. The SCORING (2 above) allows instant comparison between settlements using a Compass Diagram (see Fig. MPS 2.) and the OPEN COMMENTS BOX (4 above) identifies particular issues and informs the strengths and weaknesses of the place. The main emphasis of the PLACE STANDARD method is its ability to COMPARE SETTLEMENTS at a national or Local Authority level using the weighted average of the scores as depicted In the Compass Diagram. Importantly, to some extent, this masks the Issues which are significant at a community level. But this can be overcome by the analysis of the OPEN COMMENTS boxes (4 above), thus identifying the Issues of concern to a specific local community. The data for Monquhitter was collected at a Public Meeting held in Cuminestown Community Hall on 28TH November 2018. Paper sheets for each of the 14 Themes were completed by the participants and Post-it notes of the OPEN COMMENTS together, with the individual scoring were displayed, collected and recorded. Sixteen people attended but no demographic information is available, regarding the participants and their locations. MONQUHITTER PLACE STANDARD (PS): RESULTS The initial results were collated by the Formartine CPO, who passed them to Formartine Partnership to analyse and develop into a Report. The Weighted-average Scores, for each Theme, are presented below, in rank order, along with the associated Key Question (Fig. MPS 1.). The three equal highest Themes are: Streets and Spaces, Natural Space and Feeling Safe each with a score of 5.75 (out of 7). The lowest is Public Transport, score of 1.81, the only one of fourteen below the median score.

RANK THEME KEY QUESTION Score 1= 4. STREETS & SPACES Do buildings, streets and public spaces create an attractive place that is easy to get around? 5.75 1= 5. NATURAL SPACE Can I regularly experience good-quality natural space? 5.75 1= 12. FEELING SAFE Do I feel safe here? 5.75 4 13. CARE & MAINTENANCE Are buildings and spaces well cared for? 5.63 5 6. PLAY & RECREATION Can I access a range of space with opportunities for play and recreation? 5.56 6 11. IDENTITY & BELONGING Does this place have a positive identity, and do I feel I belong? 5.36 7 14. INFLUENCE & CONTROL Do I feel able to take part in decisions and help change things for the better? 4.87 8 7. FACILITIES & AMENITIES Do facilities and amenities meet my needs? 4.73 9 1. MOVING AROUND Can I easily walk and cycle around using good-quality routes? 4.63 10 9. HOUSING & COMMUNITY Do the homes in my area support the needs of the community? 4.56 11 8. WORK & LOCAL ECONOMY Is there an active local economy and the opportunity to access good-quality work? 3.86 Do traffic and parking arrangements allow people to move around safely and meet their 12 3. TRAFFIC & PARKING 3.69 needs? 13 10. SOCIAL CONTACT Is there a range of spaces and opportunities to meet people? 3.53 MEDIAN SCORE 3.50 14 2. PUBLIC TRANSPORT Does public transport meet my needs? 1.81

Fig. MPS 1. MONQUHITTER PS: Ranked Themes and Key Questions 2

MONQUHITTER PLACE STANDARD CONSULTATION 2018

MONQUHITTER PLACE STANDARD: Compass Diagram The Weighted-Average Scores of the Themes are plotted below (Fig. MPS 2.). Points closer to the centre signify those Themes most in need of improvement, while those towards the edge are strengths. The diagram shows, at a glance, the Themes in which a place is performing well and those where there is room for improvement. In a “good” place, the shape of the diagram will be fuller, with most Themes reaching close to the edge of the circle, as shown in the example of ‘Feeling safe’. In a “poor” place, the shape will be smaller, concentrating close to the centre of the diagram, as shown in the example of ‘Public Transport’.

Fig. MPS 2. MONQUHITTER PS: Compass Diagram

MONQUHITTER PLACE STANDARD: Analysis of Comments and Issues. 288 OPEN COMMENTS were logged by the 16 participants. In Fig. MPS 3, these were grouped into ISSUES and classified as POSITIVE or NEGATIVE in relation to that THEME’S KEY QUESTION:

COMMENTS THEME SELECTED OPEN COMMENTS and ISSUES total 3 TRAFFIC & PARKING: Inconsiderate parking in village; Speeding traffic; Need for traffic calming and pedestrian crossings 27 7 FACILITIES & AMENITIES Village, school and Hall excellent. Shop good; GP access, Mobile post office and closing Public toilets poor 25 6 PLAY & RECREATION Park excellent & well-maintained. Play equipment needs upgrade, need football lights; teenagers need more. 24 9 HOUSING & COMMUNITY Good variety but shortage: of Council, Private rented, young, & 4 bed houses. 24 10 SOCIAL INTERACTION Limited- few meeting-places & narrow range of groups for adults and children 23 5 NATURAL SPACE: Good- well-maintained natural areas, playing field, walks; But seating, signage & dog mess needs addressing 22 13 CARE & MAINTENANCE Village, JT park, Amenities & trees well cared for: Dog mess, litter, grass cutting needs improvement 21 1 MOVING AROUND: Unsafe- Limited pavements, no pedestrian crossing or streetlights, Speeding traffic; 19 11 IDENTITY & BELONGING Majority feel they belong 18 14 INFLUENCE & CONTROL Good, Amenities Committee respond, Poor- voice not heard; more communication needed 18 4 STREETS & BUILDINGS: Mainly attractive with good floral displays, but some derelict and poorly maintained 18 12 FEELING SAFE very safe but concerns over antisocial behaviour, street lighting and speeding traffic 17 2 PUBLIC TRANSPORT Poor: Buses lacking, unreliable or inadequate; booking issues 16 8 WORK & ECONOMY Local employment limited, must travel, no high employers, no start-up premises 16 TOTAL COMMENTS 288

Fig. MPS 3. MONQUHITTER PS: Rank order of Comments and Issues by Theme (RED font: negative; BLACK font: positive) Traffic and Parking had the highest number of COMMENTS; Work and Local Economy and Public Transport the lowest.

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MONQUHITTER PLACE STANDARD CONSULTATION 2018

MONQUHITTER PLACE STANDARD: POSITIVE COMMENTS AND ISSUES

THEME SELECTED POSITIVE COMMENTS and ISSUES No. POSITIVE GRAND TOTAL 102 13 CARE & MAINTENANCE Well-cared for: Village, JT park, Amenities, trees, litter picked; 13 5 NATURAL SPACE: Well-maintained natural areas, playing field, walks; 13 4 STREETS & BUILDINGS: ATTRACTIVE: 7 village, 3 floral display, 2 playing field; 12 11 IDENTITY & BELONGING Belong, identify; 11 7 FACILITIES & AMENITIES EXCELLENT: 7 village, 1 school, 1 hall; GOOD: 2 shop; 11 14 INFLUENCE & CONTROL 7 YES, 3 Amenities Committee responds; 10 9 HOUSING & COMMUNITY Good variety; 10 TOTAL 80

Fig. MPS 4. Most frequent Positive OPEN COMMENTS and Issues recorded by THEME (by rank order) Care and Maintenance and Natural Space had the most Positive Comments: the village was considered well-cared for, as was the James Tennant Park and the Amenities. All the above Issues are clearly seen in a favourable light by the respondents and as such do not need to be considered further. MONQUHITTER PLACE STANDARD NEGATIVE COMMENTS AND ISSUES

THEME SELECTED NEGATIVE COMMENTS and ISSUES No. NEGATIVE GRAND TOTAL 157 3 TRAFFIC & PARKING: 13 Inconsiderate parking; 6 Speeding; 5 Calming and zebra needed; 24 10 SOCIAL INTERACTION 15 few meeting places; 7 limited groups for adults and children; 22 6 PLAY & RECREATION 5 Upgrade play equipment, 2 football lights; 4 teenagers need more; 3 underused; 14 2 PUBLIC TRANSPORT Buses lacking, unreliable or inadequate; booking issues; 13 8 WORK & ECONOMY Local Economy- 8 limited; 4 Must travel; 2 no high employers; 1 no start-up premises; 13 1 MOVING AROUND: 3 Pavements, 3 Pedestrian crossing, 3 Speeding traffic, 1 no streetlights; 1 not easy, 11 9 HOUSING & COMMUNITY SHORTAGE: 4 council; 3 private rent, 2 more needed; 1 for young, 1 four-bed; 11 7 FACILITIES & AMENITIES 6 surgery closed, 2 Mobile post office, 2 Public toilets threatened; 10 TOTAL 118

Fig. MPS 5. Most frequent Negative OPEN COMMENTS and Issues recorded by THEME (by rank order) Fig. MPS 5. shows the Themes with the highest number of negative OPEN COMMENTS in rank order. Traffic and Parking has the most. Because these Themes are negative, they need further consideration. However, these themes are composed of separate individual issues (Fig. MPS 6.) which are easier to address than composite issues. Thus, Actions to address these individual issues should be incorporated into the Action Plan too .

NEGATIVE COMMENTS and ISSUES No. FEW meeting places; 15 UPGRADE play equipment, football lights; teenagers need more; underused; 14 BUSES LACKING, unreliable or inadequate; booking issues; 13 INCONSIDERATE parking; 13 LOCAL ECONOMY LIMITED; Must travel; No high employers; No start-up premises; 13 SPEEDING: Traffic calming Needed- eg 20mph, humps, better markings; zebra crossing; patrol 11 FEW pavements, Pedestrian crossing, Speeding traffic, No streetlights; not easy, 11 SHORTAGE: Council houses; Private rent, more needed; for young, four-bedroom; 11 DECLINE: Medical facilities; Post Office; Toilets closed 10 LIMITED groups for adults: (evergreen, Only art craft, No pub/coffee bar 7

Fig. MPS 6. Most frequent negative OPEN COMMENTS ranked in order of frequency. Fig. MPS 6. shows the number of negative OPEN COMMENTS ranked in order of frequency. Black font indicates comments that are mentioned in more than one THEME so increase the frequency of these COMMENTS.

DISCUSSION OF RESULT AND PARTICIPANTS’ COMMENTS Given that the comments in Figs. MPS 5 & 6 are the most frequent and that they are negative, some or all of these could be considered, as issues to be addressed, for inclusion in the Action Plan itself (Figs. MPS 8, MPS 9 and MPS 10),

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MONQUHITTER PLACE STANDARD CONSULTATION 2018

LINKS TO THE FORMARTINE COMMUNITY PLAN (FCP) 2016-2019 The Formartine Community Plan 2016-2019 brings together input from a range of public services, Community Planning Partners, Elected Members and regular interaction with local communities. It identified four Priorities for Formartine (Fig. MPS 7.):

Priority 1: Stronger Empowered Communities 1.1. Communities are empowered and supported to develop and deliver a vision for their local area 1.2. Communities are well informed, involved in decision-making and take a responsibility in delivery of local actions and priorities. 1.3. Stronger local resilient communities through the contribution of volunteers. Priority 2: Safer Communities 2.1. Fewer Formartine 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. 2.2. Formartine communities experience fewer instances of antisocial behaviour and residents experience a better quality of life, particularly in relation to vandalism and perceptions of safety. 2.3. Greater awareness of individuals, families and the vulnerable within our communities to be safe from harm (cyber safe) while online. Priority 3: Tackling Inequalities 3.1. Reduction in inequalities in health outcomes between identified communities across Aberdeenshire. 3.2. Equality of access to early intervention and prevention creating healthier and active lifestyle choices, especially for older people and the vulnerable. 3.3. Individuals & families are enabled to make small changes that have long lasting positive impacts for themselves, their families & the community they live in 3.4. Children living in families who are vulnerable are identified and offered early support. Priority 4: Transport and Connectivity 4.1. Demand responsive transport and supported bus network serving Formartine. 4.2. An improved transport provision to access and wellbeing activities to address challenges of inequality, social exclusion, rural isolation and vulnerability. 4.3. Greater opportunity to encourage sustainable travel in the area for 30% of people covering shorter distances, to either walk or cycle all or part of their journeys.

Fig. MPS 7. FORMARTINE COMMUNITY PLAN 2016-19: Table of Priorities

PRIORITY QUESTIONS

The PLACE STANDARD TOOL has two further standard questions addressing the community’s Priority Issues: Q15. What are the main issues and priorities for change that you have identified? Q16. What actions could be taken to address these?

RESPONSES Q15. What are the main issues and priorities for Q16. What actions could be taken to address these? change that you have identified? A school Crossing is needed Look at having a lollipop crossing Bus Timetable needs to be looked at Bus Timetable - people just want a bus. Carry out a speed survey; Twenty is plenty signs for when Traffic and Parking is an issue school comes out at peak times; More lines by the junction The village would benefit from a Youth Club

Fig. MPS 8. Monquhitter Table of Priorities

MONQUHITTER PRIORITIES: ENDORSEMENT SURVEY

In order to finalise the Action Plan from the Place Standard Consultation, Monquhitter Amenities Committee (MAC) decided to report the results of the initial Consultation back to the community for its endorsement. An online Survey, SurveyMonkey, was used, with additional paper copies located in the village shop. The Survey was open between 6th December 2019 and 31st January 2020. There were 180 respondents (151 on-line and 29 on paper), though not everyone answered every question. This is far higher than the original survey, 16 participants, and therefore is likely to be more representative and more reliable. The questions were decided by Monquhitter Amenities Committee and were based on the findings of the initial survey, but with an additional two questions regarding the public toilets (See Q1 and Q2 in Fig. MPS 9.), which were threatened with closure after the initial survey had been carried out. It is important to assess the community’s view on keeping them open, for the Council’s decision is still under review. So, this Survey is a chance to assess their support and perhaps strengthen the case against closure.

A full list of questions can be seen below in Fig. MPS 9. along with the ratings and the number of comments:

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MONQUHITTER PLACE STANDARD CONSULTATION 2018

Question Yes % No % Comments Q1. Do you support the Public Toilets remaining open? 99.44 0.00 136 Q2. Do you feel closure of toilets would impact on all areas of village life and 97.22 2.22 103 affect sporting and community activities? Q3. Do you think the village should have flashing 30mph speed signs? 81.67 17.22 118 Q5. Do you think there should be measures in place to prevent inappropriate 81.11 15.56 93 car parking around the school? Q7. Do you think the bus timetable needs to be revisited to provide fixed 79.44 16.11 87 times where you would not need to pre-book the bus? Q8. Do you think that the village would benefit from a Youth Club? 70.56 21.11 73 Q4. Do you think there should be additional speed limit signs (20 is plenty)? 68.89 29.44 101 Q6. Do you think there should be additional road markings in the village? 45.00 48.33 55

Fig. MPS 9. Monquhitter Priorities Survey MONQUHITTER ENDORSEMENT SURVEY: Votes, summary of comments and Amenities Committee decision Q1. UNANIMOUS SUPPORT for Public Toilets remaining open; and most comments: 136. Public toilets are a vital service in a village and a human necessity- all of us need to use a toilet, particularly older people and young children. Their availability gives people the confidence to walk about the village, thus increasing health and well-being, and to participate in social interaction without having to return home early. Examples mentioned included: Dog walkers, Playgroup visits, Mothers from the surrounding area bringing toddlers to the playpark; and Disabled people able to venture out and about, such as a disabled grandfather able to support his grandson at football training. The toilets are well-used, being located close the facilities in the James Tennant Playing Field in a mutually beneficial arrangement. Their location is ideal for access to the park’s facilities: Playpark, Football field, Tennis courts, Bowling green and Croquet lawn. Activities and events which require public conveniences are underwritten. These include sports training, competitive matches with visiting teams, spectators and supporters, after-school activities and events such as galas, birthday parties, biker weekends, festivals, fun days, and fundraising. In addition, they are available for visitors and travellers passing through the village, such as cyclists on Sustrans 1, delivery drivers, posties, workmen, holiday makers and mourners at the church funerals. There are no other public conveniences available in the village and the closure could make the park unhygienic, particularly for young children, even though public urination is illegal in Scotland. Thus, a playpark for young children could become unsuitable for its primary clientele! As one respondent said, “They might as well close the field too!” Q2. NEARLY UNANIMOUS SUPPORT that closure would have a detrimental impact; and third most comments: 103. It was felt that the converse of Q1 would follow: Reduction in Confidence, Social interaction and Footfall because residents and visitors would stay at home or go where toilets are available, such as, Turriff Haughs or . Thus, a lack of public toilets would be detrimental to village life, leading to increased isolation, less involvement and perhaps poorer hygiene. There would be less use of facilities, fewer visitors and much fewer events. There may even be impact on wider village facilities, such as shops, clubs and village services. Q3. STRONG SUPPORT for flashing 30mph signs; 118 comments. Almost all respondents supported this and listed their preferred locations producing different individual lists but with general support for the school vicinity and the village entrances, particularly that from . There were very few opposition comments. One stated they would be ignored and therefore a waste of money. Q5. STRONG SUPPORT for measures to prevent inappropriate car parking; 93 comments. Again, there lists of preferred locations but the focus was near the school: More double yellow lines- on Thornhill Road, adjacent to the school, and on both sides of High Street adjacent to the Thornhill Road junction- but with the key addition of enforcement- police and warden patrols and fines. There were also suggestions for designated access/parking for school buses and for cars from the surrounding area rather than from the village itself. Q7. SUPPORT for revisiting bus timetable; 87 comments MONITOR Comments were diverse: some wanted regular buses returned to a timetable and many even suggested their preferred timetable. There were specific requests for earlier and later in the day. There was a mixed reaction to the A2B Dial-a-bus. Those, who use A2B, tended to be supportive. The need for pre- booking was unpopular and the example of last-minute and emergency journeys such as a medical appointments, was 6

MONQUHITTER PLACE STANDARD CONSULTATION 2018 highlighted, particularly as the Surgery is now located in Turriff. Finally, there were some who didn’t use the buses and felt it inappropriate to comment. Q8. SUPPORT for YOUTH CLUB; 73 comments REVISIT and ask young people A youth club was strongly supported for it was believed that it would: Engage youth and keep them positive about the community; Encourage teamwork, socialisation and a sense of community; and be somewhere safe and off the streets for children to go. Again, respondents withdrew if they had no children of appropriate ages. There was a tendency to suggest suitable times, particularly in evenings and more particularly Friday evenings. Also, there were offers of help with contact details from volunteers. There were few opposing comments. It was suggested that there aren’t enough children of youth club age, that they are more interested in Social Media, they dislike organised events, there is plenty to do anyway, fuller use could be made of existing facilities in the park, and there isn’t an appropriate building, Finally, it was suggested that the young people themselves should be surveyed to establish what they themselves would like and review venue availability. Q4. NOT SUPPORT additional speed limits signs because nearly 30% respondents are opposed, 101 comments. Very few of these opponents seem to have commented, leaving most comments supportive. Potential locations were suggested with the school and shops prominent. Q6. NOT SUPPORT additional road marking because more oppose than support, 48-45%, 55 comments. Question 6 is vague in defining the sort of road markings: White lines, yellow lines, zigzags, stop line? Responses are mainly supportive but disparate. There was a concentration around white lines at junctions particularly the High Street-Main St junction and longer double yellows on High Street near the school.

MONQUHITTER PLACE STANDARDS ACTION PLAN

RANK ACTION LINK TO FCP (Fig MPS 7) LEAD PARTNERS TIMING Public Toilet Facilities Aberdeenshire 1 Priorities, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3; Monquhitter AC SHORT must remain open Council; FRM CC

Installation of flashing Priorities, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3; 2.1, AC Roads, Police 2 Monquhitter AC SHORT 30mph speed signs 2.2; 4.3. Scotland, FRM CC

Prevention of Priorities, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3; 2.1, School, Police 3 inappropriate parking Monquhitter AC SHORT 2.2, 2.3; 3.1, 3.2, 3.3; 4.3. Scotland, AC Roads around school

Priorities, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3; 3.1, AC Transportation; Resolved- 4 Monitor Revisit Bus Timetable Monquhitter AC 3.2, 3.3, 4.1; 4.2; 4.3. Stagecoach A2B?

5 Ask Priorities, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3; 3.1, AC Education; Young Provision of Youth Club Monquhitter AC MEDIUM 3.2, 3.3; 4.3. Volunteers People

6 Not Additional speed limit Priorities, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3; 2.1, AC Roads, Police Monquhitter AC SHORT Support signage (20 plenty) 2.2; 4.3. Scotland

7 Not Additional Road lines Priorities, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3; 3.1, AC Roads, Police Monquhitter AC SHORT Support (Waiting/lane markings?) 3.2, 3.3. Scotland

Fig. MPS 10. MONQUHITTER COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN 7

MONQUHITTER PLACE STANDARD CONSULTATION 2018

Flower bed at Monquhitter School

The Formartine Partnership is a company limited by Guarantee (SC 301273) 29 Bridge St., ELLON, Aberdeenshire, AB41 9AA. Tel: 01358-720584; www.formartinepartnership.org.uk

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