This is the Community Plan for Formartine. It sets out the Formartine Community Planning Group’s 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 1 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 PLAN 2013 – 2016 2 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. FORMARTINE Thank you all for your efforts. COMMUNITY Keith Newton PLAN Chair of the Formartine Community Planning Group 2013 – 2016 3 2 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.
FORMARTINE COMMUNITY PLAN
2013 – 2016 The Old Bridge crossing the River Ythan, Ellon Balmedie Beach 4 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.
FORMARTINE COMMUNITY PLAN
Pitmedden Church Tarves 2013– 2016 5 3 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 COMMUNITY PLAN
2013 – 2016 Oldmeldrum Sports Formartine in Bloom – Bike in Cuminestown 6 4 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%.
FORMARTINE COMMUNITY PLAN
Fyvie Castle Pitmedden Gardens 2013– 2016 7 5 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 Organisational
The 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.
FORMARTINE COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 8 Political National Level Aberdeenshire and Formartine Level • Police and Fire Reform • Aberdeenshire Council Administration cycle • Single Outcome • Rapid expansion of Ellon, increase in housing and Agreement infrastructure but not services and facilities to go with it • Review of Community eg Health Centre Planning • Travellers Sites – increase in travellers visiting Ellon • Welfare Reform • Trump Development • Homelessness • Council Cuts – Funding for Services, Roads & Landscape • Independence Services Referendum • Provision for Elderly, Housing and Services • Self Directed Support • Planning / Infrastructure – process needs to be reviewed • Health and Social Care to speed things up and keep communities in the loop Reform • Tarves Doctor’s Surgery – process in place to save the • Community surgery but not a definitive solution yet Empowerment & • Lack of Social Housing / Affordable Housing – housing of Renewal Bill appropriate sizes • Customer Expectations • Pressure on Banks to increase loans
Economic National Level Aberdeenshire and Formartine Level • Police and Fire Reform • Trump Development • AWPR Construction • Energetica Development • Welfare Reform • Housing Costs / Shortages • Homelessness • Staff Retention – Council wide • Independence • Customer Expectations Referendum • Lack of Commercial Facilities for young people and • Health and Social Care general social facilities. Reform • Public Transport, service frequency and stock quality. • Self Directed Support • Parking – very expensive and lack of spaces and puts • Bulgaria and Romania – EU people off from using town centre Migration • Rapid expansion of Ellon, increase in housing and • Community infrastructure but not services and facilities to go with it Empowerment & Renewal • New academy away from Ellon town centre and impact Bill on local businesses • Rising energy costs • Oil Industry – what happens when the oil dries up • Lack of Hotel Provision for Tourism industry FORMARTINE • Leisure facilities becoming unaffordable COMMUNITY PLAN 2013– 2016 9 Social National Level Aberdeenshire and Formartine Level • Police and Fire Reform • AWPR – pre and post construction • Welfare Reform • Energetica Development • Broadband connectivity • Lack of Commercial Facilities for young people and • Homelessness general social facilities • Independence • Public Transport, service frequency and stock quality Referendum • Lack of Community Transport • Bulgaria and Romania EU • New academy away from town centre and impact on Migration local businesses • Age Structure – aging • Travellers Sites – increase in travellers visiting the town population • Housing vs School Capacity – Balmedie, Foveran, Udny Green • Road Safety – Vehicle Accidents, cycle ways and pedestrians • Provision for Elderly, Housing and Services • Tarves Doctor’s Surgery – process in place to save the surgery but not a definitive solution yet • Lack of Hotel Provision for Tourism industry • Leisure facilities becoming unaffordable • Lack of Social Housing / Affordable Housing – housing of appropriate sizes
Technological National Level Aberdeenshire and Formartine Level • Technology will change the • Energetica Development way we live people will need • Planning / Infrastructure – process needs to be to make use of new methods reviewed to speed things up and keep communities • People in communities will in the loop need to understand how to use new technology • Broadband connectivity • Welfare Reform – need to improve technology
FORMARTINE COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 10 Environmental National Level Aberdeenshire and Formartine Level • Homelessness • Energetica Development • Home Insulation • AWPR – pre and post construction improvement • Public Transport, service frequency and stock quality. • Lifestyle Expectations • Road Condition – Potholes – accessing the outside • Rapid expansion of the town, increase in housing and environment as a way infrastructure but not services and facilities to go with it to promote health and • Travellers Sites – increase in travellers visiting the town wellbeing • Council Cuts – Funding for Services, Roads & Landscape Services • Road Safety – Vehicle Accidents, cycle ways and pedestrians • Planning / Infrastructure – process needs to be reviewed to speed things up and keep communities in the loop
Legal National Level Aberdeenshire and Formartine Level • Welfare Reform • Travellers Sites – increase in travellers visiting • Homelessness the town • Independence Referendum • Tarves Doctor’s Surgery – process in place to save the surgery but not a definitive solution • Health and Social Care Reform yet • Self Directed Support • Community Empowerment & Renewal Bill • Planning Process – slow Process
Organisational National Level Aberdeenshire and Formartine Level • Police and Fire Reform • AWPR – pre and post construction • Welfare Reform • Energetica Development – partnership • Trump Development involvement • Customer Expectations. • Independence • Road Condition – Potholes Referendum • Parking – very expensive and lack of spaces • Community • Planning / Infrastructure – process needs to be reviewed to • Empowerment & speed things up and keep communities in the loop Renewal Bill • Tarves Doctor’s Surgery – process in place to save the FORMARTINE • Pension Age Changes surgery but not a definitive solution yet COMMUNITY For more information on these issues please access the Formartine Community Planning PLAN Strategic Assessment by clicking here. 2013– 2016 11 6 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 Council’s 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.
FORMARTINE COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 12 7 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:
• Ensuring residents of Formartine enjoy active and healthy lifestyles
• Road Safety
• Community Capacity Building – Ward Forum and Community Action Plan Development
• Securing Improved Community Facilities and partnership delivery of services
• Support the development of economic activity and healthy town centres
• Transport and accessibility to services
FORMARTINE COMMUNITY PLAN 2013– 2016 13 8 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 Communities across Aberdeenshire are more engaged in Building local decision making Securing Improved Aberdeenshire is an area where residents, businesses and Community Facilities and social enterprises are encouraged and assisted to make partnership delivery of their communities self-sufficient and where there are services opportunities for all Support the development Energetica will be recognised globally as a leading area for of economic activity and energy technologies healthy town centres Improved town centres in line with place agenda
Ensuring residents of Reductions in inequalities in health outcomes between Formartine enjoy active and communities and across Aberdeenshire healthy lifestyles (including Physical activity increased across the population including Welfare Reform) 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 Businesses and individuals have access to a fully integrated to services transport network Road safety Fewer Aberdeenshire residents are injured or killed as a result of preventable accidents, particularly in relation to FORMARTINE road collisions, accidental dwelling fires and deliberate and non-domestic fires COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 14 Priority 1: Ensuring Residents of Formartine enjoy healthy and active lifestyles
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.
Introduction Securing 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.
Overview The 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.
What’s Happening Now The 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.
FORMARTINE COMMUNITY PLAN 2013– 2016 15 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
1.1 To set up a Welfare Reform Action Group in Partners include: March Formartine whose remit will be to implement • Gordon Rural Action 2014 local measures and projects to mitigate impact of the changes to the benefit system • Turriff CAB • CVS • CLD • Working 4 Families • Housing (Finance) • Signposting Project • Welfare Rights • Welfare Reform Officers • Resource Centre • Volunteer Centre • Tenant Participation • Benefit Team 1.2 To support and develop existing and new social Community Inclusion Group, March enterprises to help increase opportunities Formartine Partnership, 2014 for sustaining communities while increasing Aberdeenshire Volunteer employment and volunteering possibilities Centre and Economic Development 1.3
FORMARTINE COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 16 To improve the general health and wellbeing of Community Inclusion Group June our communities by implementing a number (Ellon) 2014 of projects and initiatives promoting active Ellon Area Health and lifestyles including: Wellbeing Group, NHS • Establishing community gardens and Grampian, Aberdeenshire allotments Council, Mental Health Aberdeen, Community • Delivering Grow Well Programmes in the Councils, Housing Turriff School network to support children Associations, Aberdeenshire and their families Volunteer Centre, Alzheimer’s • Fit Like Ellon, a networking event for groups Scotland, Alcohol Drugs and organisations Partnership, Police Scotland • 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 1.4 To protect vulnerable people in their homes Scottish Fire and Rescue June by offering agency staff training to raise Service 2014 awareness of hazards and risks as well as Aberdeenshire Council and promoting referral pathways to enable requests partner agencies. for Home Safety Visits. 1.5 To work with the Formartine GIRFEC group and Aberdeenshire Council, March Early Years Forum to establish the learning and NHS Grampian and Police 2014 social needs of children and young people. Scotland. 1.6 To support the delivery of the IDEA project Social Work Teams including in Formartine by participating in the Locality day services, communities Development Group established to implement and CLD. community based opportunities for those Community Planning. accessing day services within Aberdeenshire Council, including addressing the lack of FORMARTINE employment / volunteering opportunities in COMMUNITY the Ellon area. PLAN 2013– 2016 17 Priority 2: Road Safety
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.
Introduction The Scottish Government along with other public services have developed a Road Safety framework to 2020 called Go Safe on Scotland’s Roads, It’s everyone’s responsibility. This framework can be realised locally whereby Community Planning Partners have an interest in ensuring our roads are a safe place to be.
Overview Road 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.
What’s Happening Now Police 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 Council’s 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 council’s 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 Grampian’s 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. FORMARTINE • 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 COMMUNITY the number of fatalities. PLAN • Inappropriate speed continues to be commented on and in order to create safer 2013 – 2016 communities we need to reduce the speed in our towns and villages. 18 Actions
2.1 To achieve a sustainable Police Scotland March 2014 reduction in road Scottish Fire and Rescue Service traffic collisions by Community Learning and implementing a series Development of programmes to increase education and Aberdeenshire Community knowledge to driving, Safety Partnership particularly around young people 2.2 To use the data gathered Police Scotland March 2014 from speed detection Community Councils hardware to monitor Aberdeenshire Council and enforce speed limits in the communities of Formartine, by implementing special initiatives in response to issues raised by communities 2.3 To work collaboratively Aberdeenshire Council June 2015 on proposals including Police Scotland using research such as Aberdeenshire Community the A947 Route Study, Safety Partnership to reduce the number of collisions on the A947 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and A90
FORMARTINE COMMUNITY PLAN 2013– 2016 19 Priority 3: Community Capacity Building
OUTCOME: Communities will be successful, inclusive, resilient communities with the confidence, capability and capacity to tackle the things that matter to them.
Introduction Community 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.
Overview A 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.
What’s Happening Now The Formartine Community Planning Group hold regular community ward forums to engage and involve communities’ right across Formartine. Partners such as Aberdeenshire Council’s 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 don’t suffer from consultation fatigue. FORMARTINE • The Formartine area remains a fairly affluent area resulting in statistics often skewing the COMMUNITY fact that pockets of need exist in our communities. PLAN • Communities are diverse and each has a different need. 2013 – 2016 20 Actions
3.1 To work with communities in the Planning for Formartine Partnership, June 2014 Real process by offering support, advice and Formartine Area Office, time to implement the process Community Learning and Development. 3.2 To develop community action plans including Formartine Partnership, June 2014 the provision of community profiles and support Formartine Area Office, communities through the process using a Community Learning community development approach and to and Development. provide statistical evidence and to help seek Aberdeenshire Volunteer funding for implementing those plans Centre. 3.3 To continue to support communities during any Formartine Area Office, June 2014 Community Asset Transfers, where communities Formartine Partnership, have an interest in developing their own Community Learning facilities and services and Development. 3.4 To increase the skills, capacity and effectiveness Aberdeenshire June 2014 of community councils and community groups Volunteer Centre, by implementing a number of measures such as: Formartine Area Office, • Increasing the membership of community Community Learning and Development and councils to include young people. Formartine Partnership • To develop a social media training programme • To provide additional volunteering opportunities in our communities. • To develop training and development plans for community councils
FORMARTINE COMMUNITY PLAN 2013– 2016 21 Priority 4: Securing improved community facilities and partnership delivery of services
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.
Introduction In 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.
Overview Across 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.
What’s Happening Now Several community facilities have received funding from Developer Contributions (Planning Gain) and from Aberdeenshire Council’s 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. FORMARTINE • Communities continue to need support to access funding to realise their aspirations. COMMUNITY • Public services will need to continue to work together to deliver services to the public PLAN together and where possible in shared locations. 2013 – 2016 • The rural nature of Aberdeenshire adds challenge to the possibility of sharing resources and facilities. 22 Actions
4.1 To work with communities to bring forward Formartine Partnership March 2014 proposals for enhanced community facilities by Formartine Area Office offering support, advice and guidance to deliver Community Councils these projects Community Learning Daviot, Collieston, Newburgh, Udny, Balmedie, and Development Meldrum, Methlick, Turriff 4.2 To progress with the delivery of new Health Care NHS Grampian and Update facilities in the Ellon and Balmedie areas as a Aberdeenshire Council June 2014. result of community need 4.3 To work with local communities and education, Community Learning August leisure and library venues to make best possible and Development 2015 use of buildings when not being used, exploring Formartine Area Office possibilities for community use Community Councils and Communities 4.4 To work with community planning partners Scottish Fire and Rescue June 2014 including the Formartine Community Safety Formartine Community Group to identify high risk areas in local Safety Group and communities to reduce incident numbers, Aberdeenshire Council increase home fire safety visits and improve public safety
FORMARTINE COMMUNITY PLAN 2013– 2016 23 Priority 5: Support the development of economic activity and healthy town centres
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.
Introduction Ensuring 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 Aberdeenshire’s 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 Formartine’s coastline, will also bring additional economic benefits to the area.
What’s Happening Now The 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 FORMARTINE 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 COMMUNITY Route (AWPR) will see Formartine prosper. Aberdeenshire Council have recently launched “Be PLAN Part of The Picture”, a project that will showcase the region as a place of beauty, quality and 2013 – 2016 innovation, using a range of creative engagement projects to explore all that Aberdeenshire, as a distinctive area in its own right, has to offer. 24 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
5.1 To work with local communities in maintaining Formartine Area Office, December and enhancing the appearance of towns and Community Councils and 2014 villages in the area through the development Formartine Partnership 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 5.2 To work with, and meet regularly, developers Formartine Area Office, April 2014 and investors to ensure maximum benefit for Economic Development, our communities and businesses. Community Learning and Development and Community Councils
FORMARTINE COMMUNITY PLAN 2013– 2016 25 5.3 To work proactively with Visit Scotland and Formartine Area Office other agencies and with the community to Formartine Partnership Update promote Formartine as a visitors destination by: Community Councils June 2014 • The regeneration of Haddo Country Park Turriff Tourism Action • Securing Ellon Castle Gardens as a visitor’s Group destination Environment Planning • Developing coastal paths and the Formartine and Buchan Way and the proposed Ythan Walkway • Working closely with tourism groups to promote the area 5.4 To work with communities on the development Aberdeenshire Council December and protection of town centres by engaging Business Community 2014 the business community, developing an Traders Associations and action plan in Ellon and Turriff and by the use Business Groups of Formartine Retail and Enhancement and Improvement Scheme (FRIES) 5.5 To work with the business community to Formartine Community December lobby Aberdeenshire Council on the proposed Planning Group 2013 implementation of appropriate parking charges and measures to improve parking turnover in town centres 5.6 Explore European Funding opportunities Formartine Area Office April 2015 through partnership working for collaborative Formartine Partnership bids
FORMARTINE COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 26 Priority 6: Transport and accessibility to services
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.
Introduction Aberdeenshire is a rural area and access to transport can difficult particularly if you don’t drive and you are not on a main bus route. As a result accessing employment, services and other appointments can then be difficult.
Overview Access 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 don’t 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.
What’s Happening Now In response to Audit Scotland’s 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 FORMARTINE acceptable and our communities are accommodating of this. COMMUNITY • It is difficult to manage and plan for every eventuality but the Formartine Community PLAN Planning Group will, with the help of its partners and the community look at filling any gaps in provision. 2013– 2016 27 Actions
6.1 Investigate the potential for a Park and Ride Aberdeenshire Council, Update Scheme on the A947 connecting the Turriff, NESTRANS, Community June 2014 Oldmeldrum and Dyce Route Councils 6.2 To implement a cycling strategy in Formartine Aberdeenshire Council, June 2014 following community consultation highlighting Formartine Partnership, new infrastructure and opportunities for cycling Ythan Cycle Club 6.3a To protect the former railway line between NESTRANS Long Term Aberdeen and Peterhead through Formartine Aberdeenshire Council action from developments that would prevent reinstating these as future transport corridors 6.3b To identity the optimum route for a proposed NESTRANS June 2015 rail network through Formartine connecting Aberdeenshire Council Aberdeen and Peterhead by conducting a feasibility study 6.4 To work with service providers and communities Aberdeenshire Council Update to implement community based transport to Formartine Partnership December improve access to services and facilities in more NHS Grampian 2014 rural areas of Formartine Community Councils Third Sector Organisations 6.5 To improve the parking situation in our towns Aberdeenshire Council June 2014 and villages by working with the community to Police Scotland educate drivers on safe and considerate parking Local Businesses in towns and villages and near schools Community Councils Communities FORMARTINE COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 28 9 Other Local Priorities
7.1 To ensure the delivery of affordable housing Aberdeenshire Council June 2016 and appropriate sized housing to address the Planning Policy Team identified housing need and to sustain existing and Housing Team. communities in Formartine Community Councils 7.2 To deliver a local action plan for Formartine Formartine Community June 2014 following the Housing Options and Planning Group. Various Homelessness event in Aberdeenshire in May local partners involved in 2013 Housing options 7.3 To work with local communities on enforcement, Aberdeenshire Council, June 2014 education and prevention in relation to dog Police Scotland and fouling by reducing the number of times dog Formartine Community fouling is highlighted or reported as an issue Safety Group
FORMARTINE COMMUNITY PLAN 2013– 2016 29 10 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]
FORMARTINE COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 30 FORMARTINE COMMUNITY PLAN 2013– 2016 31 Produced by Aberdeenshire Council GDT August 2013