Mearns Leader

ABERDEENSHIRE Council have defended themselves against claims that disabled facilities at Portlethen pool should be upgraded.

The final dates for Aberdeenshire Council’s school estate consultation are approaching.

In April 2012 household water charges will remain frozen and Scottish Water say this will ensure their customers continue to get value for money.

MEARNS Community Council have lodged an objection to an 81m wind turbine at Brigton, Laurencekirk, but with planning officials making a recommendation of approval they fear they are wasting their time.

IMPROVEMENT work has begun on a piece of land adjacent to Stonehaven Open Air Pool.

COUNCILLORS on the Kincardine and Mearns area committee will decide next week if the Heugh Hotel in Stonehaven can be turned into a house.

ABERDEENSHIRE Council have responded to calls from Portlethen residents for a follow-up meeting regarding schools provision in the area.

Sir Robert Smith, MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, has called for more to be done to help those reliant on heating oil.

Fettercairn woman Vhari Campbell will head for Rwanda later this year to work with local orphans.

Labour Council candidate Alison Evison hosted a seminar in the Jubilee Hall, Portlethen at which the problem of rising fuel costs was discussed.

Council premises throughout Aberdeenshire will benefit from an innovative environmental project introducing on-site composting.

Aberdeenshire’s Children’s Panel is looking for volunteers who can help vulnerable children in the area achieve better outcomes in life.

Sir Robert Smith MP for West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine has welcomed a new ten-year deal announced by the Liberal Democrat Business Minister Ed Davey between the Post Office and Royal Mail.

Scotland’s young carer mascots Eryc and Trayc took a trip to the Scottish Parliament recently and met Angus North and Mearns MSP Nigel Don. The cartoon characters front up the Princess Royal Trust for Carers’ campaign to spread understanding of the vital role many children play in caring for their close relatives.

Aberdeenshire Council have supported a report on the future of waste management, following an in-depth investigation by the Scrutiny & Audit Committee.

A PUBLIC exhibition is to be held on January 26 from 10.30am-7pm to show members of the public a range of ideas for flood prevention in the town.

An important and positive new campaign to mobilise wide support for improved stroke prevention, treatment and care in Scotland has been launched by The Stroke Association in Scotland.

Aberdeenshire Council Chief Executive Colin Mackenzie has handed over a cheque to Friends of ANCHOR for £1,500 as part of the local authority’s annual charity donations.

A CASHLESS parking trial in Stonehaven’s Market Square could be extended despite only 58 people using the service over a six month period.

STONEHAVEN Open Air Pool is on track to replacing “outdated, dysfunctional” lockers in the changing rooms, after securing funding from Aberdeenshire Council’s top up budget.