Community Festive Fund

Aberdeen City Council’s Community Festive Fund is now open for applications and the following information has been released;

The Community Festive Fund was established to encourage organisations and groups to come together within their own communities during the Christmas and Hogmanay period to celebrate community wellbeing and togetherness. The fund can provide a small financial grant to individual community groups and organisations who are arranging a celebration for their local community or continuing to grow and develop an existing event which may already be held within Aberdeen City. 

The funding available for any group or organisation is up to a maximum of £350 for Festive events and £500 for Hogmanay events. Groups should be aware that demand for funding is likely to be greater than the allocation provided by Aberdeen City Council. In such circumstances, funding will be split on a proportionate basis with groups receiving less than originally applied for.

The set criteria, as detailed below, will be applied in a transparent and robust manner, in order to determine whether a group or organisation is eligible for financial support from the Community Festive Fund.

Qualifying Criteria

• The Christmas event must be held between 22nd November and the 30th December 2021 within Aberdeen City.
• The Hogmanay event must be held between 31st December 2021 and 2nd January 2022 within Aberdeen City.
• Only one application per group will be considered.
• Applicants must be a constituted group or organisation.
• Event must take place in a venue within Aberdeen City for the benefit of the local community.
• Event must adhere to any Covid-19 guidance in place at the time.

The funding can be used for the purposes of entertainment, venue hire, transport, staffing, decoration or catering. None of the monies requested or received can be used for the purchase or supply of alcohol at the proposed event. Further details on what is eligible for funding is available within the attached Community Festive Fund Guidance.

Successful applicants will be required to provide receipts for all purchases made up to and including the amount of financial support received from Aberdeen City Council as proof of expenditure. These must be returned no later than 2 weeks after the event takes place.

Funding will only be issued to bank accounts in the name of groups, associations, organisations and representative bodies not individuals accounts.

Following approval by the Enterprise Planning and Infrastructure Committee, the introduction of a “3 strikes” policy means successful group applications will only be granted funding for 3 consecutive years before sitting out a year.

Groups who have submitted applications for support in the past and have then failed to comply with the criteria detailed, including the submission of receipts after the event will have this taken into consideration when applications are being considered for all future funding support.

Failure to comply with any or all of the above criteria will result in a request by Aberdeen City Council for repayment of any funds awarded.

In order to ascertain the level of interest at this time, I would be obliged if you can complete the Community Festive Fund application form by 12 noon on Friday 29th October 2021.

If you have any queries relating to the Community Festive Fund, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01224 522802 or email cityevents@aberdeencity.gov.uk

Please see the Community Festive Fund (click here) guidance for more details. The application form can be found by clicking here. 

Further information can be obtained from Christie Milne on 01224 522802 or email cityevents@aberdeencity.gov.uk  

Minutes of Meeting - 28 September 2021

The latest meeting of the Community Council was held on Tuesday 28 September 2021.  As in the recent past the meeting was held on Zoom.

You can now view or download the minutes of that meeting by clicking here.

The next Community Council meeting will, again, be held on Zoom on Tuesday 26 October 2021. Anyone wishing to attend should contact the secretary by email (see below) for access details.

All Welcome

This will be the first meeting of the new Community Council.  With only 6 members (the minimum required to form a Community Council) we are looking for people to join us.  Although the election process is past, we can co-opt and introduce new members.  Please give it a thought, we'd love to have you with us.  

As usual, we can still be contacted with queries or comments by sending an email to the Secretary - bandmcommcouncil@gmail.com

Bells for Bikes

In April 2020, there were a number of comments from local residents about speeding child cyclists on pavements at Countesswells Road and Springfield Road near Airyhall Primary School, particularly during school opening and closing times. 

Residents reported that speeding cyclists, and on some occasions their parents or guardians, on their way to school cycle were speeding past pedestrians, silently and with inches to spare.

Following discussions with the School the Community Council offered to fund the purchase of bicycle bells to be distributed as part of a road safety message.

This month the school are getting ready to promote their "Bells for Bikes" initiative.  

The school's Junior Road Safety Officers (JRSO) are encouraging cyclists, young and old, to be respectful to others when cycling and to use a bell as a warning when approaching pedestrians.  The donated bells will be given to young cyclists in the school, who do not have bells fitted to their bikes.

For information and updates visit the school twitter page - https://twitter.com/AiryhallSch

The Community Council would like to thank Mrs Houston for her assistance and understanding.

Airyhall House Building Plot

The latest information at hand regarding the sale of the plot of land between Airyhall House and Northcote Lodge is that the plot is being noted as "Under Offer" on the selling agent's website.

There is no information as to the interested parties, or the use for which the site is intended.

The Community Council continue to monitor the planning applications for the area and, to date, there does not appear to be any planning application for the site.

We will update this website as and when there is any fresh information.

UPDATE 30/9/21

Apparently the missives were to be signed on 28th October and that it has been bought to be used as amenity land with no plans to build on the site. There is no information on who has bought it or for how much but that will be in the public domain in due course.

Springfield Road - one way system 4/10 - 17/10

Aberdeen City Council have advised of the following road closure/one way system.

From 4am on 04 October until 5pm on 17 October 2021 there will be a one-way restriction on Springfield Road, Aberdeen, between its junctions with North Deeside Road and Craigton Road. The permitted direction of travel will be Northbound only (ie from North Deeside Road). 

There will also be a prohibition of waiting on either side of the same stretch of carriageway for the duration of the work. The measures are in the interests of public safety during ACC street lighting column replacement works.

They suggest an alternate route : Craigton Road, Great Western Road

Meeting on 28 September 2021 - Agenda

The next meeting of the Community Council is at 7pm on Tuesday 28 September 2021 and will be a virtual meeting using the Zoom video programme.

If you wish to attend, contact the secretary by emailing bandmcommcouncil@gmail.com for the Zoom room identity and password.

The Agenda can be viewed by clicking here.

ALL WELCOME

Visiting Pedlars

There have been a number of reports of  Pedlars in the area.  

A Pedlar is someone who trades as they travel, as distinct from someone who merely travels to trade, for example a person who sells from a portable stand in a street could not claim to be a Pedlar. Pedlars must carry their goods, continually moving from area to area.

Recently, men purporting to be pedlars,  have been calling at doors in the neighbourhood saying that they have just been released from prison and are trying to earn legitimate money by selling various items door to door.  Provided that they have valid Pedlar's certificates there is nothing wrong, however, these particular "gentlemen", turn rude and threatening if their wares are not bought. 

If a pedlar calls at your door and you do not wish to buy anything from them, just politely decline and shut the door.  If they proceed to be rude or threatening then call the Local Community Policing Team and report their conduct.  Sgt McOuat and his team are more than happy to hear from you and to track and trace these pedlars, check their licences and give them a few words of professional advice.

You can contact our Local Community Policing Team by email on AiryhallBroomhillGarthdeeCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk

Or by anyone of the following:

  101 – Non emergency;
  Twitter - @NorthEPolice;
  Facebook – www.facebook.com/NorthEastPoliceDivision;
  Web – www.scotland.police.uk;
  999 – Emergency;
  0800 555 111 - Crimestoppers.

Community Council Elections - A reminder

A polite reminder that the nominations for the Community Council close at 4pm on Thursday 9 September.

Please think about lending your voice and opinion to the Community Council and get your form in before the deadline.

You can download the form by clicking here

Police Report - August 2021

The local Community Policing Team have issue the following information for August -

COVID 19 – UPDATE

As of Monday 9th August Scotland moved beyond Level 0 of the 5 Covid-19 protection levels laid out by the Scottish Government.

The below link is what can & cannot be done in beyond Level 0.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-public-use-of-face-coverings/pages/where-face-coverings-should-be-worn/

Community Policing Priorities
Antisocial behaviour, Violence and Disorder:
As we continue to see the restrictions ease and life return to elements of normality, we are observing an increase in traffic and footfall across the area. As always the vast majority of people continue to act kindly and within the law, however there are always one or two who do not for various reasons. That said over the past month officers have made enquires with below.

On the afternoon of Sunday the 1st August, Scottish Fire and Rescue were called to a small fire to a garden fence at property on Broomfield Road. Police were subsequently contacted regarding concerns it was wilful. Enquiries identified a young person as responsible who has subsequently been jointly reported to the Children’s Reporter and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). 

On the night of Sunday 8th August officers responded to reports of an abusive male outside on Airyhall Drive, causing a disturbance, as a result the male was arrested and reported to the COPFS. 

Officers are investigating a Vandalism to a property on Broomhill Road, Aberdeen whereby the fence and windows were damaged. This has occurred about 10.30pm on Sunday 15th August.

In the small hours of Sunday 29th August officers were called to a disturbance at a block of flats on Great Western Road, it was found to be an ongoing party. The persons present were provided advices and warned regarding their behaviour.

Acquisitive Crime:

Officers investigated the Theft of tools from an insecure garden shed on Morningside Road, Aberdeen that occurred about 3.30pm on Wednesday 28th July (reported on 31st July). No persons have been identified to date as responsible. Anyone with information is asked to contact Police on 101 and quote incident number 2772 of the 31st July.

It is a timely reminder that thieves are generally opportunistic, so it is important that we do all we can to minimise the chance of becoming a victim of crime. Simple steps such as keeping doors and windows locked, valuables out of sight and even the use of motion sensor lights can help protect your property.

Road Safety & Road Crime:
There have been no incidents of note over the reporting period.  We continue to work with partners in response to specific complaints in terms of road traffic offences. Residents in the areas affected by antisocial driving are encouraged to contact Police on 101 at the time, to report incidents and provide as much description as possible of the vehicle(s)/person(s) in order for us to take positive action.

Community Engagement & Reassurance

I wanted to share the following link which is a booklet ‘Safer Communities Safer Scotland’ (SCSS) provided by Neighbourhood Watch Scotland in partnership with many partners inclusive of Police Scotland. The booklet is packed with practical tips on how to keep you, your family and your community safe – from protecting your home and possessions to helping your children enjoy the benefits of the internet in safety. 

The booklet can be ordered from Neighbourhood Watch Scotland in hard copy but can be viewed / downloaded via the following link free of charge with no registration or details required.

https://www.neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Final_SCSS_web.pdf

The topics covered are

 Home and Possessions
 Road Safety
 Scams
 Fire Safety
 Safety at Home
 Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks
 Staying Safe When Out and About
 Antisocial Behaviour
 Preparing for and coping with Emergencies
 Household emergency plan
 Water Safety
 Victim Support
 Don’t feel trapped by loan sharks
 Further Information
 Neighbourhood Watch

CONTACTING US

Follow us on Twitter @NorthEPolice #WestEndCPT

Also available are the three following contact email addresses for the West End:
AiryhallBroomhillGarthdeeCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk
HazleheadAshleyQueensCrossCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk
TorryFerryhillCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk

Please also remember you can communicate with us using any of the following:

  101 – Non emergency;
  Twitter - @NorthEPolice;
  Facebook – www.facebook.com/NorthEastPoliceDivision;
  Web – www.scotland.police.uk;
  999 – Emergency;
  0800 555 111 - Crimestoppers.