02 February 2018

Infrastructure Services Committee round-up 25.1.18

The committee began with a presentation from Network Rail about the ongoing project to dual the tracks on the Aberdeen to Inverness railway line.
Dave Boyce, Senior Communications Manager and Graeme Stewart, Senior Sponsor of Route Businesses, gave councillors an insight into the project.
The committee heard the works are intended to allow for faster services, especially in commuting corridors; new stations, including Kintore; and signalling improvements to the west end of the route. There will be a controlled signal centre at Inverness and an extended passing loop between Elgin and Forres.
Councillors heard the focus for 2018 is the eastern part of the Aberdeen to Inverness route, with huge civil engineering works to re-establish double tracks to modern standards.
This will cause significant disruption to passenger services, and after consultation, it had been agreed that this be undertaken in two blocks; summer 2018 and summer 2019, with a 14 week shut down between May and August, and bus replacement services between Aberdeen and Dyce.
Preparatory works would be needed over the Easter and May Bank Holiday weekends.
In 2019, the focus will be on the Dyce to Inverurie stretch, with similar disruption.

Infrastructure Services fees and charges rises approved

The committee decided that increases to burial charges in Aberdeenshire to cover more of the cost of providing the service will be phased in over two years.

Councillors said they made the decision to lessen the impact of the changes, which are being introduced following a review of fees and charges in the Infrastructure Service.

A proposal to increase burial charges over four years was voted down, 10-4.

The committee heard the overall cost of burial grounds exceeds income by £585,000 a year, so an increase of around 25% will be introduced, but there will still be a shortfall.

A range of other fees will also increase to reduce the extent to which they are subsidised by the council.

Many only affect businesses which require licenses for certain types of service, but others directly affect services to members of the public.

Communities and businesses were asked to give their views on proposals last November.

There was strong support for the general principle that fees charged should cover the cost of service delivery.

In order to reflect the responses received, more significant increases will be phased in over two years, and less significant changes will be implemented immediately in one step, during 2018.

The committee also agreed to increase Environmental Health fees relating to sampling and risk assessment of private water supplies in line with recently introduced legislation. 

You can see the report to committee on the council's website.

Historic Asset Management Project Annual Update

The committee was presented with an annual update on the Historic Asset Management Project (HAMP).

HAMP manages the repair and maintenance of over 500 historic assets in Aberdeenshire Council’s ownership, from Pictish stones and war memorials to historic kirks and graveyards.

Run by the Environment Team within the Planning and Building Standards Service, it undertakes a continuous cycle of work to protect, maintain and safeguard historic assets.

It has a budget of £200,000 a year, which was fully spent in last year, mostly on a significant piece of work at Kincardine O’ Neil Old Church.

After commenting on the update, councillors agreed to continue to support the approach being taken.

An annual update will be given to ISC and Local Area Committees and councillors asked that the activities of the project be highlighted on the council’s website.

You can see this year’s annual update on the Historic Asset Management Project in the report to committee.

Aberdeenshire Council Development Plan Scheme 2018

The Committee approved the Aberdeenshire Council Development Plan Scheme (DPS)
2018.

The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, as amended by the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2016 (Section 20b), requires the council to publish a DPS at least annually.

It sets out the authority’s programme for preparing and reviewing the Local Development Plan (LDP).

It must contain information on proposed timetabling and details of what is likely to be required at each stage of the LDP preparation process, along with a ‘Participation Statement’, setting out when and with whom consultation is likely to take place, and its likely form.

Councillors heard a number of modifications were made to the DPS 2018 in light of comments received from Local Area Committees, who

You can see the report to committee, including the Development Plan Scheme, on the council's website.

Management of Car Parking in Aberdeenshire

The committee considered a feasibility study undertaken on the possible introduction of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement in Aberdeenshire.

Councillors agreed not to proceed with decriminalisation, informed by the views expressed by the area's communities and businesses.

They heard the balance lay between the potential benefits for town centres and the financial burden it would create for the council in the short to medium term.

ISC also authorised a consultation on potential new tariffs for Pay and Display car parks in the area, which have not changed for three years.

The current tariff structure was introduced to encourage economic activity in town centres, and while the number of visits has significantly increased, the council now loses a significant sum of money.

Officers want to seek views on the possibility of: removing free parking periods, increasing charges, changing the times fees are payable and the future approach to electric vehicle charging points. 

Another issue councillors were asked to consider was how best to address changes to national legislation on the security of card payments at car parking machines.

Hardware replacement would be necessary to allow card payment in future at a potential cost of around £53,000. As an alternative, councillors agreed to remove the card payment function, given the facility to pay by phone or using a smartphone application remains.

Councillors also approved the formation of a working group to provide guidance on taking forward parking management decisions agreed by the committee.

The committee also asked that Local Area Committees be consulted in the development of a car parking management scheme.

You can see the report to committee on the council's website.

You can also see the minutes containing all the details of the public meeting.