Council News

AT the time of writing, we're still waiting for the hard weather that they said we would get (or rather, that we had a 60% chance of getting). Let's hope that it does not happen after all, because it has a very bad effect on council finances. The huge rises in fuel costs will make another heavy impact on us all, especially on the elderly.

Another impact will be from the necessity to give equal pay to our female staff, and to backdate it (the so-called `single status'). We are working hard to make efficiency savings to keep Council Tax as low as possible.

Sheltered housing on the Coronation Court site is definitely on the way, but unfortunately buildings do not go up overnight. If you are likely to need this, get your name on the list. The first lets, though, might be decants while they do up Rowan Court in Cults. Ultimately the two facilities will work together for the good of all in lower Deeside.

A new path, with handrails and lighting, is being set up from Johnston Gardens West down to Malcolm Road. This will avoid as much of "The Avenue" as possible. We are still trying to resolve the problem of maintaining that access road. A one-off opportunity of getting some grant money towards that may be coming up, and I would urge house­owners (on `The Avenue') to grasp what would be a tremendous bargain for them. Owners will soon get letters from the Council, I am told.

Enjoy the Spring to come!

Pam MacDonald