CCC NEWS

Although still on holiday in USA , I have actually read the White Paper on Public Involvement in Planning! I found it very encouraging that the Scottish Executive recognized there was a low level of public involvement in planning, not only for application but especially in long term Strategic and Local Planning for areas and cities mainly because of:

• lack of awareness

• inaccessibility of documents

(only available in library or Planning Office or with community councils)

• complexity of procedures requiring some expertise in dealing with them

• the public belief that their views would not be taken into account

It was also pleasing and encouraging that the White Paper recognized the calls to redress what is seen by communities and individuals as a deficit in public rights in the planning process. i.e. the developer can readily appeal against a result but the public virtually can not (except at great cost through a Queen’s Council.

• improving arrangements for publicizing planning proposals

• building up existing mechanisms for public involvement e.g. support for Planning Aid for Scotland

• requiring planning authorities to give reasons for all planning decisions.

• exploring further the third party (i.e. communities, groups or individuals) right of appeal

• exploring further the use of mediation e.g. to resolve difficult issues and objections more quickly and cheaply without need for appeals resulting in public enquiries.

• exploring councils setting up Local Planning Forums involving public representation.

Here is hoping we see these changes for the better soon.

Lavina C Massie Chair

TRIENNIAL ELECTIONS

It hardly seems possible that it almost three years since the last elections for Community Councils took place. The 2003 TIME TABLE for these is:

September - Monday 1: Publication of Notices of Election

(Posted in Evening Express)

Tuesday 23: Initial closing date for Receipt of Nominations - 4pm .

Thursday 25: Closing date for Withdrawal of Nominations - 4pm.

October - Thursday 9: Notice of Poll (if necessary)

Thursday 16: Poll (if necessary)

Nomination Forms are available from the Secretary of CCC courier@culter.net and should be filled in and forwarded to Mr Charles Lowe, Aberdeen City Council, Broad Street , Aberdeen , by 23 September.

Once again we are appealing for new members for Culter Community Council. As I have mentioned before, there is a monthly meeting of approximately two hours (7.3Opm-9.3Opm). Only very occasionally does it run maybe 15 minutes more than that if there has been a full agenda.

The Executive’s proposals, which will require changes in the legal framework and the issuing of guidelines, are what Community Councils have been pursuing for years, and include:

* passing responsibility for neighbour notification to councils (and probably extending the period for response from 14 days.

Some areas in Aberdeen have failed to get enough people willing to serve while some Community Councils have simply folded because of lack of numbers. It is vital that there is a Community Council in our area. Moves are afoot to give Community Councils more say in what is happening in the city of Aberdeen especially in planning, which can be a sore point for many people.

Ideally, Culter Community Council needs younger people - anyone under 60 years old comes into that category! So do not hesitate. Come along and see what is going on. You might be pleasantly surprised and certainly you will be made very welcome.