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Kirstie Topp - Local Democracy Reporter


Crematorium plans are refused by councillors

13 March 2025
Crematorium plans are refused by councillors

Crematorium plans are refused by councillors

13 March 2025

Controversial plans for a multi-million pound crematorium near Daviot have been refused.


‘Absolutely devastated’ - quarry application is approved but villagers say they will not give up battle against it

11 March 2025
‘Absolutely devastated’ - quarry application is approved but villagers say they will not give up battle against it

‘Absolutely devastated’ - quarry application is approved but villagers say they will not give up battle against it

11 March 2025

Plans for a giant 30 acre quarry near Huntly have been approved – but “devastated” villagers refuse to give up the fight against it.


Budget from local authority proposing 10 per cent hike in council tax

21 February 2025
Budget from local authority proposing 10 per cent hike in council tax

Budget from local authority proposing 10 per cent hike in council tax

21 February 2025

Aberdeenshire Council’s budget is proposing a 10 per cent council tax rise, reduced flooding support and streets being plunged in darkness.


Health bosses urged to reconsider ‘brutal’ budget cuts

19 February 2025
Health bosses urged to reconsider ‘brutal’ budget cuts

Health bosses urged to reconsider ‘brutal’ budget cuts

19 February 2025

Aberdeenshire health chiefs have been asked to reconsider “brutal” budget cuts and charges amid threats they could potentially face legal action.


Mothballed school nearing full closure

19 February 2025
Mothballed school nearing full closure

Mothballed school nearing full closure

19 February 2025

Clatt School near Huntly could be just weeks away from being closed to pupils forever.


Area’s libraries expected to stay open but one will be shuttered

14 February 2025
Area’s libraries expected to stay open but one will be shuttered

Area’s libraries expected to stay open but one will be shuttered

14 February 2025

Library buildings across Aberdeenshire are expected to remain open as community groups have rallied together to save their local services.


Crematorium proposal backed by area committee

05 February 2025
Crematorium proposal backed by area committee

Crematorium proposal backed by area committee

05 February 2025

Plans for a controversial new crematorium near Daviot are still on the table despite fears services could be disrupted by banging noises next door.


Restaurant extension plans given green light

31 January 2025
Restaurant extension plans given green light

Restaurant extension plans given green light

31 January 2025

Aspire Restaurant in Portsoy has been given the go-ahead to expand its kitchen and add a new seating area despite concerns over the loss of a tree.


Calls for library to remain open so recent renovation does not go to waste

29 January 2025
Calls for library to remain open so recent renovation does not go to waste

Calls for library to remain open so recent renovation does not go to waste

29 January 2025

Calls have been made to keep Macduff Library open to prevent nearly £100,000 of recent improvement works from being “put in the skip”.


Local authority has lack of grit to deal with additional periods of winter weather

28 January 2025
Local authority has lack of grit to deal with additional periods of winter weather

Local authority has lack of grit to deal with additional periods of winter weather

28 January 2025

Weather warnings for Storm Eowyn expected to bring more snow to Aberdeenshire, however the council was glad it didn’t come to anything.


New security measures proposed for historic mansion

27 January 2025
New security measures proposed for historic mansion

New security measures proposed for historic mansion

27 January 2025

Plans have been lodged to add spiked railings at Duff House in Banff in a bid to stop “loitering youths” from hanging around the historic mansion.


Local authority leader warns of ‘winners and losers’ as budget for year ahead is prepared

16 January 2025
Local authority leader warns of ‘winners and losers’ as budget for year ahead is prepared

Local authority leader warns of ‘winners and losers’ as budget for year ahead is prepared

16 January 2025

Aberdeenshire Council leader Gillian Owen admitted that setting the upcoming budget for the next year has been “tougher” than the last.


Local authority urged to reconsider celebratory gifts

10 January 2025
Local authority urged to reconsider celebratory gifts

Local authority urged to reconsider celebratory gifts

10 January 2025

Aberdeenshire Council has been urged to put a “little bit more thought” into its plan to scrap gifts for residents marking special celebrations.


NHS Grampian pulls out of Woodhill House lease

09 January 2025
NHS Grampian pulls out of Woodhill House lease

NHS Grampian pulls out of Woodhill House lease

09 January 2025

Aberdeenshire Council’s plan to save £500,000 by leasing out part of its Woodhill House HQ has been dashed after NHS Grampian pulled out of talks.


Towns will retain their free parking spaces

22 December 2024
Towns will retain their free parking spaces

Towns will retain their free parking spaces

22 December 2024

Council-owned car parks in Banff and Fraserburgh are to keep their free spaces due to concerns charging for them would harm the town centres.


Blow for crematorium proposal as it is rejected by councillors

12 December 2024
Blow for crematorium proposal as it is rejected by councillors

Blow for crematorium proposal as it is rejected by councillors

12 December 2024

Controversial plans for a new crematorium near Daviot are at risk of being thrown out as councillors claimed it was simply “in the wrong place”.


Local authority launches survey on potential budget ideas including 20% increase in council tax

29 October 2024
Local authority launches survey on potential budget ideas including 20% increase in council tax

Local authority launches survey on potential budget ideas including 20% increase in council tax

29 October 2024

Aberdeenshire Council is asking residents to have their say on potential budget ideas such as cutting school staff and a 20 per cent council tax hike.


School mergers and closures being considered by local authority

15 October 2024
School mergers and closures being considered by local authority

School mergers and closures being considered by local authority

15 October 2024

Aberdeenshire Council is considering closing and merging schools across the region as it looks to create a more “effective” education system.


Calls urge local authority to top up winter maintenance fund

27 September 2024
Calls urge local authority to top up winter maintenance fund

Calls urge local authority to top up winter maintenance fund

27 September 2024

Calls have been made to keep Aberdeenshire moving this winter despite fears a harsh cold snap could impact other vital services.


Proposal to transform boat shed into home gets green light

10 September 2024
Proposal to transform boat shed into home gets green light

Proposal to transform boat shed into home gets green light

10 September 2024

A former boat shed will be transformed into a new home despite fears it would look like a “sombre black shed”.


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