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New charges to be set for Live Life Aberdeenshire services


By David Porter

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Live Life Aberdeenshire's finances and performance were in the spotlight from conuncillors at the latest meeting of the Communities Committee.

The committee heard about customer activity and service delivery within Live Life Aberdeenshire (LLA) from April to December last year.

The committee was told that the use of the online platform PressReader by customers to access newspapers and magazines had seen a large increase and illustrated the changing way customers are accessing library services.

The ‘click and collect’ service for borrowing books is also proving popular.

Paid memberships for LLA were increasing over the period, although still below pre-Covid-19 levels.

Pressure on budgets due to pay awards, overtime costs and a rise in energy fees were highlighted.

There was praise for the ‘Seafit’ initiative, a UK-wide joint initiative run by the Fishermen’s Mission and Seafarer’s Hospital Society.

The programme is due to continue for the next three years.

Cllr Alison Evison
Cllr Alison Evison

Cllr Alison Evison called for more information to support scrutiny, particularly around under-represented groups and geographic trends.

In reply, Head of Communities, Wellbeing & Partnership Avril Nicol said the service was looking to develop a good balance of financial and non-information for councillors to consider.

Questions were also asked around music services and the work of the Youth Music Initiative, and of the public exhibition of the historic Book of Deer in Aberdeen.

It was agreed that a briefing note on the Book of Deer should be prepared for the committee.

In a separate report, the committee was told of the work being undertaken to further develop LLA’s climate action plan, including a number of approaches being taking to help reduce carbon emissions within the service.

A revised charging policy for services provided by Live Life Aberdeenshire was also approved.

Ellon Swimming Pool
Ellon Swimming Pool

The committee was told the policy covered inflationary increases for 2023/24 and would also bring all charges up to date and in line with Education & Children’s Services.

The work of a member officer working group to look at membership schemes and some aspects of pricing was mentioned, with new membership schemes anticipated later this year.

A related report was previously considered by the council’s Education & Children’s Services Committee.

Recognising the potential impact of rising fees, the increases will be offset with a range of targeted promotions, councillors were told.

Other incentives include the complimentary use of facilities for Live Life Essentials members, plus a study leave deal at the end of March to allow those aged 14-18 to access LLA activities while preparing for exams to support their mental and physical health at a reduced cost.

Promotions will also include an Easter holiday deal for eight–17-year-olds, while a Valentine’s Day deal overing 12 session for £12 was used by just under 1500 people.

The committee noted the position regarding ongoing joint pricing and the lettings review across Education & Children’s Services and agreed to revise the majority of LLA charges by 5.9 per cent from April 1 this year.

It was also agreed to harmonise all room bookings and lettings charges within Education services where they currently differ, which in some cases will lead to increases of up to 9.3 per cent.

In a separate report, councillors agreed to adopt LLA’s business plan for 2023-28, along with actions in the plan for the coming year. Quarterly performance reports will be brought before the committee for consideration.


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