Aberdeenshire Council will review its approach to regeneration in the north of the area, following a recent decision by councillors.
The authority’s Infrastructure Services Committee (ISC) has agreed a timetable for a review, following a change of the council’s administration earlier this year.
Members of the committee were keen to stress this does not mean ongoing projects will stall, rather it is a chance to build on success and refocus if necessary.
At present the council is delivering a Regeneration Strategy Action Plan, focussed on Fraserburgh, and a Four Towns Programme, based on the town centres of Banff, Macduff, Peterhead and Fraserburgh.
The current Regeneration Strategy for Aberdeenshire, approved in 2013, focusses effort and budget on Fraserburgh and is concentrated on the need for social, physical and economic intervention.
An Action Plan to accompany the Strategy was approved by the Banff and Buchan Area Committee in August 2013.
The committee heard that delivery of the plan, by services across the Council, is generally working well, though more focus is now required on its social dimensions, further community ownership and in dealing with the employment land situation.
The Four Towns Programme was created in 2014 and delivery was being progressed through 24-month action plans developed in consultation with communities and councillors.
At a meeting last week, ISC approved a timetable for review over the next six months, continuing to concentrate regeneration on Aberdeenshire’s northern towns.
The committee wants to explore a fresh take on regeneration, potentially moving away from a focus on town centres to a wider area approach, taking into account recent employment issues which have arisen.
Councillors agreed it is a further chance for the council to engage with local communities and hold discussions with partners, including local business.
As efforts are concentrated on Aberdeenshire’s northern towns, members of the Banff and Buchan and Buchan Area Committees will be involved in the review.
The intention is to present a refreshed Regeneration Strategy to ISC at the end of January, with a new Action Plan to be presented to the committee in March.
Speaking after the meeting, ISC chair David Aitchison emphasised that given the long term nature of regeneration work, current regeneration projects and actions under the Four Towns project will continue while the review is underway.
“This isn’t about stopping anything, works which have already been approved and are underway will continue, but we want to take stock of how much progress has been made,” he said.
“This is not about going out and consulting all over again, it’s not about stopping some of the good work which has taken place so far: it’s a chance to reflect on where we are, refresh the approach we’re taking and make any changes where needed.”
ISC vice chair, Stephen Smith, added: “Where there have been achievements we want to build on those and where there may be issues we want to address them.
“Aberdeenshire’s town centres are an important part of our communities and in the north of the area have been particularly hard hit in recent years, so we have to make the most of any opportunity we have to improve them.
“Of course, regeneration is not just about what Aberdeenshire Council can do – everyone in our communities has a part to play in their current and future wellbeing, from a social, economic and environmental perspective.”