Council Approves Refresh of Regeneration Strategy

Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee has approved a refresh of its regeneration strategy.

Committee members agreed unanimously yesterday (Thursday) to proposals from the new Partnership Administration of SNP, Labour and Progressive Independent councillors to update and review the strategy.

The Partnership Administration is firmly of the view that regeneration must be carried out in partnership between business, community and the public sector while ensuring that all parts of the Council contribute. To deliver long term and sustainable regeneration it is necessary to include the social as well as economic and environmental aspects of development.

Infrastructure Services Committee member Cllr Sheena Lonchay (Progressive Independent-West Garioch) said:

"I particularly welcome the timing of this paper in that it gives the new Partnership Administration the opportunity to review the regeneration projects and that working through the proposed timetable will give new impetus to achieving this council’s regeneration objectives."

Commenting, Vice-Chair of the Infrastructure Services Committee Cllr Stephen Smith (SNP-Peterhead South & Cruden) said:

“The current regeneration strategy was agreed over two years ago and was supported by the then opposition. With a new council Administration in place, it’s right that we review progress and refresh our approach.

“During the next two months, we’ll be discussing and engaging on an updated strategy and I expect we will see a wider approach taken to regeneration so that it is about much more than just Town Centres, important though they are, and will help address recent employment issues which have arisen.”