FAP – AGM 2004 – Review

APPENDIX 2

ANNUAL REPORT
NOVEMBER 2003
Practical highlights were the ability to administer a significant amount of
funding to a range of worthwhile projects providing social and environmental
benefits within the area (including Belhelvie Community Council – Play
Equipment; Collieston Amenities – Play and Picnic Equipment at Harbour
Area; Woodhead & Windyhill Trust – Interpretation; Parent Advisory Group
for Education and Socialisation (PAGES) – Sensory Garden at Esslemont;
Turriff Town Pride – Hanging Baskets; and Rural Youth Transport Grants),
and the recruitment of Craig Whyte as a full time development officer.
The constitutional changes indicated at the last AGM have not been achieved.
It had been hoped that Reid Hutchison would be able to assist in this but this
was not realised due to pressure of work. Latterly, the project was picked up
by Craig Whyte but given the need for a familiarisation period and day to day
activities, progress has been limited to date.
Efforts to increase Community Council participation had limited success,
combined meetings while offering the potential to reduce ‘meeting fatigue’,
limited the range of venue options and also severely reduced the ability for
discussion and inclusion of informative presentations.
Planning for Real exercises were organised and carried out by Rothienorman
Community Council and the Woodhead and Windyhills Community Trust. The
former was very successful, the latter, perhaps due to conflicting events and
wonderful weather, rather less so. Having said that, both events provided a
range of information on how the wider community would like to see them
develop. Oldmeldrum exercise is still being developed.
The LIFE funded Ythan Project has been effective in engaging public interest,
workshops to identify preferences regarding environmental projects along the
length of the river, River Fun Day at Fyvie, were well attended. Those who
took the opportunity to witness a mechanised tree eater in action at Gight

were well rewarded and the work done there should assist in limiting
downstream flooding in future. The two way exchange of information and
visits between the project and Hunze en Aas in the Netherlands while raising
the international profile, also gave food for thought on both sides. Tamsin
being invited to participate in a Downing Street reception, while not having the


cachet of a Royal Garden Party, does indicate that London recognises the
existence of the North East.
Attended two conferences, the first, at Pitlochry organised by the Scottish
Executive was a pretty lack lustre affair with little, if any, benefit being gained.
The second, at Carnoustie was a significant improvement, the promised
ministerial presentation did take place and the range of projects visited (in an
area not too unlike Formartine) plus the discussion opportunities were
worthwhile.
Tourism Group – Has joined the tourist board and reprinted leaflets giving
details of walks and features of interest in the area. Continue to develop
ideas but cash strapped pending success in achieving grant aid.
However, an element most deserving of recognition is, I think, the number of
individuals and organisations who are prepared to give their time and
expertise in attending regular meetings. Also, those who provide assistance
in their own particular way, either by volunteering for the hands on jobs,
helping behind the scenes or other personal contributions.