Banff, Macduff and district Community Planning

23/07/2025

Duff House events, end of this month, and August 🙂

UPCOMING EVENTS - July/Aug - at and related to Duff House

16/07/2025

❗️A reminder that the deadline for applications to two important funding streams for Banff and Buchan is 5pm this Friday (July 18) ❗️

Applications are being sought for the Banff and Buchan Area Committee Budget and the Banff and Buchan Coastal Communities Fund.

The Area Committee Budget has a remaining balance of £18,397 to support local groups and will contribute 100% of the first £1,000 and 80% of the remaining costs up to £5,000 to support delivery of the following themes:

✔ Improving the appearance and maintenance of towns and villages within Banff and Buchan
✔ Stronger communities
✔ Safer communities
✔ Supporting health and active communities
✔ Tackling poverty and inequality
✔ Transport and connectivity

The local Coastal Communities Fund has £6,397 to support projects in coastal areas – grants are available for 100% of project costs up to £5,000, thereafter 90% of costs up to £6,397 and both capital and revenue projects may be supported.
This funding must be used for the benefit of coastal communities and can support projects linked to the following themes:

✔ Supporting the development of active travel routes along, to and from the coastline
✔ Developing the coastal economy and sustainable tourism
✔ Creating or enhancing community, leisure and recreational facilities
✔ Safeguarding, restoring or enhancing the coastal environment

For an application form or for further details, email [email protected] or call 01467 530700.

14/07/2025

Sport for Change Fund – Now Open for Community Applications

Live Life Aberdeenshire's Community Sport Hub team are pleased to have launched the Sport for Change fund as part of our Positive Action Grant Funding.

We're working in partnership with local clubs, groups, and organisations to use sport and physical activity to address community challenges and support meaningful change.

For more information, please visit: https://www.livelifeaberdeenshire.org.uk/sport-and-physical-activity/community-sport/sport-for-change/
Or email us at: [email protected]

11/07/2025

We all experience stress and anxiety in different ways. Whether it's related to our work, studies or other life challenges, it can sometimes lead to us drinking more alcohol than we'd like.
Cutting down on our drinking, even a little, can lessen our anxiety and make us feel more focussed, energised and productive the next day.
Find out more from Alcohol Change UK this https://tinlurl.com/AlcoholAwarenessWeek

11/07/2025

Our Funding Fridays will return after the summer, but our Development Officer Donna Speed is still here to help support your organisation.

So whether you're just starting out, looking for specific funding, ready to expand or more, contact AVA today.

Learn more here: www.avashire.org.uk/funding.html

04/07/2025

Event at Duff House, 10 July 👇

The Many Lives of Duff House – Community Stories Session

📅 Thursday 10th July | 🕥 10:45am – 12:45pm
📍 Banff Museum

This summer, Historic Environment Scotland is exploring the more recent history of Duff House and inviting the local community to take part.

If you have a memory, experience, or story connected to Duff House – either from its time as a hospital and sanatorium, or more recently as a public space – the Many Lives team would like to hear from you.

The upcoming session will focus on wellbeing and the role Duff House has played in supporting health and community life, both in the past and today.

All are welcome to come along, meet the HES team, and share their stories.

🟦 This is a project funded by Live Life Aberdeenshire in partnership with Duff House.

Aberdeenshire Council
Creative Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire Library and Information Service

27/06/2025

Communities across Banff and Buchan can now apply for the second tranches of funding from two important grant schemes.

Applications are being sought for the Banff and Buchan Area Committee Budget and the Banff and Buchan Coastal Communities Fund – both with a deadline of 5pm on Friday, July 18.

The Area Committee Budget has a remaining balance of £18,397 to support local groups and will contribute 100% of the first £1,000 and 80% of the remaining costs up to £5,000 to support delivery of the following themes:

✔ Improving the appearance and maintenance of towns and villages within Banff and Buchan
✔ Stronger communities
✔ Safer communities
✔ Supporting health and active communities
✔ Tackling poverty and inequality
✔ Transport and connectivity

The local Coastal Communities Fund has £6,397 to support projects in coastal areas – grants are available for 100% of project costs up to £5,000, thereafter 90% of costs up to £6,397 and both capital and revenue projects may be supported.

This funding must be used for the benefit of coastal communities and can support projects linked to the following themes:

✔ Supporting the development of active travel routes along, to and from the coastline
✔ Developing the coastal economy and sustainable tourism
✔ Creating or enhancing community, leisure and recreational facilities
✔ Safeguarding, restoring or enhancing the coastal environment

For an application form or for further details, email [email protected] or call 01467 530700.

26/06/2025

Survey closes 15 July 👇

We have launched the first stage of public engagement on the potential introduction of a visitor levy for Aberdeenshire.

This early engagement is designed to gauge initial views from across the area, marking a key milestone in our exploration of new ways to support and enhance local tourism.

The move follows the introduction of the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024, which empowers local authorities to apply a levy on overnight accommodation.

If introduced, this would see a percentage-based charge applied to stays in accommodation such as hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, self-catering units, campsites and caravan parks.

We are now inviting accommodation providers, businesses, residents and community groups to take part in an initial 3-week online survey, with a more detailed consultation planned later this year.

Full story and link to survey in Comments.

24/06/2025

We are asking residents, visitors and local businesses to share their views on the future of public toilets across the region.

A short survey is now open until July 11, asking for feedback on the number of public toilets, opening hours, how they’re maintained and whether the public would consider paying a small fee to help keep them open.

You can access the survey here: https://engage.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/public-toilet-survey

We are asking residents, visitors and local businesses to share their views on the future of public toilets across the region.

A short survey is now open until July 11, asking for feedback on the number of public toilets, opening hours, how they’re maintained and whether the public would consider paying a small fee to help keep them open.

You can access the survey here: https://engage.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/public-toilet-survey

While there’s no legal obligation for local authorities to provide public conveniences, we recognise how important they are to everyday life.

From supporting families and people with health needs, to making our towns more welcoming for tourists and locals alike, public toilets help everyone feel more comfortable when out and about.

Currently, we look after 70 public toilets across Aberdeenshire:

🚽49 are managed directly by the council including regular cleaning and upkeep

🚽11 are part of a Community Run Scheme where local groups handle daily operations with support from the council

🚽10 are provided through a Comfort Partnership Scheme with businesses offering free public access in exchange for a grant and promotion

By working together with communities and local businesses, we have been able to keep more facilities open – even as budgets tighten – but with funding under pressure, it needs to ensure the service is sustainable for the future.

No decisions have been made on future toilet provision, however the survey responses will directly inform councillors as they plan how to deliver a service that meets local needs and remains financially viable.

Find your nearest public convenience here: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/local/public-toilets

20/06/2025

Can you do your bit❓

The state of the payments and roads with w**ds is getting so bad. We all need to do something to make it better.

Can you do your bit❓
What will your answer be❔ ... of course! , No time! , maybe! , yes!

All of us has it in us to do a bit more for our community and volunteering can come in many forms.

What is the solution, I hear you say?
One way is to volunteer to do your own bit 😊

❣ How about each and everyone of us take care of the bit outside our own houses ✔
❣ If your neighbour can't manage, then help them by doing their bit too ✔
❣ Weeding, pick up litter, anything that improves your street 😁

❣ Shopkeepers can also do their bit. Keeping shop fronts clean, w**d free and tidy would make a huge difference.

So hands up, will you take up the challenge? 🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♂️

Post a pic or comment below

20/06/2025

Just Ask Boyndie provides access to transport and crisis support

A pilot project is underway aimed at providing access to transport and crisis support for communities in north-west Aberdeenshire.

Banffshire Partnership Ltd (BPL) coordinates and delivers the initiative which is being primarily funded through a £100,000 grant from Aberdeenshire Council’s Banff and Buchan Rural Poverty Fund.

It comes in response to a reported increase in demand for crisis support across the Banff and Buchan and limited public transport options between rural settlements area.

Just Ask Boyndie is a one-stop-shop for crisis and welfare support, providing food, toiletries, bedding and clothing for those in need.

The project referral service is demand-led by those living in communities, with Banffshire Partnership Ltd coordinating and meeting the need through a network of third and public sector partners, while also signposting service users to specialist welfare and financial support.

The second strand of the project will see provision of community transport services to enable individuals to access welfare, training, upskilling and social connectivity appointments.

To access Just Ask Boyndie services, call or message 07359 139511 or email [email protected]

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575701644245

20/06/2025

Aberdeenshire Rural Communities Challenge Fund 2025-26: Now Open 📣

The programme delivers funding from the Scottish Government’s Rural Community Led Local Development programme and grants are being invited from community groups, charities and cooperatives throughout (excluding the Cairngorms area). These can be used to fund specific activities aimed at benefitting rural communities in the region.

📅Deadline: 17th August
✍️ www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/business/business-support/funding/rural-communities-challenge-fund/