The Kingswells Community Council held its final meeting of 2025 on 14 December, marking the conclusion of the first year of the newly re-formed Kingswells Community Council.
Apologies for absence were noted, and the minutes of the previous meeting were formally adopted, subject to minor amendments. These included a wording correction and clarification that school bus provision associated with the new school is not yet confirmed and will be determined through the School Travel Plan at a later date. Councillor Kate Blake attended and provided updates on relevant council matters.
Administrative and communication arrangements were reviewed. Access to shared document storage was discussed, with alternative options to be explored to improve accessibility for all Kingswells Community Council members.
A finance update was provided on the current Kingswells Community Council bank balance. The Council also confirmed receipt of £229.95 in Aberdeen City Council Christmas Funding, with approximately £75–£100 spent per event to support catering and activities at the Kingswells Christmas Light Switch-On on 23 November and the Kingswells Community Carol Concert on 12 December. One reimbursement has been received, with a further claim pending.
Community updates covered several ongoing matters. An update was provided on the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for Kingswood Drive, where agreement has been reached for single yellow line restrictions during school operating hours only. Installation timelines will be confirmed. Local public transport issues were also discussed, including limited bus provision in Kingswells. KCC agreed to invite McGill’s Buses to a meeting in early 2026 to discuss service reliability, potential route improvements, and opportunities to promote local bus use.
KCC reflected on recent Christmas activities, noting strong attendance and positive community engagement. Lessons learned included the value of increased Kingswells Community Council visibility at events, and ideas were discussed for future festive activities, including the possible reintroduction of a Kingswells Santa Sleigh event.
Environmental and community improvement initiatives were also discussed. 1,500 spring bulbs have now been received, and a volunteer community planting event is planned for Sunday 21 December. Wider discussion took place on tree planting, grass cutting, and woodland management, highlighting the need for greater clarity from Aberdeen City Council on long-term maintenance responsibilities and policy. More sustainable management approaches will be explored. The condition of local play parks was also discussed, with KCC members noting that while Kingswells has several play areas, many contain outdated equipment. Engagement with the Aberdeen City Council and Councillor Blake on future improvements will continue.
KCC also discussed the potential for a community-led “Tidy Towns” style initiative, bringing residents together to support small-scale improvements and promote pride in Kingswells. This idea will be explored in the new year.
Early arrangements are underway for a Kingswells Community Social event in early 2026, providing residents with an opportunity to meet the Kingswells Community Council members, learn more about current projects, and share views on local priorities and improvements.
Routine reports from Police Scotland are now issued quarterly; no police report was received for this meeting. The Councillor provided updates on winter gritting, Park & Ride parking pressures and Park & Ride facilities. No new planning applications affecting the Kingswells area were reviewed.
Fundraising and funding formed an important part of the meeting. The Kingswells Community Council welcomed the successful award of £3,000 in LEAF funding to support environmental improvements at the Kingswells Duck Pond. The KCC also noted that its online crowdfunding campaign remains live until 11 January 2026, with funds ring-fenced for community projects. Residents are encouraged to support the campaign via the link shared on the Kingswells Facebook Page. Additional funding opportunities, including Co-op and Tesco community funding, will be explored.
The meeting concluded with general business, including discussion of correspondence and standards of conduct. The date of the next meeting will be announced in early 2026.
The Kingswells Community Council thanks all residents, volunteers, and supporters for their engagement throughout its first year back in operation and looks forward to continuing its work on behalf of the Kingswells community in the year ahead.