William Munro, Kincardine and Mearns Area Manager with Aberdeenshire Council, welcomed delegates to the Seminar and chaired the event. Mr Munro is also Chair of the Aberdeenshire Community Safety Partnership.

The keynote address was delivered by Jim Gifford, Leader of Aberdeenshire Council. He was first elected to Aberdeenshire Council in 2007 and took over as the Leader of the Council and Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee following the local government elections in 2012. He also serves on the Formartine Area Committee.

One Second Prize of £100 and a certificate was awarded to the "Westdyke Primary Girls Football Team". A project initiated out of demand for something for girls of Primary 6/7 age in Westhill identifying there was little for them to do other than walking around the streets of Westhill. This project provides a diversionary activity and has attracted an increasing number of participants. The girls now play competitively and train weekly.

The award was presented to Alun Harries by Councillor Ron McKail.

Another Second Prize of £100 and a certificate was awarded to the "Macduff JAFFA and JIVE clubs" project. The JAFFA club is a club for Primary 4 to 7 children and JIVE for secondary school age young people. Both offer a variety of activities and are run by Macduff Parish Church to offer alternative activities to young people who were having difficulty finding positive activities for themselves in the area.

The award was presented to Councillor Mark Findlater representing the Banff & District Community Safety Group, by Councillor Ron McKail.

A Certificate of Merit for Best Practice was awarded to Tough School for the "Restorative Practice and Peer Mediation (Alford school Network)" project. This is a pilot project involving schools in the Alford network. It involves building and promoting positive relationships and behaviour and developing emotional literacy of all staff and pupils designed to improve relationships and promote positive behaviours as well as social and emotional wellbeing in schools and beyond.

The certificate was presented to Julie Symington of Tough School by Councillor Ron McKail.

A Certificate of Merit for Community Ownership was presented to the "Tidy Up Glebe Park (Banchory)" project. The project is led by Jerry Cobb, a resident of Glebe Park who has taken on board issues identified around the neighbourhood and taken it upon himself to create a website and facebook page to keep residents updated on issues raised around the area and what is being done to address concerns, including ensuring that public agencies and utility companies are kept informed of areas in need of attention. The result of this work has ensured that the area is kept clean, tidy and attractive and, as a result, has meant less antisocial behaviour and a much more pleasant place to live.

The certificate was presented to Jerry Cobb by Councillor Ron McKail.

A Certificate of Merit for Partnership Working was awarded to Mearns Academy, Laurencekirk. This initiative has been developed by the Rector of Mearns Academy and his staff who have gone beyond normal practices and worked closely with Grampian Police to tackle antisocial behaviour around the school and in the wider Laurencekirk community. This has involved joint patrols between PC Gordon McQueen of Grampian Police and staff from Mearns Academy which provides a visible presence both to pupils and the wider community.

The certificate was presented to Mr. Ian Parkin, Rector of Mearns Academy by Councillor Ron McKail.

Community Warden Support in Aberdeenshire.

Presented by:

Ian Kennedy and Malcolm Hogg,
Community Wardens, Peterhead and Fraserburgh.

The presentation described how the Community Wardens interact with local people it also outlined a number of initiatives in Peterhead and Fraserburgh designed to make them safer and more pleasant places to live.

Link to more information on the Aberdeenshire Community Wardens

Antisocial Behaviour in Aberdeenshire.

Presented by:

Jennifer Stewart, Policy Officer (Antisocial Behaviour) and PC Kevin Fyfe, Grampian Police.

The presentation described how to report antisocial behaviour and what will be done as a result.

Link to information from the Aberdeenshire Community Safety Partnership on Antisocial Behaviour.

Better Late Than Dead On Time

Presented by:

The Baldy Bain Theatre Company.

The Baldy Bain Theatre Company works in collaboration with Education, Police and Social Work to create tailor-made productions that highlight many issues facing young people today. The Company is funded by Road Safety Scotland to present a programme of theatre in education productions to primary and secondary schools across the whole of Scotland.

"Better Late Than Dead On Time" looks at the impact of reckless behaviour from drivers and pedestrians upon one family. The issues are dealt with sensitively and are primarily presented in a humorous but realistic way to focus awareness and discussion in the audience.

Baldy Bane Theatre