Banff, Macduff and district Community Planning

Deadline Approaching - Applications close Friday 16th October, 5pm

There’s still time to apply to the Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund for Adults, but the deadline is fast approaching. So if you’ve been thinking about applying, don’t leave it to the last minute!

AVA has funding available to support community, and organisations delivering projects that improve mental health and wellbeing across . Check your eligibility and access the application form 👇

www.avashire.org.uk/cmhwfund

Forecasters suggest that El Nino will likely mean sea surface temperature anomalies which could exceed 3 degrees above average, with a heightened risk of extreme weather around the globe.

For north-west Europe, including Scotland, this could increase the likelihood of wetter and stormier conditions during autumn and early winter.

Parts of Aberdeenshire have seen severe flooding in the past with memories remaining fresh of the devastating impacts of Storms Desmond and Frank during the winter of 2015-16.

Aberdeenshire Council and our communities are already preparing where they can but property level protection remains the householders responsibility.

Advice, support and at cost property level flood protection can be found here https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/environment/flooding

Technical advice, advice on funding and insurance The Scottish Flood Forum - https://scottishfloodforum.org/

You can access flood alerts and warnings from Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) https://beta.sepa.scot/flooding/

On tomorrow at the Vinery 10-12 ☕️

Warm up with Scones Coffee, Cake and conversation at The Vinery!
Join us TOMORROW Tuesday 6th October, 10am–12pm for a relaxed morning of chat, cake and a cuppa as part of Challenge Poverty Week.
Everyone is welcome – no need to book.

Donations appreciated.
📍 The Vinery, Banff
Come along, say hello and enjoy a warm welcome.

Getting Ready for Winter Bulletin 2026

It’s that time of year again when the Banff and Buchan Area Team pull together a Getting Ready for Winter special edition, bringing together valuable sources of information in one place along with handy phone numbers.

Banff & Buchan Community Planning Bulletin - Special Edition "Get Ready for Winter 2026" This bulletin brings together information to help you prepare for winter and weather related emergencies, stay informed about potential hazards and discover ways to support yourself, your neighbours a

The Banff and Buchan Coastal Communities Fund is now open for applications from constituted community groups situated in the coastal areas across Banff and Buchan.

Grants are available for 100% of project costs up to £5,000, thereafter 90% of costs up to £25,000. Both capital and revenue projects may be supported.

📆 Applications must be submitted by Sunday, November 1.

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.

Projects must be led by constituted groups and be able to demonstrate a tangible link to their community, coast or the sea, for example

✅ Helping people to develop skills related to coastal or seafaring pursuits, activities or enterprises, for example sailing, fishing or boatbuilding
✅ Celebrating the heritage of rural and coastal communities of a place and interest, for example a coastal or fishing village or township, historic boatbuilding, or relevant clubs or organisations
✅ Improving access to coastal areas or rural pathways, for example upgrades to paths and viewpoints
✅ Improving the coastal environment, for example applications to establish and support community groups looking after their coastline
✅ Improving community-controlled infrastructure such as harbours, boathouses and buildings

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

Banff & Buchan Community Planning E-Bulletin - October 2026 Welcome to the October 2026 Banff and Buchan Community Planning E-bulletin. Scroll down for the latest information and signposting on local events, activities and services.

While it remains too early to predict exactly how weather patterns will develop over the coming months, the Met Office has warned that the El Nino currently developing in the Pacific Ocean could become the strongest in living memory and potentially the most intense since the 19th century.

Although El Nino occurs thousands of miles away in the Pacific, its influence on atmospheric circulation patterns can affect weather systems across the Atlantic and Europe.

The Met Office has identified signals suggesting an increased chance of rainfall and storminess affecting the UK as the phenomenon strengthens towards its winter peak.

Being prepared for extreme weather can make coping with it much easier. Advice is to prepare to be individually resilient for 72 hours and there is information on what you might need at the following links. This preparation is useful for any emergencies that might arise.

Make an emergency kit - https://ready.campaign.gov.scot/emergency-kit
Ready individuals - https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/communities/safety-and-emergencies/ready-aberdeenshire/ready-individuals

📣 Coming up next week! Two drop in events are taking place to showcase the preferred design for the proposed active travel bridge across the River Deveron.

Pop along on either Friday 9th Oct or Saturday 10th to find out more, full details below