Aberdeenshire councillors have backed plans which could prohibit life-saving machines from the local authority’s most historic buildings.
However, several members of the Garioch area committee yesterday said Aberdeenshire Council should “consider” allowing community-owned public access defibrillators on to all of its structures.
Councillors were asked to endorse a new policy for providing the heart-start machines on council-owned buildings.
The proposals suggested PADs should not be set up on its listed buildings or its properties within conservation areas, and only outside any structure.
The policy was branded “ridiculous” and “restrictive” by Kincardine and Mearns councillors last month.
The council will only consider “external installation” – and the PADs will remain in the ownership of the given community group.
However. Garioch area manager, Douglas Milne, said planning permission for defibrillators on listed and conservation area structures could still be obtained under the proposed policy.
He added: “It (the policy) doesn’t mean we can’t have them; it just means there is a planning process to go through.
“It is a community-led initiative and the council is really trying to be supportive.”
Mr Milne explained there were a “surprisingly small amount of listed buildings” in council ownership within the Garioch area.
West Garioch councillor Sheena Lonchay said: “I absolutely welcome this, I think there are so many community projects trying to install defibrillators that there needs to be some overarching arrangements.
“It depends where the council’s buildings are, but I think we should certainly consider putting them on (listed) buildings.”
Inverurie and District councillor, Richard Cowling, said: “I see no reason not to put these on any building.”
Westhill and District councillor Ron McKail said: “I think the council has to take into account where a local group wishes to place a defibrillator. But I am totally supportive of this paper, I think it is excellent.”
Vice-chairman of the committee, Martin Ford, said: “It seems to me the policy is entirely reasonable. The council will not install a PAD on a listed building. I don’t think that is going to cause a problem. The number of listed buildings the council has is quite small.”
The local authority will pay for the electricity to supply the machines, though it will not train staff to use them.
