| Administrative History | District committees in Scotland were formed under the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1889 (52 & 53 Vict., c. 50). They were composed of county councillors from the area which they represented together with representatives from the parochial board (later the parish council) and representatives from any burghs within the district committee's area. They took over the responsibility for public health administration outwith burghs from parochial boards and had responsibility for the upkeep of roads. District committees represented a level of administration between the parish and the county. They were abolished by the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929 (19 & 20 Geo. V, c. 25) and replaced by district councils.
In Kincardineshire, at the first meeting of Kincardine County Council in 1890 it was resolved to divide the county into five districts, covering the same areas as the Commutation Road Districts (see KC/2/2) and known as Laurencekirk, Lower Deeside, St. Cyrus, Stonehaven and Upper Deeside.
Laurencekirk District included the parishes of Fettercairn, Fordoun, Garvock, Laurencekirk and Marykirk
Lower Deeside District included the parishes of Maryculter, Banchory-Devenick and Nigg
St Cyrus District included the parishes of Arbuthnott, Benholm, Bervie and St. Cyrus
Stonehaven District included the parishes of Dunnottar, Fetteresso, Glenbervie, Kinneff and Catterline,
Upper Deeside District included the parishes of Durris, Strachan and Banchory-Ternan
District councils in Scotland were set up in 1930 as part of the provisions of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929 (19 & 20 Geo. V, c. 25). They were formed in counties according to a scheme drawn up by each county council. They were composed partly of directly-elected district councillors and partly of county councillors from the electoral divisions of the district. District councils replaced many of the functions of parish councils and district committees abolished by the 1929 Act. District councils often had various responsibilities delegated to them by the county council under a scheme of delegation drawn up the county. These responsibilities often included the letting of houses and the upkeep of cemeteries. Many district councils also administered poor relief until 1948 under a scheme of delegation but this function was taken away by the National Assistance Act, 1948 (11 & 12 Geo. VI, c. 64) which transferred such provisions to central government. District councils also administered special districts or committees responsible for certain functions such as scavenging or water provision financed by additional rates.
Kincardine County Council resolved to divide the county into the same five districts as under the 1890 Act: Laurencekirk, Lower Deeside, St. Cyrus, Stonehaven and Upper Deeside.
District Councils were abolished under the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1973. All the above-named parishes were transferred in 1975 to the new Kincardine & Deeside District Council with the exception of the Parish of Nigg which was incorporated into Aberdeen District Council. Their records were inherited by the district councils established in 1975. Thus the records of all five old District Councils were transferred to Kincardine and Deeside District Council in 1975, and, on its abolition in 1996, to Aberdeenshire Council. |