revenue is raised locally through the Council Tax. Average Band D Council Tax is £1,141 (2012/13), no change on the previous year. The current chief executive of the council is Jim Savege and the elected Council Leader is Jim Gifford. Aberdeenshire also has a provost, who is Councillor Bill Howatson. The council has devolved power to six area committees: Banff and Buchan; Buchan; Formartine; Garioch; Marr; and Kincardine and Mearns. Each area committee takes decisions on local issues such as planning applications, and the split is meant to reflect the diverse circumstances of each area. (Boundary map) In the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, 60.36% of voters in Aberdeenshire voted for the Union, while 39.64% opted for independence. Notable features The following significant structures or places are within Aberdeenshire: Balmoral Castle, Scottish Highland residence of the British royal family. Bennachie Burn O'Vat Cairness House Cairngorms National Park Corgarff Castle Crathes Castle Causey Mounth, an ancient road Drum Castle Dunnottar Castle Fetteresso Castle Fowlsheugh Nature Reserve Haddo House Herscha Hill Huntly Castle Kildrummy Castle Loch of Strathbeg Lochnagar Monboddo House Muchalls Castle Pitfour estate Portlethen Moss Raedykes Roman Camp River Dee River Don Sands of Forvie Nature Reserve Slains Castles, Old and New Stonehaven Tolbooth Ythan Estuary Nature Reserve Hydrology and climate There are numerous rivers and burns in Aberdeenshire, including Cowie Water, Carron Water, Burn of Muchalls, River Dee, River Don, River Ury, River Ythan, Water of Feugh, Burn of Myrehouse, Laeca Burn and Luther Water. Numerous bays and estuaries are found along the seacoast of Aberdeenshire, including Banff Bay, Ythan Estuary, Stonehaven Bay and Thornyhive Bay. Aberdeenshire has a marine west coast climate on the Köppen climate classification. Aberdeenshire is in the rain shadow of the Grampians, therefore it has a generally dry climate for a maritime region, with portions of the coast receiving of moisture annually. Summers are mild, and winters are typically cold in Aberdeenshire; Coastal temperatures are moderated by the North Sea such that coastal areas are typically cooler in the summer and warmer in winter than inland locations. Coastal areas are also subject to haar, or coastal fog. Notable residents John Skinner, (1721–1807) author, poet and ecclesiastic. Penned the famous verse, "Tullochgorum". Hugh Mercer, (1726–1777), born in the manse of Pitsligo Kirk, near Rosehearty, brigadier general of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Alexander Garden, (1730–1791), born in Birse, was a noted naturalist and physician.