Peterhead Councillors Welcome Progress on New Community Campus

Peterhead SNP councillors Stephen Smith and Leeann McWhinnie have welcomed the agreement at yesterday’s meeting of the Full Council to progress work on the new Peterhead Community Campus to the technical design phase.

The first phase of the project will see the development of replacement facilities on the Kinmundy site for the existing Peterhead Academy, Anna Ritchie, Dales Park and Meethill schools, all set within a community campus.

Commenting, Cllr Stephen Smith (Peterhead South and Cruden) said:

“This is another important step for Peterhead in terms of moving forward to a new secondary school and community campus for the town.

“The new Peterhead Community Campus – which I pushed for along with colleagues for years before getting the opportunity to make it a council priority when the SNP/Labour Group formed the administration – will incorporate primary, secondary and special schools so it is important to get this right and to learn from what worked in other locations.”

Cllr Leeann McWhinnie (Peterhead North and Rattray) added:

 

“I very much welcome the progress to date. Large infrastructure projects such as these take time, but this is another step along the road and I look forward to the consultation which will now be held with wider stakeholders and the wider Peterhead community on the design and layout as well as the creation of a campus stakeholder group.”

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MP and Councillor Back Use of Insch Hospital for Community Beds

Gordon MP Richard Thomson and councillor for West Garioch Moray Grant have backed calls for Insch Hospital to be brought back into service to create additional bed space for NHS Grampian.

The move follows a proposal from the Friends of Insch Hospital to NHS Grampian and the Cabinet Secretary for Health which they believe offers a quick, simple and cost-effective way to create bed capacity in NHS Grampian.

Commenting, Richard Thomson MP said:

“This is a very positive contribution to the current need for more community beds from the Friends of Insch Hospital and one which, if followed through, will free-up capacity in other hospitals for admissions, particularly ARI.

“I have written to the Chief Executive of NHS Grampian making clear my view that beds in a hospital setting would be far preferable to those situated in a care home, both from a patient welfare and financial point of view."

Councillor Moray Grant (SNP: West Garioch) added:

“Given the severe current pressure on inpatient beds, there is an urgent need for NHS Grampian to engage with the Friends’ proposals. A return of in-patient beds at Insch will not only be of benefit to the immediate area, but also, and critically, relieve pressure on the whole of Grampian.

“Facilitating a return of beds to Insch would be a better – and indeed financially more prudent – investment and long term solution than having to rely on spare capacity in care homes to plug the gap.”

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Peterhead Councillors Welcome Council's Successful Funding Bid

Peterhead SNP councillors Leeann McWhinnie and Stephen Smith have welcomed confirmation today (Thursday) that Aberdeenshire Council’s bid for Levelling-Up funding has been successful. Part of the project will include the repurposing of Arbuthnot House to provide a new museum and gallery, together with a bespoke library facility and educational facilities.

Commenting, Cllr Leeann McWhinnie (Peterhead North and Rattray) said:

“I welcome this announcement today after the disappointment of missing out on the Green Freeport; this will be a great boost for Peterhead and the surrounding area.

“Peterhead is a fantastic town, and this announcement now gives us the opportunity to showcase that to a wider audience with the introduction of the Cultural Area.”

Cllr Stephen Smith (Peterhead South and Cruden) added:

“Arbuthnot House is part of Peterhead’s history but has been left to degrade and decay after the rationalisation of the council’s estate several years ago. I’m therefore delighted that this successful bid will mean not only an improved museum and library facility for the town, but also keeps them in the Town Centre.

“My thanks go to the council officers who worked very hard on producing the bid which has brought this investment to Peterhead.”

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Peterhead Councillor Leeann McWhinnie Welcomes New Coastal Communities Opportunity

Buchan Communities Benefit from Last Funding Round
Peterhead North and Rattray SNP councillor Leeann McWhinnie has welcomed the opening of a new round of funding from the Coastal Communities Fund this week.

Amongst the local communities and organisations benefitting from funding awards in 2022 were Buchanhaven Harbour SCIO for repairs to pier and slipway, and the East Grampian Coastal Partnership.

Commenting, Cllr Leeann McWhinnie said:

“Since the Scottish Government gained control of the Crown Estate Scotland’s revenues, we’ve seen that money flow into coastal communities where it rightly belongs.

“I would encourage coastal communities and organisations with a link to the coast to consider how they could make use of the sums available.”

Grants are being targeted at community groups, third sector organisations and small businesses on Aberdeenshire’s coastline, and can fund a range of activities with positive economic, social or environmental impacts.

This year’s grants will be targeted towards activities or infrastructure which meet the following priorities:

• 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

Grants between £10,000 and £50,000 will be available, whilst applicants must make a minimum 10% match funding contribution to projects. Small business applicants must contribute 50% match funding.

Due to budget conditions, all projects must be completed within the 2023-24 financial year.

The deadline for submission of applications is 6 February 2023 and potential applicants can access the application form and guidance by emailing coastalcommunities@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or by visiting www.nesflag.org.uk/cccf.

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