SNP Announce Team For Inverurie & District

FORMER DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TO STAND FOR SNP

SNP members in Inverurie & District ward have reselected Councillor Bryan Stuart to stand in the Aberdeenshire Council elections on May 3^rd.

In a measure of how much support for the SNP has increased in recent years, the party will be putting up two candidates in the ward, hoping to get both of them elected.  Joining Bryan as part of a strong local team standing for election is Hamish Vernal.

Hamish is a former Director of Education & Recreation for Aberdeenshire Council, holding that position from 2000 to 2005.

Aberdeenshire East MSP Alex Salmond commented:

“Bryan Stuart has a reputation as an assiduous councillor who is not afraid to speak up on behalf of his constituents.

“Inverurie has been fortunate to have a hard-working councillor like Bryan as one of its representatives.

“I’m delighted that Hamish Vernal has joined our team of candidates for the Garioch, also standing in Inverurie.  Hamish brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge and will be an asset when, as we hope, the SNP takes over the running of the council from the Liberal Democrats, who have run out of steam after 17 years in power.”

Councillor Bryan Stuart said:

“It has been a privilege to represent Inverurie & District on Aberdeenshire Council since 2007, the first SNP councillor to do so.

“At this election, we have the opportunity to replace the current tired Liberal Democrat led administration with a new SNP administration which will bring fresh thinking to issues like parking charges, how we help our town centres survive and thrive, and how we make decision-making more local and more accountable.

“We are now facing the worst economic crisis many of us can remember and it is vital at this time we have a strong team working together in the council alongside the Scottish Government so that we continue to retain local services while letting people keep more of their own money, as happens with the council tax freeze.”

SNP candidate Hamish Vernal added:

“It’s an honour to be nominated and selected as an SNP candidate for Aberdeenshire Council. 

“I believe that Bryan Stuart and myself can be an effective team for Inverurie, delivering for the town as part of an effective SNP administration on the council.  There is a lot of work to be done for the town and I hope to get the opportunity to contribute.”

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BRYAN STUART - INVERURIE & DISTRICT WARD - 3^rd May 2012

Bryan Stuart was born and brought up in the Garioch, and had his secondary schooling at Inverurie Academy.

He attended Aberdeen and Heriot-Watt universities, and holds an honours degree in construction management.  Bryan has run a local timber engineering business started by his father in 1947 for almost thirty years.

Elected as the SNP councillor for Inverurie & District in 2007, Bryan currently serves on the Policy & Resources committee.

Bryan has worked closely with local MSP Alex Salmond to seek to get the best outcomes possible for the town and Aberdeenshire.

HAMISH VERNAL - INVERURIE & DISTRICT WARD - 3^rd May 2012

Hamish Vernal attended Paisley College and Durham University and holds a BSc and Post Graduate Certificate in Education.  He started work as a Geophysicist before entering teaching.

Hamish was a Secondary Maths teacher before moving to Primary teaching.  He was Head Teacher in four different schools from small rural school on the North-west coast to large urban one in Aberdeen over a period of 15 years.

Hamish held a variety of senior posts within Grampian Regional Council and Aberdeenshire Council and from 2000-2005 was Director of Education and Recreation.

Hamish now runs his own education company and is Chairman of Inverurie Events and is currently planning and fundraising to get Christmas lights in Inverurie for 2012.

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SNP Announce Candidates For Peterhead South & Cruden Ward

The Scottish National Party has announced the two candidates it will be fielding in the Peterhead South & Cruden ward of Aberdeenshire Council.

Sitting councillors Stuart Pratt and Stephen Smith have been unanimously reselected by SNP members within the Ward.

Peterhead South & Cruden comprises that part of Peterhead south of a line roughly along the middle of West Road/Meethill Road/Kinmundy Road as well as the villages of Boddam, Longhaven, Cruden Bay and Hatton. It elects three councillors and the SNP are fielding two candidates in this ward.

Cllr Stuart Pratt said:

“I have been privileged to represent the Dales area of Peterhead for the past 20 years and, since the last election, Clerkhill, Towerhill and the villages.

“At this election, we have the opportunity to replace the current tired Liberal Democrat led administration which has run out of steam with a new SNP administration which will bring fresh thinking to issues like parking charges, how we help our town centres survive and thrive, and how we make decision-making more local and more accountable.

“We are now facing the worst economic crisis many of us can remember and it is vital at this time we have a strong team working together in the council alongside the Scottish Government so that we continue to retain local services while letting people keep more of their own money, as happens with the council tax freeze.”

Commenting on his selection, Stephen Smith, who was elected for the first time in 2007 said:

“In spite of being politically active for many years, I think it’s fair to say that until I was elected in 2007, I didn’t realise the workload that is expected of a councillor. I’ve held over 70 surgeries and dealt with a huge number of individual cases for constituents through surgeries, letters, e-mails, phone calls and personal contact. You can’t achieve success 100% of the time but I try my best and constituents have been very kind when I’ve managed to get a result for them.

“I’m honoured to be chosen again by party members living in Peterhead, Boddam, and Cruden to stand again for election. If re-elected, I will continue to do my best for the area and for my local community.”

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Stuart Pratt was first elected to the former Banff & Buchan District Council in 1988 when he defeated the Liberal Democrats’ Sam Coull in Meethill-Glendaveny. He was elected to Aberdeenshire Council in 1995 and again in 1999, 2003 and 2007.

Stuart is Convener of the North Aberdeenshire Licensing Board and is currently Chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s Buchan Area Committee. In his spare time, Stuart is also Session Clerk at his local parish church in New Pitsligo.

Stephen Smith is 41, lives in Cruden Bay and worked for the Clydesdale Bank in Peterhead, Cruden Bay and Hatton after leaving Peterhead Academy. He was elected to Aberdeenshire Council in 2007.

Stephen was a member of Cruden Community Council in the 1990s and has been treasurer and committee member of Longhaven Hall Association for 20 years. He was also involved in the successful campaign to save Longhaven School in 2005.

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Surgery Figures Reveal Local SNP Councillors Are Most Accessible

Official figures released by Aberdeenshire Council show that SNP councillors in West Garioch and Inverurie wards are the most accessible.

Figures show that in West Garioch, SNP councillor Allison Grant held 29 advice surgeries during the period from the 2007 election to the end of 2011.  Liberal Democrat councillors Sheena Lonchay and Hazel Al-Kowarri held 5 each during the same period.

In Inverurie, figures show that SNP councillor Bryan Stuart was the only councillor to hold any advice surgeries at all during the period from the 2007 election to the end of 2011.  Cllr Stuart held 27 advice surgeries while Liberal Democrats Martin Kitts-Hayes and Michael Raeburn and Conservative Richard Cowling held no surgeries at all during the same period.

Commenting on the figures, SNP MSP for North-east Scotland Mark McDonald said:

“Allison Grant and Bryan Stuart are to be congratulated on their work rate and for making themselves publicly available to their constituents.

“These figures clearly show that SNP councillors take their role very seriously and are prepared to put in the hours.  Electing SNP councillors is a guarantee of getting someone who will work hard and listen to the concerns of their constituents throughout their term of office, as the evidence shows."

Inverurie & District SNP councillor Bryan Stuart said:

“I simply see it as part of my job to be available to my constituents, regardless of who they voted for or indeed whether they voted at all.  Councillors are there to serve their local communities and I said when I stood for election in 2007 that I would strive to do my best and that’s what I hope to continue to do."

West Garioch councillor Allison Grant added:

“Surgeries are, of course, not the only way of getting in touch with councillors and I deal with a huge number of e-mails and phone calls as well, but I think face-to-face contact with constituents is very important because there will always be some people for whom that is the preferred way of conducting their business."

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Councillor Presses For Action On Bypass Cycleway 'Missing Link'

Peterhead South SNP councillor Stephen Smith is hopeful that Aberdeenshire Council will take the initiative to complete the missing section of the pedestrian and cycleway on the southside of the Peterhead bypass.

Sections of the route have been the responsibility of local developers to provide under planning conditions in the past, but Cllr Smith is seeking action to complete the missing section, saying he is regularly approached on the issue by cyclists, walkers and members of Peterhead’s highly-successful JogScotland club.

Now, following approaches by Cllr Smith to Aberdeenshire Council, Director of Infrastructure Stephen Archer has confirmed that the council will look to complete the missing section.

In a letter to Cllr Smith, Mr Archer states:

“Given that Peterhead is a cycling demonstration town and the Council is committing significant resources to cycling in Peterhead, officers in transportation will explore a funding package of detailed costs and possible funding partners (for example Transport Scotland, Nestrans, Sustrans, planning gain funds, or the Revenue budget). 

“I am hopeful that a package can be put together to see the cycle link implemented subject to budget and other funding mechanisms being secured.  I will keep you updated on the progress being made by officers.”

Commenting, Cllr Stephen Smith said:

“This is an issue which gets raised with me regularly by cyclists, walkers and joggers who are extremely frustrated that the excellent facility all around the bypass which they use comes to an abrupt end at probably the busiest section of the road.

“I’m pleased that the council have taken on board the points I have put to them and will now look to take action to complete the missing link. 

“Hopefully this can be carried out as soon as possible once a funding package is put together and this will improve road safety at this location.”

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SNP Candidates Welcome Progress On A90 Dualling

SNP council candidates Rob Merson and Richard Thomson have welcomed the announcement that the dualling of the Tipperty – Balmedie section of the A90 has been progressed by the Scottish Government with the publication of made orders.

Ellon & District SNP councillor Rob Merson, said:

“I am absolutely delighted that the SNP Government has delivered on yet another election promise.  As a resident of Ellon for over 35 years, I am well aware of the importance of the road link to Aberdeen.  Allied to the construction of the AWPR, journey times will be improved for travellers across North Aberdeenshire. The people of the North-east might at last look forward to having the roads infrastructure which they ought to have had thirty years ago.

“The fact that most of the route will be constructed alongside the existing route should also minimise disruption for commuters during the construction phase.

“After eight years of inaction by the former Scottish Executive, I am very pleased that our Transport Minister was so quickly able to complete the sterling work done by his predecessor, Stewart Stevenson MSP, in turning this long-standing aspiration into a reality.”

Fellow SNP candidate for Ellon & District Richard Thomson added:

"This represents an important milestone for the Balmedie-Tipperty project. It is good news for the North-east in general and Ellon in particular.

"Procuring Balmedie-Tipperty together with the AWPR makes a lot of sense as it will help to secure important savings for the public purse.

"I hope that following the devastating judgement against the anti-AWPR lobby last month in the Court of Session, work can soon get underway on a road which almost everyone agrees is long overdue."

Minister for Transport Keith Brown MSP said:

“The Scottish Government is committed to providing an efficient transport system throughout the country, including in the north east.

“On completion, the Balmedie - Tipperty dualling scheme will deliver improved safety, better connections and more reliable journey times for anyone using this section of the A90 north of Aberdeen.

“By combining the Balmedie -Tipperty dualling scheme in a combined Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) model contract alongside the AWPR we are ensuring the opportunity to deliver better value for the public purse.”

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SNP Announce Team For Central Buchan

LOCAL COMMITMENT AND EXPERIENCE

SNP members in Central Buchan have selected local man Len Pirie and Mintlaw resident Jim Ingram to contest the council elections on May 3rd.

Current SNP councillor Sandy Stronach is retiring and with other sitting councillors in the Ward also stepping down coupled with the excellent result achieved in Central Buchan by the SNP at the 2011 and 2010 Parliamentary elections, mean that the Party will be challenging for two of the four seats.

Jim, who lives with his wife Irene in Mintlaw, recently retired from his post as a senior official with Aberdeen City Council after 17 years of service.

Jim also served as a councillor on the former Grampian Regional Council and Banff & Buchan District Council during the 1980s and has a wealth of experience in local government.

Commenting on his selection, Jim Ingram said:

“Having lived in Mintlaw for the last 35 years, I know what makes this area tick. I want to work together with residents and the local SNP team to make sure that Mintlaw gets the best deal it possibly can.”

Local man Len Pirie has also been selected as the second SNP candidate to contest the Central Buchan ward. Having previously served as Chair of the Strichen Community Council and having held various roles in the Young Farmers’ Club, Len is acutely aware of the issues that face rural communities in Buchan.

Len Pirie added:

“Farming a local holding, I know the issues we face and if elected, I will be a strong voice for this area on Aberdeenshire Council.

“SNP-controlled councils will work in partnership with the Scottish Government, combining local and national leadership to deliver the best for our communities, working together in the interests of the people of Scotland.”

Welcoming Jim Ingram and Len Pirie to the SNP team, local MP Eilidh Whiteford said:

“I’m delighted to support Jim Ingram and Len Pirie in their campaign to serve the residents of Central Buchan as their new councillors.

“Both Jim and Len possess the attributes of a good local councillor: commitment, enthusiasm and a hard-work ethic and I look forward to campaigning with them on the doorsteps.”

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SNP Party Election Broadcast for May 3rd, 2012

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Council Administration Defeats SNP Bid To Preserve Peterhead Common Good Fund Capital

Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors combined to vote down an attempt by Peterhead South & Cruden SNP councillor Stephen Smith to reform the way in which Peterhead Common Good Fund - and other trusts and common good funds across Aberdeenshire – are administered by the council.

Currently, due to the low base rate, the administration charge levied by Aberdeenshire Council against the Common Good Funds of burghs such as Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Rosehearty and Macduff is double that of the annual interest income.

Councillor Smith brought forward a proposal that the administration charges levied by the council on these funds should be capped so as not to exceed the income which was narrowly defeated on a vote by 33-30.

Commenting after the meeting of the Full Council, Cllr Stephen Smith said:

“While it was disappointing to lose the vote so narrowly, the argument was won and this issue will be raised again in the future.

“At the moment, because the Peterhead Common Good Fund only distributes grants from its income, there is no money to do so because the administration charge levied by the council more than wipes that out.

“That cannot be right and it was clear from listening to other speakers during today’s debate that the current position is not sustainable and I expect we will see some changes brought forward after the elections.”

Cllr Stuart Pratt, who has also attempted to have the charging policy changed in the past, added:

“Common Good Funds are for the benefit of the Common Good, and shouldn’t be run for the benefit of Aberdeenshire Council. 

“Today’s vote was very close and produced near-unanimity amongst all Peterhead councillors who took the matter seriously enough to be bothered to turn up.  I’m now hopeful that we will see some changes in the near future.”

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SNP Announce Ellon & District Candidates

The SNP has announced Cllr Rob Merson and Richard Thomson as its candidates for the Ellon & District ward at the forthcoming local elections for Aberdeenshire Council.

Cllr Merson, a former company director, was first elected in 2007, when he secured the highest number of first preference votes of any local candidate in Aberdeenshire. Mr Thomson, a reporter for the Ellon Times, was the SNP's candidate in Gordon at the 2010 General Election, where he secured the party's best ever performance at a Westminster election, taking second place after slashing the Lib Dem majority with an 8% swing.

Both men expressed their pleasure at having been selected by local members to carry their party's banner in the May election, and said they were determined to make the area's voice heard as part of what they hoped would be a fresh start for Aberdeenshire Council under SNP leadership.

"It has been an enormous privilege to have served as a local councillor for Ellon & District, and I'm proud to be able to stand for re-election on a strong record of dedicated work and achievement for the area." said Cllr Merson.

 "The SNP in government has done a great deal for this area, with the promise of a new academy coming to fruition and investment in much needed local infrastructure such as Balmedie-Tipperty dualling and the AWPR. However, we've been let down by a lacklustre Lib Dem/Conservative local administration which is well past its sell-by date and badly in need of some fresh ideas.

 "Richard and I formed an effective partnership when we worked together as Parliamentary Assistants in Alex Salmond's office in Peterhead. Together, I know that we'll make a formidable team for Ellon & District on Aberdeenshire Council."

Mr Thomson added:

"As a news reporter, you are right at the heart of the community", he said. "While covering the comings and goings in Ellon and District is something I enjoy immensely, I've got no doubt that I could make a bigger contribution as a councillor for the area.

 "Together with Rob, I want to play my part in making this area an even better place in which to live and work. By putting myself forward for election, I hope to follow Rob's example as a dynamic, effective representative for the many communities which make up the Ellon & District ward."

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Hendry Welcomes A947 Safety Measures

SNP Mid-Formartine councillor Allan Hendry have welcomed a new safety initiative for the A947 road.

The road which runs from Dyce to Banff witnessed, on average, more than 3 fatal road collisions each year between 2005 and 2010, which is almost 50% higher than the national average.

 

Aberdeenshire Council together with other partners from the North East Safety Camera Partnership (NESCAMP) have come together in a bid to make the A947 safer for all users.  To address the road safety issues an in-depth route study has been carried out and a range of measures to encourage safer road use recommended. The partners agreed to focus on the reduction of inappropriate speed as the first measure.  

 

Engineering in the form of additional road signage and new hard standings has begun, and will assist speed enforcement by Grampian Police at existing and new locations.   The works, which have been funded by NESTRANS, Community Safety Partnership and the Safety Camera Programme, will be complemented by a series of education and encouragement methods.

Cllr Allan Hendry, who is also Vice-Convener of Grampian Joint Police Board, added:

“I am delighted to see the implementation of this initiative.  The serious road collisions along the A947 have been a matter of deep concern to me for some considerable time.  Hopefully these measures, which include education, enforcement and encouragement, will see a vast reduction in instances of serious injury and fatal collisions along the A947. 

“The A947 Working Group, which includes Aberdeenshire Council Accident Investigation Unit, NESTRANS, Grampian Police, The Community Safety Partnership and the Safety Camera Program, should be justly proud of this achievement which should now go a long way into making this notorious road much safer and I congratulate everyone involved with this project.”

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Local SNP Councillors Call For Reform Of Common Good Funds

Peterhead South SNP councillors Stephen Smith and Stuart Pratt have called for Aberdeenshire Council to reform the way in which it administers the Common Good Funds of the burghs.

Currently, due to the low base rate, the administration charge levied by Aberdeenshire Council against the Common Good Funds of burghs such as Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Rosehearty and Macduff is double that of the annual interest income.

Peterhead South councillor Stephen Smith launched another attempt at last week’s meeting of the council’s Policy & Resources Committee to reform the charging policy but was defeated 7-6 on a vote when Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors voted down his proposal, which was also supported by Independent councillor Norman Smith.

However, as the move found support among over a third of the committee members it will now be referred to a meeting of the Full Council on 8 March for a decision.

Commenting following the meeting, Cllr Stephen Smith said:

“The Common Good Funds are an important source of funds for various community groups, projects and good causes.

“However, I am very concerned that Aberdeenshire Council’s charging policy for administering the funds is actually taking away a huge slice of cash from the larger funds, such as Peterhead Common Good Fund.

“The Common Good Funds use their capital to generate an income for distribution in the form of grants. When the cost of running the fund exceeds the income generated, something is clearly wrong and this whole situation needs to be changed. I hope that councillors will see that and vote for change on 8 March.”

Cllr Stuart Pratt, who has also attempted to have the charging policy changed in the past, added:

“This situation cannot continue and I think the time is right to look again at the most cost-effective way of running the Common Good Funds for the benefit of the Common Good, not for the benefit of Aberdeenshire Council.”

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