Portlethen Councillor Backs Local School Campaigners

SNP Councillor for North Kincardine Alastair Bews today lent his support to the ‘Save the Heart of Portlethen’ campaign group in its bid to save both Portlethen and Fishermoss Primary schools from the threat of closure.

Councillor Bews said he agreed with spokesperson Steve McKerron over Aberdeenshire Council’s attempt to re-write one of the options which had already been out for public consultation.

The original option 3 that was overwhelmingly voted for by the public would have guaranteed a three school solution for Portlethen. However since the Council retrospectively revised it, it increases the likelihood that one of the two existing primary schools will close.

Commenting, Councillor Bews said:

“It is my view that this move reinforces the concerns that my constituents have about this consultation.

“It cannot be right for the council to change the options part of the way through the consultation process when people have already expressed a view. It is not treating people with respect to change their responses in this way.

“If the community is to have confidence in the outcome, Aberdeenshire Council needs to start this consultation again and not change the options in mid-stream.”