SNP Shire Councillors Welcome Moves Towards School Meal Accreditation

Aberdeenshire SNP Councillors have welcomed a move which could lead to an increase in the amount of local produce going into the region's school meals.

Members of Aberdeenshire Council's Education, Leisure and Learning Committee were presented with a report on moves to qualify for a Soil Association ‘Food For Life Scotland’ award at last Thursday's Committee meeting in Woodhill House.

The report, which was prepared by Council officials, came following concerns which were raised by SNP members at the previous Committee Meeting over the importation of cooked chicken from Thailand for use in school meals.

Although the report defended the practice of importing cooked chicken, it also undertook that members of the council's school catering team would receive a presentation from the Soil Association later this month on the Association's 'Food for Life Scotland' programme, and would work towards achieving accreditation under the scheme.

This is the only UK-wide certification scheme providing an endorsement that food providers are taking steps to ensure the food they serve is fresh, seasonal, free from undesirable additives or GM and better for animal welfare.

Speaking afterwards, Aberdeenshire SNP Education Spokesperson Councillor Jean Dick welcomed the initiative, but expressed her disappointment at the inability to secure sufficient supplies of local chicken.

“When it comes to school meals, we want to make sure that our children are getting the best quality we can provide and that as much of the food is being sourced as close to home as possible”, she said.

“It's obviously disappointing to learn that it's not possible at the moment to find enough Scottish produced prepared chicken. Nevertheless, we hope that greater local procurement can play a big part in helping to achieve 'Food For Life Scotland' accreditation.”

“Working towards measures like this can only help to improve quality and grow the market for local produce. If that in turn helps to increase the uptake of school meals, then that's a good outcome for everyone.”

The Food for Life Scotland programme aims to transform food culture across the country. A key element of the programme is to support caterers in schools, nurseries, hospitals, leisure and tourism outlets and workplaces to achieve the Food for Life Catering Mark.

Bronze, silver and gold tiers encourage caterers to make step-by-step progress and are audited to ensure they meet high standards of provenance and traceability. This provides reassurance to customers that meals are freshly prepared using environmentally-sustainable and seasonal ingredients.

Currently, only East and North Ayrshire Councils hold gold Food for Life catering marks, with a further five authorities holding bronze marks for the catering service provided in either all or some of their primary schools.

Following the presentation, Aberdeenshire's catering service is to carry out a 'gap analysis' audit, in order to identify any areas for potential improvement to achieve the initial tier of Catering Mark being recommended.

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Locsl Contractors Set to Benefit from New Mearns Academy Contract

Mearns SNP councillor Jean Dick has advised local contractors to get set to bid for work associated with the new Mearns Academy.

Cllr Dick has highlighted the contractual requirements for the project, which is being part-funded by the Scottish Government’s Scottish Futures Trust, will mean a huge economic boost to local contractors in Kincardineshire and North Angus.

Commenting, Cllr Jean Dick said:

“The contractual requirements for the new Mearns Academy construction project include the delivery of an Employment and Skills Plan (ESP), with the main contractor delivering employment and work experience opportunities over the life of the project.

“The most competitive contract, Lend Lease, who has secured the main contract has undertaken to exceed the targets for training and employment outlined in the ESP.  In addition, Lend Lease also proposes to award 75% of the contract to contractors within a 30 mile radius of Laurencekirk.

“I’m aware from speaking to colleagues that a similar undertaking in the building of the new prison at Peterhead has resulted in a huge boost for local construction and service companies in the Buchan area, so I’m confident that the Mearns can look forward to a similar economic boost from the new academy.”

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North-East SNP Councillors Meet With Education Secretary

Members of Aberdeenshire SNP Group had a very positive and informative meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Michael Russell, in Edinburgh this week. Mr Russell welcomed the opportunity to discuss rural school closures and the moratorium.

Cllr Joanna Strathdee (Huntly, Strathbogie & Howe of Alford), leader of the SNP Group, said after the meeting that she felt that the meeting had been beneficial and welcomed the Cabinet Minister’s comments on the establishment of a Commission on the Delivery of Rural Education and its associated moratorium on school closures.

Speaking after the meeting Cllr Strathdee said:

“To enable the Commission to undertake its work within a positive and proper context, there obviously needs to be a moratorium on closures to create the space necessary to enable a comprehensive and fair assessment of the present school closure process and allow clear thinking on how it can be improved.”

SNP Group Education spokesperson and former teacher Cllr Jean Dick (Mearns) said:

“I welcome the Cabinet Secretary’s clarification on the need for a moratorium, we have to make sure that schools are not being closed for the wrong reasons and that communities do not suffer in the process. It is clear that there have been widely differing interpretations of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 by local authorities and communities which now require reinforcement of the presumption against closure and find a revised means of supporting the delivery of education in rural area.”

Cabinet Secretary, Michael Russell MSP said:

“The meeting with Cllr Strathdee and her colleagues was very productive. The Commission on Rural Education will play a vital role in helping us better recognise the very specific challenges that can face Scotland’s rural communities and the role of many rural schools in providing the focal point for a whole community and ensuring better life chances. I look forward to the Commission being formally established in the near future”.

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LOCAL COUNCILLORS’ ATTENDANCE AT REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONIES

Local SNP councillors will be carrying out a number of public engagements as part of Remembrance Day this Sunday, 14 November 2010.

9.30am - Savoch Church, Auchnagatt Cllr Stuart Pratt

10.00am - Peterhead War Memorial, South Road, Peterhead Cllr Anne Allan

10.00am – Stonehaven War Memorial, The Square, Stonehaven Cllr Graeme Clark

10.40am - Maud Church, Bank Road, Maud Cllr Stuart Pratt

11.00am - New Deer Parish Church, Church Crescent, New Deer Cllr Stuart Pratt

11.00am – Cluny Church, Sauchen Cllr Amanda Allan

11.00am – Inverurie War Memorial, The Square, Inverurie Cllr Bryan Stuart

11.00am - Cruden Parish Church, Bishop's Bridge, Cruden Bay Cllr Stephen Smith

11.00am – Laurencekirk Parish Church, Laurencekirk Cllr Jean Dick

11.30am – Foveran War Memorial, Foveran (approximate time) Cllr Rob Merson

12.00pm – Belhelvie Parish Church, Belhelvie Cllr Allan Hendry

12.30pm - New Pitsligo Parish Church, Church Street, New Pitsligo Cllr Stuart Pratt

12.30pm – Whitehills War Memorial, Whitehills Cllr Ian Gray

2.30pm – RAF Banff Boyndie ‘Drome Memorial, Boyndie Cllr Ian Gray

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Robertson & Dick Welcome Laurencekirk Regeneration Cash Boost

Joy as Mearns Town Nets £467,000 for Improvements
SNP Westminster candidate for West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine Dennis Robertson and Mearns SNP councillor Jean Dick have expressed their delight at the announcement that Laurencekirk has been successful in bidding for funding from the SNP Government's Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

A submission was put forward under the auspices of the Dickson Hall Trust and Minister for Housing & Communities Alex Neil MSP confirmed today that Laurencekirk's bid had been successful.

Local SNP councillor Jean Dick said:

"I'm delighted that Laurencekirk is set to benefit from this latest round of Scottish Government regeneration funding. The town centre has suffered in recent years, but this cash will help support new local initiatives and make some much-needed improvements.

"I am glad the SNP Government has recognised the importance of the town centre to the wider community, and is providing the support needed to move things forward. My congratulations go to all those in the Trust who were involved in the successful bid."

SNP Westminster candidate for West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine Dennis Robertson, added:

“The announcement of funding for the Dickson Hall is a fantastic boost for the Mearns. This is another example of an SN Government supporting a project which will meet the needs of the community of Laurencekirk and the surrounding area.

“After many years of under investment by the Labour/Lib Dem Executive, the SNP Government have a lot to be proud of in the Mearns. The re-opening of Laurencekirk station and the work to build a new Mearns Academy are further examples of real support which will improve the lives of people living in the Mearns.

“Recent criticism from Mike Rumbles about the lack of investment in the North-east is once again shown to be unfounded. Perhaps if he and others hadn’t voted to spend £500 million on the Edinburgh Tram project then there would be even more money available to spend locally.

“Even Mike Rumbles might just concede that this announcement is good for the people of the Mearns and the Government is to be congratulated!”

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