SNP Announce Team for Central Buchan

Local Commitment and Experience
SNP members in Central Buchan have re-selected local councillors Lenny Pirie and Jim Ingram to contest the council elections on May 4th.

Both councillors are seeking to stand on their proven record of putting Central Buchan first in all their decision making and, if re-elected, will continue to do so, ensuring that the area gets its fair share of council funding.

Jim, who lives with his wife Irene in Mintlaw, 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.

Kininmonth resident Lenny 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, Lenny is acutely aware of the issues that face rural communities in Buchan.

Commenting, Lenny Pirie said:

“I’m delighted with this vote of confidence from local SNP members in my work over the past five years as a local councillor.

“One of the things I’m proudest of is helping change council policy on local food. I believe local schools should use healthy local produce for school dinners, supporting the local economy.

“Since 2015 when the SNP replaced the Tory/LibDem/Independent Administration in Aberdeenshire, all our chicken is “British Red Tractor” approved – we’ve ended the practice of buying chicken from Thailand, boosting local suppliers and reducing food miles.

“All beef and pork is supplied by an Aberdeen butcher and most of it is reared in the North-east. Our white fish is landed and processed in Peterhead and all fresh vegetables are from Scotland. This is a great achievement and shows what can be done if the political will is there to do it.”

Jim Ingram added:

“It has been a very busy five years representing Central Buchan with a lot achieved and some business still to be finished.

“One issue I am determined to continue to pursue is my campaign to get Stagecoach to make their Service 67 and 68 buses more accessible. The promised modifications are still awaited and I will continue to push for these. I am also pressing for improved rural bus services and I’m pleased that this is in the manifesto I’ll be standing on.”

Giving her backing to Jim Ingram and Lenny Pirie, local MP Eilidh Whiteford said:

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

“Both Jim and Lenny 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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Buchan Councillors Welcome Lottery Boost for Aden Country Park

Aberdeenshire Council is to receive £149,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) towards an ambitious £1.4million restoration and redevelopment project for the popular Aden Country Park in Mintlaw.

The regeneration project aims to both enhance and conserve the attraction’s rich cultural, architectural, archaeological and natural heritage, while restoring it as a prime visitor destination in rural Aberdeenshire.

The development funding of £149,500 has been awarded from the first round HLF Parks for People funding programme and will help the council progress plans to apply for a second round, full grant of £1,399,500, at a later date.

Aden Country Park was purchased by the council’s predecessors in the 1970s, at which time it renovated listed buildings, interpreted the outstanding agricultural history of the area, and opened it for the public to enjoy.

Forty years later, this project aims to improve the visitor experience, expand and increase opportunities for learning and biodiversity, while protecting and recording unexplored aspects of the park – including a Bronze Age settlement and stone circle.

Plans will also be developed to upgrade the existing children’s play area, create a new interpretation centre and outdoor learning classrooms, and examine how significant buildings at risk of dilapidation will be restored to create new enterprises which will help sustain the park in to the future.

The project will also have a key focus on visitor engagement and the development of volunteering and learning opportunities at the park.

Welcoming the funding, Buchan Area Committee chair Cllr Stuart Pratt said:

“We’re delighted the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this support.

“Aden Country Park is an important resource for both the local community and visitors to the area, and it’s great to know that we are a step closer to preserving the park for future generations to enjoy.”

Committee vice-chair and Central Buchan councillor Lenny Pirie added:

“Public parks such as Aden have immense value and benefits to people of all ages.

“Aside from the economic value and the positive impact on physical and mental health, there are also social, biodiversity and nature benefits that will be enhanced through the Heritage Lottery funding support.”

The success of the restoration and redevelopment project has been made possible through a partnership approach between Aberdeenshire Council’s Buchan area office, and the authority’s landscape, cultural, ranger and archaeological services, coupled with community partners including Buchan Development Partnership and the Friends of Aden Country Park.

Further information about Aden Country Park can be found at www.adencountrypark.org.uk.

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SNP Welcomes Investment in Buchan Bus Services

Local SNP councillors and Aberdeenshire East SNP candidate Gillian Martin have welcomed the launch of 17 new luxury coaches on the Aberdeen to Peterhead and Fraserburgh routes which boast leather reclining seats, free wi-fi, toilet, USB charging points and bike lockers.

 Cllr Lenny Pirie, Cllr Stephen Smith, Gillian Martin, & Cllr Charles Buchan

The new buses were launched by Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment & Cities Keith Brown MSP at an event in Aberdeen.

Commenting, Gillian Martin said:

“I’m delighted Stagecoach are showing their commitment to Buchan by investing £5½ million in this new fleet of coaches.

“The vehicles are very impressive and should do much to improve passenger comfort on these very important routes into and out of Aberdeen.”

Fraserburgh & District SNP councillor Charles Buchan said:

“This is excellent news for Fraserburgh and I’m very pleased our connection to Aberdeen will be the first to benefit from these type of coaches in the North of Scotland.”

Central Buchan SNP councillor Lenny Pirie said:

“Links to the city are very important from rural areas and these routes reward Stagecoach with 25,000 passenger journeys every week, so it’s good that this loyalty is being rewarded in turn with these fantastic new vehicles by Stagecoach.”

Vice-Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee and Peterhead South & Cruden councillor Stephen Smith said:

“These new coaches will be warmly welcomed by those who use the Aberdeen service. It brings passenger comfort to a whole new level.”

Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment & Cities said:

“It is great to see this superb new fleet of Stagecoach buses, which will bring real benefits for passengers and the environment, hit the road. Alongside investment like this by operators such as Stagecoach, the Scottish Government is investing record amounts in public transport - providing over £250 million a year to fund the Bus Service Operators Grant as well as free bus travel for elderly and disabled concession card holders.

“We want to see quality and comfortable alternatives to the car through investment in greener, more efficient vehicles that can help link communities, people, places of business and employment and essential services. The new Buchan Xpress brand is an excellent example of the type of vehicle and service we want to see if we are to make bus travel an attractive option.”

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Strichen Mini-Gala Commended by SNP Candidate

SNP candidate for Aberdeenshire East Gillian Martin has praised the organisers of this year’s Strichen Mini-Gala for their efforts.

Gillian attended the event at the weekend and got involved in the judging of the children’s pet parade and fancy dress contests (photos attached).

Commenting, Gillian said:

“I had a tremendous time at Strichen and really must congratulate the organisers of the Mini-Gala on their efforts. It was good to see the community getting behind the event and I hope it goes from strength to strength.”

Central Buchan SNP councillor Lenny Pirie added:

“Strichen Gala was a mainstay of the village for many years and helped fund the building of the Ritchie Hall. It’s great to see the Mini-Gala being so successful and particularly the number of young people involved in the organising of it and they deserve to be commended for organising a successful event.

“I’m grateful also to Gillian Martin for coming along and supporting the Mini-Gala and for getting involved on the day.”

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Central Buchan Councillors Praise Maud First Responders

Central Buchan’s SNP councillors Lenny Pirie and Jim Ingram have praised the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service First Responders based at Maud Fire Station on being hailed as a ‘beacon’ for the NHS and Scottish Ambulance Service.

HM Chief Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services for Scotland has published a report on emergency medical services in the SFRS. A key feature of the report was the acknowledgement of the excellent work of the First Responder Scheme at Maud.

The First Responder Scheme allows Fire Service staff at Maud to respond to medical calls in their area providing rapid medical intervention and life-saving skills until an ambulance arrives. Over the last 3 years, Maud has responded to an average of 50 calls to medical emergencies per year.

Commenting, Cllr Lenny Pirie said:

“I’m delighted the staff at Maud Fire Station have had their excellent work recognised in this way. The First Responder Scheme is an outstanding example of how the resilience of our rural communities in Central Buchan can be enhanced using local resources.

“This is a vital service to the communities in Central Buchan and I congratulate the staff on this very positive report.”

Cllr Jim Ingram added:

“The cost of this scheme is on average only £5000 per year and this delivers outstanding value to Central Buchan given the life-savings skills which can be deployed thanks to the dedication and commitment of the staff at Maud Fire Station.

“The staff and the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service are to be commended for this visionary approach to keeping our communities safe.”

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Local Councillors Welcome Active Schools Boost from Mintlaw Business

A local company has joined forces with the Active Schools programme to encourage Mintlaw Academy pupils to get involved in after school activities.

Students at Mintlaw Academy can now find out what sporting activities are available to them in their areas, thanks to the new Active Schools Notice Board installed at the school.

Moira Smart, owner of local garden centre The Happy Plant, has donated the new equipment to the school and unveiled it on Tuesday 11 June. SNP councillors for Central Buchan Lenny Pirie and Jim Ingram have both welcomed the donation from the popular local garden centre.

The Active Schools Notice Board, located in the PE Department, will ensure that pupils are kept up-to-date with the sports on offer to them after school time, including indoor bowling, tennis and girls’ fitness and hopefully encourage them to go along and take part.

Commenting, Cllr Lenny Pirie said:

“This is a very generous contribution from the Happy Plant Garden Centre and is a very welcome addition to the school.

“The after-school sports programme is vitally important and the Active Schools Notice Board will be extremely useful in promoting that message and the range of activities on offer.”

Fellow Central Buchan councillor Jim Ingram added:

“It’s great to see a local business not only working with the school in this positive manner but promoting a healthy lifestyle to the pupils at Mintlaw Academy and Mrs Smart and the Happy Plant deserve thanks in this regard.”

Mrs Smart said she was delighted to be involved with the Active Schools programme and hoped it would further enhance Mintlaw Academy’s already outstanding sporting legacy, which includes the early career of female footballer Kim Little.

The Active Schools secondary programmes for Peterhead and Mintlaw academies are still accepting applications for this term. Further details are available on the Active Schools website: www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/recreation/active_schools/groups.asp or contact Malcolm Grant via email at  malcolm.grant@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.

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Recognitition for Buchan Volunteers at Awards Ceremony

Aberdeenshire Council has held its annual awards ceremony which recognises the hard work of hundreds of dedicated volunteers in the area. The Aberdeenshire Council Volunteer Awards were held at council headquarters, Woodhill House in Aberdeen, last night (Thursday).

Front Row (l to r) Christine Grant; Lorraine Wood;
Aberdeenshire Provost Jill Webster; Liz Moir; Irvine Simpson.
Back Row: (l to r) Cllr Lenny Pirie; Cllr Stephen Smith

The annual event is held in tribute to the dedication of thousands of people across Aberdeenshire who give their own time to provide care, support or education for others or make improvements in their community.

Aberdeenshire councillors were invited to nominate two local residents for an award, in recognition of their outstanding voluntary work in the community.

Peterhead South & Cruden SNP councillor Stephen Smith nominated Liz Moir and Irvine Simpson, both of Boddam Community Council. Liz is the founding secretary of BCC and was instrumental in setting up the Community Council after the previous one fell into abeyance. Irvine is a well-known face around Boddam as he works hard to maintain the village’s flower tubs and carries out a lot of grass-cutting of the village’s green spaces.

Central Buchan SNP councillor Lenny Pirie nominated Lorraine Wood and Christine Grant. Lorraine spent 27 years volunteering with the Boys’ Brigade and is a fundraises for Cornerstone, while Christine has is involved with animal charities, notably the Cats Protection League, which she has assisted for 16 years.

Commenting, Cllr Stephen Smith said:

“It’s always a very difficult task to nominate only two volunteers from the local community each year for recognition. In nominating Liz and Irvine, we have two great examples of people who have been involved in the setting up of a new voluntary body from scratch – Boddam Community Council – because they wanted people in their village to have a voice.

“Liz does a huge amount of work as secretary of the Community Council, while Irvine is very ‘hands-on’ and can be found most evenings either cutting grass or watering plants to ensure Boddam and Stirling Village is a bright and welcoming place.”

Cllr Lenny Pirie added:

“There are so many volunteers doing great work in Central Buchan, but I was delighted to nominate Lorraine and Christine for their awards.

“Both of them have spent a considerable number of years working hard for their chosen interests. Local organisations rely on a steady flow of volunteers and are the lifeblood of our communities.”

Aberdeenshire Provost, Jill Webster, said:

“The hard work of our many volunteers helps to boost civic pride in Aberdeenshire’s communities and undoubtedly contributes to our consistently high quality of life ratings.”

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Central Buchan Councillors Debate Aikey Brae Halting Site Proposal

Buchan Area councillors debated proposals by Aberdeenshire Council to establish a halting site for travellers at a meeting of the Area Committee yesterday.

Councillors from all parties and all local Wards expressed reservations about the process being followed by the local authority. Concerns were expressed about the proposal not being within an area marked for development in the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan, and the fact that councillors were being asked to comment on the proposal before the views of local people had been gathered at a public meeting in Old Deer next month.

Central Buchan SNP councillor Jim Ingram commented:

“This Committee is being asked to comment on the proposal for a halting site at Aikey Brae but I don’t see how we can possibly do so before the public meeting for local residents has taken place, and before we’ve heard the feedback from the local community.

“The Committee should defer making any comment until after that has taken place so it can be fully informed of local opinion on the issue.”

Councillor Lenny Pirie (SNP-Central Buchan) questioned the status of Aikey Brae in the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan. He said:

“Aikey Brae is not earmarked for development, nor is it designated for any particular use in the recently-approved Local Plan. I see this as a contradiction to what is now being proposed.”

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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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