King Edward Councillor Cassie Hails Community Pressure in Bridge Success

Local SNP councillor Ross Cassie has hailed pressure from the local community in King Edward as a contributory factor to Aberdeenshire Council confirming that Bridge of Fortrie is to be replaced.

The structure is one of the six bridges in the King Edward area damaged by flooding in late September 2019. Bridge of Fortrie carries the C9S Road from Mains of Fisherie westward to join the A947 at Keilhill.

SNP Councillor for Troup Ward Ross Cassie said:

“The confirmation that funding for the Bridge of Fortrie replacement is very welcome. This being one of the 6 bridges washed away in the King Edward in September 2019.

“The replacement when completed will enable greater connectivity for the residents who have been disadvantaged since that weather event.

“I would also like to thank the local community for keeping up the pressure for this solution to be found. Their perseverance shows that working together solutions that benefit all can be found.”

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Local MP Challenged to Disown Racist Comments by Party Chairman

Conrad Ritchie (right) and
David Duguid MP (left)

Conservative MP David Duguid has been challenged to disown a racist outburst on social media by his Constituency Party Chairman.

Conrad Ritchie made the comments hours after being re-elected as the Chairman of Banff and Buchan Conservatives.

Mr Ritchie was responding to a tweet from former SNP Member of the European Parliament Christian Allard where he was highlighting online abuse he had received. The local Tory Chairman told the French-born SNP member if he wasn’t happy to “go back to your country of birth”.

Vice-Convener of Banffshire and Buchan Coast SNP and anti-racism campaigner Cllr Ross Cassie has branded the remarks as racist and unacceptable and called on local MP David Duguid to condemn the comments and state whether he feels Mr Ritchie should continue in his position.

Commenting, Cllr Cassie said:

“It is possible to hold different political views from other people online without resorting to racist abuse. At a time when the focus is increasingly on toning down the rhetoric and abuse online, this outburst is particularly disappointing on many levels.

“Not only is Mr Ritchie the Chairman of the local MP’s constituency party, but he is a businessman in a town with a large number of residents who have come here from overseas to make their home and contribute to the local economy. Comments like these send a very poor message.

“Mr Ritchie has been endorsed just last Friday as the Chairman of Banff and Buchan Conservatives. He features in the latest Tory newsletter with David Duguid MP in Westminster Hall. David Duguid must do the right thing and condemn these totally unacceptable comments and tell us whether he continues to think it appropriate for Mr Ritchie to hold a top position in the local Tory Party. The views of our local MP on this matter will be keenly awaited by his constituents who want no truck with such vile sentiments.”

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MSP & Local Councillor Welcome Council Reversal on Bridges Closure

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson and Troup councillor Ross Cassie have welcomed Aberdeenshire Council’s decision to explore options for funding and replacing the road bridges in the King Edward area which were washed away in September 2019.

Roads officials had recommended to councillors on the Infrastructure Services Committee that the bridges not be replaced, but this recommendation was pulled just prior to the start of yesterday’s meeting.

Commenting on the decision, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

"I welcome this change of heart on the part of the council to not take a formal decision to close the affected roads and leave the bridges unbuilt.

"I wrote to Aberdeenshire Council in the days after the flood event last September offering to support any applications they may make for support from the Scottish Government and I will be reiterating that offer again following this decision.”

Local councillor Ross Cassie added:

"This decision is a testament to the strength of feeling within the local communities affected and the representations made by myself and others.

"Going forward, this is the start of a process and we need to work to maintain the connectivity of the area so it doesn't impact on school catchments, emergency and other services.”

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Local Councillor Glen Reynolds Hails Success of Fordyce Village Open Day

Banff & District SNP councillor Glen Reynolds has hailed the success of the Fordyce Village Open Day, held on Sunday.

The event, held each year, sees residents of the picturesque Banffshire village throw open their gardens to visitors, showing off tremendous displays of colour and hard work.

Commenting, Cllr Glen Reynolds said:

"People from all over Scotland as well as local families and many accompanied by their dogs, enjoyed as I did, the sunshine and warm welcome that greeted myself and colleagues Stewart Stevenson MSP and Cllr Ross Cassie on the annual Open Day in the beautiful village of Fordyce.

“There was something for everyone, from coffee to ice cream and pancakes, to gardens of residents made welcome to visitors, full of painstaking evidence of hard work in producing such splendid colours and flowers full of perfumed fragrance. And not to be forgotten, the church and grounds, fit for a painting from a bygone age.

“A great day had by all, ending with a warm welcome from The Old Kirk Cafe and Bistro with a menu full of fresh local seafood. It was a rare treat to talk to so many people in such stunning surroundings."

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'Living Wage Accreditation - Council Fails to Lead by Example'

The Opposition Partnership of Aberdeenshire Council today expressed concern at a meeting of the Communities Committee over the continued refusal of Aberdeenshire Council to seek accreditation as a Living Wage Employer.

In work poverty is a serious issue, and official figures from 2016 contained within papers before the Committee on 6th June, indicate that 22% of workers in Aberdeenshire are paid less than the Living Wage. Payment of the Living Wage in Scotland is currently £9.00 per hour. The National Minimum Wage is £7.38 per hour for those aged 21 and over.

Today's Committee meeting considered the draft Aberdeenshire Child Poverty Action Plan. One of the measures to be taken by the Council is engagement with employers who are procured by the Council under contract, to carry out work to enable public services to be delivered. Whilst the Council itself is a ‘Living Wage employer’, it has historically been reluctant to enforce such a living wage condition on those it contracts with in terms of the procurement process. If it did, it would meet the criteria to become a ‘Living Wage Accredited Employer’.

Opposition Partnership members today sought reassurance that the possibility of accreditation would continue to be looked at by Aberdeenshire Council, and sought clarification over the level of resource needed. Reassurances were received that further information would be brought back to the next meeting of the Communities Committee in September 2019, with a view to find a practicable way forward.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Alison Evison (Labour, North Kincardine) stated:

“Back in the day it was a battle to get the Tory/Lib Dem led Aberdeenshire Council to agree to pay the Living Wage in November 2012, but that was only a start to what the Council could do to impact on reducing poverty. Quality employment based on 'Fair Work' principles is key in reducing the poverty experienced by many families, and the Council surely has a responsibility as a major employer to set an example to others. T

he resource required for the Council to become an accredited living wage employer would be a sound investment in the people of Aberdeenshire and show commitment to an inclusive local economy.”

Communities Committee member and Banff and District Councillor, Glen Reynolds added:

"Committee members received an update in May regarding progress towards Aberdeenshire Council becoming a 'Living Wage Accredited Employer'. The status of 'accredited' means that the Council has to ensure that all contracted suppliers with the Council guarantee that their employees are paid the living wage. It is a status that 16 Scottish Councils and 124 Scottish public sector bodies have sought and obtained. 

Unfortunately, Councillors had been advised that there was not a dedicated resource that would enable that Living Wage accreditation to be sought. That is arguably a damning indictment on the will of the Council to seriously address poverty and child poverty issues in the Shire, as experts have universally concluded that such accreditation would help reduce such appalling circumstances in the 21st century.

"Accreditation plays a significant role in reducing child poverty and in-work poverty from the concerning levels currently seen across Aberdeenshire. To not have the will and resource to support this is plain wrong."

A briefing paper to the Committee in April estimated that a cost to achieve accreditation would be £67,054 as of 2017.

Chair of the Audit Committee, Troup Councillor Ross Cassie stated:

“I fail to see how such a figure is reached. Many of the bodies in the Council Contract Register are already obliged by statute to pay the living wage, and the work necessary to engage with the other bodies could not surely lead to such a level of expenditure? 

As it stands Aberdeenshire Council are seeking to be ‘Do as I say and not as I do’ partners with those they commission and contract with."

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Macduff Councillor Ross Cassie Welcomes Nightwatch Extension at Town's Harbour

A local councillor who has been pressing for enhanced safety cover at Macduff Harbour has welcomed the formal announcement that weekend cover will now be provided. Macduff SNP councillor Ross Cassie said this will create a safe environment for all harbour users.

Fish landings significantly increased from 2016/17 to 2017/18 by more than 100%, bringing an additional £18,000 to the harbour as a result of the relaxation of Designated Port Status by the Scottish Government in December 2016.

Cllr Cassie commented:

“I am delighted that there is to be this additional cover for the weekend creating a safe environment for all harbour users all of the time.

“With the addition of the ice plant, the chill room and future infrastructure improvement at Macduff Harbour it is to be a busy place going forward and now it can be a busy and safe place for all harbour users.”

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Opportunity Missed in Aberdeenshire as Councillors Vote Against an Aberdeenshire Care Charter

Today Aberdeenshire Council rejected an opportunity to develop a local Care Charter which would have affirmed the value placed in the workforce and committed to enhancing the quality of care delivered to residents in local communities.

Labour Councillor Alison Evison and SNP Councillor Ross Cassie had proposed developing an Aberdeenshire Care Charter following the recent rejection of Unison’s Ethical Care Charter by the Integrated Joint Board for Health and Social Care.

Councillor Alison Evison said:

“Councillors from across the Chamber had told us that they shared the vision of the Ethical Care Charter, but they could not support it due to significant legal advice around the payment of the Living Wage in commissioned services. We believed, however, that there would be benefits to staff and to people receiving care from highlighting the core principles around good working practices which are supported in Aberdeenshire. We are disappointed that the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Leadership could not unite with us today around a wider Fair Work dimension. This would have been such an important statement to staff in these increasingly challenging times.”

Councillor Ross Cassie said:

“It is disappointing that all members present at the meeting of Full Council today were using the correct wording and agreeing that Fair Work Practices are demonstrated within the council, while also aspiring for those to be replicated elsewhere with our commissioned services, but that even so the administration councillors could not demonstrate that with action in the formulation of an Aberdeenshire Care Charter. We are judged by our actions and not our words.”

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Aberdeenshire Campaign Against RBS Closures Continues in Huntly

The local campaign against the RBS closures continued this weekend in Huntly, with campaigners out to collect more signatures for the petition.

The campaign has been underway for several months, and has gathered significant numbers of signatures from Banff, Turriff, Stonehaven, Ellon and Huntly.

Following pressure from the SNP group at Westminster, RBS announced that some of the branches earmarked for closure would remain open, however none of those in Aberdeenshire were included in this list. The Economy, Jobs and Fair Work committee at the Scottish Parliament will now also consider this matter.

The Aberdeenshire Councillors who are campaigning on this issue plan to be in Edinburgh during the RBS AGM in May to campaing outside, and to hand over the petitions.

Commenting, SNP Councillor for Huntly, Strathbogie and Howe of Alford, Gwyneth Petrie, said:

“There continues to be significant concern locally about the planned closure of the RBS. Not only does it mean that customers of the bank will now have to travel a significant distance when they require banking services, but it will also add to the continuing decline of our town centre.

“RBS have said that the mobile banking van will visit the town twice a week, but will park on the outskirts, instead of travelling in to the town centre. The van already has accessibility issues – these will only be exacerbated by it being parked so far out of the town centre.

“Today we seen even more people queueing to sign the petition – I hope RBS listen to the voice of their customers.”

SNP Councillor Dr Glen Reynolds, who represents Banff and District, added:

“The number of people who have signed the petition is increasing. People realise that if they lose their bank branches, the town centres will be all the poorer and the impact will have a negative effect on not only the look of our High Streets but on the local economy.”

SNP Councillor for the Troup Ward Ross Cassie said:

“The RBS banks have been at the heart of our communities for many a decade. Our communities rely on the service they provide, yet in the name of profit that heart is to be ripped out.

“It is incomprehensible that at a time when the top executives receive millions of pounds in bonus’ each and sport receives millions in sponsorship from RBS, a fraction of that cost is to be saved depriving our communities of a banking service that the community has been loyal to and rely on.

“Hundreds of skilled and loyal workers are to be thrown out of work. We should not forget that those workers and us, the tax payer, own in the region of 70% of RBS. The UK Government holding the shares on our behalf should not abdicate their responsibility claiming the closure programme to be a commercial decision but should step In and halt this damaging programme immediately.”

Former RBS employee, SNP Councillor Alastair Forsyth, who represents Turriff & District said:

“The branch in Turriff is central to the High Street, and will be sadly missed. Businesses will find it increasingly difficult to bank with RBS if they are forced to travel significant distances to do so.”

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Questions Asked over Absence of Conservative Committee Chair and Vice-Chair

Councillors have raised questions over the commitment of local Conservative councillors after the Banff & Buchan Area Committee was today (Tuesday) left without a Chair or a Vice-Chair and had to elect a stand-in.

A storm erupted after it emerged both the Chair and Vice-Chair of that Committee - Conservatives Andy Kille Michael Roy – were both absent on holiday. The position of Chair attracts a payment of just under £9000 per year for carrying out that function.

The dates for meetings of the Banff & Buchan Area Committee were known well in advance of May’s Local Government elections and opposition councillors argue that in addition to a full-time commitment, the absence of key representatives is a betrayal of election promises to truly represent constituents in a committed way.

Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Audit Committee and SNP councillor for Troup ward Ross Cassie said:

“I don’t understand why people put themselves up for election and then do not make an attempt to represent the people and the communities in the ward that elected them.”

“Back in May our local Tories were very vocal about their electoral success and who wouldn’t be? However, with that success comes a responsibility to the positions to which you have been elected. As today is not an incident in isolation, this demonstrates a clear lack of discipline within the local Conservative Party, and a clear lack of conscience on the part of the elected members who have seemingly decided that a holiday is more important than representation. We have lengthy recesses in the council calendar in line with school holidays when there are many opportunities for holidaying outwith the committee timetables.”

SNP Councillor for Fraserburgh & District, Charles Buchan added:

“It has become very clear since the May local elections that some of our Conservative councillors are not taking their work seriously. For both the Chair and Vice-Chair to deliberately clear off on another holiday, missing one of the most important meetings for Banff & Buchan, shows a lack of commitment to the people they represent, including the people with planning applications to be determined, and those who will be affected financially by Area decisions.

“They appear to be copying the antics of Moray Tory MP Douglas Ross who also disappeared from his day job.”

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Macduff & Banff Regeneration Chairs Welcome New Grant Scheme for Social Enterprises

A grant support scheme has been launched to assist the development and creation of social enterprises in Aberdeenshire.

Councillors agreed to support the sector with a £200,000 Social Enterprise Support Fund which is open for applications until March 2019. The fund includes grants for new permanent employees, training, expert advice and for feasibility studies into new income streams.

There is also a grant for the establishment of new social enterprises, and for the establishment of new income streams for existing social enterprises.

To benefit from the scheme the social enterprises will have to be legal entities which can trade and where there is an asset lock. This means that if the business was dissolved the assets would be passed on to an organisation with similar aims.

There is also provision to ensure the award of a grant will not be detrimental to other local businesses.

Chair of the Banff Regeneration Partnership, SNP councillor Glen Reynolds said:

"The funding of the rapidly growing third sector, or what was known as 'charity work', is evolving as the nature of our economy seeks out better ways to do more for people who are in need of help and where profit is not the sole driving force.

“Competition and austerity has forced traditional charities to become more entrepreneurial, and with UK Government policy outsourcing many services, it is inevitable that in many areas typically covered by the 'not for profit sector', businesses and social entrepreneurs are increasingly talking to each other and looking at their aims and objectives in terms of the social and environmental impact as well as their financial profit.

“As a result, social enterprise is becoming a vast, growing, and rapidly changing field and it is great news that the Council is grasping the opportunities that exist, and is reaching out to would be entrepreneurs and people with refreshing new ideas, who can combine that entrepreneurial initiative with a social conscience."

Chair of the Macduff Regeneration group, Troup SNP councillor Ross Cassie added:

“This range of grant funding streams will assist our many or new social enterprises diversify, take on extra employees and even start the entire process.

“The £200,000 fund can be accessed to fund a full-time employee and also to access other avenues of income allowing your social enterprise to diversify and grow. This fund may also be the start of your venture.”

For more information on the scheme and how to apply please email econdev@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or see: http://bit.ly/ShireSESS

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Macduff Councillor Welcomes Aquarium Re-Opening

Troup SNP councillor Ross Cassie has welcomed the re-opening of Macduff Marine Aquarium in time to celebrate its 20th Birthday.

On Sunday 29th October Macduff Marine Aquarium re-opened its doors after essential works relining the central tank and further upgrading of the facility.

Commenting, Cllr Ross Cassie said:

“These upgrades will see this facility remain a vital tourism attraction for Macduff for many years to come.

“Having been informed of the repairs required just prior to the setting of this year’s council budget, the then SNP-Labour-Independent Administration of Aberdeenshire Council put in place £250,000 from extra monies provided by the Scottish Government for these to be carried out within the ‘Product Development for Tourism’ budget. This has not only enabled the Aquarium to remain a first-class tourism destination but also will it also feature as an educational establishment well into the future. It is perhaps unfortunate however that some of those heaping praise for this refurbishment now are the very people who voted against our proposals.

“I would like to thank all the staff at the Aquarium who assisted in the very involved and complicated works and the contractors that made this transformation possible. I also wish the very dedicated and knowledgeable Aquarium Team every success now and in the future.”

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Macduff School Breakfast Club to 'Give Pupils Best Start' - Councillor

SNP councillor for Troup ward Ross Cassie has enthusiastically welcomed the launch of the breakfast club at Macduff Primary School.

Commenting, Cllr Cassie said:

“I would personally like to thank the Head Teacher Mr Walker for enabling its commencement.

“This is an essential aspect towards the Regeneration Plan for Macduff. After all the future of Macduff are the children attending the school. It is a well-established fact that well-fed, well-nourished pupils learn at a better rate than hungry children.

“It is unfortunate that the levels of poverty prevalent in Macduff and its surrounds make this sort of initiative necessary. This needs to be addressed. This breakfast club goes some way to doing that.

“This is evidence that, effectively-used, the Pupil Equity Fund provided by the Scottish Government can and will make life changing advances in closing the attainment gap in Macduff.

“I would encourage all parents to allow their children to come along to this breakfast club to give them not only the best start to the day but also the best start in life.”

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Macduff Councillor's Delight at Harbour Watch Decision

Macduff SNP councillor Ross Cassie has expressed his delight at the change of mind by Aberdeenshire Council officials to not now withdraw the night watchman provision at the town’s harbour.

The council has announced that the Harbour Staffing Review at Macduff is being suspended until after the next meeting of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee in June.

Commenting, Cllr Cassie, who has been working assiduously to reverse the plans since they first came to light over a year ago, said:

“The night watchman provision at the harbour and the threat of their removal has repeatedly been opposed by all harbour users, particularly when taken in the context of the extra fish landing at the harbour due to the relaxation of the landing legislation at the end of last year.

“To support this legislation relaxation Aberdeenshire Council are this year investing considerably in the infrastructure at the harbour. £600,000 will be invested in repairs to the fish market roof and doors, road improvements, ice machines, pontoons in the West Basin and electricity points on the North Pier. All of this is in addition to the chilled store to keep the fish landed at optimum temperature prior to transportation to market.

“The expectation with this investment is for the activity at the harbour to increase considerably and we are already starting to see this happen as landings are increasing. With that in mind, the removal of the night watchman facility would have been a backwards step and would have undermined this progress to regenerate the harbour.”

Cllr Cassie also highlighted the extra investment in Macduff Harbour as a result of the council’s Budget Meeting in February, saying:

“This extra investment is only possible due to the decision taken on 9 February this year at the budget setting meeting of Aberdeenshire Council. The SNP-led Administration’s budget was accepted. Had the Tory-led Alliance budget been accepted the £150,000 of additional savings would have been taken from the Harbours budget. This would have had a devastating effect on the fortunes of Macduff Harbour and Macduff as a whole.

The SNP budget demonstrated support for our communities, investment in our infrastructure to enable future economic growth thus aiding the regeneration of Macduff and not cuts in service as would be the case under the Tory Alliance proposals.”

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SNP Announce Team for Troup

Local Commitment and Experience
Macduff man Ricky Taylor has been selected by local SNP members to stand for election to Aberdeenshire Council. Ricky hopes to join colleague Ross Cassie in representing Troup Ward.

Ricky Taylor, 20, is a community support worker from Macduff. He was educated at Macduff Primary School and Banff Academy before starting his working life in the care sector. Ricky has been involved in several community groups in Troup, and is a former member of Banff & Macduff Community Council - involvement in these groups gave Ricky the drive to get the very best for his community.

Ricky takes a strong interest in local education, the tourism sector and also Health & Social Care, primarily mental health.

Ross Cassie, 55, is married with two daughters and lives in Macduff with his wife, Sue. Prior to being elected as a councillor for the Troup Ward at a by-election in 2014, Ross worked as a driving test examiner and prior to that served with the West Midlands Police.

Commenting, Ricky Taylor said:

“I’m very pleased to have been selected by the local SNP members in the area and for someone of my age to be given the opportunity to serve their community.

“A sense of community is important and I absolutely believe that local government should stand for local communities and local issues. I also believe that it is local people that can make all the difference."

Cllr Ross Cassie said:

“I’m delighted Ricky is standing for election. It would be a very good thing to get someone of Ricky’s age elected on to the council so we have a range of ages and views on the council we can draw on.

“It has been a privilege to represent Troup Ward and I am delighted to be a candidate to represent the ward again.

“Macduff and the rest of the Moray Firth coast is now at a crossroads in terms of its development. It is time to consider what we want our communities to look like in the future. If re-elected I will continue the dialogue that I am already having on this issue and work with partners and residents to create a vision for the future which the area deserves.”

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One Vote Saves Bracoden School Pool from Closure

One vote was all that prevented the closure of the swimming pool at Bracoden School, Gamrie, last week when the SNP-Labour-Progressive Independent Administration of Aberdeenshire Council got their budget accepted by councillors.

A move by Tory, Liberal Democrat and Independent councillors to vote through an alternative budget was defeated 32-31. Contained within that were plans to save money by closing school swimming pools at Bracoden and Mackie Academy

Troup SNP councillor Ross Cassie welcomed the Administration’s budget and said he was relieved that Bracoden would not be losing its pool and expressed surprise that local councillors Mark Findlater (Conservative) and Hamish Partridge (Independent) has supported such a move. He commented:

“By responding to the views expressed during the public consultation period, focusing on delivering the services our communities and residents told us they required and valued, a budget was set that was balanced and showed secure financial planning. This all done with the backdrop of having to find £24million in savings. Feedback from the public suggested that the council tax freeze had been welcome, but it was now time to move on in light of ever-greater financial pressures.

“Locally, I’m delighted that education services will be protected. Teachers, Special Education and Pupil Support Assistant and Early Learning and Child Care and music tuition budgets were all protected. The swimming pool at Bracoden School – which is there because the local community fundraised for it many years ago – would have closed if the Tories and Independents had won the vote. I’m very surprised that my local Tory and Independent colleagues supported this.

“Waste collections will continue as at present and garden waste skips will be maintained where they are currently sited. The mini Household Waste and Recycling Centre in Gardenstown will be retained. All of these were also voted against by my fellow ward councillors.

“Supporting Business and Economic Development was also a priority. A £3million fund was set up and will be made available to businesses that have been affected by the recent business rate revaluation. We also added a new budget line amounting to £250,000 to support tourist sites such as Macduff Marine Aquarium. Again the Tory led Alliance and my two fellow ward councillors voted against these proposals.

“The Tory Alliance proposed in their budget no increase in council tax that despite years of complaining that they were not allowed to increase. They refused to take the opportunity when it is there.

“It is clear to see where people’s priorities are. Those who voted to accept our partnership budget value our communities, listen to our communities and deliver to our communities. Those who opposed it offered no solutions or policies, just scorched earth for our communities and little or no meaningful future for the younger members of our society.”

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Local SNP Councillor Comments on A947 Meeting

Speaking following a site meeting with local residents and council officials at Plaidy regarding road safety on the A947, local SNP councillor Ross Cassie said:

“Having attended a site visit at The Old Station House, Plaidy on the A947 I am pleased that Aberdeenshire Council are looking at all options to make this notorious stretch of road safer for all users as well as for those whose properties are adjacent to the road.

“I will continue to work with Council Officers and Police Scotland to seek to address the issue of inappropriate speed at Plaidy on the A947. Too many collisions have occurred on the A947 in the Plaidy area.”

Cllr Cassie, a former driving examiner with the Driving Standards Agency added:

“Until an engineering and/or other enforcement solutions are arrived at I would urge all road users to treat the road with respect. Speed limits are not a target but are the maximum speed if safe to do so. Leave in plenty of time for your journey and travel at a speed whilst respecting the speed limits that is appropriate for the location you are driving in.”

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Troup Councillor Welcomes NHS Review Group Meeting in Gardenstown

Local SNP councillor Ross Cassie has welcomed the announcement from NHS Grampian that their Review Group will meet in Gardenstown to hear representations from local people on dispensed medicines from GP practices.

The meeting had been originally scheduled for Banff but Cllr Cassie was instrumental in getting it changed to Gardenstown.

Commenting, Cllr Ross Cassie said:

“I welcome the fact that this review is to take place in Gardenstown and not as previously planned in Banff.

“It is vitally important that the dispensing service is retained in Gardenstown, a community without a pharmacist and also without a GP service. There are very poor public transport links to other settlements with pharmacy provision and the residents have to travel some distance to access a GP.

“I will certainly be putting the case for its retention at the event on 28th November at the Dreel Hall for all of the community to have access to locally provided medication. This community has had more than its fair share of disappointment with NHS service provision following the loss of its GP service.

“I would also urge all residents to attend this event on the 28th November to add their voices into review and lobby for the retention of the Dispensing service.”

Those wishing to put forward their view at the event should contact NHS Grampian for an appointment slot by email nhsg.involve@nhs.net or writing to Freepost, NHS Grampian by Friday 11th November. You will be allocated a time and to ensure that the maximum number of people have the opportunity to participate you should speak for 15 minutes or less.

There is no requirement to support your presentation with a written submission, but if you would like to do so please email your submission to the above email address by Friday 11th November.

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Cassie Comments on Banff Bridge Study

Troup SNP councillor Ross Cassie has welcomed the next stage of the study looking at the economic impact of the A98 Banff Bridge and potential options for its future.

Locals and those travelling through the area had the chance to contribute to the economic impact study earlier this year, effectively assessing its importance, as well as current problems and opportunities.

In particular, the study looked at the crossing over the River Deveron as a route for strategic trips between Peterhead, Fraserburgh and Inverness.

It also considered the local impact of the bridge, and this will help inform decisions on any future improvements, management and maintenance.

As a next step, there will be a public drop-in session and exhibition on Wednesday 21 September from 4.00pm-8.00pm in the main hall at Banff Academy.

Exhibition boards will show key outcomes of the study, and members of the study team will be on hand to answer any questions.

The exhibition will: detail the feedback received during the survey; show how this information has been used; present a range of possible future options for Banff Bridge, alongside the anticipated advantages and disadvantages of each; and provide information on the economic impact of the bridge.

The exhibition is a chance for officers to ask if the community agrees with the key findings, which will be reported to local councillors in due course.

Commenting, Cllr Ross Cassie said:

“I welcome this drop in session. The survey into the bridge across the River Deveron will present options for the future. This is an important structure for the communities of Macduff and Banff and the wider area.

“Its closure for any reason would have a significant impact on the local economy and is also an important link between the North-east corner and the Highland and Moray areas.

“The community were instrumental in the survey being carried out and are now to be involved in the next steps in shaping the way forward. This demonstrates that Aberdeenshire Council are involving the communities in decision making and as such direction of travel is being ‘done with the community’ and not ‘done to the community’."

The council’s Infrastructure Services Committee asked for the work last year and Aberdeenshire Council commissioned consultants AECOM to carry it out. It follows on from a previous partial study in 2008 and sought to gauge the extent of problems and issues experienced by those using the bridge.

It also considers current concerns about the safety of the bridge for local access between Banff and Macduff for all traffic, including pedestrians and cyclists. The impact of temporary restrictions or closures due to maintenance works, severe weather or road traffic incidents is also taken into account.

Banff Bridge is a seven-arched sandstone masonry structure designed by John Smeaton and built in 1779. Spanning 125 metres, it forms part of a strategic link, carrying traffic from the A98 coastal road to the A96 to Elgin and Inverness. Every day it sees around 12,000 vehicle movements and up to 180 pedestrians as the key link between Banff and Macduff.

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SNP's Ross Cassie Welcomes Playing Fields Grant for New Byth

SNP councillor for New Byth Ross Cassie and local MSP Stewart Stevenson have welcomed the grant award from Awards for All Scotland towards equipment for the village’s playing field.

New Byth Community & Playing Field Association have secured £7,700 and will use the funding to install a new aerial runway for the older children of the village to enjoy.

Commenting, Cllr Ross Cassie said:

“I welcome the award of £7,700 from Awards for All Scotland to New Byth Community & Playing Fields Association for an aerial runway for the children in the village to enjoy.

“Awards for All Scotland gives groups across our country the option to apply for grants of between £500 and £10,000 for their particular projects.

“These projects will bring communities together, assist learning and improve local spaces such as in New Byth and help our communities to become more active. I congratulate the Association on this award.”

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson added:

“Local voluntary groups are the backbone of our communities so it’s good to see New Byth Community & Playing Fields Association being rewarded for their efforts by a national funding body.

“Local communities themselves are best-placed to decide the priorities of the community, whatever those may be and volunteers who give freely of their time to make their town or village a better place deserve every encouragement.”

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Councillor Teams-Up with Police for Joint Drop-in Surgery

Recently-elected Troup SNP councillor Ross Cassie is joining forces with Police Scotland to hold a joint surgery for local people.

Local residents will be able to meet Councillor Cassie and a local Community Police Officer either together or individually should they wish in Macduff, Crudie and Rosehearty, starting with Macduff on Wednesday.

Commenting on the initiative, Troup councillor Ross Cassie, a former West Midlands police officer himself, said:

"I’m pleased to be able to offer this initiative, which will also be useful in terms of forming a good joint working relationship with local police officers.

“Some of the issues both myself and colleagues in the police deal with individually involve matters for both the police and the council so it therefore seemed sensible to offer the opportunity for people to meet with us together, but we’re equally happy if people wish to see us individually.

"I'm very grateful to Police Scotland for making themselves available for these surgeries."

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Councillor Cassie will be holding joint surgeries with a local Community Police officer on -

• Wednesday 25 March at Knowes Hotel, 43 Market Street, Macduff from 6.30pm to 7.15pm,
• Tuesday 31 March at Crudie Primary School, Crudie, from 6.30pm to 7.00pm, and
• Thursday 2 April at Fordyce Street Hall, Fordyce Street, Rosehearty from 6.45pm to 7.30pm.

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