SNP Win Vote in Fraserburgh & District Ward

The SNP in Fraserburgh was celebrating after coming first in Fraserburgh & District at last week’s local elections in terms of total votes with both of the party’s sitting councillors being returned.

Against an increased vote for the Tories across Aberdeenshire, the SNP saw off the challenge locally and topped the polls once again with 1,522 first preference votes.

Commenting, Banff & Buchan Westminster SNP candidate Eilidh Whiteford said:

“I’m delighted that Charles Buchan and Brian Topping have been re-elected to serve the people of the Fraserburgh & District ward and congratulate them on their vote. Our third candidate, David Donn, ran an excellent campaign on local issues which was well received and I congratulate him on a well-fought election, as I do the other candidates.”

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SNP Win Back Banff Seat from Tories

By-Election Loss Reversed as Reynolds Elected at Stage 1
SNP activists and supporters were celebrating winning back the Banff & District seat from the Conservatives on Friday. After the votes were counted at the Aberdeen Exhibition Centre, Glen Reynolds was elected at stage one of the count, reversing the result of the by-election held last November.

Commenting on his election, Councillor Glen Reynolds said:

"I am delighted to be given this opportunity to serve all the people of Banff & District ward, and not just those who voted or supported me. Taxpayers and their families should expect to see a great deal of hard work from me, and that work starts now.

“I follow in the footsteps of the late Cllr Ian Gray, who was devoted to the residents of the ward and my election is a great opportunity to do him, and those same residents, proud. I look forward to working with councillor colleagues and especially the people of the area, to ensure that local services are protected in difficult and uncertain times ahead."

Banff & Buchan SNP candidate Eilidh Whiteford added:

“I’m very pleased for Glen who put a huge effort into winning back this seat from the Tories and has been rewarded for that effort by the voters. Glen will be an excellent councillor for Banff & District.”

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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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Banff & Buchan MP Welcomes Scottish Food & Drink Commitment

Banff & Buchan MP, Dr Eilidh Whiteford, has welcomed a commitment by Deputy First Minister John Swinney to maintain Scotland’s strong record of growth in the food and drink sector.

Among the commitments were a £5million fund for promoting Scotland’s regional food producers; a pledge that the Scottish Government will work hard to secure a good deal for Scottish producers at CAP negotiations in 2017; and implementation of the Scotland Food and Drink Plan, which will target key overseas markets for growth.

Speaking following the announcement, Dr Whiteford said this represented good news for producers across the country.

She said:

“Banff and Buchan is home to many excellent food and drink businesses, from farming and fishing right up to secondary and tertiary producers who market north-east food and drink across the world. Scottish food and drink has a long tradition of being among the best in the world, and this is reflected in the growth figures over the last five years.

“Though we’ve seen a phenomenal growth in food and drink exports since 2012, there’s still plenty to be done. The world’s demand for first-class Scottish food is insatiable, and I am pleased to see the Scottish Government taking a proactive lead in the matter.”

SNP Scottish Parliament candidate for Aberdeenshire East, Gillian Martin, added:

“This represents a clear commitment to the North-east’s world-beating food and drinks sector, and an ambitious programme to boost exports.

“The Scottish Government is listening to producers, and is taking proactive measures to bring the very best of Scotland’s produce to an ever wider market.”

Scottish food and drink exports to the rest of the world are worth around £1.1billion every year. This represents an increase of 20% on turnover in 2014

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Council's Silent Tribute to Former Peterhead Councillor

Members of Aberdeenshire Council’s Buchan Area Committee observed a minute’s silence at the start of their meeting today for former committee member Jim Davidson, who died at the weekend.

The popular former SNP councillor served on Banff & Buchan District Council from 1988 and on Grampian Regional Council from 1990 until their replacement by Aberdeenshire Council, on which he served until retiring at the 2007 election.

Buchan Area Committee Chairman, Cllr Stuart Pratt said:

“Jim was a valued colleague and dear friend and I will miss him greatly. We were elected together to the old District Council in 1988 and served alongside each other until he retired in 2007.

“Jim and his wife Jean spent a lot of time in the Far East doing work for the Salvation Army and until quite recently he continued as a preacher in various local churches filling in for Ministers when they were absent or on holiday. He will be a great loss to the community.”

Peterhead South & Cruden councillor Stephen Smith, who succeeded Jim as SNP candidate at the 2007 council elections said:

“Jim served Peterhead for 19 years as a councillor but was active in his community for all of his life. I first met him when he was considering standing for the council in 1988 and I never thought back then that I would be his successor.

“Jim gave me a lot of good advice when I was elected in 2007 and is remembered fondly by his former constituents.”

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson also paid tribute saying:

“Jim was a real community stalwart, always willing to assist his constituents and serve the party.

“He was a dedicated councillor and always a source of wise advice who will be sorely missed.”

Local MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford said:

“I was so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing and send my condolences to Jean and his family. Jim was an exceptional public servant and lifelong champion of all things Peterhead and his loss will be sorely felt by all who knew him.”

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Ross Cassie elected as new SNP councillor for Troup ward

SNP COMMENTS ON TROUP BY-ELECTION WIN
The SNP candidate, Ross Cassie, has won the Aberdeenshire Council by-election for Troup ward, with 1159 votes.

The by-election was held following the death of respected Conservative councillor John Duncan earlier this year.

Commenting on the win, newly elected councillor Ross Cassie said:

"It is a great privilege to be elected as the SNP councillor for Troup ward. I am humbled by the support of the communities in Troup and I pledge to repay their trust by working hard for this area over the coming months and years."

"This by-election took place under very sad circumstances after the passing of John Duncan, and I pay tribute to the work he has done for the area."

"There are a number of very significant challenges facing the communities here - not least the regeneration of our towns - but residents can rest assured that I will give nothing less than my absolute best in pursuit of a better future for this area."

SNP MP for Banff & Buchan, Dr Eilidh Whiteford added:

"I am delighted to congratulate Ross on being elected. This was a Conservative-held seat but the people of Troup have placed their faith in the SNP to protect key policies like the Council Tax freeze. I wish Ross all the best in his new role and I am confident that he will deliver for the people who placed their trust in him."

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McRae Hails Revolution in Childcare and Employment

Women stand to gain from independence yes vote​
​Following on from a special meeting of the Scottish Government's All-Women Cabinet Meeting in Edinburgh this week, a local SNP councillor has claimed that w​omen in the north-east stand to benefit from a revolution in childcare and employment rights in the event of a Yes vote.

Councillor Fiona McRae has hailed the Scottish Government’s proposals for 30 hours of free childcare per week for all three and four year olds, along with guarantees on raising the minimum wage, protecting the welfare state and ensuring a fairer pension system.

Cllr McRae said:

“The Scottish Government plans for a revolution in childcare which will benefit many families in Scotland. The prohibitive cost of child care means that many women who want to work, or who want to increase their hours find it impossible to do so."

“It is one of those rare things these days in politics – a genuinely life-changing policy, which will save families thousands of pounds in childcare costs, create new job opportunities and raise living standards for thousands of women who would otherwise be taking reduced hours or leaving well-paid positions when they have children.”

Along with proposals for a comprehensive childcare system, the Scottish Government has committed to raising the minimum wage in line with inflation – a move which will benefit thousands of women in low paid jobs.

Banff and Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford​ commented:

​Had the minimum wage kept pace with inflation, our lowest-paid workers would have been more than £600 a year better off. The proposals put forward by the Scottish Government will directly benefit everyone in a low-paid job significantly, and help address the scandal of working families living in poverty."

“In the north-east, those who work for low wages will be among those who benefit the most from a Yes vote in September.”

​Local women are also invited to attend a special event next month aimed at undecided women voters. The Women for Independence event will take place in Dalrymple Hall, Fraserburgh on July 26 from 2pm.​

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Coffee Morning Gives 'Yes' Supporters Grounds For Optimism

An event organised by local ‘YES Scotland’ activists aimed at female voters has been hailed as a great success by organisers.

Around forty female voters, mostly undecided on how to vote in September’s Independence referendum, gathered in the conservatory of Ellon’s Buchan Hotel last Saturday morning to enjoy a cup of coffee and to have a chat about issues surrounding Scottish Independence.

Those attending the event, organised by the local Ellon ‘Women for Independence’ group, were joined by Eilidh Whiteford, the Scottish National Party MP for Banff and Buchan, who was on hand to answer any questions raised.

The meeting, which was deliberately designed to be very informal, gave those attending the opportunity to discuss Independence with other undecided voters as well as people who have already decided to vote ‘Yes’. It is one of a number of similar events which have been planned by 'Yes' supporters to be held across Scotland and the North East in advance of September’s vote.

“This was a really good meeting”, said Dr Whiteford afterwards.

“It was an informal, relaxed event, which gave people a chance to ask anything they liked about independence and the forthcoming referendum.

“Women represent over half the voting population in Scotland. As opinion polls show the margin between ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ getting ever closer, it’s increasingly clear that women’s voices need to be heard, and that we are going to become more and more important in shaping the debate on Scotland’s future.

“People went away with a real sense of having engaged with the issues. I’m certain that more than a few those who arrived as undecided voters will have left, if not as outright ‘Yes’ supporters, then certainly heading firmly in that direction.”

Afterwards, a spokesperson for the Ellon Women For Independence group thanked Dr Whiteford for supporting the event.

"It was really good to be able to welcome such a high-profile local politician to our meeting", she said. 

"As a Member of Parliament, Eilidh knows all about how poorly our interests are represented by the Westminster Government and how with Scottish control over tax and welfare policy we could make a real and positive difference to people's lives.

"This has been a very successful morning for us. We'd like to thank everyone who came along, and especially Dr Whiteford for taking the time to come along to play such an active part."

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St Combs Couple Congratulated on 70th Wedding Anniversary

St Combs couple Alec and Martha Nicol of Mid Street reached a milestone 70 years of marriage at the weekend.

Local councillor Fiona McRae dropped by with a card and flowers for the couple on behalf of Aberdeenshire Council, accompanied by Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford.

Mr and Mrs Nicol have 3 children, 5 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 4 great great-grandchildren.

Commenting, Cllr Fiona McRae said:

“It’s always a pleasure to officiate at Golden or Diamond Weddings for the council, but a 70th wedding anniversary is even more special.

“I very much enjoyed chatting to Mr and Mrs Nicol and wish them continued happiness in the years to come.”

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford added:

“Incredibly, Mr and Mrs Nicol informed me that this is not the first point in time in their family history when the family tree has spanned five generations at once. It was a delight to meet Mr and Mrs Nicol and hear all about their family, including their great great-grandchildren, and I congratulate them on reaching this milestone anniversary.”

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Aberdeenshire SNP Launches Local Election Manifesto

Aberdeenshire SNP today launched its 2012 local government election manifesto for Aberdeenshire Council at a gathering of SNP candidates in Cruden Bay.

A group of the SNP's Councillors, local election candidates and activists, led by Aberdeenshire Council SNP Group Leader Cllr Joanna Strathdee and Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford, were present at the launch of the manifesto document.  The document will be the basis of the SNP's approach if it forms an administration on Aberdeenshire Council after the 3^rd May elections.

The SNP is fielding a record 36 candidates in the Aberdeenshire local authority area at this election, reflecting the party's ambition to take over the administration from the current Liberal Democrat/Conservative coalition.

Commenting after the launch, SNP Group Leader Cllr Joanna Strathdee said:

“These are difficult but also exciting times for Scotland and Aberdeenshire. There are important choices to be made, which will define how we live, work and take decisions for years to come.

“In Aberdeenshire, we are at the heart of Scotland's economic strength. We stand at a moment of great opportunity, with new life predicted for our oil and gas sector, just as the promise of renewable energy from our seas comes to fruition.

“The current downturn has forced a lot of families and businesses to look carefully at their budgets, and to make sure they are getting the best value they can. In the SNP, we believe that local councils should be no different.

“By focusing on what really matters, the SNP believes that together, we can maintain the services that people value, while putting in place the infrastructure which will help Aberdeenshire and its people seize the great opportunities of the future.”

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford said:

“We are proud of our policies and proud of the candidates we have representing us. A vote for the SNP in May will be a vote for a well-run council, which can secure opportunity and prosperity for the future, while delivering fairness and good governance in the present.

“An SNP administration will be a council which has a head and a heart, and which is committed to making Aberdeenshire the best part of the country in which to live.”

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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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Sheltered Housing Residents Report Council To Ombudsman

Residents of numerous sheltered housing complexes across Aberdeenshire have united to support a formal complaint to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman against Aberdeenshire Council. The complaint, which has been lodged by Fraserburgh sheltered housing resident, Martin Coull, focuses on what the residents assert was the deeply flawed consultation process which has led to planned reductions in full-time cover in favour of the introduction of itinerant teams of sheltered housing officers.

A former shop steward, Mr Coull was dissatisfied with the Council’s response to the concerns expressed by the residents of neighbouring sheltered housing complexes in Fraserburgh, and when he found that those concerns were shared by the residents of many other complexes, he contacted residents across Aberdeenshire to seek their support for concerted action.

Mr Coull’s complaint also draws heavily on the evidence of correspondence conducted between Aberdeenshire Council and Cllr Rob Merson of Ellon & District Ward, who engaged extensively with Council chiefs on behalf of his own constituents, and has supported Mr Coull’s action.

Mr Coull remarked:

“I have been in contact with the residents of numerous sheltered housing complexes following complaints about the consultation, and was forced to the opinion that there were serious flaws in that process. The residents of several sheltered housing complexes were required to travel some distance to participate in consultation meetings. The seating arrangements were inadequate, and no provision was made for the hard of hearing at those meetings. Such an arrangement automatically excluded the participation of those most likely to require the assistance of the wardens on a regular basis.”

Cllr Merson commented:

“In the light of the concerns which have been widely expressed by my constituents, I was extremely dissatisfied that local councillors were not invited to attend the consultation meetings, and specifically requested that they should be invited to the information meetings which followed. Although that was agreed to, it is matter of regret that many of these meetings were arranged for times which clashed with Council committee meetings - and even a meeting of Full Council. Many of my colleagues were therefore unable to attend the sheltered housing meetings in their own Wards.

“I informed senior officers of my constituents’ concerns, but I was not satisfied by the answers which were provided. I therefore met with the Director of Social Work & Housing and subsequently received his detailed response to my constituents’ queries. My constituents still did not feel that their concerns were adequately addressed in that response, and they were happy to support Mr Coull in taking a complaint to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.”

Banff & Buchan MP, Dr Eilidh Whiteford, has also written to the Ombudsman in support of Mr Coull’s complaint. Commenting, she said:

“I have met with residents and representatives from a number of sheltered housing residents from across my constituency who have expressed very similar concerns about the consultation process as those that Mr Coull has reported to the Ombudsman. I was therefore happy to support his action.”

Mr Coull added:

“I trust that the Ombudsman will recognise that my complaint has received wide body of support from the many residents who share my concerns, and look forward to his response with great interest.”

Cllr Merson concluded:

“The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman is not in a position to overturn the decisions made by Aberdeenshire Council in respect of sheltered housing care provision. However, if it can be established that the consultation exercise was not conducted in an appropriate manner, then I would expect that the Council should feel obliged to review the policy decisions which have been made on the basis of that consultation.”

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Topping Welcomes Hotel Interest

Fraserburgh’s SNP councillor Brian Topping has welcomed the news that national pub chain J D Wetherspoon are understood to be in talks about the future of the former Saltoun Arms Hotel.

Councillor Topping has been at the forefront of efforts to regenerate the town centre in recent years and took the unusual step in December 2009 of writing directly to senior management at some of Europe’s foremost hotel chains inviting them to consider the former Saltoun Arms as their next acquisition.

Commenting on the news about J D Wetherspoon, Councillor Topping said:

“I’m very encouraged by this news and I hope that something positive for the town comes out of this.

“Wetherspoons moved into Peterhead a few years ago and my colleagues there tell me it has been an excellent addition to the town centre, with no loss of existing licensed premises or restaurants as a result.

“This is a prime location right in the heart of the Broch which is crying out to be put to good commercial use. Attracting interest from a company with the standing of Wetherspoons shows that Fraserburgh has much to offer, and I hope there will be a positive outcome for the town.”

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford added:

“This is good news for the town centre that a company such as Wetherspoons are showing interest in Fraserburgh.

“Brian has been a powerful advocate for trying to attract in new business to this prime location, taking the unprecedented step of writing to a dozen of Europe’s top hotel chains back in 2009 to advertise the availability of the Saltoun Arms.

“I hope therefore that something positive comes out of this latest move which will in turn attract more visitors to Fraserburgh Town Centre.”

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LOCAL PARLIAMENTARIANS ON SMITH EMBANKMENT OPENING

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson and MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford have both declared themselves very impressed with the Peterhead Harbour extension, the Smith Embankment, which was officially opened by First Minister Alex Salmond.

Mr Stevenson and Dr Whiteford, along with Peterhead South & Cruden councillor Stephen Smith, were among a wide range of guests representing harbour users, local businesses, contractors involved in the construction of the new quay, and the wider community present for the official opening.

Speaking afterwards, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

“To have completed this massive infrastructure project not only on time but also on budget is a tremendous achievement and I congratulate John Wallace and his first class team at Peterhead Port Authority on this achievement.

“I am proud that the Scottish Government recognised the important contribution which the port of Peterhead makes to the Scottish economy and supported this development financially.”

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford commented:

“This investment in Peterhead moves the port and the town forward and the management at Peterhead harbours are to be commended for the vision they have shown by taking a big decision at what was and remains a very difficult economic climate, but one which will reap dividends in the years to come with the increased capacity of the harbour.”

Peterhead South & Cruden councillor Stephen Smith added:

“This has been a great day for Peterhead and ensures that the town’s greatest asset is secure in its pre-eminent position as Europe’s number one fishing port for many years to come.”

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LOCAL COUNCILLOR ELECTED VICE-CONVENER OF GRAMPIAN POLICE BOARD

SNP councillor for Mid-Formartine Allan Hendry has been elected vice-convener of Grampian Police Joint Board.

Councillor Hendry is himself a former police officer was elected at a meeting of the Board held on 12 November.

Commenting, Councillor Hendry said:

“I am delighted at being elected to this position and I am very grateful to my colleagues on the Board who showed their confidence in me by voting in my favour.

“I look forward to the challenges ahead, of which I have no doubt there will be many, and will do my best to help overcome any difficulties both for the Board and for the people resident in the Grampian Police area.”

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford added:

“Allan brings a lot of experience to his new position as a former police officer and I know he will work very hard in his new role, as he has been doing for the past three years as a Police Board member.”

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PETERHEAD 'INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EVENT' HAILED AS GREAT SUCCESS

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford and Peterhead South & Cruden councillor Stephen Smith have hailed Saturday night's "International Cultural Event" organised by Community Learning & Development staff from Aberdeenshire Council and the Migrant Workers' Association as a great success.

The event, which took place in the Rescue Hall on Saturday night, saw a huge turnout of local people and local residents from Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Russia. Traditional Scottish music and dance kicked off the event followed by traditional and contemporary music and dance from Latvia, Lithuania and Russia.

Commenting afterwards, SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford, who attended the event, said:

"This was a thoroughly enjoyable event. The performers seemed very enthusiastic about bringing their own culture to a wider audience and did exceptionally well on the night.


"It was also really good to see so many young people there, supported by adults and other youngsters of all the nationalities present."

Local SNP councillor Stephen Smith, who also attended, added:

"I think the organisers of this event have to be congratulated for their tremendous efforts, which were well-rewarded with such a huge turnout. I don't think the Rescue Hall will ever have witnessed anything quite like that before.

"Everyone, regardless of nationality, was extremely supportive of all the performers who did an absolutely fantastic job of entertaining the audience, so if one of the aims was to bring the new Peterhead residents and the existing Peterhead population closer together then I think it did that very effectively."

The event organisers are hoping to arrange another such event for Saturday 6 March.

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PERMANENT STATUS FOR COMMUNITY WARDENS AFTER COUNCIL BACKING

The Community Warden Scheme is to become permanent after Aberdeenshire Council gave its backing to extending the scheme. The council's Policy and Resources Committee met yesterday (Thursday) and agreed to endorse the scheme.

Peterhead SNP councillor and member of the Policy and Resources Committee Cllr Stephen Smith told the meeting that the Community Wardens were a valuable asset to the town and the work they did was greatly appreciated. The Committee also heard that there have been significant improvements in a range of indicators relating to anti-social behaviour showing the effectiveness of the wardens.

News that the wardens scheme was to be made permanent was welcomed by SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford.

Speaking during the committee meeting, which was held in Woodhill House, Cllr Stephen Smith said:

"I'm delighted by this decision. I know from the local Community Councils, local organisations and constituents that the Community Wardens provide an effective service and have shown to deliver results.

"It has been an uncertain time for them as the scheme was only temporary and has been extended a couple of times but this decision now means that it will become permanent. Not only that, but the expertise developed by the wardens will now be available to other communities outside Peterhead on a needs basis.

"I was please also to receive a commitment from officials that the wardens will be brought up to full strength with the currently vacant post being filled."

SNP candidate Eilidh Whiteford added:

"This is very good news indeed. I know that Stephen has been a vocal supporter of the Community Warden scheme at several meetings of the council in the run-up to this decision so I'm very pleased that Peterhead and other communities in Buchan are now set to benefit from the scheme becoming permanent."

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TURRIFF COUNCILLOR OFFICIALLY OPENS NEW BUSINESS VENTURE IN TOWN

Turriff councillor Sandy Duncan today (Monday) performed the opening ceremony at the latest new business to open up in the town.

Skin Deep Beauty Salon, operated by local woman Debbie Thomson, opened for business today at 1A Hatton Road. Also present at the opening to wish Debbie good luck in her new venture was SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford.

Speaking in Turriff today, Eilidh Whiteford said:

"I congratulate Debbie, and wish her every success in her new premises. It's great to see a young woman taking on the challenge of starting her own business.

"This is exactly the kind of enterprise that we need as we emerge from the current recession. This has been a tough a year for many businesses, but the SNP Government's abolition of business rates for small businesses has helped many local firms weather the storm."

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BROCH SNP COUNCILLOR IN APPROACH TO HOTEL CHAINS OVER SALTOUN ARMS

TOPPING SAYS 'COME TO FRASERBURGH'

Fraserburgh's SNP councillor Brian Topping has taken the unprecedented step of writing to around a dozen of Europe's top hotel chains with the message 'Come to Fraserburgh'.

The councillor – himself a former executive chef in one of the town's hotels - has made his approach after learning that the former Saltoun Arms Hotel in the town had failed to sell at auction in Edinburgh. Councillor Topping has also spoken out against town centre hotels being turned into 'houses of multiple occupation' or HMOs.

Commenting on his approach to the hotel chains, Brian said:

"I for one am not going to sit back and just hope that something happens. The Broch has lost a lot of town centre businesses in recent times but there are still a lot of very good local enterprises out there. The town centre has had a bit of a boost with Iceland opening up recently but we need more. I am also disappointed as someone who worked at the Station Hotel for many years that it is not now operating as a hotel.

"People who know me know that I take every opportunity I can to promote Fraserburgh and I will continue to do that.

"I have therefore written to around a dozen of Europe's top hotel chains alerting them to the fact that the Saltoun Arms is available, is on the market, and we'd love to see one of them come to Fraserburgh and take it over.

"I have no idea whether I'll even get a response or whether we're still too far into the UK's recession for hotels to be even thinking about new acquisitions but I certainly know that if you don't try then you definitely won't succeed. The Broch has the people who can fill the jobs which would be created if one of these hotel chains does decide to come here."

In his letter, Councillor Topping states:

"I am writing to you as the Aberdeenshire councillor for the town of Fraserburgh to draw to your attention the availability of the Saltoun Arms Hotel which I believe could represent an exciting opportunity for your hotel company.

"The town of Fraserburgh is a vibrant fishing port and is one of the pre-eminent shellfish and white fish ports in the EU. In recent years, major tourist attractions such as Scotland's National Lighthouse Museum and the award-winning Fraserburgh Heritage Centre have opened up. The town also boasts a superb 18-hole golf course and has several miles of magnificent sandy beaches which can lay claim to some of the best conditions for windsurfers in the country.

"However, Fraserburgh desperately lacks hotel accommodation and the associated function capabilities which a town of this size (population over 12,000) with its large rural hinterland should have."

Councillor Topping then goes on to offer the services of Aberdeenshire Council's Economic Development Department to those who are interested.

The move has been welcomed by SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford, who said:

"This is typical of Brian's 'can-do' approach to things and he is very much to be congratulated for his initiative.

"It is absolutely vital that Fraserburgh does not lose out by not having enough hotel accommodation. As Brian points out in his letter to the hotel chains, the Broch has a lot to offer visitors which those of us who live locally don't always recognise.

"But there's also the wider message that this send out about the town if we allow town centre hotels to be lost forever. Brian therefore has my full support in what he is trying to achieve and I hope he is successful in his aims."

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WATSON WELCOMES MINISTERIAL VISIT TO ROSEHEARTY

Local SNP councillor Bob Watson has welcomed the confirmation that the Minister for Culture Michael Russell MSP is to visit Peathill Kirk, Rosehearty, next week as a guest of the Pitsligo Castle Trust.

Mr Russell will perform the official unveiling of the new display panels detailing the aims of the Trust to consolidate Pitsligo Castle and to create the Peathill Jacobite and Heraldic Centre at a ceremony on Friday 23 October.

Councillor Watson has been a strong supporter of the work of the Trust and since becoming a member of the Pitsligo Castle/Peathill Kirk working group has secured support from Director of Education for Aberdeenshire Bruce Robertson for the project. As a result, Aberdeenshire Council Education Department is now a partner in the initiative, and local schools, e.g., Fraserburgh Academy, Turriff Academy, Rosehearty Primary etc., are coming on board as part of their local history 'curriculum for excellence' agenda. An Education Department working sub-group has also been formed to report back to Pitsligo Castle/Peathill Kirk working group in December, with their views on how they see the project develop and integrate with the education curriculum.

Commenting, Councillor Bob Watson said:

"In line with the Scottish Government's desire that bodies such as the National Trust and Historic Scotland should, as far as possible, indulge in 'joined up working', the National Trust for Scotland has also 'come on board' as an advisory non finance contributory partner.

"Seeing the potential of the Pitsligo Castle/Peathill Kirk project for the economic development of the Rosehearty area, I encouraged Pitsligo Castle/Peathill Kirk Trust to apply for funding from the Banff & Buchan Area Committee to go towards marketing the project. With my recommendation and support in committee, the project received £4750. That money has been used to pay for the production of display banners which will be used at events throughout Aberdeenshire and beyond to promote the project, an information leaflet, and the construction of a web site: www.pitsligo-castle.org.uk

"I am therefore absolutely delighted that the Minister for Culture Michael Russell will be visiting the Trust to see for himself this exciting project."

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford added:

"I was pleased to be able to visit Peathill Kirk at their recent Doors Open Day and see the excellent progress they are making for myself.

"The 'Friends' have done an exceptional amount of work in recent years to move this project forward and I know that Bob has been working hard as their local councillor to support them in their aims. I'm very pleased that Michael Russell is taking time out from his schedule to give his endorsement to the project and it is a great reflection on the 'Friends' and their efforts to date."

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