SNP Announce Team for Huntly, Strathbogie and Howe of Alford

Local Commitment and Experience
Sitting Councillor Gwyneth Petrie has been selected by local SNP members to stand for re-election, alongside Kate Monahan, who currently works as a Constituency Support Manager for Stuart Donaldson MP, in Ward 14: Huntly, Strathbogie and Howe of Alford.

Kate lives with her large family and has a background in corporate communication, with a Post Graduate Degree in Political Communication.

Gwyneth lives with her partner and young son and has been a Councillor for Huntly, Strathbogie and Howe of Alford since a by-election in 2015. She currently works part-time as an Office Manager for Gillian Martin MSP and has a legal degree and diploma.

Commenting on Kate's selection, Stuart Donaldson, MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine said;

"It is fantastic that Kate has been selected as a candidate for Huntly, Strathbogie and Howe of Alford.

"Since working for me, Kate has been a tireless advocate for vulnerable individuals and families, and she is able to draw on her own considerable professional and personal experience to always try and secure the best outcome for constituents.

"She has worked closely with businesses and communities in an effort to secure better broadband services and boost the tourism potential of the area, and I am certain Kate will be a great representative for the people living throughout ward 14."

Commenting on Gwyneth's re-selection, Alex Salmond, MP for Gordon said:

"As the youngest elected member of Aberdeenshire Council, Gwyneth has brought a different perspective to the Chamber and ensures that the voices of the young people of Aberdeenshire are heard.

"Gwyneth has worked exceptionally hard since her election in 2015 and continues to be a strong advocate for Huntly and the surrounding areas. She has an excellent local knowledge and commitment to the ward and I fully endorse her candidacy."

Kate Monahan added:

"It is an honour to have been selected as one of the SNP candidates for Ward 14. Aberdeenshire is a great place to live and work, and I am proud to call it home.

"Working for the local MP, I have an in-depth understanding of the challenges and opportunities faces by businesses, families and communities throughout the Howe of Alford, and I am keen to stand up for schools, cares services and charities.

"I will work tirelessly to ensure that vital public services are protected and local businesses are supported."

Cllr Gwyneth Petrie said:

"I am delighted to be standing alongside Kate for election. I was born and brought up in Huntly, and Kate has an excellent understanding of the Alford area through her work. Together, we can be a strong and effective team representing the whole of Huntly, Strathbogie and Howe of Alford.

"Since being elected, I have worked with local people and groups to try and resolve a number of issues, including the recent influx of seagulls to Huntly, anti-social driving throughout the ward, and the condition and use of our local halls and community centres.

"It has been a privilege to represent the people of the area, and I very much hope to be re-elected on the 4th May."

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Community Braves Freezing Conditions to Save Clydesdale Bank Branch

Despite freezing temperatures almost 250 people turned out in Aboyne to sign the newly launched petition urging Clydesdale Bank to reverse their decision to close the branch. Shortly after, an on-line version was launched which goes directly to the email box of the Bank’s Chief Executive, David Duffy. A Facebook page has been started and within 48 hours the posts had been seen by almost 5,000 people

Amongst those who braved the sub-zero temperatures was Aberdeenshire West & Kincardine MP Stuart Donaldson who listened to what people were saying as they were signing

Mr Donaldson commented:

"It is great to see the large number of local people who are supporting the petition and showing their determination to keep their branch, an important community asset, open.”

Local councillor Geva Blackett who is involved in the campaign said:

“People come from far and wide to use this very busy branch, it is absolutely vital to the economy of the area as is the ATM. I sincerely hope the Bank are listening to what the people they serve are saying and reverse their decision – I urge everyone to lend their support to this petition please”

Clydesdale claims to be “Big enough to matter and small enough to care” Their website states “Being close to our customers is at the heart of everything we do, because to care about here means always understanding how to better serve the people who live here.”

Cllr Blackett added:

“We have the media on side, we have our Members of Parliament on side, we have public opinion on side - so my message to Mr Duffy is: Please listen to the businesses and folk that make up this widespread and in parts remote community – come on side too, show you care and don’t close our bank!”

Fiona Mallett who is also involved in the campaign and drives the local community bus for the retired folk in Strathdon said:

“I pick people up from as far up Strathdon as Corgarff, bring them to Aboyne where they do their banking, get their messages and have a cup of tea in the local café before we head off back – it’s the old and vulnerable who will suffer if this branch closes and the businesses will suffer too!”

Local resident Craig Pirie said:

“Less than 72 hours ago we heard this branch was going to close. Today’s action and support shows the strength of feeling in the area – people came from Strathdon, Tarland, Braemar, Torphins, Alford and Ballater to sign the petition because they want the bank to stay”

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SNP Representatives Express Concern at Effects of Royal Mail Cuts

West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP, Stuart Donaldson, and Councillor Geva Blackett have today expressed their serious concerns over the new arrangements in place for the Ballater posties, following the closure of the Ballater Sorting Office.

Prior to June 2016, the mail for Ballater, Crathie and Braemar was sorted at an official Sorting Office in Ballater, however Royal Mail made the decision not to renew the lease for the property, and the handover from Aberdeen has instead taken place in the small public car park on Swann Place in the town.

Following contact from a number of constituents about this practice leading to the mail being delivered soaked, Mr Donaldson and Councillor Blackett visited the car park on the morning of Friday 17th June. At 09.20, a Royal Mail van arrived to unload the mail from Aberdeen Sorting Office, parking in a 'turning only' area to do so.

Commenting, Mr Donaldson said:

“I was horrified at the apparent lack of health and safety considerations for the workforce, as well as the way that private and confidential mail was being so openly sorted, without any appropriate security in place.

"I will be writing to Royal Mail asking for an urgent meeting, as well as contacting Aberdeenshire Council Chief Executive Jim Savege to ascertain his thoughts on an Aberdeenshire Council owned car park being used in this way."

Cllr Geva Blackett added:

“I am so glad that Stuart and I had the opportunity to see first hand how difficult this part of the job has now become for our post men and women.

"This car park is a public facility, and therefore there are always other vehicles coming in and out, as well as a number of pedestrians walking through the area. The presence of the large Royal Mail van, as well as the many smaller delivery vans and the large trolleys for mail to be moved, make the car park hazardous for both Royal Mail employees and the public.

"It is my understanding that permission for this was not received from Aberdeenshire Council, who own the car park, until a fortnight before it became operational and I am not certain permission has actually been granted, however I have now brought it to the attention of Cllr David Aitchison, Chair of the Infrastructure Services Committee. I will work closely with Stuart and the council leadership to ensure that a safe and secure working environment is provided, and that those living in the area will continue to receive their mail in a timely and safe fashion."

Minister for Glen Muick Church, Reverend Daidh Barr, also shared his concerns, saying:

“How have Royal Mail’s top management decided that the old Royal Mail sorting office is not fit for purpose but a public car park is?”

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SNP Politicians Welcome Application to the EU Solidarity Fund

Dennis Robertson MSP, Stuart Donaldson MP and Councillor Geva Blackett have today welcomed the news that UK Government will apply to the EU Solidarity Fund to help communities who were affected by the recent flooding.

Stuart Donaldson, MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, initially asked the UK Government to consider an application early in January, however it was only on 25th February, and with the deadline looming on the 27th February, that they confirmed an application would be made. The European Commission had previously confirmed that the UK would be eligible to help from the fund, which was set up to respond to natural disasters to help and support member states in recovering from them.

Aberdeenshire Council have confirmed that they are looking at a bill of around £7.6 million for all the required repairs following the damage caused by Storm 'Frank', and the subsequent flooding across the area.

The Scottish Government has given £2 million to the local authority, with just under half of that amount already issued to households and businesses through the £1,500 and £3,000 payments under the Scottish Government Relief Fund.

Dennis Robertson, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, said:

“The money from the Scottish Government is very much welcomed across Aberdeenshire, and it is great to hear that the grants to individuals and businesses are being paid out quickly to ensure that those affected can get back on their feet as swiftly as possible.

“Unfortunately, many communities across Aberdeenshire were hit, meaning that Aberdeenshire Council face an enormous repairs bill, and any further financial assistance will help to ensure that the local authority don’t have to meet the entire burden of that cost.

“Whilst it is disappointing that it has taken so long for the UK Government to agree to make such an application, I hope that it can now be done and processed quickly so these communities can be rebuilt and open for business again as soon as possible.”

Commenting, Stuart Donaldson MP said:

“I have raised the issue of an application to the EU Solidarity Fund a number of times in Parliament so the announcement was welcome, but long overdue.

“I am still awaiting a full response from the government about which agencies they have been working with locally to ensure that sufficient money is applied for, and that those in flood affected communities across West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine get the support they need.”

Councillor for Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside, Geva Blackett, added:

“Stuart, Dennis and I have worked solidly together at all levels of Government on behalf of our constituents.

“I was astounded to learn from Reuters that EU officials were perplexed as to why they had not been approached by the Westminster government for funds, when so many people throughout my Ward have been flooded out of their homes and businesses. Upon hearing this, I immediately spoke with Stuart, who has repeatedly raised this issue on behalf of the people of Ballater and Aboyne in particular.

“I am so pleased that his diligence has paid off, and look forward to further funding to help this hard hit area.”

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