Aberdeenshire SNP

SNP Express Shock at Closure of Potterton Nursery

On Wednesday 13th December, families whose children attend Potterton Nursery were informed by Aberdeenshire Council that the setting would not be reopening following a closure for repairs earlier in the year.

Education bosses have chosen to close the setting without any public consultation or community engagement, giving families the options to send children to Balmedie Nursery or encouraged to consider nursery placements in Aberdeen City.

SNP representatives have urged for open consultation and transparency over the reasons for permanent closure of the setting.

In November, families were informed that the setting had to close temporarily due to repairs needed to the heating. Whilst these repairs have been completed, the local authority has now confirmed that they will not reopen the setting as an Early Learning and Childcare setting.

Councillor Jenny Nicol, representing Potterton in the Mid Formartine ward, has been impacted by these closures personally, as one of the families utilising the nursery setting for her own child.

Commenting, Cllr Jenny Nicol for Mid Formartine said:

“Potterton Nursery is an exceptional setting, delivering high standards of learning and care. Families had been offered the opportunity to send their children to Balmedie Nursery earlier in the school year. For these families, we have consistently chosen to have our children at Potterton. because we knew the high levels of care provision and that our children were safe, happy, nurtured and being enabled to develop their capabilities through play based learning and access to the outdoors everyday.

“The families who use these facilities are understandably very upset that a decision has been taken to rip out an essential service from this community and that this decision was taken without any consultation or community engagement is deplorable.”

MSP Gillian Martin for Aberdeenshire East, added:

“It is hugely disappointing the council have taken the decision to permanently close Potterton Nursery.

“Parents and caregivers have been left in limbo since the facility closed last month unexpectedly and have now been given the surprising news it will close permanently.

“Access to childcare provision locally is a huge asset especially in more rural areas and this decision will have a devastating impact as well as being unsettling for the children who previously attended Potterton Nursery.

“I am also dismayed there has been no consultation process on this matter leaving parents and caregivers completely shut out of any discussion, and I will be writing to Aberdeenshire Council to encourage them to undertake this process.”

ONE WEEK remains of our survey. We need your help to give evidence of the transport problems in the Buchan area. Click here to find the survey: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/2af9ddb22ccb4bd49dc5728c453fe24a

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Time to

*Important*

📝Remember and check your repeat prescriptions ahead of the festive period. If you need supplies, make sure to get your order in before the festive closures.

Order only what you need, in plenty of time ⏰

🔗 http://nhsinform.scot/winter

This week, Councillor Louise McAllister and I joined some of Aberdeenshire’s Foundation Apprentices studying Hospitality, for a professional development day at Balmoral Castle.

One of the greatest parts of my role on the Education and Children’s Services Committee is getting to work alongside our young people in Aberdeenshire schools and it is a privilege to see the positive impacts of days like these. The young people had a masterclass from an executive chef, prepared their own meal with venison, whilst discussing future careers in hospitality and tourism and how they can reach out and grab opportunities.

Cllr Leeann Mcwhinnie has welcomed confirmation from Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership that the Summers Ward at Peterhead Community Hospital will re-open on 18 December.

The ward has been relocated to Fraserburgh Hospital since the discovery of legionella in the water supply in February 2023.

Welcoming the announcement, Cllr McWhinnie (SNP-Peterhead North and Rattray) said:

“This is very welcome news that Summers Ward will be reopening next month. This has been a huge concern to the local community who very much value their local hospital and the services it provides.

”I would like to thank the staff at Peterhead Community Hospital and the wider NHS Grampian who have worked very hard to keep patients safe and well during what has been an extremely difficult time for all concerned.”

Pavement Parking Enforcement

Please note that from tomorrow (11 Dec), motorists can be fined up to £100 as the new Scottish Government legislation banning parking on pavements comes into force.

Aberdeenshire Council have issued the below statement regarding the local authority measures that will be in place to enforce this. You can also visit the Aberdeenshire Council website to read more https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/apps/news/release.aspx?newsID=9212

“Aberdeenshire Council urges motorists to take heed as pavement parking ban is introduced on Monday

Motorists are being advised to take heed of new Scottish Government legislation banning parking on pavements from Monday (Dec 11).

The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 bans pavement parking, double parking and parking at dropped kerbs, with certain exemptions designated by local authorities - for example to ensure safe access for emergency vehicles.

Local authorities will begin enforcing the law which means drivers could be fined £100 for such parking offences, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.

Aberdeenshire Council has completed an assessment of all its footways and has made a small number of exemption orders which will be in place for the prohibition coming into force.

While the council will be enforcing the prohibition, initially its focus will be around the education of motorists across the region.

Philip McKay, Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services, explained: “Many people face daily difficulties with pavement parking which can be dangerous and frustrating. Unfettered access along a footway is important for us all, but especially so for those with additional mobility needs, should that be due to physical difficulties or the need to navigate with a pram or wheelchair. Even if you think you have left enough space, only parked two wheels on the pavement or you won’t be parked for long, pavement parking can have harmful consequences to people who use the pavement.”

Pavement parking can force people to take unnecessary risks, such as:

People using wheelchairs without access to dropped kerbs can fall over or be forced onto the road, risking their safety

Families with children and buggies can be forced onto the road, increasing their risk of getting hurt

Mike Harrison has been a wheelchair user following a cycling accident 17 years ago. He said: "Vehicles on the pavement can be just a nuisance and they can be a severe obstacle. It increases my journey time, I'm often in danger of scratching my hands on a wall, or vegetation sticking out makes it difficult to get past. Once you're on the road, of course, you're more vulnerable, especially if the traffic is coming up behind me. The new enforcement will make it clear to people what is required and will make journeys safer and more convenient."

Michael Tornow is blind and has a guide dog, Pebbles. He also has a hearing impairment and uses hearing aids. He said: “Pavement parking makes me frustrated. It's just very tiring trying to navigate around parked cars. And not just for me, but for others - people in wheelchairs, people pushing buggies. It's just not very considerate. As somebody who is completely blind, that's meant stepping out into the road. That's obviously quite dangerous, sometimes not being able to hear because of traffic noise. I hope the new enforcement will make people understand that pavement parking is both unsafe and unfair. Without cars on the pavement it will be easier and safer for me to get around.”

Talking ahead of the campaign launch, Minister for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “The message here is clear: pavement parking is unsafe, unfair and illegal, and you could be fined up to £100 for it. Local authorities can begin to issue fines from 11 December, so this campaign is really important to make sure everyone in Scotland is aware that enforcement is coming. We’re highlighting the danger that illegal pavement parking poses to pavement users, and in particular those with mobility issues or visual impairments, or parents pushing prams and buggies.”

For further information visit https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/pavementparking/

Additional details around the pavement parking ban and other national campaigns are available at https://roadsafety.scot/“

SNP CALL FOR TORY CHAIR OF KINCARDINE AND MEARNS COMMITTEE TO STAND DOWN

SNP Councillor for Stonehaven and Lower Deeside, Dawn Black, has lodged a Motion of No Confidence in the Conservative Chair of the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee, Cllr Wendy Agnew (Conservative), following offensive comments made by Cllr Agnew during the last Area Committee Meeting on the 21st November 2023. The comments made were in reference to a group with protected characteristics.

Following the meeting, a decision was taken by Aberdeenshire Council officers to redact and alter the official recording due to ‘potential offence’ and because of a ‘potential risk of challenge’ in terms of the Public Sector Equality Duty.

The Notice of Motion will be heard at the next meeting of the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee on the 12th December, and is worded as follows:

Motion of No Confidence in the Chair of KMAC

1. That the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee has lost confidence in the Chair, Cllr Wendy Agnew in light of her comments at the previous meeting of KMAC on Tues 21st Nov 2023 and have concerns on her general competency in continuing in the role of Chair.

2. That Cllr Wendy Agnew should be removed from the position of Chair of Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee and

3. That a motion is sought to appoint a new Chair for Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee


Commenting, Cllr Dawn Black said:

“It is simply unsustainable and entirely inappropriate for a Councillor to remain in a position of responsibility when they have made comments so deeply offensive that council officers do not feel that they can remain on the public record.

“As Councillors, we agree to the Public Sector Equality Duty before every single meeting we participate in, and so it was hugely disappointing to hear Cllr Agnew so blatantly breaching that Duty at this meeting. Cllr Agnew made the suggestion that gypsy-travellers were not British and, despite me seeking clarification, continued on to repeat her statement. This followed a number of other disparaging comments from her which I felt were disrespectful to gypsy-travellers.

“Our commitments and responsibilities to all gypsy-travellers residing in Aberdeenshire are clear – and they cannot continue to have faith in our ability to represent them fairly when a senior Councillor has shown such blatant disrespect towards them.

“I hope that the Conservatives will reflect strongly on the suitability of Cllr Agnew not only to continue in her role as Area Chair, but also as a representative of their party.”

Cllr Kevin Stelfox (SNP), who represents the Mearns ward and sits on the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee, added:

“The Council simply cannot be in a position whereby officers are having to redact and censor official meetings because of such damaging use of language.

“The comments from Cllr Agnew were deeply concerning, and I hope that our fellow area Councillors can support the motion of no confidence.”

Some press coverage so far below 👇

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen-aberdeenshire/6281645/stonehaven-wendy-agnew-travellers-aberdeenshire-council-meeting/

Gordon MP Richard Thomson and councillor for Huntly, Strathbogie and Howe of Alford Gwyneth Petrie have welcomed the announcement that Huntly Sports Trust have successfully gained a grant of £15,000 from the People’s Postcode Lottery (PPL).

PPL held an online funding roadshow earlier this year at the request of SNP MP Mr Thomson and over 50 organisations and individuals from across Gordon Constituency took part.

Commenting, Richard Thomson MP said:

“I’m delighted for Huntly Sports Trust that their application has been successful and wish them well in their efforts for the future. It does underline though that while times are tough financially for many organisations at the moment, there is still money out there and if you put in the effort to apply for funding and make your case you can ultimately be successful.

“Players of PPL have now raised over £1 billion for good causes – a massive figure that has made a world of difference to charities across Gordon and elsewhere.

“Both myself and my party have been strongly supportive of the charity lottery sector, and we have been pushing the UK Government to reform the legislation that is forcing charity lotteries to operate in a very bureaucratic way which, ultimately, reduces the amount of money available for good causes.”

Local SNP councillor Gwyneth Petrie added:

“This is excellent news for Huntly Sports Trust, and for those living here and using these facilities. It’s great to see more charity lottery money coming Huntly’s direction because of the pre-planning and commitment from our many varied organisations throughout the town, and I wish the Trust well in their future endeavours as they continue to deliver for the area.”

SNP candidate to focus on wellbeing of oil and gas workers

I welcome energy industry moves to address the mental health and wellbeing of offshore workers on rotation.

This follows on from a report which showed that 40 per cent of remote rotational workers experienced suicidal thoughts all or some of the time, 37 per cent experienced loneliness and 29 per cent even met the benchmark for a diagnosis of clinical depression.

It is an issue which keeps coming up again and again on the doorstep as me and my campaign team take the SNP message to households across the constituency.

Clearly, oil and gas are a major part of the economy in the North East and the sector supports a significant number of jobs. But in conversation with voters, one of the most common topics is how working offshore can have an effect on individuals, on marriages and on family life.

There are all kinds of reasons why working offshore can impact a person's state of mind. It has traditionally been a male-dominated environment and we know that men find it hard to open up to each other. By its nature, the job is isolating and the industry itself is cyclical. Analysis has also shown that the COVID pandemic made the job more demanding and increased stress levels.

That’s why I was very glad to see an industry body like the International Association of Drilling Contractors taking the initiative, earlier this year, by organising a conference in Aberdeen, the publication of a report and the creation of the Mental Health & Wellbeing Charter which has been supported by some big names in the industry.

If elected as MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, I look forward to working with companies, trade organisations and trade unions across the energy sector to do what I can to improve matters.

The economics around the need to protect jobs and investment in the constituency is clear, but it is great to see that the industry is reflecting on how the wellbeing of this valuable workforce is improved – a theme relayed to me by many constituents. A healthy workforce means a productive and sustainable employee base and that has to be a focus along with what happens on the balance sheet.”

Cllr Stephen Smith was heavily involved in the successful 2004 campaign to save Longhaven school from closure.

Upon hearing the news that the former Longhaven School would be put on the market, Cllr Smith said;

“It’s extremely sad to see such a well-regarded school that the community fought so hard to save from closure in 2004 now closed and up for sale.

"Having arrived at this position, the community wants to see the building brought back into use in some shape or form, whether that be residential or some other purpose. I hope that the school will find a buyer soon who will breathe new life into the building.”

You can read more on the story here

Cruden councillor's sadness as school comes onto market A Peterhead councillors has expressed his sadness after it was announced the former Longhaven School would be put on the market.

Councillor Alastair Forsyth for Turriff and District has expressed his sadness that the last of the big four banks closed its doors in the town for the final time on Tuesday.

Virgin Money, formerly the Clydesdale Bank, announced earlier this year that it was closing a number of branches across the country, among them Ellon and Turriff.

Prior to being taken over by the Clydesdale Bank, the Aberdeen-based North of Scotland Bank opened a branch in Turriff in 1837 within its first year of operation.

Pictured: Councillor Alastair Forsyth outside the bank in Turriff which has closed its doors for the final time.

The closure marks an end to that link stretching back 186 years