Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson and SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford have welcomed the commitment from Grampian Police that they will be reviewing the requirements placed on local shows and galas.
The SNP candidate and MSP met with Grampian Police Area Commander for Aberdeenshire Superintendent Mark McLaren where the issue was raised. Stewart Stevenson described the meeting as "extremely positive" and welcomed the recognition by the police that changes in the approach taken were necessary.
Speaking after the meeting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:
"This was an extremely positive meeting and I was very pleased that there was recognition on the part of the police that the burden placed on local events by licensing conditions was in need of review.
"Indeed, some progress has already been made in this regard and I was delighted to learn that the police have already met with licensing board members and officials to review and reduce the number of conditions which they will be seeking in future."
SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford commented:
"There is no doubt in my mind that the strain being placed on volunteers by excessive demands and regulations may threaten the viability of our local shows and galas as more and more volunteers simply walk away.
"I am therefore delighted that lessons are being learned from this summer and I am hopeful that the volunteers who give up so much of their time to organise their local shows and galas will see a tangible reduction in the number of requirements placed upon them in future."