LOCAL MP MEETS WITH MINTLAW GROUPS OVER COUNCIL SHUT-OUT

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford has met with local sports and community groups in Mintlaw who have been told by Aberdeenshire Council that their use of the community facilities at Mintlaw Academy out-of-hours has effectively ended.

Sports clubs and youth groups who use the facilities in evenings and at weekends have found themselves without access to pitches and changing facilities following recent changes in the council’s janitorial service.

Following a meeting of club representatives and Dr Whiteford, the local MP has taken the matter up on their behalf with Aberdeenshire Council.

Commenting, Dr Whiteford said:

“I’m very concerned at the manner in which Aberdeenshire Council has gone about this, which has left many local clubs and sports groups without facilities.

“I understand there are changes in the janitorial service which affect overtime but it should not be beyond the capability of the council to accommodate that and still provide a service to the community.

“If this is a cost-cutting measure then it is way off-target because the potential social cost to our communities is huge. We saw in the 1980s the social problems created when extra-curricular activities provided by schools dried-up. I don’t want to see a repeat of that and I am sure nor do the youngsters affected, who simply want to get on with their sports and I will be making that point forcibly to the council.”