Parliamentarians Highlight Call for New Volunteers

Mediation service Avenue on the look-out for new counsellors

Local parliamentarians Eilidh Whiteford MP and Stewart Stevenson MSP have urged volunteers to come forward after meeting with a local counselling charity’s managers on Friday.

 Liz Wallace, Stewart Stevenson MSP,
Eilidh Whiteford MP, Arlene Harvey

Dr Whiteford and Mr Stevenson met with Chief Executive Liz Wallace and Contact Centre Manager Arlene Harvey at Avenue’s Peterhead base, to discuss the charity's work in the North-east. Avenue provides a range of counselling and mediation services to families dealing with relationship breakdown, and works with dozens of families locally.

Chief Executive Liz Wallace said:

“Demand for our services has grown exponentially in recent years across the North-east. We are crying out for new volunteers who have the skills to take up this challenging, but deeply rewarding work."

Speaking after the meeting, Dr Whiteford said:

“It was good to hear more about what Avenue does locally, supporting families – largely through the efforts of volunteers.

“It’s a service which is always looking to recruit volunteers able to commit some time on a regular basis, and who receive full training and support, to help with this worthwhile service. I would encourage anyone who thinks they might have a listening ear and some time to spare to come forward."

Mr Stevenson added:

“Without third sector organisations like Avenue, many families would fall through the net. Although the North-east is one of Scotland’s wealthier areas overall, there remain significant problems with deprivation – and the reality is that family breakdown can affect anyone. The work being done at Avenue is invaluable."

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Parliamentarians Pay Tribute to Last Provost of Foggie

Dr Eilidh Whiteford, MP for Banff & Buchan, and MSP Stewart Stevenson have paid tribute to former Aberchirder provost Robert Bremner, who passed away at the age of 95.

Mr Bremner, known affectionately as ‘Bingo’, was the last provost for the Burgh of Aberchirder in the mid-1970s. His community involvement spanned countless groups, with a notable contribution as President of Deveronvale Football Club.

Eilidh Whiteford commented:

“I was very sad to hear of Bingo’s passing. He was involved in so many community groups that different people will remember him for different things and that is a testament to his community spirit.”

“For my own part, I will never forget some of the first election results announcements that I attended. Having won a mandate from the people, Bingo would sign-off on stage by declaring ‘Foggieloan forever!’ He was a true character and will be greatly missed in his community.”

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson added:

“Bingo was very active in community matters and I last saw him sitting on the dais at the Aberchirder 250th Anniversary celebrations in The Square taking in everything that was going on.

“It’s a mark of the man that he sponsored the production of a lapel badge with the Burgh arms on it to be given to every school pupil in the town. It’s the end of an era for Foggie and my condolences go to his family at this time.”

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Local MP & MSP Comment on Banff Tesco Announcement

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford and local MSP Stewart Stevenson have reacted to today’s announcement from Tesco on its intention to no longer develop the Canal Park site at Banff.

Click for STV story on Tesco plans across Scotland

The supermarket giant cited its recent poor business performance as the reason for cancelling 49 planned new stores in the UK, including the store earmarked for Banff.

Local MP Eilidh Whiteford will be meeting with the Chief Executive of Aberdeenshire Council on Monday to discuss the full implications of the announcement by Tesco that it will cancel its commitment to build a new store in Banff.

Commenting on the announcement, Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

"Tesco's announcement that it is cancelling plans for a new store in Banff will doubtlessly be viewed by local folk as a frustrating and disappointing conclusion to a saga that has rumbled on for a number of years.

"I have today sought an urgent meeting with the Chief Executive of the local council to discuss the full range of implications of this decision for the local community and the development of sports and recreation facilities in Banff and Macduff, which were an integral part of this plan.”

Today’s announcement comes almost exactly 10 years after local MSP Stewart Stevenson held a referendum on the then controversial proposals by Tesco to build on Canal Park. The referendum, which was conducted by post and had a 66% turnout, resulted in a 65%-35% vote in favour of allowing Tesco to proceed on the basis that money from the sale of the land would be used to fund sports and recreation facilities.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson said:

“Tesco have been working on this development for over 10 years. Even with a clear indication of the support within the community to proceed it has taken an inordinate length of time to get to the position last year where designs for the new sports facilities were being consulted upon.

“The issue here is not so much that people want to see a huge supermarket on the outskirts of Banff but is about just wanting the eyesore which is currently there to be developed and also not holding back the provision of much-needed enhanced sporting and recreation facilities for Banff and Macduff.

“I will be contacting Tesco’s senior management on this as a matter of urgency as I do not want to see Canal Park and the associated buildings left in their current position for another 10 years."

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Whiteford and Stevenson Deliver Festive Cheer to Local Post Office

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford and Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson visited Royal Mail’s Banff Delivery Office to pass on Christmas wishes and thanks to our postmen and women at this, their busiest time of the year.

MSP & MP with Gerald Duncan and Calum Tawse

The MP and MSP were shown around the sorting process by Banff Delivery Office Manager, Ian Jackson, and met the postmen and women who are working hard doing their bit to sort and deliver cards and parcels in the Banff area this Christmas.

Commenting on Royal Mail’s work at Christmas Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“I really value the opportunity to catch up with our hard working Royal Mail postmen and women in delivery offices each Christmas and witness first hand just how much effort is put into delivering for people at this time of year.

“We all rely very heavily on the Royal Mail, especially so at Christmas, and I would like to thank them for their commitment and wish them all the best over the busy festive period.”

Stewart Stevenson MSP added:

“Our postmen and women are working extremely hard to deliver Christmas cards, letters and parcels to people across the Banff area. It was our pleasure to drop in to see the workers, wish them well for Christmas, and deliver some festive cheer with a couple of boxes of chocolates."

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Parliamentarians Welcome Progress on Ambulance Response Times

MP & MSP secure commitment from Ambulance Service to improve in North Aberdeenshire

Following on a recent report that ambulances were failing to meet call-out target times in North Aberdeenshire, Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP and Stewart Stevenson MSP met with regional Scottish Ambulance Service chiefs to hear their plans on how to address the shortcomings.

The parliamentarians had earlier met with the chiefs and were told that the Service would produce a report aimed at identifying the improvements that were needed.

Commenting on the meeting, Banff & Buchan MP, Eilidh Whiteford, said:

“The Scottish Ambulance Service has made a welcome commitment to filling the current vacancies that exist in the north of Aberdeenshire and providing incentives to attract the best talent to the area. A fully staffed and trained service will go a long way to ensuring that residents in Banff and Buchan can come to expect improved response times."

"When I met with staff a few weeks ago, one of the priorities they identified was for additional A&E ambulance provision in Peterhead. I am very pleased that the Scottish Ambulance Service has listened, and has made a commitment to a second A&E ambulance in Peterhead which will go some way to relieving pressures at stations in Fraserburgh and Banff."

The Ambulance Service chiefs also informed the Parliamentarians that an additional paramedic response vehicle has been added to the station at Fraserburgh until a more detailed assessment of demand can be made.

Stewart Stevenson MSP added:

“The commitment of additional vehicles is a welcome step in addressing the demand profile that there is in Aberdeenshire. The extra paramedic vehicle in Fraserburgh and a commitment to assess the need for a second A&E ambulance based out of Peterhead will be key in bringing response times down."

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Parliamentarians Secure Review of Demand for Ambulance Services

MP & MSP RECEIVE ASSURANCES ON RESPONSE TIMES
Following on a recent report that ambulances were failing to meet call-out target times in North Aberdeenshire, Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP and Stewart Stevenson MSP met last week with regional Scottish Ambulance Service chiefs.

The parliamentarians were told that the Service is currently re-examining its practices and processes as part of an already-ongoing national review - but secured assurances that more immediate action will be taken to address the shortcomings in North Aberdeenshire identified in the report.

The parliamentarians heard that an additional driver is being recruited in Peterhead and shift patterns adjusted to extend coverage, which should relieve pressure on neighbouring stations.

An undertaking was also secured by the parliamentarians that the Scottish Ambulance Service will undertake a detailed review of the demand profile in North Aberdeenshire forthwith, to assess whether any additional resources might also be required to ensure appropriate standards of performance are met.

Commenting on the meeting, Banff & Buchan MP, Eilidh Whiteford, said:

“Having studied the performance statistics and met with various constituents and community representatives over recent weeks, I very much share the concerns that have been expressed. I am therefore very pleased that the Scottish Ambulance Service is now taking action to ensure that they are addressed effectively.

“We all very much value the work done by our hard working ambulance crews, in what can be extremely demanding circumstances. I am therefore absolutely committed to ensuring that they have the support and resources required to provide the quality of service which patients have the right to expect.”

Stewart Stevenson MSP added:

“The population of North Aberdeenshire is growing due to our economic success, but that brings with it challenges for the Ambulance Service which is seeing demand increase by 3% year on year.

“We need to get this right, and I welcome the commitment we received from the Scottish Ambulance Service for a full review of the demand profile in North Aberdeenshire. I also welcome the steps which they are already taking to increase provision in the area.”

A further meeting is to be convened in twelve weeks’ time to discuss the content of that report, and identify what substantive measures need be taken to ensure that the response time targets are appropriate, and met with on a consistent basis.

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Buchan Baton Relay Praised by MP & MSP

Local MP Eilidh Whiteford and MSP Stewart Stevenson have praised the organisers of Sunday’s events in Buchan to mark the Commonwealth Games baton Relay coming to the area.

Eilidh and Stewart along with local councillors were present at Balmoor Stadium for the arrival of the Baton and the parade of community groups.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

“This was a spectacular and very colourful event and I’m delighted for the various youth groups and other participants that their very special contribution to a historic day for Buchan was witnessed by such a large crowd.

“My congratulations go to the organisers for what must have been a huge undertaking to bring the event together.”

Eilidh Whiteford MP with
the Baton bearers

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford said:

“It’s been a great day for Peterhead and it’s such an important day for Scotland with the Commonwealth Games on the horizon.

“We had the whole town turning out - we had dancers, we had brownies and guides, we had the sea cadets, the Rotary Club and the Theatre Modo group.

“We were able to show what the town is about as we welcomed the baton bearers through.”

Earlier in the afternoon, Eilidh also attended the Peterhead JogScotland Running Festival and presented some of the prizewinners with their medals. She said:

“Stephen Bruce and the whole team at Peterhead JogScotland put in a tremendous effort to bring this event to Catto Park. There was a huge turnout for the event and it’s really excellent to see so many people either participating in sport or turning out to support those who are.”

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MP & MSP Congratulate Peterhead FC on Historic Win

Local MSP Stewart Stevenson and MP Eilidh Whiteford have congratulated Peterhead Football Club on winning the League Two title.

Stewart Stevenson MSP commented:

“I would like to congratulate Jim McInally and all of the players at Peterhead FC on winning the League Two title. Not only is this the club’s first trophy since coming into the national league but the club have managed to clinch the championship in style with three games of the season left to play.

“The title win comes just off the back of Peterhead’s prolific striker Rory McAllister becoming the first player from outside the Premiership to win the SPFL Player of the Month Award for March. Whilst top performances from individual players have helped the team this season, the winning of this title has come about due to the hard work and determination of everyone involved at the club.”

Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“Not only is this excellent news for Peterhead FC but it is also something that the whole town and surrounding area should be proud of.

“Stewart and I wish the team all the best of luck for next season in League One.”

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SNP Celebrate 40th Anniversary of Henderson's Historic Win

Over 100 SNP members and supporters gathered in the Palace Hotel, Peterhead, last Friday at a special event held by Peterhead Branch of the SNP commemorating the 40th anniversary of Douglas Henderson gaining the old East Aberdeenshire constituency from the Conservatives to become the area’s first ever SNP MP at the election on 28 February 1974.

Guest speakers at the event were First Minister Alex Salmond, local MSP Stewart Stevenson and Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford. Also attending the event was Alex Farquhar, who was the SNP candidate in the 1970 General Election who made the seat winnable by attracting 30% of the vote and over 9,000 votes in what was the SNP’s best showing in the North-east at that time.

Peterhead Branch SNP President, Bob Ritchie, who was the party’s election agent in the 1960s and 1970s regaled the audience with tales from those early elections, including one where a lost election deposit in 1964 had to be financed with a bank loan, backed up by twenty guarantors at the insistence of the bank. And all for the princely sum of £200!

Commenting, Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“We owe a great debt to Bob Ritchie, Alex Farquhar and the late Douglas Henderson, who could see Scotland’s potential and worked so hard over decades to improve the prospects of people in this area.

“I still get constituents coming to me who remember Douglas Henderson fondly, not only as a hard-working constituency MP but also as a very genuine person. His loss, in 2006, was sorely felt but his legacy lives on and I know he would have been playing a full and active part in the current Referendum campaign had he still been with us.”

Stewart Stevenson MSP added:

“This was a very timely event with the Referendum only 200 days away. It was useful to pause and reflect on the support given by the people of the North-east over the past 40 years which has helped us get to this position in our nation’s history.

“If we are to make the country we all Scotland believe it can be, we need personal tax powers, business tax powers, social security powers, employment powers, powers over Scotland’s budget, powers over the minimum wage, immigration powers and the powers to represent Scotland internationally. In other words, the same toolbox of powers that other independent countries take for granted.”

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Local MP & MSP Welcome Bedroom Tax Mitigation

With a majority of the Scottish Parliament endorsing additional funds to help combat the bedroom tax, Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson and Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford have said it showed Scotland should have the powers to scrap the Bedroom Tax.

Alongside targeting Westminster welfare cuts, the budget will continue the small business bonus scheme, protect free education, entitle primary one to three pupils to free school meals - saving at least £330 per eligible child; extend childcare provision to 600 hours for three and four year olds and for vulnerable two year olds - saving around £700 a year; and continue the Council Tax freeze that will have saved households £1,200 on average by the end of this Parliament in 2016.

Investment in infrastructure in Scotland will be supported to the tune of over £8 billion over the next two years, creating over 50,000 full time equivalent jobs.

As well as targeting Westminster’s welfare cuts, the budget continues the small business bonus, entitles primary one to three pupils to free school meals, extends childcare provision to 600 hours for three and four year olds and for vulnerable two year olds, and continues the Council Tax freeze, saving households £1200 on average by the end of this parliament.

The passage of the SNP Government’s budget in the Scottish Parliament last week will boost Scotland’s economy, help with the cost of living and deliver vital action to mitigate Westminster’s iniquitous bedroom tax.

Commenting, Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“The purpose of this week’s budget was to boost our economy and support households with the rising cost of living.

“The money has been put in place to mitigate the bedroom tax and the only thing standing in the way of immediate action is Westminster. Given that the Scottish Parliament has backed this budget with a large majority, Westminster must not ignore our desire to rid Scotland of this unfair and iniquitous tax on some of the poorest in society.

“The Scottish Parliament has voted to put in place sufficient funding to pay the additional cost for every family affected. Of course far better than having to mitigate the deeply unfair bedroom tax would simply be to abolish it altogether. Only a Yes vote in September will give the Scottish Parliament that right and ensure that Scotland’s welfare system reflects the priorities of people in Scotland rather than the Westminster Treasury, which seeks to only further widen the gap between the rich and the poor.”

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson, who backed the Scottish Government’s budget, said:

“Delivering free school meals, extending childcare and protecting the Council Tax freeze will save hundreds of pounds for households across the North-east.

“That is vital action to help people during difficult times and will be warmly welcomed by people right across the county and across the country. What is also particularly welcome is that even more action is being taken to help people affected by Westminster’s bedroom tax.”

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Peterhead Project Through to Carbon Capture Shortlist

Two Scottish projects have made it through to the shortlist of CCS projects which will now be considered for financial support.

The UK Government today announced that carbon capture projects in Peterhead and Grangemouth had both made it onto a four project shortlist that will be considered for financial support in the New Year.

It was also announced that Peterhead would be considered a reserve project when applying for European funding through the NER300 scheme, while the Sound of Islay Tidal project has been put forward as a full candidate project for NER300 funding.

Commenting, Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson said:

“It is positive news that Peterhead is one of two Scottish projects to make it onto the final shortlist for funding for carbon capture.

“I firmly believe that Peterhead has an extremely strong case to make and I would certainly hope that the UK Government will fully recognise that when it makes its decisions in the New Year.

“Westminster has a sorry track record when it comes to supporting innovative carbon capture projects in the past, with jobs and investment allowed to slip away before at Peterhead and Longannet.

“People in Peterhead remember all too well that they have been let down before by dithering at Westminster, so what is most important is that history is not allowed to repeat itself.”

Local MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford added:

“This is a very important step along the road for the Peterhead project so I welcome today’s announcement from the Secretary of State for Energy. 

"In Scotland we are working to deliver a diverse and balanced energy portfolio to provide us with secure and affordable heat and electricity for decades to come, and CCS technology could have an important role to play in that.

“Scotland is also ideally placed to develop this technology, with massive geological stores, high-value technological expertise and vast experience of working in deep waters offshore.”

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Whiteford & Stevenson Meet With Sangs Workforce

Local MSP Stewart Stevenson and Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford have met with workers from Sangs in Macduff yesterday (Sunday).

The Parliamentarians were there to hear concerns from the employees and also to update them on efforts being made by the Scottish Government to secure the future of the plant and the jobs in Macduff.

Speaking after the meeting, Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“Having already talked to the administrators and management, I welcomed the opportunity to speak directly with the staff.  Obviously, it's a difficult and uncertain time for everyone.

“I was able to tell the staff that the Scottish Government’s Enterprise Minister, Fergus Ewing, will be meeting with Allied Irish Bank and the administrators in the coming week, and will, as a first priority, be pressing for time for Sangs to continue trading while potential buyers are being identified.

“Having talked with the administrators and the staff, it's clear to me that Sangs is a viable business with a lot of potential.  I am confident that it will be attractive to potential buyers, but we need time in order to secure a deal.

“Sangs has been part of the local community for decades, and has a loyal and motivated workforce. Stewart Stevenson and I will be doing everything we can to protect the jobs based here in Macduff.”

Happier Times

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson added:

“This was a useful meeting with the staff and an opportunity for them to receive an update on the work going on behind the scenes on the part of the Scottish Government.

“There is no doubt that the Scottish Government recognises the huge importance of Sangs to the Macduff and wider Banffshire economy and I hope that the efforts of Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing and his team will help to maintain Sangs in Macduff for years to come.”

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Local Representatives Comment On Sangs

Commenting on the announcement that soft drinks manufacturer Sangs – producers of the popular MacB brand – have gone into administration, Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford said:

“This is very sad news for Macduff and for Sangs, who are one of the town’s major employers.

“I will be speaking with the administrators, Zolfo Cooper, to ascertain the position and to offer what help and assistance I can in seeking to secure the future of the plant and the workforce.

“Based on what the administrators are saying, it is my view that there is still the potential for a bright future for the plant, but I’m under no illusions that it won’t be easy in the current economic climate.”

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson said:

“Sangs have a long and proud history in Banff and Macduff so this news is obviously very disappointing indeed.

“The company has made great strides in recent years and its award-winning MacB drinks is a very strong brand indeed which enjoys international recognition.

“We can take encouragement that the administrators will continue to trade the company and will look at all options.  My hope is obviously that it will continue in Macduff and I will be contacting the administrators to offer any assistance they require in my role as local MSP.”

SNP councillor for Macduff Bob Watson said:

“It must be a very worrying time for the staff and the local community but the administrators have said there is a strong underlying core business, which I think is a testament to the staff and management there.  The Sangs and MacB brands are very good ones so I would hope that the company can trade out of its difficulties.  In the meantime, I urge shoppers to ‘buy local’ and support the staff at Sangs at this difficult time.”

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