BROCH SNP COUNCILLOR IN APPROACH TO HOTEL CHAINS OVER SALTOUN ARMS

TOPPING SAYS 'COME TO FRASERBURGH'

Fraserburgh's SNP councillor Brian Topping has taken the unprecedented step of writing to around a dozen of Europe's top hotel chains with the message 'Come to Fraserburgh'.

The councillor – himself a former executive chef in one of the town's hotels - has made his approach after learning that the former Saltoun Arms Hotel in the town had failed to sell at auction in Edinburgh. Councillor Topping has also spoken out against town centre hotels being turned into 'houses of multiple occupation' or HMOs.

Commenting on his approach to the hotel chains, Brian said:

"I for one am not going to sit back and just hope that something happens. The Broch has lost a lot of town centre businesses in recent times but there are still a lot of very good local enterprises out there. The town centre has had a bit of a boost with Iceland opening up recently but we need more. I am also disappointed as someone who worked at the Station Hotel for many years that it is not now operating as a hotel.

"People who know me know that I take every opportunity I can to promote Fraserburgh and I will continue to do that.

"I have therefore written to around a dozen of Europe's top hotel chains alerting them to the fact that the Saltoun Arms is available, is on the market, and we'd love to see one of them come to Fraserburgh and take it over.

"I have no idea whether I'll even get a response or whether we're still too far into the UK's recession for hotels to be even thinking about new acquisitions but I certainly know that if you don't try then you definitely won't succeed. The Broch has the people who can fill the jobs which would be created if one of these hotel chains does decide to come here."

In his letter, Councillor Topping states:

"I am writing to you as the Aberdeenshire councillor for the town of Fraserburgh to draw to your attention the availability of the Saltoun Arms Hotel which I believe could represent an exciting opportunity for your hotel company.

"The town of Fraserburgh is a vibrant fishing port and is one of the pre-eminent shellfish and white fish ports in the EU. In recent years, major tourist attractions such as Scotland's National Lighthouse Museum and the award-winning Fraserburgh Heritage Centre have opened up. The town also boasts a superb 18-hole golf course and has several miles of magnificent sandy beaches which can lay claim to some of the best conditions for windsurfers in the country.

"However, Fraserburgh desperately lacks hotel accommodation and the associated function capabilities which a town of this size (population over 12,000) with its large rural hinterland should have."

Councillor Topping then goes on to offer the services of Aberdeenshire Council's Economic Development Department to those who are interested.

The move has been welcomed by SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford, who said:

"This is typical of Brian's 'can-do' approach to things and he is very much to be congratulated for his initiative.

"It is absolutely vital that Fraserburgh does not lose out by not having enough hotel accommodation. As Brian points out in his letter to the hotel chains, the Broch has a lot to offer visitors which those of us who live locally don't always recognise.

"But there's also the wider message that this send out about the town if we allow town centre hotels to be lost forever. Brian therefore has my full support in what he is trying to achieve and I hope he is successful in his aims."

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WHITEFORD & SALMOND HIT OUT AT SPIRALLING FUEL COSTS

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford and local MP Alex Salmond have called on the UK Government to reconsider its fuel duty escalator planned for April 2010 as the petrol prices soar across Scotland. They also highlighted the higher petrol prices which motorists are subjected to in rural Banff & Buchan.

According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), average petrol prices across the UK rose by 2.9p to 108.3p a litre in November – but in parts of rural Scotland, the price has risen to as much as 115p per litre. In many areas of the North-east prices are again nudging 110p per litre and above for petrol and diesel.

SNP MPs have long campaigned for an overhaul of the current fuel taxation system, which discriminates against rural Scotland in particular with fuel being a necessity and not a luxury.

The SNP's Westminster Group of MPs have put forward solid alternative fuel taxation proposals. Their proposals for a Fuel Duty Regulator would offset increased VAT paid on fuel as oil prices rise by reducing fuel tax. The overall result being the same amount of taxation income for the Treasury but cheaper pump prices.

Commenting, SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford said:

“The soaring prices we are seeing at the pumps now are just a glimpse of what is to come next year. In addition to rising inflation, 2010 will see increased VAT and the UK Government’s absurd fuel duty escalator which will push prices through the roof.

“Treasury Ministers in London fail to understand that in rural areas the operation of a car is a necessity rather than a choice. They must reconsider their disastrous fuel duty escalator."

Banff & Buchan MP Alex Salmond added:

“At present, taxes account for just over 70% of every pound spent at the pumps. The price of fuel influences the cost of every commodity and service brought to the area.

“Instead of pushing prices up with further tax hikes, the UK Government should be cancelling their fuel duty escalator and looking at measures which will stabilise fuel prices such as the SNP’s fuel duty regulator.”

“An oil rich nation such as Scotland should be reaping the benefits from our natural resources – not watching as North Sea revenues flow into a black hole in Treasury coffers while the Scottish budget is slashed.

“Westminster is holding Scotland back. We need the full fiscal powers of a normal, independent nation so we can set fair taxes that do not penalise rural motorists."

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GREEN LIGHT FOR ABERDEEN BYPASS WELCOMED

DECISION IS EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR NORTH-EAST

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford and local MSP Stewart Stevenson have welcomed the much anticipated Scottish Government announcement approving the precise plans for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR).

The planned road has been in discussion for many years, but today’s (Monday) announcement represents its final hurdle and work is expected to commence in the New Year.

Welcoming the announcement as a boost for the North-east economy, Eilidh Whiteford said:

“This decision will be warmly welcomed by people in Banff & Buchan who currently face serious congestion problems on a regular basis. When completed, the AWPR will provide a real economic boost to the entire region as journey times come down.

“This is a real good news story for the North-east and is a further sign of the SNP Government’s continued commitment to investing in the region. This has been a project that has long been needed, but I am delighted that we have now reached this point and that work will be going ahead.”

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson added:

“This is the best possible early Christmas present for residents and businesses in Banff & Buchan.

“The road haulage industry will also breathe a sigh of relief as the road will remove one of the major bottlenecks for lorries heading North and South of Aberdeen, greatly reducing transport times and cost.

“It will also be a big boost for the local construction industry as this project will secure jobs over the coming years and ensure developments for the future.

“This proves that all the doomsayers who said it would never be built are wrong, the SNP are investing in the North-east, something which others consistently failed to do.”

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LOCAL GROUPS BENEFIT FROM SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT BLITZ ON CROOKS

'CASHBACK FOR COMMUNITIES' RECEIVES FUNDS SEIZED AS PROCEEDS OF CRIME

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has announced that million pounds of crooks' money will be distributed between more than 230 youth projects right across Scotland.

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford and local MSP Stewart Stevenson have hailed this significant boost to a number of local youth projects in the North-east. The successful applicants for a share of Round Three CashBack for Communities YouthLink Scotland funding - money seized from organised crime gangs but returned to communities to encourage healthy activities – include several within Banff & Buchan.

Aberdeenshire is also punching above its weight in the funding stakes with the amount Aberdeenshire is receiving being above it's pro-rata level of 5.5% of all funding announced, compared to a pro-rata population of 4.7%.

Welcoming the announcement from the Justice Secretary, Eilidh Whiteford said:

"It is particularly pleasing that so many local groups are benefiting from this scheme at a time when funding is in short supply. Pressure on the lottery from the London Olympics and the economic downturn means it is becoming more difficult for organisations to access funding.

"I'm therefore delighted that this Scottish Government scheme which aims to deprive criminals of their assets is helping our communities in this way."

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson added:

"CashBack for Communities is a programme of diversionary activities for young people to increase the opportunities they have to develop their interests and skills in an enjoyable, fulfilling and supported way.

"Using funds recovered from the proceeds of crime, the Scottish Government has committed to investing over £13 million in a range of CashBack projects for young people."

Note:

Among the local groups to benefit from the Cashback for Communities scheme are:

£2,515.00 Mintlaw Youth group - Central Buchan Youth Forum
To train the young people to run the café and achieve certificates in Emergency first aid, elementary food hygiene and confidence to cook

£480.00 St Fergus School Sailing Club
Sailing lessons

£10,000.00 Grampian Police Rock Challenge
A performing arts initiative that delivers messages relating to alcohol, anti social behaviour and substance use and misuse

£4324.00 Banff Area Youth Forum
Continuation of youth work service to young people aged 16+

£3596.00 Peterhead Action Group
To deliver summer activiites

£10,000.00 Brighter Horizons
Increase opening hours of drop in. Car driving initiative. Get up and go. Summer programme. Young mum's group. Train youth volunteers - youth work training. Streetwork. Football sessions. Decorate 2 rooms in the facility

£2356.00 Aberdeenshire Council (1)
For stage 3 of Youth Scotland's involvement training, young trainers will put on 6 training events open to all young people

£3614.00 Aberdeenshire Council (2)
To put on 3 conferences within Aberdeenshire

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