SNP WELCOME CHIVAS COMMITMENT TO MORAY

Moray's MP, Angus Robertson, and MSP, Richard Lochhead, have welcomed the announcement by major whisky producers Chivas of over 40 million pounds of investment over the coming year.

The investment includes expansions to existing facilities at several distilleries in Moray and the re-opening of Glen Keith Distillery next year, which was mothballed in 2000.

Welcoming the news Angus Robertson MP said:

" The whisky industry is doing fantastically well in spite of the challenging economic environment. Continued investment by whisky companies in Moray of many tens of millions of pounds is extremely good news for employment in the sector and in the wider supply and building sectors.

" Malt whisky demand continues to grow which is excellent news for Moray, the centre of Scotland's malt whisky industry.

Richard Lochhead MSP said:

" There is huge confidence in the whisky sector, which is such an important industry for Moray, employing many hundreds of people and supporting many other supply businesses.

" Not only does this underpin the future of the sector in Moray but it is a huge international advertisement for Scotland, boosting our reputation, Scotland's brand and our inward investment and tourism potential."

SNP SLAM VISIONLESS TORY/INDEPENDENT PRIORITIES

SNP Opposition Leader in The Moray Council, Councillor Pearl Paul, has slammed the Tory led administration for their lack of vision in their stated priorities.

The SNP Council Group says it will be fighting hard on a range of key issues that have failed to get a mention in the Administration’s priority list.

Cllr Pearl Paul said:

“ I am extremely disappointed that this so-called list of ‘priorities’ is the best that the Council’s Tory led administration can come up with. It lacks strategy, ambition and vision for Moray and fails to respond to many of the real issues facing Moray’s communities at this time.

“ The priorities they have listed are largely already being done or are in the process of being tackled and the SNP has very publicly supported measures such as the flood schemes and tourism development  but the complete lack of vision and new ideas from the Administration is just abysmal. They are a shoogly peg administration and their lack of vision for Moray s a real worry.

“ There is, unbelievably, no mention of supporting youth employment, arguably one of the most important issues facing us right now. There is no mention of Moray’s crumbling schools, no mention of preparing Moray to get the maximum benefit from offshore renewables investment. No mention of fuel poverty which is hitting more and more Moray families by the day. No mention of affordable housing, which is of huge importance to thousands of young families. No mention of civic pride issues such as street cleaning, dog-fouling, community grass cutting and littering, which are some of the biggest day-to-day complaints on the doorsteps.”

SNP Depute Group Leader and Economic Development Spokesperson, Cllr Graham Leadbitter, said:

“ Youth Employment and Economic Development are two critical issues that were front and centre in the SNP’s manifesto. Youth Employment gets no mention by the Tory led administration and Economic Development gets little more than a nod with a mention of Tourism and the A96. While these are important it is hardly game changing.

“ There is no mention of supporting business start-ups, apprenticeship schemes, developing broadband across Moray, offshore renewables, traditional sectors of fishing and farming, the strong case for aerospace investment, which is supported at the highest levels of Government, no mention of the A95 and other key transport links such as rail and air. There is, basically, no vision and no leadership.

“ Moray deserves better than this and the SNP will be fighting to make sure these and other critical issues are not left behind.”

UK GOVERNMENT URGED TO ACT ON FUEL DUTY REGULATOR CALLS

Following reports that the UK Transport Secretary is considering legislating to force retailers to pass on cuts in the wholesale price of oil Moray MP Angus Robertson has welcomed the UK Government’s recognition that soaring fuel prices are hurting families and the wider economy. The local MP has also made the point that the UK Treasury continues to take over 81p per litre in fuel duty and VAT.

For a 50 litre tank fill of a family car this equates to over 40 pounds in tax.

Of more immediate concern to Mr Robertson is the UK Government’s plans for a 3p per litre fuel tax rise in August. The SNP is proposing a Finance Bill amendment that will cancel that rise - an amendment supported by MPs from 9 parties and backed by the Fair Fuel UK Campaign.

The SNP MP has also called on local Tory politicians to come out against their party’s national policy which, he says, is damaging Moray’s economic recovery.

Angus Robertson MP said:

“ The campaign to scrap the Chancellors August fuel tax rise is gaining momentum with MPs from all the major parties now backing the proposal.

“ Action to tackle high fuel prices was missing from the Tory/Lib Dem budget and I welcome any late proposals that might help with that issue, however the UK Government needs to get its own house in order on fuel tax.

“ It is all very well putting pressure on retailers to pass on wholesale price cuts but with the vast bulk of the cost of fuel going direct to the Treasury that is where the root of the problem lies.

“ The UK Government already has it within its power to ease the burden of fuel costs by ending the highway robbery, and it can be done within this budget.

“ The SNP has also long supported a fuel duty regulator to stabilise prices in the long term – this was a policy supported by the Tories prior to the last UK election.

“ I often wonder where the Tory party in Moray stands on this important issue as they have been incredibly silent on their party’s national policy position, which seems to be to ignore it and the damage it is doing to Moray’s economic recovery and that of other communities the length and breadth of the country.

“ There is massive support, both within and outside parliament, for the SNPs clause to scrap the 3 pence fuel rise planned for August. If the Transport Secretary is concerned about this issue, she should back the clause.

“ There is a momentum for action on fuel prices – but the UK Government could take action now rather than talking about legislation later.

“ We already have the highest rates of taxes on petrol and diesel in Europe – it’s time to end this highway robbery and call a halt to further rises which will hamper economic recovery.”

QUESTIONS RAISED OVER COUNCILLOR’S PLANNING ROLE

QUESTIONS RAISED OVER COUNCILLOR’S PLANNING ROLE
“Objectivity in planning is critical” - Gordon McDonald

The SNP’s Opposition Spokesperson on Planning and Regulatory Services, Cllr Gordon McDonald, has questioned the role of the Vice Chair of the Council’s Planning Committee, Cllr Chris Tuke, in considering wind turbine applications.

In a meeting of the Committee today [Tuesday] Cllr McDonald revealed that Cllr Tuke had recently signed a petition entitled ‘Call a halt to windfarm development in Moray’. Cllr McDonald said Cllr Tuke should consider declaring an interest, however Cllr Tuke did not do so and went on to take part in 5 separate applications for wind turbines.

The Standards Commission for Scotland clearly states in the Councillors Code of Conduct that the objective test is ‘whether a member of the public, with knowledge of the relevant facts, would reasonably regard the interest as so significant that it is likely to prejudice your discussion or decision making in your role as a councillor’.

Clearly, in the case of planning, that test must be considered for all parties involved whether it is the applicant, objectors or the general public.

Speaking after the meeting Cllr McDonald said:

“ Maintaining objectivity in planning is critical to the transparency and integrity of the system. It does not matter whether the application is for a small extension to a house, a new commercial development or a wind turbine, both applicants and objectors must have confidence that councillors are basing their decisions on the facts in front of them and that they have not pre-judged any application they will consider.

“ By signing this petition Cllr Tuke has, in my view, a clearly declared position against windfarms and, therefore, he should declare an interest and remove himself from consideration of turbine applications in the same way that his Administration colleague Cllr Fiona Murdoch rightly and correctly does.

“ The Council’s decision making process in planning must minimise the risk of challenge or there is a serious risk of the Council incurring substantial legal costs defending challenges. That could have a serious impact on the Council’s wider budget and, therefore, the delivery of a wide-range of important public services.

“ There has been plenty of training for Councillors, including those recently elected, about the pitfalls of not declaring interests so there can be no excuse for it. Actions like this could undermine the process and could also leave the council wide open to expensive planning appeals.”

MORAY MSP WELCOMES POSITIVE RESPONSE ON GARMOUTH BUS

MORAY MSP WELCOMES POSITIVE RESPONSE ON GARMOUTH BUS

Moray’s MSP Richard Lochhead has welcomed a positive response on the route and timings of buses between Garmouth and Elgin.

The local MSP had taken up issues raised by a constituent about the lack of connectivity with rail services through Elgin. The response from The Moray Council’s Transportation Section has been positive with them expressing a view that the service could be adjusted to include a stop at the railway station helping those who wish to use rail for onward journeys to Inverness and Aberdeen or further afield.

Commenting Richard Lochhead MSP said:

“ If we are to encourage more people to use public transport then we have to make these connections between bus and rail much more seamless. I am pleased that the Council and the bus operator agrees and there is the prospect of that happening on this particular service.

“ There are of course other services that could be better connected and I would urge operators and The Moray Council to make these connections a high priority when they are looking at redesigning of routes and timings of services that could potentially link with rail travel.

“ The more we can use rail the less our impact on the environment will be by reducing congestion on roads and our transport related carbon emissions.

“ This is one step forward and with a bit of effort and encouragement we can make public transport a more attractive option for commuters and leisure travellers alike.”

SNP Councillor for Fochabers Lhanbryde Ward, Margo Howe, said:

“ I am pleased that there is the prospect of improvements for folk in Garmouth and Kingston who use this bus service.

“ Connections with rail services are very important to people and help to reduce pressure on parking. It is particularly good news for commuters. Good public transport connections are really important in reducing road traffic and improving our environment.”

Ends.
Contact: Graham Leadbitter - Press Officer - 07811 382749