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The Local Government elections will be held on 3rd May 2012 and I look forward to standing as a SNP candidate for the Banff & District Ward, Aberdeenshire Council, and continuing to look after not only those living and working in the Ward but throughout Aberdeenshire.
Banff & District (Ward 1) will have three councillors. When you vote there will be 5 candidates on the voting card. You will have the option to mark 1 for your preferred candidate which I am hopeful this will be me John Cox, your first choice, followed by Ian Gray 2 the other SNP candidate. Remember you have to mark with 1 then 2 for your second choice followed by your third choice 3. Please note you can choose to vote for only 1 candidate, 2 candidates or 3.
Aberdeenshire Council, since its formation 15 years ago, has been run and administered under a joint administration of Liberal Democrat and Conservative councillors. I believe this time with a new SNP administration running the council we can start to make a big difference to the daily lives of people living and working in Scotland.
Irrespective of your politics I am sure you will agree there has been very little support for this area from Conservatives, Labour or Liberal Democrats at national level. We have endured the demise of the fishing industry and lost out to many developments that have brought prosperity to other areas of Aberdeenshire.
We are fortunate to have a number of international renowned businesses based in the area as well as some of the best farmed products and seafood. This gives the area a great platform to grow and sustain local jobs. But to achieve this other facilities and services need to be provided to meet the needs of all.
We are aware of the difficulties of employment, health, care of our elderly, education, poor roads and increasing living costs despite being close to one of the most affluent parts of Europe. The contribution many people living in the area have made to improve the lives of many has to be recognised but we still have many challenges to address
A Summary of my personal Manifesto;
- A local enterprise strategy to regenerate Banff, Aberchirder and Portsoy centres.
- Rural community officer to assist the villages of Whitehills, Fordyce and Cornhill and surrounding communities of Alvah and Forglen
- Unemployment black spots and communities at risk projects.
- Regional economic policies to generate community prosperity and jobs
- Investment in education facilities, enabling high achievement and opportunity for all.
- Increase provision of nursery and childcare facilities and resources
- Equity provision of local public services including sports and leisure facilities housing, social & health facilities, roads and public transport
- Capital intervention for the rural tourism accommodation sector
Over the 20 years I believe I have demonstrated I have achieved a number of successes working in partnership with various groups and individuals.
- New Primary School
- Redevelopment Banff Chalmers Hospital
- Banff Marina
- Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership
- Redevelopment Macduff Slipway
- Banff Castle Redevelopment
- Historic Banffshire
Projects I have either campaigned for, supported or are my next list of priorities
- Aberdeen Bypass (held up by unnecessary minority opposition)
- Princess Royal Sports Trust new Better Life Centre. This is being held up by legal matters but the council has committed to deliver) If re-elected I will seek the support from SNP colleagues if we are in administration to commit for the project to begin without delay.
- Phase 2 Banff Town Centre Heritage Initiative
- Aberchirder Town Square building renovation initiative
- Aberchirder indoor Sports and Leisure Centre
- Cornhill Facelift fund
- Phase 2 Portsoy CARS initiative
- Low cost business units
- Initiatives to provide additional housing for those who have been waiting endlessly for social housing.
- Campbell Hospital site development
- Portsoy Library and town centre regeneration
- Investment in rural primary schools
- Banff Academy upgrade with new education, sports and amenity facilities
- Upgrading A947
- Tourism Accommodation
- Banff Airfield Trust Project
- Two New MAJOR Tourism Projects. Details to follow
- Review of wind turbine planning policies
- Former chicken factory site Banff redeveloped
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