Councillor Calls for Keith Jobcentre Outreach Facility

REDUCTION IN BUS SERVICE PROMPTS CALL FOR CHANGE OF JOBCENTRE ARRANGEMENTS
The likely withdrawal of a vital bus route following Moray Council budget cuts has prompted a call from the SNP councillor for Keith, Gary Coull, to launch a bid for the creation of a Jobcentre outreach facility in his ward.

Keith has been linked with Buckie through a regular bus service that allowed those seeking work to access the Job Centre with relative ease.

However, the removal of that service will follow the decision by Moray Council to withdraw their subsidy to the service operators.

That leaves people in Keith who do not have their own transport little option but to take four different buses and almost an entire day to visit the Jobcentre, with additional costs involved they can barely afford.

Councillor Coull said:

“At a time when people are looking to take any kind of work to build their experience then the last thing we need is to make it more difficult for them to do so.

“There are also new regulations coming into play that could mean people having to attend interviews at their Jobcentre on a more regular basis, putting further pressure on people in Keith who are affected by the withdrawal of their direct bus service.

“I have already written to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, highlighting that there is a case for the creation of an outreach Jobcentre facility in Keith.

“Such a facility would allow service users in Keith to attend interviews and obtain advice or meet statutory welfare requirements.

“It would surely be preferably for one or two members of staff from the Buckie Jobcentre to make the journey weekly by car than for dozens of service users to use up an entire day for a single interview – time that would be better spent searching for work.”

Keith Quine Maureen Watt MSP Supports Scots Toun Campaign

Maureen Watt, SNP MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, has written to the Scottish Government and the Scots Language Centre in support of the campaign to award Keith, in Moray, the status of Scots Toun, in recognition of its work in promoting Scots language and culture.

Commenting, Ms Watt said:

"Coming from Keith myself I know how deserving of this award the town and its people are. The status of Scots Toun would be a wonderful way to recognise the culture and linguistic heritage of the area.

"Such an accolade would also be a great boost to the town and the local economy, in the same way as the designation of Book Town has been for Wigtown."

Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, also threw his support behind the campaign saying:

"I am delighted that Maureen, a Keith lass herself, is backing this campaign. After all she put Keith and Doric on the map by being the first to take her Parliamentary oath in the Doric.

"The campaign for Scots Toun status for Keith certainly has my backing and I look forward to supporting the cause as it develops."

Gary Coull, SNP councillor for Keith and Cullen echoed this sentiment, saying

"I am very much behind the potential award of Scots Toun for Keith, and the benefits of it chime with the actions outlined in the Moray Economic Strategy.

"Keith has a calendar full of events promoting Scots language and culture, and in particular Doric. It's also the language that many of us speak. I would be delighted if Keith became the first Scots Toun."

MSP and Councillor Point to Home Energy Hotline Support

Moray MSP Richard Lochhead is encouraging his constituents to prepare for the fast approaching cold weather by making use of  the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Hotline.

The call follows a new survey finding that almost 80 per cent of Scotland is concerned about the cost of their energy bills this winter. Though many people in Scotland use, or would be interested in using, loft (45%) or wall (32%) insulation to help warm their homes, only 29 per cent of people said they have claimed the free home insulation they are eligible for.

Mr Lochhead has been joined in encouraging constituents to contact the hotline by Keith and Cullen Councillor Gary Coull, who is the SNP’s Communities Spokesperson in the Council.

Richard Lochhead MSP said:

“Living in Moray, we are subject to severe weather and low temperatures every winter. I would encourage everyone to take advantage of the excellent energy advice and support offered by a phone call to the Home Energy Hotline.

“People can simply make one call in order to discover what services they are eligible for. The Home Energy Hotline advisors can offer information on free offers, discounts, and eligibility in order to help everyone stay warm this winter.

“I would also encourage everyone to check their home’s insulation levels. The cold months are upon us, and proper planning will ensure a warmer, affordable, and greener home. Act now, use the hotline and keep warm.”

Councillor Gary Coull said:

“There is a significant amount of support out there to help people make their homes more energy efficient, reduce energy bills and reduce our impact on the environment. Fuel poverty is a significant and growing problem in Moray with energy costs shooting up while wage levels are much more static.

“The Home Energy Hotline offers an excellent first point of contact for people to find out what help is out there and I would urge people in Moray to call them for advice and support on energy usage.”

The Scottish Government’s Home Energy Scotland Hotline (0800 512 012) is free to call and energy advice is available now for everyone across Scotland.

For more advice and information go to www.homeenergyscotland.org.uk.

Praise For Successful Renovation Project At Local Distillery

Local MSP Stewart Stevenson, Councillor Gary Coull and SNP Council Candidate Hazel Thain today [Friday] visited Knockdhu Distillery, base for production of the well respected anCnoc whisky.

The facility at Knock suffered badly from last year's snowfall and has now been lovingly brought back to a high standard with new roofs and rebuilt walls in traditional stone. The work has been undertaken by local builder Alasdair Rennie.

Speaking at Knock, Stewart Stevenson said;

"It was a delight to meet Distillery Manager, Gordon Bruce, and to see his commitment to old buildings coming back to life.

"Scotch whisky is a product that sells on tradition and quality and the investment made in the restoration will surely pay off in added lustre for the brand in the eyes of the discerning buyers of anCnoc."

Stewart Stevenson MSP with
Distillery Manager, Gordon Bruce

Councillor Gary Coull added;

"I have been pleased to work with the distillery to ensure that it has been possible to use a traditional approach to the restoration of buildings while meeting modern standards. These buildings could stand for centuries and show that in the 21st century we had lost none of the traditional skills."

SNP Council Candidate Hazel Thain commented;

"It was impressive to see a happy team at Knockdhu. The distillery is an important part of the local economy and I wish it well."