Councillor Paul Johnston

Aberdeenshire Councillor for Udny, Paul Johnston has welcomed the news of crop trials for maize destined for energy use through AD (anaerobic digester) by local Farmer Alistair Sinclair.

“I would be interested to know if, provided we maintain biodiversity, we are able to add to local sustainable crops that can feed an AD electricity generator .  This could add viability to local farming, create sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture.  The three year trial at Alehouse, near Udny seems a positive step and Alistair and Magnus should be encouraged.”

Paul believes a diversified and flexible farming system that can feed anaerobic digesters as well as produce valuable food, will create sustainable communities.

“I think I should also be clear that sustainability means it is Environmentally sustainable AND economic AND provides for a sustainable community.  All three, none without the other. “

Residents of Aberdeenshire may be asked to pay special extra taxes to allow Donald Trump to build and sell his property development at Menie Estate according to a leading Aberdeenshire Councillor.

Proposals for extra council tax levied to pay for the Western Peripheral route will have the consequence that council tax payers will be subsidising the roads that are needed to accommodate the American tycoons property development. Menie Estate only has permission for major housing if the Western peripheral route gets built – and Aberdeenshire tax payers are footing the large part of the bill according to Paul Johnston, the person at the head of the Democratic Independent Councillors on Aberdeenshire Council.

“The purpose of the Western peripheral route is now clearly no longer to provide reduction in traffic chaos, or environmental improvements within the urban heart of Aberdeen but is solely intended to unlock restrictions on property speculation to the north of Aberdeen by hijacking the Energetica concept simply as a ‘growth’ or property development corridor. Prime amongst these is the grossly speculative Menie Estate dubbed Trumpton on Sea by its critics”

“Millions of pounds could be made, but little will be contributed from some developers if it happens. The Western Peripheral Route was there to encourage business but now in reality only is encouraging property speculation by encouraging development from other areas to this northern corridor. Traffic congestion will not be reduced as traffic from this property development will grow to take up the capacity that the new road produces.

So there will be no congestion relief, just more traffic and because it’s all car and lorries – it will contribute nothing towards environmental improvements only increasing levels of poor air quality around Aberdeen.

The Aberdeenshire Councillor has been a vocal supporter of a Western peripheral route in the past where it was just a part of a larger integrated transport scheme for the City; it both produced better access, environmental improvements, reducing car usage overall. However, the proposed extra tax levy on households around Aberdeen is purely for the financial crisis the Council has found itself in for funding the road. The other elements of integrated transport policy have been abandoned as immediate proposals.

“Things like the CrossRail project have been pushed into the long grass” said Councillor Johnston.

“Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City Council should seriously consider a major rethink on Aberdeen’s Transport Planning in the current financial climate. We risk building something that will create more problems that it solves and with greater long term environmental and financial consequences” said Paul.

Aberdeenshire Councillor Paul Johnston is again raising concerns about the former Blackdog tip just to the North of Aberdeen and calling for new tests to let the public know what is leaking from the former landfill site.

“I was contacted by residents in March this year again and asked officials to visit the site.  Oily water seemed to be leaching from the side of he tip to add to the massive problem of beach contamination” said Paul.

Council officials had assured Councillors at the visit that the water’s oily sheen was due to iron contamination and was not uncommon or hazardous.

Now, following complaints to the Environmental Health service, notices warning people to keep away from the site’s contaminated springs, have been put up.

“On checking, it appears the chemical contents of the water were last tested in 2002 and only partially checked in 2005.  On both occasions it was not specifically tested for its hazardous nature, just its chemical contents.  Its time to re-test and tell local people what is in the water and if it is hazardous.”

Paul has asked both the Council and approached WRG group that are responsible for the site to put clear permanent signs about the contaminated nature of the site and that it should not be used as a recreation ground until such times as the site has had remedial works.

“I indicated to officials in April, the need to have signs and better fencing and it disturbs me that we still have had no action other than the temporary signs put up yesterday.  I appreciate this is a major problem and that may cost WRG group millions to fix the landfill site – if they ever can.  However, they still have an obligation and duty to make sure that the place is safe or properly secured and signed. That needs to happen quickly.”

Further recent evidence has also been shown to Councillors of the lack of care of the test boreholes for monitoring the larger problem of seeping oils from the site onto the beach causing sand and water pollution.  Paul has asked that this be properly investigated and the monitoring figures double checked in light of any findings.

The monitoring program is due for reporting this summer on the speed and volume of seepage of oils from the site onto the beach.  These figures, according to officials are needed to know what action will be taken about the pollution, similar to making sure the tap is actually no longer running before deciding to mop up.

The village of Blackdog is surrounded on all sites by former or operating landfill sites.  Cllr Johnston has been campaigning for better environmental standards in both operations and care in support of local residents, to try to mitigate the problems.  He has been a strong opponent of extended operations locally at Wester Hatton and has raised concerns over Hill of Tremaud on several occasions along side residents.

A decision by a Government NHS appeals panel to allow a commercial Pharmacy in Tarves – and withdrawing rights for a local doctors surgery to dispense medicine was described by Aberdeenshire Councillor as ‘Just plain nuts’

The National Appeals Panel [NAP] grant a licence to Central belt based firm Semple and Semple to open at Tarves in the former butchers shop.  The company has now asked government’s NHS managers to prevent the medical practice for prescribing a their surgeries in Methlick, Tarves and Pitmedden, forcing patients to use the commercial pharmacy.

“The decision means that there will now be poorer health services in both Methlick and Udny.   There is no saving to the taxpayer and in the end here will be a review of GP provision by the practice, which is a cause for concern as the dispensing service run by the GPs was a cost sharing arrangement which kept surgeries open.  in the end of the day, this decision is just plain nuts and is taken simply because Semple and Semple have the right to demand this if they see it in their own commercial interests rather than the community’s interests”  said Paul Johnston.

Semple and Semple have suggested that patients are prevented from using them if the arrangement to allow doctors surgeries to dispense, continues.  However, Haddo Medical Group have previously acknowledged that there is no requirement or restriction on any patient to use the surgery’s own dispensing and local people do take prescriptions to Pharmacies where it is also convenient for them in nearby towns.

The concerns expressed by Local people to Councillor Paul Johnston was that those in Udny/Pitmedden and Methlick would now no longer have convenient dispensing and be forced to travel or make other arrangements instead of getting medicine from the local surgery which Semple and Semple want prevented from dispensing.

Local Councillor and Drinks industry commentator Paul Johnston, has backed a CAMRA call for people to press their MPS to sign a House of Commons Motion urging the Chancellor to back local pubs in his tax decisions.

Next Tuesday, the 22 June, the Chancellor will announce the Budget. There is a risk that the Government will introduce a further tax rise which will hit pubs, even though tax on beer has already rocketed by 26% since the start of 2008.

We need to make sure that the Chancellor understands the value of well-run community pubs to consumers like you so he does not hit them with more tax rises – or even a double whammy with an increase in both excise duty and VAT which will increase the price of a pint in your local.

To highlight the social, economic and cultural importance of well-run community pubs, EDM 210 – an Early Day Motion (parliamentary petition) has been tabled by Greg Mulholland MP which calls on the Government to implement a package of policies which will help secure the future of viable and well-run community pubs.

“I agree wit CAMRA when they point out that pubs are still closing at the rate of almost 6 every day – we need the Government to take action now to prevent more pub closures and preserve our culture and heritage.” said Paul Johnston

“CAMRA will be working to make this the most popular EDM in Parliament, so Government is compelled to take action – this means we need over 300 MPs to sign it.”

CAMRA is asking members to take 2 minutes to email your MP and ask them to sign the EDM. They need MPs to feel pressure from their constituents in order to understand how important well-run pubs are to their community.

To email your MP asking them to sign EDM 210, please go to http://bit.ly/edm210, select ‘email your MP’ and send the email that CAMRA have drafted for you.

Alternatively, you can write to your MP at:

Malcolm Bruce MP
House of Commons,
London,
SW1A 0AA

In a statement this evening an Independent Councillor and Liberal Democrat Paul Johnston has asked for the Scottish Liberal Democrats to investigate a breach of trust by an anonymous member of the Scottish Liberal Democrats in Aberdeenshire.

Councillor Paul Johnston said: “A person has breached confidentiality by spreading stories in the press to disrupt the proper internal process of trying to resolve differences over the Trump affair  I have been scrupulous about staying within both the rules of the Liberal Democrats and within its principles.  This damage comes as a huge disappointment for those interested in resolution”.

Paul is a Councillor falsely accused of misconduct by Aberdeenshire Councillor colleagues and sits as an Independent on Aberdeenshire Council. He became an Independent following the failure of Council Leader Ann Robertson to acknowledge that her accusation was false, having been told he had no case to answer after an investigation by the Governments Standards Commission.

Paul has been a Liberal Democrat member since 1974 when he stood for his school mock election in Elgin Academy as a Liberal Candidate.

“I had first delivered leaflets for the Liberals when I was twelve in the 1970 general election and was later convinced by Russell Johnston, MP for Inverness at the time, that being a Liberal was about fairness, justice and democracy with individual rights and liberties in politics.  Everything I believed in then, I still be believe in now.

Since joining in 1974 Paul Johnston has served on the National Executive of the Young Liberals , served as Secretary and Convener of Local Parties (Constituencies) and was first elected as a Liberal Councillor when still a student in Aberdeen in 1982 to Grampian Regional Council, alongside the equally young Nicol Stephen. He has been on Aberdeenshire Council since re-organisation in 1995

Paul has served for many years as a member and treasurer of the Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors, also on the Federal UK Committee representing several thousand Councillors in the UK.  He is an approved Parliamentary Candidate and has been both a member of the Scottish Party Executive, the Party’s Policy Committee and Conference Committee.

During the recent General Election Paul Johnston was working in several key Liberal Democrat seats for the Party.

In a statement this evening an Independent Councillor and Liberal Democrat Paul Johnston has asked for the Scottish Liberal Democrats to investigate a breach of trust by an anonymous member of the Scottish Liberal Democrats in Aberdeenshire.

Councillor Paul Johnston said: “A person has breached confidentiality by spreading stories in the press to disrupt the proper internal process of trying to resolve differences over the Trump affair  I have been scrupulous about staying within both the rules of the Liberal Democrats and within its principles.  This damage comes as a huge disappointment for those interested in resolution”.

Paul is a Councillor falsely accused of misconduct by Aberdeenshire Councillor colleagues and sits as an Independent on Aberdeenshire Council. He became an Independent following the failure of Council Leader Ann Robertson to acknowledge that her accusation was false, having been told he had no case to answer after an investigation by the Governments Standards Commission.

Paul has been a Liberal Democrat member since 1974 when he stood for his school mock election in Elgin Academy as a Liberal Candidate.

“I had first delivered leaflets for the Liberals when I was twelve in the 1970 general election and was later convinced by Russell Johnston, MP for Inverness at the time, that being a Liberal was about fairness, justice and democracy with individual rights and liberties in politics.  Everything I believed in then, I still be believe in now.

Since joining in 1974 Paul Johnston has served on the National Executive of the Young Liberals , served as Secretary and Convener of Local Parties (Constituencies) and was first elected as a Liberal Councillor when still a student in Aberdeen in 1982 to Grampian Regional Council, alongside the equally young Nicol Stephen. He has been on Aberdeenshire Council since re-organisation in 1995

Paul has served for many years as a member and treasurer of the Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors, also on the Federal UK Committee representing several thousand Councillors in the UK.  He is an approved Parliamentary Candidate and has been both a member of the Scottish Party Executive, the Party’s Policy Committee and Conference Committee.

During the recent General Election Paul Johnston was working in several key Liberal Democrat seats for the Party.

The Economic Impact of Scotch Whisky Production in Scotland – by Verso Economics, also revealed the industry’s annual turnover in Scotland is now £6.4 billion and that after oil and gas the sector remains the country’s leading manufactured export, with shipments of £3.1 billion a year.

The spending with Scottish suppliers, which includes £200 million on cereals, helps support 35,000 Scottish jobs, with the industry itself directly employing 10,300 people across the country.

The study, commissioned by The Scotch Whisky Association, also revealed:

• Spending with Scottish suppliers has increased by 61% since 2000
• Export value has grown by 42% since 2000 (from £2.2 billion)
• Capital spending of £355 million a year, of which nearly a third is invested in Scotland
• Scotch whisky’s economic impact is as significant as tourism – with employees adding twelve times more value per head
• Industry productivity at £262,000 per employee is six times the Scottish average
• One fifth of Scotch whisky jobs are in the more fragile rural communities across the Highlands & Islands
• Scotch whisky supports double the number of Scottish jobs than those in aerospace and defence, as well as a similar number to those employed in Scottish universities
• The majority of employment is found in Strathclyde (52%), Central Scotland & Fife (17%) Grampian (14%), and Lothian (11%)

Paul Johnston, a Drinks Industry commentator and Aberdeenshire Councillor has welcomed the report.

“It demonstrates the importance of the drinks sector in the Scottish Economy.  The 35,000 jobs are important and so is the £4 billion pounds in added value.  What is more important is that much of what makes Scotland the place that it is is encapsulated in the production of  Scotch Whisky.  It is the ambassador of things Scottish, of what is unique in this place.  Its importance cannot be underestimated and this report underpins that fact.”

“The Scotch Whisky Association is right to have concerns on taxation issues.  However, domestic taxation is not the over-riding issue here.  This is an export led industry and the new Government needs to encourage the conditions that allows for those quality exports.

“The domestic minimum pricing issue is a distraction to the real issues as is domestic duty.  Important though it all is, the iconic nature of Scotch is the key to this industry.  The government helping us to get an even playing field for quality products against low grade bulk alcohols, is the message for our exporters”

The 2010 season will see Balmedie Beach without a blue Flag as one of the best beaches according to Keep Scotland Beautiful. The title is held by seven Scottish Beaches – none within the North East.

Local Councillor and campaigner, Paul Johnston has expressed disappointment and urged action to regain a blue flag for coming years.

“Its good that Balmedie continues to get a rural beach award. But we used to get Blue Flag. Water quality is an issue, but so is the whole management of the beaches. We have pollutants at Blackdog which in all conscience should be dealt with and we have a sensitive dune system at our northern end being vandalised by a property ‘developer’. From rubbish tips to a housing estate sold on the back of a golf development, there is a tremendous pressure on Balmedie Beach as we know it.”

Councillor Johnston warned that increasing restrictions on use of the coastal area by the development to the North for the housing and golf use, would mean more problems in looking after the smaller central area. “To the South we have problems with rubbish tips and further development – some of which is at least likely to help clean up the mess. But it all adds to the pressure.” said Paul.

“Politicians need to focus on how to improve both water quality and better manage coastal areas to keep them in good environmental condition. Balmedie Beach remains good for the time being, but is clearly going to suffer without action. Our success can be measured by regaining and retaining Blue Flag status. We need to raise our sights with the environment”

Paul Johnston, in looking out from higher ground back towards Balmedie Car parks, showing the line of the boundary between the Trump Development hard up aginst the public access.