Press Cuttings

  • Watchdog warns power shortages could hit UK
    February 4, 2010 | 2:18 pm

    By Ryan Crighton Press and Journal
    Published: 04/02/2010

    The UK Government has been warned it will have to rely on Scotland to “keep the lights on” after its energy regulator said power shortages could hit Britain within three years.

    Ofgem has revealed £200billion of investment is needed to guarantee supply over the next two decades because of diminishing [...]

  • Ethical sales triple over decade, says Co-operative Bank
    December 31, 2009 | 12:13 pm

    Ethical sales triple over decade, says Co-operative Bank

    • UK ethical market expands from £13.5bn to £36bn
    • Fairtrade products enjoy significant growth since 1999

    * The Guardian, Wednesday 30 December 2009 * Rebecca Smithers

    Fairtrade

    Consumer spending on “ethical” products from Fairtrade food to eco-friendly travel has almost tripled in the past decade, a survey reveals today.

    The Co-operative [...]

  • Call for regional management of fisheries
    December 23, 2009 | 12:38 pm

    www.fishnewseu.com   22/12/09

    SCOTTISH Liberal Democrat MSP, Liam McArthur has criticised the SNP Government for pointless grandstanding on CFP, saying that this will not help Scotland’s fleet. Commenting as the SNP Government have once again called for the CFP to be scrapped, Liberal Democrat Fisheries spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said: “This is just more pointless grandstanding [...]

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------News-------

Residents urged to write about Serious Concerns over Pharmacy Proposal

An Aberdeenshire Councillor who represents three villages faced with the loss of dispensing at local surgeries has urged people who attend surgeries in Methlick, Tarves and Pitmedden to make their views known. NHS Grampian up asking people to give their representations to the local Community Councils who will present local views at the Pharmacy Committee which decides if an application for a new commercial pharmacy at Tarves should be licensed.

Mid-Formartine Councillor Paul Johnston said: “I personally have very serious concerns at the viability of such a pharmacy and the effect it will have on local medical services. The possibility of withdrawal of dispensing at three surgeries would seriously undermine local health provision. If people are concerned they should let their local Community Council know. ”

“Community Councils at Tarves, Methlick and Udny will be able to present local views to the NHS Committee which decides. I have made my own representation through them to NHS Grampian. Concerned residents should do likewise.”

A former Tarves butcher shop is the site for an application for a pharmacy by a retail chain of shops. If a licence as a pharmacy is granted by NHS Grampian, dispensing services may be withdrawn from local surgeries at Tarves, Udny and possibly Methlick.

Paul Johnston said: “Community Councils will need to get representations from the public by the 16th November in order to meet a deadline of 19th November for their submission to NHS Grampian. It is important people write now to get their views passed on to NHS Grampian.”

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Paul's Blog

  • Rail results prove the point.
    February 4, 2010 | 4:25 pm

    The Press and Journal today had the story of the increase in rail passengers in and around Aberdeen. The success is down to the reality of travel. Its frankly better travelling by train than sitting in a car. The idea that one should then turn to NESTRANS to have this debated suggests its role is somehow positive. Well that’s not certain.

    NESTRANS is a body that now sits in the way of discussion – its narrow political leadership now dictate the two Council’s policies about travel and transport. Aberdeenshire Councillors have failed to back Crossrail because NESTRANS have failed to stick up for Crossrail.

    If NESTRANS is to redeem itself as actually being a body that carries out the wishes of an electorate rather than one which filters out any democratic or environmental demands, then they should take the figures and properly get to work making Crossrail a reality. More stations, better trains, improved track will – as the current figures demonstrate – will attract more passengers and therefore improve carbon emissions and reduce congestion.

    All of this would be preferable to be done before construction of the Western Peripheral Car Park, because that is what it will be without the integrated Transport Strategy needed for the City and Shire.  The WPR is only of benefit if it does not grow traffic but creates improved environments along with other schemes.  Having a WPR and nothing else of note will be the worst of all worlds.

    After restoring Crossrail and an Integrated Transport Strategy, perhaps they could think again on the East Coast mainline – point out to some of the Councillors who think it goes via Perth, that it is via Fife – and see if electrification and capacity can be improved.

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