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  • Johnston backs praises response of Lib Dem MEP Watson August 31, 2010
    Paul Johnston, a leading Aberdeenshire Councillor has welcomed the link between the Pakistan floods to climate change and the need for the UK to tackle it in a more co-ordinated manner. “In much of the coverage of the tragedy that is Pakistan at the moment it is hard to make the connection to the UK.  Its […]

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‘Critical’ Tarves Pharmacy Appeal tomorrow (June 15th)

Aberdeenshire Councillor Paul Johnston has told local people that tomorrow’s meeting of the National Appeals Panel (NAP) is critical for the future of health services in the parishes of Methlick, Tarves and Udny.

“I have had many representations from local people and it has been frustrating not being able to make local views known to the Appeals Panel who will be taking the decision. However, I am grateful for all the united support from the Community Councils locally who have been excellent in organising local opinion to be properly represented to the NAP through the local GP practice sub committee.”

Councillor Johnston has passed on petitions and letters to the appropriate people.

The meeting of the National Appeals Panel takes place at Meldrum House hotel locally, tomorrow, 15th June.

“Having heard all the argument I am convinced that the granting of a licence for a pharmacy at Tarves is neither wanted nor necessary and could have severe consequences in provision over the wider area. My view is alongside those of my communities which oppose this licence and I hope that the National Appeals Panel will take into account the strong and thoughtful view that has been expressed. Evidence of the strength of local opinion and an independent assessment of local needs has been compiled by the Community Councils and submitted in evidence. My hope is that those who are taking that decision, do so on the basis of the clear evidence provided and reject the licence appeal.”

It is understood a decision would be published within two weeks.

June 14th, 2010 | Category: News

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Paul's Blog

  • Exams and Scottish Higher Education
    August 5, 2010 | 7:21 pm

    On the day that Scottish Exam results drop through the letterboxes of expecting students, there remains the unresolved debate about the future of higher education that underlies all the comments that will flow forth from the great and good.

    My concerns that commentators will rubbish the results again, as they do when any increase in pass rates are announced.  The requirements of any qualification change with time.  It does not mean it gets easier – it can, but there is no evidence that it actually has.  But there is evidence it has changed in another way.

    Change in the the topics covered by exams have always happened.  How many doing Maths now would be able to handle a slide rule?  In my day, it was part of the exam.  Now students would no know what a slide rule was.

    For all those who are tempted to suggest the utter nonsense of advising students not to go to further Education but study things that industry bosses want now, could I enter the thought that we are really teaching people for occupations in technologies and systems that have not even been invented yet.  Such is the challenge of the future.

    Congratulations to all students in your results.  I just hope that the generation currently making decisions about your futures, your higher education places and the very sustainability of the Country, will not indulge in the short term thinking of ‘government spending’.  I hope they will have the courage for the investment in peoples’ futures and not our selfish present.

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