Councillor Paul Johnston

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.

Mid Formartine, Aberdeenshire Councillor, Paul Johnston, has welcomed the introduction of a up to £400 boiler scrappage scheme in line with the rest of the UK. The scheme which will fund improvements in efficiency in boilers is launched this week.

“Its great news and offers a boost to local plumbing and heating engineers in business – as well as being good for reducing oil consumption. ” said Councillor Johnston. ” I was disappointed, that Aberdeenshire Council were not prepared to support this, but It was good news when Mike Rumbles MSP and others, were successful in getting the Scottish Government to introduce it with the money specifically given by the London Government to allow us to do this”

Old poorly rated boilers can be replaced under the grant scheme  according to the Local Councillor. Paul refers people to The Enegy Saving Trust which he praises for clear details and help.

“I think in an recession, this is a win win scheme in government support. It supports families with lower bills, it creates jobs and it it helps towards the environment with carbon emission reductions. Its win win.”

This is the first of three parts in a debate response on climate change. The presentation Michael Pawlyn made is very thought provoking and inspirational. I recommend it.

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