Aberdeenshire North & Moray East MP Seamus Logan and Troup SNP councillor Ross Cassie have hit out at the decision by the Conservative-led administration in Aberdeenshire Council to cut the Nightwatch service at Macduff Harbour as “ill thought-out and economic illiteracy”.
At the Budget meeting of Aberdeenshire Council on 27 February, administration councillors voted to cut the service which ensures safety at the harbour. This despite MKA Economics producing an Economic Development Plan for the harbour that was accepted by the Harbours Sub-Committee only last December in which it highlights the harbour supports around 280 jobs and injects £11.2 million into the local economy.
Commenting Seamus Logan MP said:
“This is a deeply-concerning decision by the administration councillors of Aberdeenshire Council.
“I had a useful discussion at the weekend with my colleague Cllr Ross Cassie who represents Troup Ward and has been leading the fight against the cuts. Ross has my fill support in his efforts and I will be making my own representations to Aberdeenshire Council urging a rethink.”
Commenting, Cllr Ross Cassie said:
“The decision taken by the administration to cut the Nightwatch service at Macduff Harbour is as wrong and ill thought-out now as it was when last attempted in 2017.
“This is a vital service for all harbour users ensuring safe movement about the harbour. They carry out many functions in and around the harbour ensuring safety for all users and the public and this important service should not be cut just to save a few bob.
“This decision will impact on the whole of Macduff as their impact assessment correctly identified area deprivation as a possible risk. Macduff as a town has been thrown under the bus by the Tory/Lib Dem administration who know the cost of everything but the value of nothing.
“To threaten the local economy to the tune of £11.2 million to save £150,000 is nothing short of economic illiteracy’.
“I will continue to speak up and speak out as this is too important. An entire town and its local environs are being sacrificed on the altar of austerity.”
