A little over two weeks since Aberdeenshire went to the polls and elected our local councillors for the next five years.
I am delighted that the Scottish Conservatives increased their count to nine councillors across Banff and Buchan – with gains in Banff & District, Troup and Turriff & District – retaining the highest number of councillors across Aberdeenshire overall.
These local elections really highlighted what matters to local people.
I was not shocked to hear concerns about the booking systems at recycling centres, access to Minor Injury Units and of course the conditions of our roads, dominating discussions on the doorsteps.
I look forward to working constructively with new Council Leader Mark Findlater and the new administration to help deliver for our local communities across Banff and Buchan in the years to come.
This month also saw the State Opening of Parliament heralding in a new parliamentary session in Westminster.
The pomp and ceremony honours long standing traditions but are also important symbols of our British democracy
The Queen’s Speech outlined the Government’s agenda for the coming session.
This included some 27 Bills which will affect us in Scotland – from animal welfare, and data reform, to energy security, and international trade.
There are also measures that will go further than ever before to unlock the UK’s potential as an independent global trading nation after our exit from the European Union.
The Levelling Up Bill will see areas across the whole UK receive funding directly from the UK Government to invest in local communities.
I am actively working with Aberdeenshire Council on bids for Banff and Buchan and am excited to see what this funding can do for the local area.
After two years of travel restrictions and passports expiring, demand for new and replacement passports has increased from an average of 7 million per year pre-Covid, to an estimated 9.5 million this year.
Her Majesty’s Passport Office has introduced technical improvements as well as hundreds more staff to help handle the increased demand.
90% of passports are processed within 6 weeks but people should allow at least 10 weeks for non-expedited applications if possible.
For anyone experiencing issues with applications – particularly if not received within 10 weeks and have pre-booked travel – my office and I stand ready to help in any way we can.
In the last week, we have seen the beginning of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee – marking 70 years since Her Majesty the Queen ascended the throne.
I look forward to attending several Jubilee events in the coming weeks here in the constituency – and look forward to getting out and about at these events in a way that has been impossible in recent years.
Last week, a large gorse fire burned near Banff bridge prompting a smoke warning for local residents of Banff and Macduff.
Wildfires often seem like a problem that we only see on TV in faraway places.
Indeed, there are horrific wildfires happening right now in the USA, where experts have announced that due to the ongoing drought, there is no such thing as ‘wildfire season’ anymore.
But wildfires happen here too, and with increasing frequency.
I urge residents to take care in the countryside, take preventative steps, prepare for what to do in the event of wildfires, and to call 999 if a fire is spotted.
For more guidance online: tinyurl.com/m73vny4s
