MCINNES DISCUSSES ANGUS ISSUES WITH LOCAL COUNCILLOR
August 12, 2010 12:00 AM
Alison discusses issues with Cllr. David May
North East MSP Alison McInnes met with fellow Liberal Democrat, Montrose & District Cllr David May this week, during a visit to Angus. Mrs McInnes and Cllr May discussed a range of issues of significance to the local community such as the ongoing campaign for junction improvements on A90 at Laurencekirk, the detrimental impact of business rates revaluation on Angus businesses and the rising cost of rural fuel.
Speaking after the meeting Alison McInnes commented:
"The campaign for proper grade separated junctions at Laurencekirk has, of course, had my backing for some years now, and I share the community's frustration at the lack of action from the SNP government. I am dismayed by the complacency shown by the transport Minister and his boss, John Swinney, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance. It is time that they acknowledged how dangerous these junctions are and made provision for proper improvements.
"The meagre changes proposed so far will do little to reduce the accident toll. I call on the SNP minister to make an appearance at the junction at 7.30 any morning in the working week and he will see for himself how dangerous the junction is.
Cllr May added:
"There is no doubt, in my view, that the SNP minister has let down the people in Montrose and Laurencekirk and the campaign to get the much needed changes will continue."
Cllr May continued:
"The business rates revaluation has been a real blow to businesses already struggling with the recession. Many businesses in Angus are facing a crippling increase to their rates bills. More than half of all organisations in the North East region will be paying increases that would have qualified for transitional relief in the past.
"Liberal Democrats warned the government as early as last November that a transitional relief scheme would be needed. In the interests of fairness the Cabinet Secretary must introduce a transitional scheme that will produce some much needed relief to businesses struggling in hugely difficult economic times. We will continue to press for that - It's not too late."
Mrs. McInnes added:
"John Swinney must face up to the fact that these crippling increases will create lasting damage to our businesses in Angus, threatening precarious economic stability and jeopardizing jobs. I would urge businesses that have had big increases in their rates revaluation to appeal against the change as there have been some cases when mistakes have been made"
On a brighter note Cllr May and Mrs McInnes welcomed the news that their Westminster colleagues were pressing ahead with proposals for a rural fuel duty rebate pilot scheme and agreed that it would be beneficial to test the scheme out in parts of rural Scotland.
ENDS
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