A long meeting of the full Aberdeenshire Council today, dominated by three notices of motion – these are issues that individual councillors put forward for debate and where appropriate for some specific action.
I was pleased to support the first motion calling on the UK Government to reconsider the transitional state pension arrangements for women born on/after 6 April 1950. No councillor expressed any opposition to the equalisation of state pensions for men and women. The concerns centre around the late notification to those affected, long after they could make alternative arrangements, which results in unforeseen hardship. The motion was supported by 48 votes to 12. The chief executive will now write to the government.
The second motion – which was unanimously passed – calls on the chief executive to write to the Royal Bank expressing our concerns about the closures of the branches in Stonehaven, Banchory and Westhill. Will adequate alternative arrangements be put in place for customers?
The third motion stirred up passions around the chamber over the new “rape clause” affecting mothers seeking to claim child tax credits for more than two children when a child was the result of a coercive relationship or rape. After a lengthy and robust debate the motion was supported by 49 votes for 13 (all Conservative) with two “no votes”. The council will now write to the UK Government expressing grave concern and urging a reversal of the policy.
In other business, councillors agreed defer consideration of a Review of the Scheme for Establishment of Community Councils. Officers have been instructed to re-establish a short-term working group to facilitate a further six week period of consultation with community councils prior to bringing forward a report to the council to consider the outcome of the consultation.
A planning application for a regional food hall, retail, and leisure, and industrial uses at Blackdog, north of Aberdeen, was approved. This development should provide a showcase for local producers and the fishing industry.
The development of a commercial/industrial development at Balmacassie north of Ellon was also approved.
This was the final council meeting before the local government elections on Thursday 4 May.