Latest news with #AlexanderBurnett
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Scottish council's U-turn on decision to close four nurseries hailed as 'victory'
The move comes after series backlash from communities affected by the initial closure announcement. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A council said it plans to drop its decision to close nurseries temporarily ahead of an emergency meeting next week. Aberdeenshire Council announced earlier this year it planned to mothball four nurseries across the region. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The move was met with a major backlash by communities affected by the proposals, with parents accusing the council of acting unlawfully. The affected nurseries include Crossroads, Ballogie, Glass and Sandhaven. Campaigners protesting against the temporary closure of Glass nursery after the announcement to mothball the facility was made earlier this month | Supplied An emergency meeting on the proposed closures is still due to go ahead on Monday. But in an unexpected U-turn, just days before the meeting, the council revealed it intends to pause any future mothballing of nurseries underway while it examines official guidance on the process. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Head of Aberdeenshire Council Gillian Owen said while the unusual decision was made to state the administration's intention ahead of the official meeting, next steps would 'still require to be considered through the decision-making process at full council'. Ahead of the meeting, Alexander Burnett, the MSP for Aberdeenshire West, had received confirmation from the Scottish Government the council should have held a public consultation, under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, before any decision was taken. The Act states councils should engage as 'early as possible' with families affected by proposals to mothball a nursery. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish Conservatives MSP for Aberdeenshire West Alexander Burnett | Katharine Hay In letters sent to councillors ahead of the meeting, a parent group said: 'We firmly believe that the council has acted illegally and improperly when making the decision to mothball these settings and we would urge you to please consider our position in detail prior to the meeting. 'Crossroads Nursery is a thriving rural nursery which serves our local rural community, this is not a nursery with struggling numbers or for which there is a low demand. This is a much-needed rural service which has provided exceptional care and the best start in life for our young people.' Mr Burnett described the council's decision to remove the plans from the table as 'a victory for our rural areas'. 'These nurseries help form the pillar of our communities and they are assets that we must keep open across Aberdeenshire,' the MSP said. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I am pleased Aberdeenshire Council has listened to the concerns of parents and has also agreed to review its mothballing policy, which I have also been campaigning for.' Mr Owen said: 'The administration is minded to seek a review of our mothballing guidance to incorporate a consultation process with parents. 'We acknowledge the strong feelings concerning the four settings and appreciate the concerns of parents who highly value their local early learning facilities. We are trying to balance the needs of children and families, with a challenging financial position – but it is critical we do this in the right way. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We will be recommending that we pause planning for all future mothballing activity currently underway, whilst we examine the guidance. Whilst we have been engaging with parents, we need to consult at a much earlier stage to inform the decision-making process, and we will explore how to integrate this into the procedure. 'We will also recommend reversing the budget decision identifying this as a saving in our 2025/26 budget process and seek to identify the saving from elsewhere.
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Council forced to U-turn on nursery mothballing plans
Despite previously insisting that the closures would go ahead, council officials have now indicated that they will abandon the plans and seek a review of the authority's approach to mothballing. In response to multiple requests to explain why unelected officers were able to make decisions on mothballing without consultation, a council spokesperson had previously suggested that government guidance – which includes clear instructions to consult with communities on any such decision – does not apply to nurseries, meaning that they did not need to discuss the matter with families before implementing the changes. In recent days, however, the council has come under increasing pressure over its plans. The matter has been raised in the Scottish Parliament, and government officials recently wrote to the council to warn that the proposals were not in line with statutory requirements. In a letter to Laurence Findlay, the Director for Education and Children's Services at Aberdeenshire Council, a government official explicitly stated that mothballing guidance applies to council-run nurseries, and highlighted a section of the document stating that any mothballing decision 'should be taken in consultation with the parents involved.' The government's letter also raised concerns about the mothballing of another nursery in 2024 which has since been removed from the options that parents can choose from when applying for a space for their child. Scottish Conservatives MSP Alexander Burnett has also written to the administration, which is led by councillors from his own party. His email, which has been seen by The Herald, sharply criticised several aspects of the council's approach and urged them to abandon the mothballing proposals. In addition to this, The Herald has been shown email correspondence in which the council is explicitly advised by a solicitor acting for parents that they considered the plans "unlawful". Officials are asked to state whether they agree with this, in which case they would have had to advise councillors of this, or disagree, in which case there would be no reason for families to delay further legal action. Opposition councillors had successfully demanded a special meeting of the council take place to consider the matter, with the session planned for Monday 9 June. When The Herald approached the council about this matter earlier today an official declined to comment, stating that they did not wish to 'pre-empt' any decisions that might be made by elected representatives. However, by mid-afternoon this position had changed, and the council's press team issued a release stating that the administration now intends to abandon the controversial mothballing plans: 'The Administration is minded to seek a review of our mothballing guidance to incorporate a consultation process with parents. 'We acknowledge the strong feelings concerning the four settings and appreciate the concerns of parents who highly value their local early learning facilities. We are trying to balance the needs of children and families, with a challenging financial position – but it is critical we do this in the right way. 'We will be recommending that we pause planning for all future mothballing activity currently underway, whilst we examine the guidance. Whilst we have been engaging with parents, we need to consult at a much earlier stage to inform the decision-making process, and we will explore how to integrate this into the procedure. 'We will also recommend reversing the budget decision identifying this as a saving in our 2025/26 budget process and seek to identify the saving from elsewhere. 'We are taking the unusual step of announcing our intention prior to the meeting in the hope that we remove further anxiety for the people who have made requests to speak.' The original proposals had been strongly opposed by SNP and some independent councillors who have welcomed the U-turn. Commenting, SNP Education and Children's Spokesperson, Cllr Louise McAllister, said: 'The decision to mothball these nurseries, without consultation or democratic oversight, was wrong from the get go, and that is a point we have strived to make since the announcements in April. 'As well as the U-turn on mothballing, I sincerely hope that the administration also accept that these decisions need to be fully returned to the hands of elected members, so that we can truly be a voice for the communities we represent. 'Whilst I am delighted for the children who can now continue to access their childcare provision in these settings, I think the administration must acknowledge and apologise for the hurt and distress caused by this short sighted decision making.' SNP Deputy Education and Children's Spokesperson, Cllr Jenny Nicol, added: 'From the outset we have voted against mothballing decisions being made by officers, and consistently challenged a process that lacked proper consultation and failed to consider the long term impact on rural families. 'For too long, decisions were being made behind closed doors, without the input of those most affected and facing the traumatic realities of mothballing. This reversal shows what can be achieved when communities stand up and are supported by Councillors who put people before 'process'.' 'We welcome this shift, but it must now be followed by a full review of the guidance and a genuine commitment to rural early years provision going forward.' SNP Cllr Dawn Black, who represents Stonehaven and Lower Deeside, praised local communities who 'have stepped up and fought this campaign so passionately and so successfully.' 'As Councillors our hands have been tied to a certain extent and we have done all we can to push this issue forward – and finally we see some change. We could not have done that without the dedication of local voices who took the time to email and speak with individual Councillors and at the education committee. 'Regardless of guidance from elsewhere, as a council we should want to consult with communities – to work with them to find sustainable ways forward – that should have already been in our guidance. Instead the Tory-led administration have tried to force change on communities, whilst hiding behind officers, and have realised that people just will not stand for it.'
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
They're earning more than the PM! Bumper sums awarded to Scots NHS fat cats revealed
Hundreds of NHS bosses are pocketing more than £100,000 a year despite failing to bring down waiting lists, a report reveals today. Amid record sums being poured in by taxpayers, nearly 1,700 fat cat NHS bureaucrats were handed the bumper sum in pay, pensions, bonuses, expenses and payoffs. Meanwhile, 512 senior managers banked salaries greater than the Prime Minister's (£172,153) - with nearly 300 on £200,000 or more. The first of its kind UK-wide 'NHS Rich List' also found several were handed bonuses and 'golden goodbyes' of up to £150,000, while others left the health service with pension pots worth over £1million. Last night Scottish Tory chief whip Alexander Burnett said: 'Health boards across Scotland need more junior doctors, more nurses and more paramedics — not more chiefs. 'Scots are seeing ambulance turnaround times of up to 18 hours but also big wage bills at the top. 'The SNP have let this situation happen on their watch. They must fix the problem their lack of attention has caused.' According to the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) campaign group, which carried out the study, the manager earning the most in Scotland in 2023-24 was Paul Bachoo, acute medical director and portfolio lead (surgery and clinical support) at NHS Grampian, with a total remuneration of £242,500. This was despite the TPA finding that the board was ranked 12th worst out of 14 on waiting times between referral and treatment in Scotland, and 10th out of 14 for A&E waiting times. Catherine Cowan, who has now left her post at NHS Forth Valley, was the highest-earning NHS chief executive in Scotland in 2023-24, with total remuneration of £217,500, including an exit package of £70,347. The board came third out of 14 for referral to treatment waiting times and 13th out of 14 for A&E waiting times. The former NHS Lanarkshire chief executive Professor Jann Gardner received £157,500 in total remuneration in 2023-24. The TPA ranked the board 13th out of 14 for referral to treatment waiting times and 14th out of 14 for A&E waiting times. Professor Gardner became chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on February 1. An NHS Grampian spokesman said: 'Salaries are set nationally and conform to Scotland's national public sector pay policy. 'These figures are adjusted and ratified through the National Performance Management Committee process. 'In general terms, many staff in senior medical executive or director roles, will also still be combining that strategic position with active clinical duties with patients. 'That could include everything from clinics to surgery.' NHS Forth Valley said it is one of the best performing NHS boards in Scotland 'in relation to waiting times for outpatient appointments, day treatment and planned surgical operations'. A spokesman said: 'Arrangements for all staff who leave or retire are agreed in line with NHS contractual arrangements and relevant Scottish Government guidance. 'This would also take into account any outstanding annual leave, notice period and transitional arrangements.' NHS Lanarkshire referred enquiries to the Scottish Government. The figures, covering more than 200 trusts and boards, as they are known in Scotland, for the 2023-24 financial year, will anger the millions of patients still stuck on waiting lists across the UK. It emerged in March that more than 10,000 patients in Scotland had died 'in limbo' on an NHS waiting list for the second year in a row. Official figures also show a trebling of fatalities among patients needing specialist care. First Minister John Swinney has said his objective this year was to reduce the total on waiting lists, which have topped more than 800,000 - the equivalent of one in six Scots. The most recent data also showed nearly one in three patients in Scotland had to wait more than four hours to be seen at A&E, with 10.5 per cent waiting more than eight hours and 4.3 per cent for longer than 12 hours. The TPA study will also fuel suspicions that much of the money lavished on the health service is not making it to the frontline and is instead helping to fund 'non-jobs' such as diversity roles. Shimeon Lee, the TPA analyst who compiled the report, said: 'Taxpayers will be appalled that while NHS patients face prolonged waiting lists and dismal A&E performance, hundreds of senior managers are pocketing six-figure pay packets. 'No one disputes that frontline staff deserve decent pay, but this rich list shows that there are sky-high salaries for senior bureaucrats, many in underachieving trusts, that are impossible to justify. 'If ministers are serious about getting the NHS back on track, they need to ensure that managers of poor performing trusts and boards aren't being rewarded for failure, put patients first, and ensure best practice is spread throughout the health service.' In total, the study found 1,694 senior managers got £100,000 or more in total remuneration across 224 trusts and boards. Of these, 1,557 included a salary over £100,000. A further 296 got £200,000 or more while 17 received over £300,000. The highest went to Ann James, the former CEO of University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, who got a £397,500 total pay package, including £382,500 salary. The trust was ranked 95 out of 136 in England for A&E waiting times. One of the highest total pay packages (£427,500), including a £262,500 salary and £166,250 in pension-related benefits, went to Jonathan Brotherton, CEO of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. The trust was ranked 128 of 149 for referral-to-treatment waiting times and 119 of 136 for A&E waiting times in England. George Findlay, the CEO of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, was handed a £32,500 bonus - on top of his £222,500 salary - despite it ranking 143 of 149 and 105 of 136 for the same targets respectively. By contrast, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust had the best referral-to-treatment waiting times. Its CEO, Joe Rafferty, got a total pay package of £257,500. Other eyebrow-raising salaries included North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust giving its 'chief people officer', Louise Tibbert, a £257,500 salary. The TPA study related to managerial roles at NHS trusts and not NHS England, the quango which runs the health service but which is being scrapped by the UK Government. Earlier this month, UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced plans to have annual pay rises docked under tough new measures aimed at improving NHS performance and driving progress on cutting waiting lists. Bonuses of up to 10 per cent will be on offer for top performing trusts under the new 'carrot and stick' approach. The UK Government health department was contacted for comment. A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'The salaries of NHS Scotland chief executives and senior staff are independently assessed and reflect their roles as leaders of large and complex public sector organisations providing vital services.'
Press and Journal
14-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
200 objectors left out of Banchory windfarm inquiry due to 'administration error'
An administration error has been blamed for 200 objectors being left out of the windfarm inquiry near Banchory, it has been revealed. The Hill of Fare windfarm would consist of 16 wind turbines measuring 656ft, towering over the Aberdeenshire countryside. The project proposed by RES has been met with fierce opposition, including from Aberdeenshire Council. Developers argued the proposal could bring a £156 million economic boost to the area and create more than 200 jobs. Councillors unanimously voted down the plans in October 2024. However, the decision will ultimately lie with the Scottish Government, once the plans face a public inquiry. More than 1,000 objections have been lodged against the plans since they were unveiled back in 2023. It has now been revealed that 200 objectors were left out of an inquiry into the project. A Public Local Inquiry will take place at the town hall from September 1 to 13 ahead of the government's decision. There, community councils, campaigners and residents will be able to give evidence. The deadline to participate is in just two days' time, but due to an 'administration error', 200 objectors were not notified. This was confirmed through correspondence between local MSP Alexander Burnett and Scotland's energy minister Gillian Martin. In a letter seen by The Press and Journal, Ms Martin said: 'I am advised that this was an administration error which arose due to the high volume of representations received. 'Although the situation was unfortunate, my officials have informed me that it was quickly resolved and all of the 200 individuals were given the opportunity to participate in the public inquiry if they so wished.' Mr Burnett called it a 'major oversight'. He added: 'The department responsible should extend the window for submission to the PLI by another few weeks at least, so all of the respondents who were left out have a chance to attend and present if necessary. 'Now there is a critical opportunity to intervene on the Scottish Government's determination. 'Between the petition, a thousand-plus objections and now spoken evidence to be heard by the Scottish Government's reporter, this may be the best time to get involved.'
