MSP to Sign Cullen Library "Book of Hope"

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson will sign the ‘Book of Hope’ at Cullen Post Office, Seafield Street, Cullen on Monday 11 November [tomorrow] at 12.30pm.

The Book of Hope has been started by local people campaigning to save Cullen Library from the decision to axe the facility by Moray Council’s Conservative/Independent administration. The book is for local people to write and record what their library means to them and campaigners have invited their MSP to add his name to many people who have already signed.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson said:

“The tenacity of the local campaigners is commendable and underlines the very strong case that exists for retaining the library here in Cullen.

“I will be taking the case for local libraries to Parliament next week with cross-party support and, even at this late stage, I would urge Moray Council’s administration to do the sensible thing and rethink this fundamentally-flawed decision.”

Moray MP & MSPs Welcome Campaigners' Library Challenge

Moray’s MSP, Richard Lochhead, MP, Angus Robertson, and Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP, Stewart Stevenson, have welcomed the decision by campaigners to save Moray’s libraries to challenge the decision in court.

The challenge, being made after receiving positive early legal advice, is being made following the decision by Moray Council’s Independent and Tory Administration to close 7 of its 15 libraries as a budget measure.

SNP Councillors and the local MP and MSP have opposed and condemned the decision, which has been deeply unpopular.

Commenting on the campaign group’s legal move Richard Lochhead MSP said:

“Today’s announcement by Save Our Libraries Moray, that are now set to challenge the Council’s decision in court is to be welcomed. I have been inundated with messages about the decision taken by Moray’s Independent and Tory Councillors and I strongly believe that they have taken the wrong decision and it will have a completely disproportionate impact.

“The SNP is fully behind the library campaigners and believe the Council must think again. The Council’s administration should now reconsider their wrong decision to close seven libraries, which has been roundly condemned by local communities, prominent authors and many others. They should accept they are wrong and back down rather than taking further financial and reputational damage by fighting this court challenge.”

Angus Robertson MP said:

“SNP politicians in Moray have voted against these library closures and we have joined the campaigners in protest against the decision. This is a passionate campaign about the saving of a critical local service.

“Libraries are at the heart and soul of our local communities and to close them is complete folly. Moray Council’s Independent and Tory Councillors should look long and hard at themselves and consider whether the comparatively small amount of savings being achieved is worth the damage this will do to communities. They must accept the clear opposition from the communities they represent and leave Moray’s libraries alone.”

Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP, Stewart Stevenson, whose constituency includes the communities of Cullen, Portknockie and Findochty, who are set to lose their libraries, said:

"The communities of Moray have been rightly shocked by the decision to close seven libraries, which seems to have no strategic or logical basis.

“I congratulate the campaigners on their tenacity in pushing forward with a legal challenge to the decision and I would urge the Independents and Tories in Moray Council’s administration to reconsider the closures and listen to the communities they claim to represent.”

Empowerment Bill a Major Development for Local Self-Determination

The launch of the consultation of the Community Empowerment Bill has been described as a major development for local self-determination by local MSP Stewart Stevenson.

The Bill proposes to build upon Scotland’s world leading community right to buy legislation by making it fit for all communities in Scotland and making it more straightforward for communities to take on public sector lands and buildings.

It will also provide a new statutory role for community councils when it comes to the Common Good, while giving communities a greater voice in the services the public sector delivers, and proposes to update Scotland’s land reform legislation by extending the community right to buy to urban areas.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

“The people who know best what needs to be done to improve life in a local community are the people who live and work there.

“This bill is an opportunity to give people in Scotland’s communities the tools they need to shape the future of their local areas.

“The launch of this bill is a significant step towards greater local self-determination, and I would encourage as many people as possible to make their views known in the consultation on what is being proposed.

“Just as the SNP believe that it is the people of Scotland who are best placed to make decision affecting Scotland, it is also true that the people best place to make decisions about local communities are the people who live and work in them.

“This is a major opportunity to build upon Scotland’s world leading community right to buy legislation and empower communities across Scotland.”