Council dredger at centre of value for money storm
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MORAY Council's dredger MV Selkie has once again found itself at the centre of controversy after accusations it was not generating enough income.
Councillor Marc Macrae (Fochabers-Lhanbryde, Conservative) raised the matter at the recent economic development and infrastructure services committee, asking why the dredger was not being hired out to other local authorities.
He said: “In recent weeks I have received a number of emails from residents across Moray asking what the council owned dredger MV Selkie is doing to pay for its keep.
“A resident made me aware in our neighbouring authority Aberdeenshire Council have contracted a Danish-registered vessel the Merete Chris to provide dredging services and it is currently doing so in Macduff Harbour."
During question time during the committee meeting, Councillor Macrae firstly asked what progress has been made in tendering for the services of the Selkie before enquiring if Aberdeenshire Council had approached their their counterparts in Moray regarding hiring the vessel to dredge Macduff Harbour.
He continued: “I was advised that the current work programme for the council’s dredger is such that it would not be in a position to take on external work, something which in my own opinion beggars belief.
“A significant investment was made in procuring a new vessel some years back, yet our near neighbours have contracted a vessel older than I am to dredge their harbours.
“In these challenging times, and with the concerns over climate change, it would seem sensible to be marketing the services of the dredger to all other harbour authorities across Scotland rather than have our neighbours procuring from an overseas operator.
“Alongside colleagues I will continue to seek the answers the public seek and the wish to see value for Moray.”
A Moray Council spokesperson said: "Priority has been given to our own harbours and dredging requirements but we’ll consider external tenders from next spring when capacity allows.”
The £2.5 million MV Selkie was launched in May 2016 at Buckie Harbour.
