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Build a better Buckie, urges plan


By Alan Beresford

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A BETTER Buckie – that was the clarion call groups, agencies and individuals alike rallied to when an improvement plan for the centre of the town was launched.

Enjoying the improvement plan launch day are community support officer Tracey Rae (third right) and Buckie Central East Community Monitoring Group members (from left) Leah Rossvoll, Christine Allan, Susan Chalmers, Gordon McDonald, Ann Mitchell and Morag Stewart. Picture: Eric Cormack. Image No.044624.
Enjoying the improvement plan launch day are community support officer Tracey Rae (third right) and Buckie Central East Community Monitoring Group members (from left) Leah Rossvoll, Christine Allan, Susan Chalmers, Gordon McDonald, Ann Mitchell and Morag Stewart. Picture: Eric Cormack. Image No.044624.

The 10-year plan, which focuses on the central east area Buckie, is the result of a year's hard work with the wider community.

Forming the main planks of plan are the themes of learning and life skills, young people, connectivity and community voice, all identified by the Buckie Central East Community Monitoring Group through local consultations.

Spearheaded initially by the Moray Community Planning Partnership the plan will be actioned by the community theme groups.

Speaking after the public launch of the plan in Buckie's North Church Hall last Wednesday, chairman of the Community Planning Board, Councillor Graham Leadbitter said: “As chair of the Community Planning Board I see lots of people trying to make a difference in communities around Moray and to see progress by this group in Buckie already is heartening.”

Community volunteer Susan Chalmers commented: “As the plan has come together it's been reassuring to see that the issues raised by local folk during the consultations have been heard and are being addressed.

“This afternoon has been a great example of voluntary groups and official agencies working together and we hope it will encourage others from the community to get involved in making Buckie an even better place to bide in.”

The launch of the plan was also warmly welcomed by Buckie's three councillors – Sonya Warren, Gordon Cowie and Tim Eagle – who were all at the launch event.

Councillor Warren said: "It was great to see so many folk interested in what's being looked at for Buckie.

"It's been very interesting to see all the feedback from folk, both young and old, and look at the concerns in the community and what they would like to change. Hopefully this plan will go some way to addressing these issues and encourage folk to get involved in these changes.

"The more folk get involved the better for the community."

Councillor Cowie commented: "It was very encouraging to see not only all the partners coming together under one roof to let the people of Buckie see what is going on in their area but also people attending in large numbers and showing a lot of interest.

"I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate all the organisers and helpers and the local supermarkets for putting up a great spread for the teas and coffees served with a smile.

"Well done to all involved."

Councillor Eagle added: "I am truly impressed by the hard work which has been put in by people across Buckie who have come together to bring this outcome improvement plan to life.

"Of course there is much hark work to do to deliver on the plan so I look forward to the next 10 years as we strive for our better Buckie.”

A copy of the plan is available on www.buckie.co where regular updates about the work of the group will be published.

The monitoring group would like to thank the launch event sponsors Tesco; Café Coull; Lidl; Police Scotland Youth Volunteers; Walkers; Booker Wholesale; The Fishermen’s Hall; Co-op; Home Bakery; Moray Food Plus; Moray Community Planning Partnership

A NUMBER of working groups are currently being set up to drive forward the aims of the A Better Buckie 10-year plan for the town's central east area.

Under the supervision of the Community Monitoring group, committees bringing together the combined talents of local people and a variety of agencies are in the process of being formed.

They will look at tackling four main priorities, namely: Young people; Learning and life skills; Connectivity; Community voice.

Supporting the programme is Moray Council community support officer Tracey Rae.

She said: "This is very much a community-led effort throughout as it has been from the start.

"It was wonderful to see such a huge turnout at the launch day.

"While this is a 10-year plan it is nevertheless a very fluid document with major reviews every year and smaller ones every six months. It will adapt to the needs of the community it serves."


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