Macduff Harbour nightwatch axe decision met with ‘dismay’ as council stand by cost-cutting measure
Controversial plans to withdraw the nightwatch service from a busy harbour have been given the green light.
Aberdeenshire Council have voted not to proceed with a proposal to maintain the nightwatch service at Macduff Harbour.
A meeting of the Full Council heard a proposal put forward by Councillor Ross Cassie (SNP - Troup) which would have maintained the service which the Conservative-led administration axed from their budget earlier this year.
The meeting also heard from local skipper John Clark who spoke of the importance of the service to the Banffshire port. The cost-saving measure is estimated to save around £155,000 per year while the economic benefit to the local economy of Macduff Harbour is estimated at over £11 million per year - a sum which Councillor Cassie fears is now under threat.
Speaking after the decision, which saw a majority of councillors vote to suspend standing orders so the original decision could be discussed, but fell short of the two thirds majority required, Councillor Cassie said the decision would be met with “dismay” locally”.
He continued: “I would like to thank John Clark for his input on behalf of the Macduff Harbour users to the meeting.
“He spoke from a position of knowledge and certainly made his points very well.
“The decision not to look again at this cut - despite my highlighting where the funding can come from and John Clark highlighting the charges that are already being implemented covering well in excess of the initial savings – will be met with dismay in Macduff and threatens the economy of the harbour.
“I remain happy to work with our harbour users and Aberdeenshire Council to ensure a safe system at Macduff Harbour. That as a minimum must contain 24 hours coverage, seven days a week.
“That coverage cannot be reliant on CCTV. CCTV has never pulled a person out of the harbour. I will not review my decision to resign as a Duty Holder until that is met and confirmed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
“All I see is the Tory-led council administration knowing the cost of everything and value of nothing. You cannot put a price on human life.”
Despite the decision Mr Clark remained defiant after the meeting, stating that harbour users would “not back down” over the nightwatch issue.
He continued: “The newly-formed Macduff Harbour Users Group would like to thank Councillor Ross Cassie for bringing this MPI [Member Promoted Issue] to the full council meeting.
“We will await to work with officers and make sure Aberdeenshire Council comply will the port marine safety code which they are fully signed up to; we will not back down on there being physical 24/7 cover at Macduff Harbour
“It was a shame to see Troup Councillor Richard Menard who still claims to be fighting to save the watchmen roles declare an interest and left the chamber when the item was heard
“Councillor Menard is supposed to be the chairman of the Macduff Harbour Advisory Committee as well; a lot of folk think the position he has taken on the watchman role is untenable and he should resign so that a new chairman can be voted in.
“We presented officers and councillors far better cost savings and cost recovery measures to the tune of £399,000 - some of these cost recovery measures have already been taken onboard and implemented.
“It’s just a shame Officers never listened to our concerns years ago when we raised them as if they had the harbour would not be in the dire financial position it currently is in.”
Councillor Menard declared an interest as an Aberdeenshire Council harbour user and being a member of various user groups and committees.
