Gordon Park lighting motion could deter Ellon vandals
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AN Ellon councillor is pushing for better lighting in a local park following a number of anti-social incidents.
Recently Gordon Park has seen various acts of vandalism including benches set on fire, glass bottles broken in the shelter, down the slide and in the grass and a break in at the Tennis Club Hut.
According to Ellon And District ward councillor Gillian Owen, such mindless vandalism is stopping residents from using the park, a great asset for locals, at certain times of the day.
She said: “Facebook continues to have posts from residents exasperated about some of the activity in Gordon Park and there have been many calls for more lighting in the Park which may well stop some of this anti-social behaviour.
"I have spoken with the Police, and I know they also have asked Aberdeenshire Council to install more lighting and I was staggered with their negative response.
"I put a post on Ellon Matters seeking residents’ views on more lighting and an overwhelming majority said yes.
“The Council said to me, ‘There are no plans to change the current provision’.
"I decided I would investigate all avenues to see what funding is available to ensure that the park becomes a safer place for everyone to use throughout the year.
"One option is to put to Formartine Area Committee a Member Promoted Issue which asks for this specific concern to be looked into and I am delighted to share that my MPI has been accepted!
"It will be discussed by Formartine Area Committee on March 22.
"MPI’s are used by councillors who cannot seem to go any further with an issue they are highlighting - the problem generally is funding but there are many stakeholders that can help in these circumstances.
“I know only too well that the Council struggles with funding but with the Scottish Government legislation concerning Participatory Budgeting, five per cent of the budget needs to be determined by local residents making decisions on where money is spent at the grass root level.
"To me this project is an ideal way forward and current I have a newsletter being delivered in the Ward asking for support from residents.
"If you agree more lights are needed in Gordon Park you can text YES, your surname and postcode to 07768 257392.
"This will help when I speak in support of the MPI at the Formartine Area Committee for more lighting in the Gordon Park.”
