A former planning chief has “no faith” in the leaders of Aberdeenshire Council to deliver on promises to regenerate the north-east.
Peter Argyle was the chairman of the infrastructure services committee until last June, when the SNP grabbed power of the local authority.
Now the Liberal Democrat has branded it unlikely that the group will be able to follow up on promises to regenerate Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Banff and Macduff to an equal standard.
The towns were under scrutiny at yesterday’s infrastructure services meeting, when councillors approved creating four separate working groups to steer local regeneration efforts in the ports.
The 21-page report had previously been described as “shambolic” for its lack of local member input.
However, members were yesterday assured non-local members could be appointed to the groups, and will be able to influence decisions in the wards they do not represent.
But yesterday Mr Argyle told the committee he had “no faith” in what the SNP administration is offering to the people of the north-east, despite the report being pushed through.
“There are so many things that aren’t here,” he said.
“There’s nothing about resources or staffing to the same scale that there has been in Fraserburgh.”
In 2012, the then ruling Aberdeenshire Alliance began a regeneration scheme in Fraserburgh, which has been widely hailed as positive. It was later expanded to the three other towns, focusing on town centres.
But when the SNP-led Partnership seized power last year, it announced plans for new initiatives which would put the four towns at the top of its agenda.
The new administration called for fresh reports and studies on how its plan could be achieved.
Yesterday, Mr Argyle suggested this had caused “delays” on ongoing regeneration efforts.
He added: “We do not have the staff to do it – I’m not sure we even have the resources to do it.
“This is a completely radical direction and there’s already been a slow down.”
But Councillor David Aitchison, who took over at the helm of the planning committee from Mr Argyle, insisted the scheme was moving forward.
“These towns are very different and distinct,” he said.
“The fact that one size doesn’t fit all has come through on this. There’s been a very pent up desire in the local communities, and I think it’s very important we listen to that and move forward.”
