Aberdeenshire Council's claims of support questioned

    

Cllr Ford has described Aberdeenshire Council as 'naive' for allowing one of its schools to be drawn into a publicity stunt for Donald Trump.

     

Pupils from Balmedie School have been involved in planting marram grass at Menie, work that is intended to stabilise the mobile dune system by preventing the natural movement of sand. Sand movement is the key ecological process at Menie, causing the creation of new dune habitats, so planting marram grass is directly damaging to an important Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

    

Balmedie School is registered with the Eco Schools programme and has met the criteria for the Bronze Award level.

    

Cllr Ford raised concerns at the Education, Learning and Leisure Committee about the appropriateness of the school's involvement but was assured that the governing body of Eco Schools was supportive (See note 1). It now appears that no such endorsement was given (See attached statement from Keep Scotland Beautiful).

   

Martin Ford said: "There is concern about a school taking an active part in the stabilisation of the Menie sand sheet. The marram planting that is involved will prevent the continuing movement of the sand - the very process that makes the site special. And the permission to plant is still subject to an unresolved legal challenge from Mrs Molly Forbes.
   
"I'm sure some of those who were uneasy about the school's involvement were reassured when they read that the planting activity had the support of the governing body of eco-schools.
   
"There now appears to be considerable doubt as to the accuracy of that assurance. The Council must clarify this.
   
"The Council must not claim the support of other bodies unless it is beyond doubt that it does have that support.
   
"I am sure the Director would not knowingly mislead the Education Committee. So we must establish how the difference of understanding arose."
   

The Leader of the Democratic Independent group of councillors on Aberdeenshire Council, Cllr Paul Johnston, has written to the Education Service expressing concerns and seeking assurances.

    
Cllr Ford has expressed concerns over the planting for Mr Trump on a number of counts:
   
1. It is an ecologically destructive act incompatible with young people learning respect for the environment.
2. The Council should not put school pupils into the middle of an unresolved political and legal controversy they are far too young to fully understand.
3. The Council is allowing children to be used for PR purposes.
  

Cllr Ford has pointed out that if the Trump Organisation were simply trying to help the school, there was no need for publicity. "This is PR for the Trump Organisation before they revert to trying to force local families out of their own homes," he said.

    
ENDS

    

Notes:

1. http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1593097?UserKey=