Moray SNP News

MSP TO CHAIR PUBLIC MEETING ON THE FUTURE OF NEWMILL

Moray’s MSP, Richard Lochhead, will host a public meeting in Newmill to look at some of the challenges facing the village and what those who live there want for the future.  The meeting will be held on Monday 26 October at 7pm in the Newmill Village Hall. 

In recent months, Mr Lochhead has been contacted by members of the Community Association and residents of Newmill who have expressed concerns about the community’s relationship with Newmill Estates and the Moray Council.  Issues which have been raised with the MSP include the lack of maintenance of roads owned by the Estate, the derelict building situated in the Square, and the level of services provided to the village by the local authority.

Mr Lochhead promised residents he would hold a meeting to bring the community together, allowing them to opportunity to discuss the challenges faced by the village but also the potential opportunities that working together could create, particularly in light of the recent Community Empowerment legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Richard Lochhead said:

“Many members of the community in Newmill have been in touch with me to express concerns about the lack of attention paid to the village by the Estate, which owns a number of the roads and lanes within the village, and their desire to see the infrastructure improved. 

“I know that local Councillor Gary Coull, and the community association have been working hard to put pressure on Newmill Estates for some time now but unfortunately to this point have had limited success.

“At my recent surgery in Newmill, I met with a number of constituents who live in the village who feel that the community is often overlooked by both the Estate and the Council, and it was clear that they wanted more of a say in the future of their community and the services that they require.   

“The purpose of Monday’s meeting therefore, is to bring residents together allowing them the to opportunity to air their views on the challenges they face as a community and how they can work together to shape the future of Newmill.”