The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Anger at‘flawed’handling of police counter plans
POLICE SCOTLAND has been accused of “sneaking” through the closure of the public counter at Auchterarder police station.
As anticipated, the service is being removed at Blairgowrie, Crieff and Kinross in Perth and Kinross but the inclusion of Auchterarder on the list came as a shock to MSP Liz Smith.
Until the list was released on Friday, the MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife said there had been no indication that the public face of policing was to be axed in Auchterarder.
Ms Smith has called for the closure of Auchterarder — due to take effect from March 3 — to be suspended while the matter is investigated.
“The way in which Police Scotland has handled the public counter closures proposals has been unacceptable, with no real public consultation taking place,” she said.
“Under the original Police Scotland announcement, a synopsis of the proposed future provision for policing was provided for every community except Auchterarder.
“At no point has Police Scotland outlined their rationale for closing Auchterarder police station and at no point has key information regarding the footfall and public use of Auchterarder police station been made available.
“Police Scotland have either been negligent when under taking the consultation for Auchterarder or have tried to sneak the removal of the public counter services into the list.
“Either way, questions must be asked as to why Auchterarder will lose its local public counter when vital information has not been provided to elected representatives. This only demonstrates how flawed Police Scotland’s non-public consultation exercise has been.
“I h av e written to Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill to ask why the information provided to elected representatives has at no point provided a synopsis of the proposed future provision for policing in Auchterarder and called on him to suspend the proposed closure of Auchterarder police station until the necessary information has been provided.”
Under the controversial changes, Perth will remain open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while Pitlochry will be open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Auchterarder, Blairgowrie, Crieff and Kinross will no longer have public counter provision but members of the public can still attend at these stations, although they should call 101 first to ensure an officer will be there to see them.
“As everyone suspected, the consultation exercise was merely Police Scotland going through the motions,” Ms Smith said. “No matter what anyone said, these service counters were closing. There is growing concern, however, that this exercise has been based on false and inaccurate data, and will erode the relationship between the public and the police.”
Police Scotland maintains it has listened totheviewsputforwardandchangesmustbe made to reflect this, but the counter closures will allow a better use of resources. APPLICATIONS FOR planning permission lodged with Perth and Kinross Council for the week ending February 3 include:
Paterson — alterations and extension to house at Lagganallachie, 6 Newhall Street, Bankfoot.
The Ericht Trust Ltd — change of use from retail to offices at Toy Box, 13 Upper Mill Street, Blairgowrie.
McBride — modification of planning permission, erection of house and garage, to include installation of air-source heat pump and solar PV panels on land to the west of Fortunes Gate, Braco Road, Comrie.
Stewart — formation of permanent gypsy/Traveller site and associated works on land 50m southwest of Laighland Stables, Mawcarse Crossroads, Mawcarse.
PKC Bereavement Services — change of use of open space to provide extension of existing burial ground on land 100m south-east of Blair Atholl and Struan Parish Church, Blair Atholl.
H and N Developments LLP — alterations to shop front at 16 Scott Street, Perth.
H and N Developments LLP — display of signs at 16 Scott Street, Perth.
Stewart — erection of house on land 30m south-west of Nether Coul, Auchterarder.
TTL Scotland Ltd — alterations and extension at P and J Haggart Ltd, 32 Dunkeld Street, Auchterarder.
TTL Scotland Ltd — display of advertisements at P and J Haggart Ltd, 32 Dunkeld Street, Auchterarder.
TTL Scotland Ltd — alterations, extension and change of use from Class 1 to Class 3 at P and J Haggart Ltd, 32 Dunkeld Street, Aberfeldy.
Rattray — extension to house at 57 David Douglas Avenue, Scone.
Wallshore Isle of Man Ltd — change of use from house to guesthouse at Nivingston House, Cleish.
First Scotrail — installation of automated ticket gates and railings at Perth Railway Station, Perth.
Humphreys — formation of retaining walls, regrading works, erection of existing shed and increase in hardstanding car parking area at Auldrory, East Haugh, Pitlochry.
NGP Garage Services – Alterations to industrial unit at Jollys Yard, Shore Road, Perth.