The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Aberfeldy to benefit from emergency services partnership
link-up: Fire station will be base for community warden
An enhanced emergency services partnership has been launched in a Highland Perthshire town.
Police have moved out of their ageing premises at Aberfeldy and into accommodation at the town’s fire station.
The facility will also be a base for new safer communities warden Norma Carr, whose post is being jointly funded by Perth and Kinross Council and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
The move, which was formally launched yesterday by MSP John Swinney, will focus on several priority areas, as identified with the help from community councillors. These include violence against women, fly tipping and graffiti.
Crews will set up a resilience group and work with young people and traders.
Councillor Douglas Pover, convener of the council’s community safety committee, said: “This is an important development for the wardens service.
“By being in a position to work closely with colleagues in the police and fire service, the service being provided to residents will be greatly improved.
“Residents will know exactly where to go for help and we will be able to speak to the right person.”
Senior fire officer Colin Grieve said: “This initiative has been developed with our partners in Perth and Kin ross Council, Police Scotland and most importantly the community in Aberfeldy.
“By working together and enabling our fire station to become a wider community safety hub for the town, it demonstrates how we can share services and resources more effectively to reduce risk, prevent injuries and harm to improve the lives and safety of locals.
“This includes those in our rural communities across Scotland to meet the challenges of integrated public service delivery with our communities.”
Sergeant Amanda Nicolson added: “Community wardens are often the eyes and ears of the community, with their contribution elsewhere in Perth and Kinross having been a great success, all of which makes the arrival of a dedicated warden in Aberfeldy eagerly anticipated.”
Victor Clements, community council chairman, said: “It is early days, so we want to keep Norma’s remit fairly wide. She will be speaking to people and establishing the detail of what she might get involved in.”