Statements from council candidates

With the by-election looming, we feel that it is important for voters to have all the facts at their disposal in order to make an informed choice when it comes to polling time. In order to do this we contacted all the council candidates and invited them to send in a statement for our blog and Facebook page. We would like to thank those candidates who took the time to reply and encourage all our visitors to read through the statements below.


Helen Cannon-Todd, SNP candidate for local council seat

Dear Save Pitcorthie Primary Campaigners,

Thank you for your invitation to submit a personal statement for your blog and Facebook page. Although I am a candidate for the council elections I think it is important to say that the possible closure of Pitcorthie Primary is not just a political issue for me but also a personal matter as two of my great nephews attend this fantastic school. (1)

When my niece appeared on the television news on the 18th July with the campaigners to save the school, I contacted her and offered my support. Before any election had been called I wrote to the Dunfermline Press and the Courier to voice my concerns and show my support.

Like many parents of this wonderful school my niece is at a loss as to why Pitcorthie is being considered for closure. Just reviewing a few facts illustrates this perfectly; it is the 2nd fullest primary school in Fife, it has a great record of achievement across the board, it has a low cost per head of pupil, it’s an eco-school, it has recently attained level 1 Rights Respecting Schools award, plus it’s a nurture school. No wonder it’s so popular!

Like many schools ‘of an age’ the building requires some upgrading and it is this cost that the Labour administration are using to put the school on the scrap heap. However, their sums just don’t add up. Estimates have put the required repairs at around £700k, but the cost to the council for disrupting the education of all of the children at Pitcorthie and the schools who will take the dispersed pupils has been put at £3.5m. Why on earth would anyone want to cause so much misery and spend an extra £2.8m to do so?

My heart goes out to all of the staff. As I understand it they are not able to discuss the matter due to Fife Council rules. Not only is their livelihood at risk, but so is the investment they have made personally and professionally to the school, to the children, and to the family’s they work with. One of my great nephews was worried about being split up from his younger brother; would they go to different schools? Sadly he told me that he couldn’t even discuss his worries
with his teacher. Isn’t this the very person he is should feel safe to turn to at school if he is worried?

This is not just an election issue for the SNP. Our councillors have asked for alternatives to be found, but the Labour and Lib-Dem councillors voted this down. I also know that Shirley-Anne Somerville, our Parliamentary candidate is right behind your cause and I was delighted she was able to set up a meeting with the campaign team and Mike Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education to tell him about the schools campaign. I know Shirley-Anne is taking this matter very seriously.

My position is clear there should be no further progress with the closure programme until real and meaningful engagement has taken place and an alternative to closure is found. If I am elected I promise I will not give up on you, and I will work with Shirley-Anne Somerville and our colleagues in the SNP to Save Pitcorthie Primary.

Thanks again for this opportunity to write to you.

Yours sincerely
Helen Cannon-Todd
SNP Dunfermline South Council Candidate.

1. http://www.thecourier.co.uk/opinion/readers-letters/council-ignoring-responsibility-to-residents-1.121402


Billy Pollock, Scottish Labour candidate for local council seat

I would like to congratulate the save Pitcorthie primary committee for campaigning with tremendous passion and for working with everyone to help promote your goal of keeping Pitcorthie open. If I am elected as your councillor, I will support you in your campaign. I will help ensure that every voice is heard in the consultation process. It is essential that Fife Council hears clearly from the parents, children, staff and community affected by the the consultation. A key role for me will be to ensure that your voice is heard at every level. I know that this issue is of tremendous concern. I know there is a real passion and desire to keep Pitcorthie open. As your councillor, I will ensure that your wishes are heard. The consultation process needs to be open and transparent. I will ensure that the council goes beyond the usual consultation process - the council needs to go out and actively seek views and opinions, rather than just let people send in emails or letters. The consultation needs to be genuine. There can be no fixed views going in to the consultation. I will ensure that the consultation is open, fair, transparent and genuine. As a local councillor, I will be asked to vote on proposals. My promise to you is that I will make that decision after listening to all the views. If decisions were made on the basis of who shouts the loudest, then things would be very different. But we don't. As a councillor, I will make the decision that I think is right for the community I represent. My other promise is that I will be proud to stand on my record. Elections are there for a reason - if you agree with what I've done in representing you, then I would hope to receive your support. If you don't, then you can choose what to do. I will not shy away from the votes I will cast on your behalf. The consultation which is going to start shortly must be properly held and must be taken into consideration when the decision is due. Some will promise you everything. But Fife Council has a huge problem to deal with. We are facing cuts of £100 million over the next four years. Let nobody try to kid you - if no schools are to close, then other cuts will be made. We can't dodge the difficult choices we're facing. Anybody telling you that nothing needs to change and that we need to be spending more simply isn't telling the truth. As a councillor, I will not avoid the difficult choices which face us. You would not expect me to. I'm a family man who lives locally. My life experiences have shaped who I am and will shape the type of councillor I will be. My priority for your children will be to ensure that Fife Council gives them the very best education and start in life that they possibly can. I promise you that I will work as hard as I possibly can to ensure our children do get that best start in life. Billy Pollock Labour Party Candidate for Dunfermline South


David Ross, conservative candidate for local council seat

As the Conservative candidate for the Dunfermline South By-Election, I, David Ross, am pleased to support those in the “Keep Pitcorthie Primary School Open” campaign. I find it surprising that Fife Council has earmarked a school with such high occupancy levels and which has been praised by School Inspectors for closure. I would urge everyone to take a full and active part in the consultation with the aim of convincing Fife Council to keep such a high performing school open.