Latest news with #KathleenRobertson
Scottish Sun
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Popular Scots attraction announces shock closure & staff axed amid ‘spiralling' costs
The exact date of the closure was revealed A HUGELY popular Scottish attraction has announced it will be closing down, leaving punters shocked. Elgin Ice Rink has been a popular spot for families and friends to flock to over the years. 2 The ice rink at the Moray Leisure Centre will close next month Credit: Google Maps It has also been home to the many of the clubs who took to the ice and got youngsters involved in ice sports. But bosses say they have been forced to close the doors of the ice rink amid "spiralling" energy costs. Moray Leisure Centre chiefs announced the shock closure but said the gym and pool will be staying open. There will still also be fitness classes and wellbeing programmes. It was announced the ice rink will be closing for August 4. A spokesperson for MLC said: "It is with deep regret that we share the ice rink at Moray Leisure Centre will close from Monday 4th August. "This incredibly difficult decision has been made to help protect the long-term future of the wider leisure centre, ensuring we can continue to serve our community through our pool, gym, fitness classes, and wellbeing programmes. "We know how disappointing this news will be for many. Our thoughts are especially with our dedicated ice team, and all the clubs, coaches, and Skate Pass members who are being contacted directly. "We understand how deeply this affects everyone who has built a strong and passionate community around the rink — and we share in that disappointment. "Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we focus on keeping Moray Leisure Centre a place for health, connection and community." Major card chain with 163 shops launches closing down sales ahead of shutting its doors for good The devastating news of the ice rink's permanent closure shocked locals. The Moray Figure Skating Club posted to their Facebook page: "We have heard now directly from MLC that they plan to permanently close the ice rink on 4th August, due to spiralling costs. "If there is any way of fighting this then we will of course explore any options." Local leaders have even vowed to work with leisure centre chiefs to help find a solution to their soaring energy bills. Moray Council Leader, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said: "Moray Council is aware of the decision by the Moray Leisure Ltd Board to close the ice rink at Moray Leisure Centre from 4 August 2025. "While this is clearly a difficult decision for them, rising energy costs are being felt across all industries and in homes around the country, so it's also an understandable measure to take to ensure financial viability for the rest of the facility. "I appreciate this disappointing news will be devastating for the clubs who use the ice rink regularly and can confirm Moray Council will continue to work with the Board and management team to help identify and implement energy saving measures and facility efficiencies." Moray MSP Richard Lochhead added: "The closure of Moray's only ice rink will come as a huge blow given the popularity of the facility with local families, figure skating and other clubs. "Indeed, this morning I passed young people enjoying themselves as they skated on the ice when I was down at the Leisure Centre and now we have an announcement that it is to close. "Moray Leisure Centre is not alone in struggling with soaring energy costs and inflation, with nearby ice facilities in Inverness and Aberdeen having to turn to crowdfunding to covering increasing costs. "Tackling energy costs and ensuring that we benefit from the massive energy resources on our doorstep should be top of the UK Government's agenda. "In the meantime I intend to meet Moray Leisure Centre's Management in the coming days and have written urgently to the Scottish Government ask if anything can be done to help and seeking advice on how we can support Moray and Scotland's ice rinks that are such high users of energy. "I'm also seeking clarity from Moray Council on its response due to its significant interest in the centre and the fact that none of us will want to see Moray lose its only ice rink."
STV News
21-07-2025
- Business
- STV News
Town's ice rink to permanently shut amid 'spiralling energy costs'
A town is to lose its ice rink after 'spiralling energy costs' made it 'no longer financially viable', according to the operator. On Monday, Moray Leisure Centre in Elgin announced the 'difficult decision' to close the facility in just a few weeks' time. The Centre's board said the ice rink generates the 'least amount of income and consumes the most energy' and the cost of running it had doubled. Elgin Ice Rink will shut permanently on Monday, August 4. 'With skaters and curlers accounting for less than 10% of all users of Moray Leisure Centre, the cost of running the Ice Rink now threatens the financial sustainability of the whole leisure centre if action is not taken swiftly,' a statement read. A 'small' number of roles are at risk of redundancy as a result of the closure. 'Despite our best efforts to secure a future for the ice rink, Moray Leisure Centre's overall operation has effectively subsidised the ice rink's operation for the past six years and rising energy bills means this has now reached a level where it is unaffordable,' a spokesperson for the Moray Leisure Centre said. 'We know that the closure of the ice rink will be very disappointing for those who use the facility and for the coaches and clubs who depend upon it. The not-for-profit said the board's priority was to establish 'long-term financial security' with the opportunity to 'thrive and reinvest in better facilities for the community'. 'These decisions are never easy, but they are necessary, and we are continuing to work closely with a range of community partners,' a spokesperson said. Moray council leader Kathleen Robertson said the local authority is aware of the decision to close the ice rink and appreciates that it will be 'devastating' for clubs that use it regularly. 'While this is clearly a difficult decision for them, rising energy costs are being felt across all industries and in homes around the country, so it's also an understandable measure to take to ensure financial viability for the rest of the facility,' councillor Robertson said. 'I appreciate this disappointing news will be devastating for the clubs who use the ice rink regularly and can confirm Moray Council will continue to work with the Board and management team to help identify and implement energy saving measures and facility efficiencies.' Moray's SNP MSP Richard Lochhead said the closure will come as a 'huge blow' given the popularity of the facility with local families, clubs, and ice hockey team. 'Indeed, this morning I passed young people enjoying themselves as they skated on the ice when I was down at the Leisure Centre and now we have an announcement that it is to close,' he said. Lochhead said he intends to meet Moray Leisure Centre's management in the coming days and has written to the Scottish Government asking if anything can be done. 'I'm also seeking clarity from Moray Council on its response due to its significant interest in the centre and the fact that none of us will want to see Moray lose its only ice rink,' he said. Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey SNP MP Graham Leadbitter urged the Council to explore 'every means possible' of supporting Moray Leisure to avoid the permanent closure of the facility, which he said is much 'loved and well used'. 'People in Moray should not have to travel long distances away to make use of facilities that have, until now, been available and well used on their doorstep,' Leadbitter said. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
16-07-2025
- General
- STV News
Mothballed school to close permanently over falling pupil numbers
A school in Moray is to close for good after pupil numbers fell below the minimum threshold for several years in a row. Crossroads Primary School near Keith, which was mothballed in January 2023 after pupil numbers fell to ten, is to close permanently. The pupil roll remained 'well below' the council's minimum threshold of 15 for successive years with a decision made at full council to proceed with complete closure. Scottish Ministers said the council had fulfilled its obligations under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010. Teaching at the school has ended with immediate effect, and the catchment area will be permanently reassigned to Keith and Rothiemay Primary Schools. Pupils from the Grange area have been attending other schools for a number of years, and their existing arrangements will remain unchanged by the closure. The local authority has said it will work with the community to consider potential future uses for the school building and grounds. Leader of Moray Council, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, who also chairs the Education, Children's and Leisure Services Committee, said: 'This decision has been taken with the best interests of pupils and the wider community in mind. 'With the school having been mothballed for over two years and no significant increase in the pupil roll, it's important to provide clarity for families and ensure continuity of education in nearby schools. 'We're committed to working closely with the local community to explore meaningful and sustainable future uses for the Crossroads school site.' The ministerial decision letter has been published on the Scottish Government website. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
21-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Moray Council insists Buckie High School is safe after concerns
Moray Council has insisted Buckie High School remains a safe environment for pupils and staff after photos were posted online appearing to show it in a poor local authority said improvement work was ongoing and issues were being media posts of the secondary in a state of disrepair have been uploaded in recent days, with one parent saying the picures were a "massive concern".However, in a statement, council leader Kathleen Robertson said some of the damage shown was from storms in 2024, and that those specific issues were addressed at the time and had since been resolved. Stephen Birtwistle has a son at the school - as well as a son and daughter who will be moving up soon. He told BBC Scotland News: "Nobody wants to stress about their kids having to go into a school which is unsafe. "From the look of the pictures and the stories I am being told it is a massive concern as a parent, you just do not want that phone call saying something has happened to your child. "Our kids deserve better, it is not acceptable to have them at a school in that condition." Parents have long campaigned for an improved school to be built in its place but Moray Council said "work towards a long-term solution" was ongoing. Council leader Ms Robertson said: "We are aware of recent posts and photographs circulating online about the condition of Buckie High School and understand that parents, carers, and members of the community may feel concerned and upset by what they are seeing and reading online."While some current concerns have already been identified by both the council and the school, our maintenance teams are addressing them where appropriate."Any urgent matters are responded to as a priority."
Scottish Sun
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Mobile phones to be banned for thousands more pupils in Scots schools in major crackdown
The blanket ban will come into force later this year CALLING IT OFF Mobile phones to be banned for thousands more pupils in Scots schools in major crackdown Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MOBILE phones are set to be banned from classrooms for thousands more Scottish pupils amid a major crackdown. Moray Council is the latest local authority to prohibit the use of devices across its primary and secondary schools. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Moray Council will ban mobile phones from classrooms later this year Credit: Getty It is hoped the move will reduce disruption in classrooms, as well as stop some incidents of bullying. In primary schools, mobiles and personal devices will not be allowed in school. And in secondary schools, students will need to keep phones switched off and out of sight during the day. The new policy would have exemptions for medical use such as diabetes monitoring. The blanket ban will come into force from August this year and follows a consultation involving parents, carers, pupils and school staff. A total of 73 per cent of 3,283 people who completed the survey supported the ban. The council stated that parents and staff it consulted in the survey strongly back the ban, but pupils did not. Councillors against the move raised concerns about pupils needing to be contacted regarding late transport or family issues. However, the move was voted through on the basis the policy will be reviewed in 12 months. Chair of Moray Council's Education, Communities and Leisure Services Committee, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said: "We recognise that mobile devices are a part of everyday life and can enhance learning and teaching. Teachers have powers to ban phones "But we also recognise the risks associated with young people bringing their devices into school. "Namely bullying and harassment with inappropriate use detracting from learning. "We aspire for our schools to be places where pupils can focus, learn, and feel supported and guidance is being provided to Head Teachers to assist them to introduce this new approach while promoting positive relationships and behaviour." Last month, Perth and Kinross Council become the first in the country to blanket ban mobile phones in classrooms. The local authority will prohibit the use of mobile phones and other digital devices for both pupils and teachers during lessons. The personal mobile devices policy will be implemented in schools from August 2025 until 2028, when it will be reviewed. It blocks mobile phone use unless "explicitly permitted" for educational purposes. And thousands of pupils will be forced to give up their mobile phones during school in what is said to be a Scottish first in an effort to improve focus and mental health among pupils. Schools will introduce magnetic, lockable pouches for the devices in an attempt to curb distractions in class. It is also hoped the pouches, created by US company Yondr, will improve pupils' moods, encourage less screentime, and increase face-to-face interaction. Two schools in Edinburgh will become the first to pilot the phone-free scheme. Portobello High School will roll out the pouches across the campus on Wednesday, with Queensferry High School due to follow suit on Wednesday, May 14.
