|
Pulteneytown People's Project And South School Meet Big Businesses
The group who visited Wick on Monday spent some time hearing from PPP project manager and councillor Katrina MacNab. Later further discussions took place at South School with Head teacher Pat Bower, High School head and depute principal of north Highland College and councillor Bill Fernie who had first suggested to Fiona Pagett the head of communication of Scottish Business In the community that the PPP and South School would make an ideal place to visit. The discussions ranged over many aspects of life in Pultenytown and the difficulties faced by families on low income or high levels of unemployment and debt. Businesses with some of their top management in attendance included Royal Mail, Clydesdale Bank, Royal Bank Of Scotland, UKAEA, Inver House, British Calor Gas, Boots and Deutz-Fahr the tractor makers. The Prince Of Wales is president of Scottish Business In The Community and the organisation aims to help community based projects by introducing business leaders to communities and letting them take an active part in assisting them. On hearing of some of the practical issues and shortages at the PPP and South School there was immediate pledges at the meeting of a practical nature. These ranged from offer of laptops computers to the South School as although the school could use more computers in classes they do not have room for desktop machines. Other problems encountered by the PPP in delivering basic cooking courses were related to the shortage of utensils and storage for meat. On hearing this well known local business woman Pat Grant immediately offered the group a freezer and Nick Kirby offered to fill the freezer with meat to assist in the cooking skills classes. Other discussions ranged through vocational training and further help may come to address problems for local people. Debt issues were discussed and Bill Fernie who is looking into the possibilities of setting up a credit union was offered an introduction to the head of a credit union organisation for Scotland to help carry things forward. UKAEA has offered management support to the PPP in bringing in a Skateboard Park that is well underway but needs extra staff time to bring it all together. UKAEA offered to assist in the project management. UKAEA is also to look at possible funds to the group for other items at a later date. The business people also met some of the children at the MAASK after school club Several other problems were discussed and firms will be thinking if they can offer solutions to the group |
