Angus residents will be given the chance to quiz First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her cabinet at a public forum in Montrose later this month.
The First Minister and her team will visit the Angus town for an insight into issues impacting on the area before hosting an open event Montrose Town Hall on August 15.
The First Minister said: “Taking the Scottish Cabinet out on the road to meet local communities is a great way for us to find out more about local issues, and I’m looking forward to hearing directly from Montrose residents about what matters most to them.
“People may feel there’s a lot of uncertainty while negotiations get under way for the UK to leave the EU, but the Scottish Government is determined to protect and grow the Scottish economy by investing in our industries and infrastructure and continuing our efforts to improve public services and build the kind of country we all want to see.
“Meeting in Montrose will help us to take on board people’s thoughts and concerns and use their feedback to shape our policy decisions and continue to build a more inclusive and prosperous country.”
Angus North and Mearns MSP Mairi Gougeon said the visit gives the public a chance to level their concerns over the coastal erosion in Montrose, potential changes to health services in the town and – for wider Angus – the current consultation over the future of facilities at Stracathro such as the under-threat Mulberry adult psychiatric unit..
Mrs Gougeon, formerly Ms Evans, said: “Like many places in the North East, Montrose has gone through challenging times due to the downturn in the oil industry, but there are also a number of good news stories in the area and ambitious projects planned for the town and its wider area.
“We’ve seen an increase in visitor numbers to Angus and community-run events such as MoFest have contributed enormously to that.
“Recognition and ongoing support from the Scottish Government to the groups behind these events would be most welcome.
“There has been significant investment in both Montrose Port and GlaxoSmithKline recently, the town is competing heavily for decommissioning work and the Tay Cities deal also has ambitions to provide radically improved transport links to Aberdeen.
“But there are other issues that the cabinet need to be acutely aware of in Montrose and Angus.
“A solution has to be found for the coastal erosion in Montrose and its impact on the golf course.
“We also have the ongoing consultation over the future of the Mulberry Unit at Stracathro which affects wider Angus and some of the local health concerns around maternity and Montrose Infirmary.
“The creation of the Laurencekirk flyover as part of the AWPR project is also a major development and one which will be welcome to many people who have campaigned tirelessly to upgrade the road.”
The public discussion will run from 1 to 2.30pm at Montrose Town Hall. Entry is free but as seats are limited and attendees must register in advance on 0300 244 2138.
