The following lists the candidates and their personal statements for membership of the Westhill and Elrick Community Council. There is a maximum of 17 members permitted on this Community Council. This means that a ballot will take place on Thursday 27th February in the Ashdale Hall, Westhill between 12pm and 8pm. Anyone over the age of 16 and on the voters role for this area can vote. You can vote for between 1 and 17 of the candidates.
| Name | Personal Statement |
| David Milne Ritchie | I have been a member of the Residents Association/Community Council for around 25 years. My main roles have been: Editor of Westhill Bulletin community magazine since 2007, Treasurer since 2008, Secretary since March 2017, organiser of Festive street lights and Christmas tree since 2008. I am now retired and keen to continue serving the community and help to keep Westhill a great place to live. |
| Daniel John Hay | I have lived in Westhill all my life and enjoy taking part in Community activities. I have previously served on the Community Council and I was part of many projects during my time. |
| Alan John McCue | I was born and raised locally after my parents moved to Westhill in 1972. I am a successful product of our local education system (both Elrick Primary School and Westhill Academy) and now work as a lecturer of Chemistry at the University of Aberdeen. I enjoy being an active part of our community and have been involved in sports coaching and more recently in the revival of Westhill Golf Club where I am currently Vice-Captain. I feel a strong attachment to the local area and would enjoy the chance to help shape the community going forwards. |
| Donald Andrew Davidson | Having a young family and a genuine passion for this Community, I value the importance of living in a Community that is safe and enjoyable. I love Westhill and believe it’s important for the younger generation to get involved with the community. It’s imperative WECC properly represents the diversity of the people who live here. It makes sense to have someone on council who can learn from older generations while being connected to current needs of this community’s young people. I understand how a team works and WECC is just that, a team, needing diverse leaders to represent this community. |
| Heather Cook | I have lived in Westhill for 29 years; worked and volunteered in Westhill for over 20 years. Currently Volunteer with Westhill Senior Citizens Group (for the past 4 years) – which we run every fortnight and usually around 36 people attend. Have always tried to attend Community Council meetings regularly and helped out on an adhoc basis if anything needs to be done. I would like to represent the Older residents in our Community and ensure that they have a voice. |
| Raymond Swaffield | I retired from a career in Science more than a decade ago and have spent most of that time as a member of WECC. My main involvement has been in Litter, the Environment, Transport and Planning. My experience would contribute to the successful working of a new WECC. I have lived in Westhill for forty-seven years, seeing it grow, and want to ensure that future developments are appropriate and of benefit to residents |
| Diane Mary Priestley | Prior to becoming a community councillor at Westhill and Elrick Community Council (WECC) I was a Senior Training and Development Officer at Aberdeen City Council and have found the experience of representing the community on local issues a privilege. My task at WECC has involved evaluating local planning issues and collating information for the 2019 Main Issues Report which has been submitted to Aberdeenshire Council prior to the Local Development Plan being produced in 2021. An issue that residents have repeatedly raised is the possibility of establishing allotments in the area. I would like to follow this up if elected. |
| Kenneth Stewart | As a previous member of WECC I have been involved in many community events, working individually and part of a team to positively move forward. Examples of these include: The Environmental Group who monitor the ponds and Denman Park. Re-establishing the Arnhall Moss Group, monthly litter picks and dog fouling campaign. I have also enjoyed being involved in Westhill’s 50th Art Sculpture, the Christmas Tree, Christmas Street Lights and Community Carol Event and distribution of the Westhill Bulletin. I would be honoured to be given the opportunity to represent the community again. |
| Mandy Duggan | I have lived in Westhill for over 15 years and have raised a family here. Being a member of the Community Council would give me the opportunity to continue to contribute to the community I live in. Previous commitments have been Chair of Westhill Primary Parent Council, a CAB counsellor, member of Westhill Academy Parent Council, a swimming coach, and a School amd Brownies helper. My field of work is in HR management – where I have over 30 years’ experience. I have a desire to help people, and am a good listening with a caring and compassionate approach. |
| Alan Sidney Eastell | Retired. |
| Kathleen Anne Lumsden | I have lived in Westhill for 38 years and I am a previous member of WECC. I have a special interest in Art and have led the Westhill Art Project which has included ‘The Scarecrow Trail’ and decorating the Shopping Centre which local children’s art at Easter and Christmas. Laterly I was the team leader of the Gateway Project which resulted in the sculpture erected at the entrance to Westhill. |
| Rebecca Jane Ferguson | Having spent all my life in Westhill and now raising our own family here, I am passionate to see our hometown fufil it’s full potential. Whilst we already have lots of brilliant amenities to be thankful for on our doorstep, there is always room for improvement. Community Councils are an important voice in planning and development, alongside running many projects for the benefit of the community. Having previously been involved with WECC for 7 years, including the recent Gateway Art Project, I’d be delighted to be involved in restablishing a vital asset for our community and all within it. |
| Chikodili Edeh | My vision is to see a community council that is more representative, has greater resilience, and is more responsive to the community it serves. I am offering to serve because I believe there is so much that can be achieved when a group of people work together. I care about such issues as the environment, developmental projects, and mental health (especially of the youth). I am passionate to see a greater youth involvement in WECC; injecting their freshness and creativity. If these goals appeal to you, then consider voting for me so we can take WECC forward together. Thank you |
| Malcolm Andrew Murray Collie | Born and bred in the North East of Scotland, the Westhill and Elrick area has been my home for the majority of my life. I have a backgroud of business ownership in Retail, in the Forestry industry, and in the Environmental Science and Education Sector. I understand the vital role the Community Council plays in representing the people of Westhill and Elrick and promoting the identity and well-being of the community and have a wish to offer my time to help in ensuring we have viable and diverse team that can deliver this. |
| Hugh William Munro | In the past, I have been involved with Westhill Round Table, the Gala, Westhill Primary School PTA and school board. I have recently retired from Aberdeenshire Council and have a sound knowledge of how council, other public and 3rd sector services operate. My role also provided support to community councils and other community organisations. With a bit more spare time available now, I would like to use this experience as a member of Westhill and Elrick Community Council and do something positive in the community which has been my home for over 30 years. |
| Mervyn Barr | I believe that a strong, representative, and effective C.C is vital to the interests of the residential and business communites of Westhill. Development and planning issues are a particular concern of mine, given their ability to impact positively and negatively on community interests, including on the identity of the town itself. I’ve lived in Westhill for 30+ years and improvement, preservation and maintenance of community services and amentities are another priority of mine, along with reducing negative environmental impacts. Also I have previously served as a Member of WECC for approximately 3 years, including approximately 18 months as Chairperson. |
| Alexander Gordon Stuart Prentice | My family has been part of the Westhill community for over 25 years. Being recently retired I am much more active and engaged in our community than perhaps I once was, mostly in outdoor pursuits, and much more aware of some of the infrastructure issues that affect us all.
My local network has increased significantly over the last few years and using the experience gained in the last third of my working life as Finance Director in consultative and advisory bodies, as well as voluntary organisations, will do my best to represent all parts of the community if elected |
| Hilary Lynn Benson | I have lived in Westhill since 1988. My son attended both primary and secondary school here. I worked for Aberdeen City Council for 23 years in Health and Social Care managing a variety of staff. I have always had a keen interest in local issues affecting the Community here in Westhill and have seen many changes over the years, some good and some not so good. Westhill continues to grow and develop as a community, but I believe we need to ensure that facilities and access to good resources continue to be at the centre of decision making |
WESTHILL & ELRICK COMMUNITY COUNCIL 