New job means councillor will stand down

Cllr Storr was first elected in 1999 and was re-elected in 2003 and 2007. She served as councillor for the Balmedie ward between 1999 and 2007, and for the multi-member Ellon & District ward following the introduction of proportional representation at the 2007 election.

Cllr Storr was elected as a Liberal Democrat councillor but left that party in March 2009. (Note 1)

Since then she has been an independent councillor and a member of the Democratic Independent group of Aberdeenshire councillors. Debra joined the Scottish Green Party in October 2009 but has not become a Green councillor on the basis she was not elected as such.

During 2010-11, Debra combined her work as a local councillor with studying at Aberdeen University and took a masters course in Urban Planning and Real Estate.

Last autumn, after gaining her degree, Debra accepted a part-time position working as a planner for a renewable energy company.

Debra Storr decided definitely to stand down from Aberdeenshire Council after it became clear that her new paid employment would create too many potential conflicts of interest with her duties as a councillor. Specifically, Cllr Storr could not take part in setting the Council's budget this year because of the proposal by her Democratic Independent colleagues that the Council invest substantially in renewable energy.

Debra Storr said: "During my time as a councillor I have always tried to stand up for what was right. I am pleased I have been able to help both individual residents and organisations.

"I have always been keenly interested in planning. I have seen the process from a councillor's perspective, studied the theory and now I am working on planning for renewables.

"I am enjoying my new job - whereas over the last few years I have found the tribal, bullying culture in Aberdeenshire Council and on the Formartine Area Committee very troubling.

"So I find myself with a choice.  And, given that the scope for influencing decision making is ever smaller in councils due to the budget pressures and the continuation of central direction via the Single Outcome Agreement, I have decided that I can make a bigger impact on matters that most concern me outside of Aberdeenshire Council.

"I will therefore not be seeking re-election in May."

"I wish to thank the hundreds of people who have supported me through the difficult past four and a half years and urge those who wish to fight for a better future to go out and vote Green on 3 May."

Debra Storr has been heavily involved in the campaign to protect the rights of the residents living on Donald Trump's Menie estate. As one of the local councillors, Debra has spoken out strongly against Mr Trump's campaign of bullying and intimidation directed at his neighbours.

Commenting on the position of the Menie residents, Cllr Storr said, "I am in awe of the way the Menie residents have conducted themselves in the face of extreme provocation and I hope they will get a fair hearing for their legitimate concerns from a new batch of councillors after May."

David Milne, one of the residents targeted by Mr Trump, said, "Debra Storr will be sadly missed as a voice of integrity and honesty on the Formartine Area Committee."

ENDS

Notes

1. See: www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1109370?UserKey=

Contact: Debra Storr, 01358 742048