Page 2 - John Divers News Today

Deliberate fire raising in Moray has increased. Between 1 April and 31 July this year there were 43 incidents, up from 37 over the same period last year.

The sonar devices were placed on buildings around Elgin for a 12-week period to try and prevent the gulls from breeding.

There is confusion whether the owner of a historic Elgin mill has been told to clean up the site. Moray Council says an amenity notice was served on Patrick Thirkell to dispose of rubbish at Oldmills near the River Lossie in April.

Burghead and Hopeman Save our Surgeries group members protested outside council headquarters this week over GP services in the villages.

Elgin Common Good Fund is spending £15,000 to rent seven anti-gull devices that will be in place before the breeding season gets under way.

The move came as members of the Moray Council corporate committee discussed changes to charging for council services.

No formal decision was taken by Moray Integration Joint Board (IJB) to permanently close the branch centres - but they will not reopen.

Concerns have been raised at the poor turnout for site visits arranged to help councillors make planning decisions.

Concerns have been raised over the cancellation of Moray Council police and fire services committee last month. The meeting was to be held on 17 November in the local authority's headquarters.

Labour councillor for Elgin North Sandy Keith wants £20 million - set aside to prepare for another vote - to go to local authorities.