Meetings in Moray: NatureScot says sorry for blanking Elgin
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NatureScot has apologised for failing to reply to a request it attend a meeting on Elgin's herring gull problem.
The town’s community council contacted the nature agency several weeks ago asking if someone would be available.
The idea was that an expert could explain the recent changes to the licences needed to remove birds, nests and eggs from properties.
However, both emails and phone calls went unanswered.
It's widely accepted that the number of gulls have increased over recent years,
Several incidents have seen people attacked, with one woman needing stitches.
While Moray Council is committed to spending £44,000 on gull proof bins and a further £2,000 on an education programme aimed at encouraging people not to feed them, laser disruption of gulls has stopped as it is not seen as cost effective.
Alastair Kennedy, Elgin Community Council's chairman, said: "I emailed and called NatureScot but didn’t get a response.
"To be fair I didn’t leave messages when I called, but during working hours I would really expect them to be answer.
"They are a public agency and are supposed to be transparent."
The community council is still keen for a representative to attend.
A NatureScot spokesperson said: "We apologise to Mr Kennedy for the delay in responding to his request.
"This is an extremely busy time of year for our staff, but we are working hard to reply to all the enquiries we receive.
"We note the request for someone to attend a meeting of Elgin Community Council and will get back to him on this as soon as possible.
"In the meantime we are happy to assist with any information or advice we can provide on gull management."
In addition, next month Elgin Community Council will hold its first in-person meeting since the Covid lockdown in March 2020.
Mr Kennedy said: "I think as much business gets done with the chat before and after meetings than there is during them. Zoom has its place and you can stay in your slippers if you want, but it can’t replace meeting in person."
The meeting, which is open to the public, will take place in the lounge at Elgin Town Hall on Tuesday, April 12, from 7pm.
There will also be an option to join in via a video link. Anyone who would like to attend should email a.kennedy@talktalk.net
