Picture: Eric Cormack. Image No. 041585
RAISING aspirations and attainment are just two of the key goals highlighted by the new chairwoman of Moray Council’s children and young people’s services committee, Buckie SNP Councillor Sonya Warren.
She took over the department, which has the largest budget within the local authority, just a few weeks ago when the SNP group formed a minority administration group after the previous coalition of Conservatives and Independents dramatically collapsed.
It has proved something of a busy time for Councillor Warren.
“I didn’t think I would be in the role at this particular point,” she told the Advertiser.
“At the last election we obviously wanted to be in charge of the council so we could implement our policies which are clear and balanced and designed to give equity to everyone.
“The maths didn’t stack up in 2017 after the election and the Tories and Independents went into a coalition, but with the Tories walking out the scene has changed dramatically.
“It’s been a hectic time of late, with everything from end of year ceremonies at schools through to the opening of the fantastic new nursery facility at Milne’s Primary. It’s been very rewarding, though, seeing all the successes our young people have achieved throughout the year, not just on the classroom but through things like the Duke of Edinburgh Award, the John Muir Award and the Queen’s Badges through the Boys’ Brigade.
“It’s been non-stop but it’s been a privilege.”
Known in commercial circles as an award-winning businesswoman, Councillor Warren has a long held passion for helping young people develop in a variety of ways.
She continued: “The education portfolio is one I’ve always been enthusiastic about and am delighted to have been appointed to.
“In my own business I’ve always pushed apprenticeships and as chair of Employability Moray have been keen to highlight the variety of career paths open to young people and showing people the value of the Foundation Apprenticeship scheme. Getting young people workplace experience is vital.
“In my work with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards open awards centre in Buckie there’s the opportunity to work with young people who have left school but want to continue with their award work.
“I think all of my experiences have helped give me an extra insight into my new role, they’ve helped me look at things from a different perspective. It’s important to realise, for example, that not everyone learns in the same way – some learn better in the classroom, for instance while others do so in a more practical setting.
“What that means is one size doesn’t fit all.”
Councillor Warren went on to point to a variety of schemes across the age groups which she believes will bring great benefit to local young people and those across Moray. These include the roll out of new Early Years Care funding, which will see a new nursery centre open at a refurbished Lady Cathcart Centre next month, and the Developing the Young Workforce and Career Ready schemes.
As for immediate priorities, Councillor Warren added: “Closing the attainment gap and ensuring the Pupil Equity Fund [based on the number of pupils in an area claiming free school meals] is used to maximum effect to try and achieve this goal.
“We also need to look at tackling rural deprivation in its many forms and raising aspirations for our young people.”