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Lakehead residents said they were concerned about this tree damaging nearby Pacific Gas and Electric Co. power lines.(Photo: Damon Arthur/Record Searchlight)

For the past year, Janeen Pepper has watched a large pine across the street from her Lakehead home slowly die as the needlesturned from green to brown.

So last month, Pepper's neighbor, Brad Church, finally called Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to tell them the tree was dead and may need to be removed because it was near electrical lines and a transformer.

Pepper said she was unable to find out when the tree was going to be removed. With winter approaching, it worried her that wind and snow could break branches off the tree and knock out power to the neighborhood.

"It's dead. Look at it, the limbs are going to start falling off and the snows are going to start coming," Pepper said.

"There's been power outages because of the wind and this is one more dead tree close to a transformer," she said

Pepper said she had been unable to find out when crews planned to remove the tree, but on Tuesday, PG&E spokesman Paul Moreno said the company it hired to remove trees plans to cut down the tree within the next couple weeks.

He said the tree did not pose an immediate threat.

"If we had indeed identified it as a hazard tree it would have been removed that day," Moreno said.

Earlier in the year, the tree was inspected and it still had enough green canopy that it didn't warrant removal, Moreno said.

"But after the customer called us we re-examined the tree," he said."Although we found it to have enough green canopy left, we decided to have it removed due to customer concern and the possibility its condition could eventually make it eligible for removal in the future."

Lakehead residents said they were concerned about this tree damaging nearby Pacific Gas and Electric Co. power lines.(Photo: Damon Arthur/Record Searchlight)

PG&E is concerned about more than just trees in Lakehead this week. The company announced Monday that up to 300,000 customers in 25 counties, including Shasta County, could lose electricity on Wednesday due to high winds forecast for that day.

"Worsening dry conditions and expected high wind gusts pose an increased risk for damage and sparks on the electric system that have the potential to ignite fires in areas with dry vegetation," a PG&E news release said.

However, by Tuesday, PG&E said the number of customers affected by the public safety power outages was downgraded and would likely be around 181,000 people in 16 counties.

In Shasta County, PG&E is estimating 8,940 customers in Anderson, Cottonwood, Igo, Millville and Palo Cedro will be affected by the outages.

The outage will also affect some people living around Redding, PG&E said. However, most Redding residents get their electricity provided by Redding Electric Utility.

Damon Arthur is the Record Searchlights resources and environmentreporter. He is among the first on the scene at breaking news incidents, reporting real time on Twitter at@damonarthur_RS. Damon is part of a dedicated team of journalists who investigate wrongdoing and find the unheard voices to tell the stories of the North State. He welcomes story tips at 530-225-8226 and damon.arthur@redding.com. Help local journalism thrive bysubscribing today!

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With wind on the way Lakehead residents worry about dead tree near power lines - Record Searchlight

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa., Nov. 18, 2019 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) Researchers are still learning about the Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive insect attacking trees and causing property damage across Pennsylvania. Penn State, along with the PA Department of Agriculture and the USDA, has been researching the habits and life cycle of Spotted Lanternfly since it first appeared in Berks County in 2014.

One thing is certain: the Ailanthus Tree (or Tree of Heaven) is a magnet for these pests. The experts at Giroud Tree and Lawn explain why if homeowners have an Ailanthus tree on the property, removal may be the best way to avoid an invasion of Spotted Lanternfly.

Why Is Spotted Lanternfly Spreading So Fast?Spotted Lanternfly came from Asia, where natural predators keep the species from multiplying too quickly. Unfortunately, here in the United States, its spreading rapidly because those known predators arent around to keep it in check.

What Can Homeowners Do toControl Spotted Lanternfly?Although this insects population is growing exponentially each year, there are many things homeowners can do to control it:

What is an Ailanthus Tree?The main host tree for Spotted Lanternfly is the Ailanthus Altissima, or Tree of Heaven. Ailanthus trees came to the U.S. fromChina around the 1780s. Classified as weed trees, they reproduce by both seed and root sprouts. Shoots can sprout from the trees roots from as far away as 5o feet around the tree!

Ailanthus trees can grow up to 100 feet tall and the trunk can be nearly 6 feet in diameter. They have a great canopy and often thrive easily in conditions other trees dont. In fact, an Ailanthus tree may be viewed as an important part of the yard and homeowners may be hesitant to remove them. However, if there are any other valuable trees on the property, the Ailanthus will attract Spotted Lanternfly and the insects could also swarm other trees.

Spotted Lanternfly have been known to attack other types of trees, including Black Walnuts, Maples, Birches, Willows, and many more.According to the PA Department of Agriculture,they feed from more than 70 species of trees, and 25 of them are found in Pennsylvania. Keeping an Ailanthus tree is like inviting Spotted Lanternfly to a buffet in the backyard!

How to Remove Ailanthus TreesIf homeowners have an Ailanthus tree or are not sure if a tree is an Ailanthus, they should call an ISA Certified Arborist to evaluate the tree look for signs of Spotted Lanternfly. Giroud Tree and Lawn recommends removing Ailanthus trees and grinding the stumps down as deeply as possible.

After removing the Ailanthus tree and stump, sprouts may still pop up on the property.The good news is they are easy to remove! Grab the shoot by its base and pull upward gently to remove the young tree and all of its roots. To see how to identify and remove an Ailanthus tree, watch this video with Giroud Tree and Lawns ISA Certified Arborist, Mike Chenail.

Giroud Tree and Lawn specializes in tree service, lawn care and mosquito and tick control programs that make customers love doing business with the company since 1974. Serving Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, the company offers professional tree and lawn evaluation, tree pruning, tree removal, insect and disease control, fertilizing, stump removal, traditional and 100% organic lawn programs and mosquito and tick control.

Giroud Arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and have the knowledge and experience required to properly diagnose, treat and maintain trees and lawn health. The company is Accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association and Better Business Bureau. Giroud has also been awarded the Angies List Super Service Award every year since 2005. The Giroud Treework for Charity program donates free tree care services to parks, historical sites and other non-profit organizations located in the Companys service area.

For more information, visit the company website at http://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704.

News Source: Giroud Tree and Lawn

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Giroud Tree and Lawn explains homeowners should remove Ailanthus trees, the host plant for Spotted Lanternfly - Send2Press Newswire

Bexley residents have compared the council removing a swathe of trees to fires tearing through the Amazon rainforest.

Lorraine Sheen, who has lived adjacent to the River Shuttle in Sidcup since 1964, said she was devastated to see Bexley council undertaking tree clearing work near her home this week.

Theyve completely cut them down to the ground, she said of the trees which had lined the River Shuttle along her street.

She added the vegetation acted as important cover for local wildlife such as kingfishers and hedgehogs, as well as adding much-valued privacy for residents along the road.

I moved here in 1964 they were what sold me the house, she said of the formerly leafy surrounds.

The houses here are sold as soon as they come on to market. Those trees were a major part of that.

A spokesperson for the council said the tree clearing work on Berwick Crescent, Sidcup, was essential and proactive work being carried outto remove and prune trees that are potentially dangerous or are growing in unsuitable locations.

Some of these trees require regular pruning (coppicing) to ensure they remain healthy and safe for many to years to come.

A small number of residents have expressed concern and we are always happy to discuss and explain why such works are both necessary and so important.

The council added that, following discussions with residents, additional trees would be planted at the site next year.

On 19 November arboricultural officers met on-site with residents and adjusted the programme to soften the visual impact of the remaining works. In addition a commitment was given to plant several new trees in suitable locations in this area early next year.

However, Mrs Sheen claimed the change in plans was due to the council realising theyve made a mistake.

It is like the fires in the Amazon, she said.

Its vandalismthe wildlife that is now gone, the trees that are never going to recoverthe trunks that are a metre around, they wont grow back in my lifetime.

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Bexley tree removal compared to 'Amazon rainforest fires' - News Shopper

The Tpuna Maunga Authority's plan for wairaka Photo: Tpuna Maunga Authority

Were now into the second week of protest over the removal of 345 exotic trees from the slopes of wairaka/Mt Albert, and theres no resolution in sight.

But this is not a surprise thats been sprung on locals. The Tpuna Maunga Authority (TMA) manages 14 of Aucklands volcanic cones returned to mana whenua in 2014 in a Treaty settlement. It has plans to restore and revegetate all the sacred maunga and those plans havent been done by stealth all the proper planning processes have been gone through, with the management plan publicly notified in April 2016. Public hui about the changes have been held over the last year.

Many locals though say they werent aware of the extent of the tree removal until workers arrived en masse, in the early hours of the morning, to start chopping.

And in a city thats lost a huge amount of its mature urban forest through the removal of protection legislation, who wouldnt protest?

Heres a twist in the tale The Tree Council isnt protesting, and nor is Forest & Bird. Both back the iwi.

Tree Council chair Sean Freeman says he spends all his spare time fighting for trees in the city.

Whether theyre individual trees, or groups of trees in parks, roadside trees so of course its difficult and its painful. But if were to manage the urban forest in a modern city, you have to take a rational and logical approach to the way in which you weigh up decisions about what youre going to do, and what youre going to say is fine, and is not fine.

I have that much respect for the passion that people demonstrate when they put themselves in jeopardy by breaking the law so I have no massive negativity towards the protesters at all.

But we stand with the iwi.

There is an opportunity through whats planned to make an immense difference to the environment in this city, and the Tree Council really hopes that that the Tpuna Maunga Authority has the ability to fulfil the plans that its put forward.

The cone of Mt Albert/Owairaka in a postcard from around 1910 Photo: C.O Hawke, New Plymouth

Freeman says if this plan goes to fruition the maunga will be beacons of natural ecosystems located within high density residential areas.

The tihi summit area - of the maunga will be predominantly free of large vegetation, and will be grassed.

One of the keystone elements of healing the maunga is to re-establish the visual connection between the maunga across the city from one maunga to another.

Freeman says communication about what the TMA wants to do clearly hasnt been totally successful.

Hindsights always wonderful its very difficult for any management authority to know with any certainty if it has communicated effectively, and the lack of response is often taken as acquiescence, whereas clearly this is not the case. Its merely the fact that people arent aware.

A letter drop is not the way the planning scheme works, but Freeman says in this case it might have been a good idea.

They certainly tried, with their public hui that they ran following the hearing approval in 2016. But clearly that wasnt effective either in communicating.

Freeman says the Tree Council has received as much support as it has detractors over this issue, but the nastiness on social media has been ridiculous.

Some individuals need to think very carefully about what it is theyre projecting when they say certain things about the Authority, and about their management plan and about their treaty settlement, he says.

And the English-born New Zealand resident of seven years says we should be proud of our treaty settlements, and put them up on a pedestal.

That kind of justice is not common.

Photo: RNZ

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The battle over wairaka is about more than trees - RNZ

The National Capital Commission is vowing to come up with a uniform strategy to protect the trees that cover nearly three-quarters of its lands.

NCC staff told the board of directors Thursday there's currently only a "patchwork" of policies and practices to manage its forests, many of which are stressed by disease andextreme weather.

The emerald ash borer infestation forced the removal of70,000 ash trees since 2013, while thousands of elms have also been lost to Dutch elm disease since 2000.

Trees in the capital regionface other foes, too, including road salt and urban sprawl.

The NCC, along with the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau, recently produced a comprehensive tree survey of the region, and plans to do more mapping to figure out the right places to plant the right trees.

At Thursday's meeting, theboard heard the NCC does a decent job of protecting its forests with limited funds, especially in light of recenttornadoes and flooding.

"I can't tell you how important I think this is," said NCC board member Larry Beasley, who urged staff to make sure the urban areas are planted with diverse species of trees.

The NCC is planning further consultationwith Algonquin First Nations, and will conduct online public consultation in the spring. Its five-year forest strategy is expected to come to the board for approvalin September 2020.

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NCC aiming to fix 'patchwork' approach to protecting trees - CBC.ca

Trees downed for the Stage 2 LRT project. (City of Ottawa photo)

Work for Stage 2 LRT is underway and that has meant tree-clearing in some areas to make room for rail and station construction. Many of these trees will be lost, although some will be relocated where feasible.

Heres a notice from the city detailing how the removal and mitigation is planned:

Area restoration, tree replacement and greenspace re-seeding will be completed as part of the final local area finishing works. An overall average tree replacement ratio of 2:1 (two trees for every one removed) will be replanted along the Stage 2 LRT alignment.

Tree Loss Mitigation and Replacement

The following measures will be taken to mitigate tree loss:

The removal work started in October and is continuing in November with plans to finish it all by the end of this year, to avoid the 2020 bird nesting season. The city said some trees can be relocated rather than destroyed, although most will have to be cut down and the loss compensated for with the replanting program. Tree removal/relocation has to be done before other key construction tasks can be accomplished, such as the cut-and-cover rail trench that will be built along the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway.

You can see detailed maps of the tree-clearing boundary along the line on ottawa.ca.

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City looking to plant two trees for every one tree cut down for LRT extension project - OttawaStart.com

OTTAWA Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus new federal cabinet has grown by two spots to reach 36 members. Of those, four are from B.C., four are from Atlantic Canada, one is from Manitoba and the rest are from Ontario and Quebec. There are no spectacular surprises in the new cabinet, and many significant portfolios such as finance, defence, justice and Indigenous relations are staying the same. But there were also notable changes as the government retools for a minority parliament situation. Heres an overview of whos moving up, whos moving down and whos moving in.

Promotions

Chrystia Freeland, who as global affairs minister was perhaps the highest-profile minister last term, is now being clearly marked as Trudeaus right hand in cabinet. Shes been named deputy prime minister and minister of intergovernmental affairs and its that second role that will be especially important as Trudeau grapples with regional grievances and combative premiers. Freelands replacement in global affairs is Franois-Philippe Champagne, who gets a promotion from infrastructure minister. His new job comes as trade tensions remain high and Canada seeks a security council seat at the United Nations.

B..C.s Jonathan Wilkinson takes over the contentious environment and climate change file, moving up from fisheries minister. Having a western-based environment minister who was raised in Saskatchewan may help Trudeau sell his climate policies, though Wilkinson certainly faces a tough task.

Meanwhile, Newfoundlands Seamus ORegan is moving from Indigenous services to natural resources, giving him oversight of the energy and pipeline file. On one hand, hes from an oil-producing province that is no stranger to falling on hard economic times. On the other, ORegan is close personal friends with Trudeau and may not get an easy ride on the prairies.

Another notable promotion is Quebecs Pablo Rodriguez moving from heritage minister to government house leader, a key role in a minority parliament where every legislative move will need careful negotiation with the other parties. Rodriguez will also be Trudeaus cabinet point person on all matters Quebec.

Demotions

Among the top ranks of last terms cabinet there are no massive demotions this time around. Most of the moves are essentially lateral, such as Catherine McKenna moving from environment to infrastructure. But there are still some noticeable steps down.

Bardish Chagger was government house leader last term, but shes been moved out of that role ahead of the minority parliament when it becomes a much trickier job. Instead Chagger has been given the portfolio of diversity, inclusion and youth a vague-sounding title that did not exist in the last cabinet (aside from the fact Trudeau himself had take on the role of youth minister).

Two cabinet ministers have been dropped from cabinet entirely, Kristy Duncan (previously minister for science and sport) and Ginette Petitpas Taylor (previously minister of health). Both are taking on non-cabinet roles, Duncan as deputy house leader and Petitpas Taylor as deputy government whip.

Petitpas Taylor leaves the health portfolio as its about to take on more importance, with Trudeau promising to develop a national pharmacare program. Instead it will be Patty Hajdu, previously labour minister, who shepherds that process.

Cabinet rookies

There are seven newcomers to this cabinet, and the two newly-elected MPs Anita Anand and Steven Guilbeault are also getting two of the toughest jobs.

Anand, a former law professor at the University of Toronto, is now the minister of public works and procurement. Its a complex job that doesnt get a lot of attention outside Ottawa until a major problem arises, such as the Phoenix pay system debacle or the troubled procurement of new fighter jets.

Guilbeault, a well-known environmentalist from Montreal, is taking on the heritage file, a sometimes precarious job for a Quebec politician just ask Mlanie Joly, who was earlier hounded out of that office largely over Qubcois concerns that Netflix got a sweetheart deal over local media production. Guilbeault is also now in charge of the controversial $595-million subsidy package for newspapers, better known as the media bailout.

Other cabinet rookies include Mona Fortier, who becomes minister of middle-class prosperity and associate finance minister; Marco Mendicino, who will be immigration minister; Marc Miller, the new minister of Indigenous services; Deb Schulte, the new minister of seniors; and Dan Vandal, who becomes minister of northern affairs.

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Who's up, who's down and who's new in Trudeau's expanded cabinet - National Post

Cyril Ramaphosa is going to be haunted by the phrase new dawn until he leaves office. The president has used the two-word term extensively since his appointment to the top job, but instead, his administration has been blighted by a series of dark mornings and never-ending nights. The fact that a cabinet reshuffle is allegedly in the works tells you everything you need to know about life in the ANC right now.

According to the Mail and Guardian, several key figures are convinced that Ramaphosa is ready to shuffle his pack, and there could be some high-profile casualties. Were taking a quick look at who may be in the firing line, and where the president wants to put them instead.

This would mark a thinly-veiled demotion for Sisulu, and shoud this go ahead, it would be a damning statement on Cyrils faith in her to solve the water crises currently plaguing South Africa. Once on Ramaphosas slate for the 2017 ANC leadership battle, the minister doesnt enjoy the same cosy relationship with CR any more.

Lindiwe Sisulu still harbours leadership ambitions, and apparently, that doesnt sit too well with the presidents inner circle. Plus, her decision to give the disgraced Bathabile Dlamini a route back into frontline ANC business hasnt endeared her to many. Dlamini, who was made chair of the Social Housing Regulatory Authority this week, is largely blamed for crippling SASSA and the social benefits network.

The KZN ANC stalwart would be tasked with regulating South Africas intelligence unit if the cabinet reshuffle rumours are to be believed. He was appointed to the role shortly after the 2019 Elections concluded, but it looks like he could be on the move again, giving up his office for Sisulu and replacing Ayanda Dlodlo.

And thus, our circle is complete. Dlodlo is being lined up to take Sisulus job. It would seem that, despite retaining both politicians in his cabinet, Ramaphosa is attempting to consolidate his party power.

It would be remiss to complete this list without mentioning the tragic death of former Deputy Minister of Energy Bavelile Hlongwa. She lost her life in a motor vehicle accident back in September, and the president is set to pick her replacement soon. Ramaphosas spokesperson says she expects any cabinet reshuffle would only take place when the new deputy minister is chosen.

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Cabinet reshuffle rumours: Three ministers who may be on the move - The South African

Local Conservative MP Cathy McLeod and Thompson River University political scientist Derek Cook agree the new federal cabinet unveiled this week will have its challenges.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled a larger cabinet that aims to advance Liberal campaign promises to tackle climate change and promote middle-class prosperity, while attempting to soothe regional tensions worsened by last months minority government election outcome.

Following the Oct. 21 election, Trudeau said Canadians voted to pull together the country, to focus on issues of economic growth for the middle class, to fight climate change and to keep Canadians and their communities safe.

That is our focus and this is the team to do that, Trudeau said on Wednesday, flanked by his 36 ministers outside Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

McLeod said there are many critical issues that will need to be top priorities for cabinet, with the Canadian National Railway strike at the forefront of Labour Minister Filomena Tassis agenda.

For B.C., McLeod stressed the need to renew the softwood lumber agreement with the U.S.

Cook views Catherine McKennas shuffle from Environment and Climate Change to Infrastructure and Communities as a move to an important portfolio that can impact her previous role.

If we want to do something about climate change, we have to put in infrastructural investments, Cook said, adding people need to be given an alternative to working in the fossil-fuel industry.

He said there is plenty of work in a green economy, in which infrastructure plays a big role.

North Vancouver MP Jonathan Wilkinson is McKennas replacement as environment minister, moving over from his last position as minister of fisheries and oceans.

Cook said the appointment is a smart move politically, but noted a conflict is inevitable for Wilkinson in that role as he represents a constituency that is has concerns about the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, which the government is committed to completing.

His job will be to convince B.C.ers to support the pipeline or to at least stand aside, Cook said.

Wilkinson and three other Vancouver-area Liberal MPs were retained in Trudeaus cabinet and McLeod hopes they will be advocates for the forestry industry in B.C. regardless of their portfolios.

Harjit Sajjan (Vancouver South) remains minister of national defence, Joyce Murray(Vancouver Quadra) moves from president of the treasury board and minister of digital government to minister for digital government and Carla Qualtrough (Delta) is now minister of employment, workforce development and disability inclusion, transferring from minister of public service.

Among the biggest moves, former foreign affairs minister Chrystia Freeland was replaced by former infrastructure minister Franois-Philippe Champagne, a move Cook views as an upgrade.

The person whos taking over for her is basically a trade expert and, if you want to do well economically, then international trade is important, he said.

Freeland was promoted to deputy prime minister and minister of intergovernmental affairs.

In her new role, Freeland will be the point person dealing with provincial leaders and is also the first deputy prime minister the country has had in more than a decade.

McLeod believes Freeland has been given a tough task, describing the deputy prime minister role with a focus on intergovernmental relations as a necessary portfolio.

Cook said Freeland will have a lot of work to do when it comes to dealing with the premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan, where the Liberals were shut out in the election.

Theyre simply offside on the Liberal agenda and I dont see what could be done to bring them back, Cook said.

The Toronto MP, who has roots in Alberta, won praise as a tough, canny negotiator during the NAFTA trade talks. Her diplomatic and negotiating skills will be put to the test in dealing with Albertas Jason Kenney, Saskatchewans Scott Moe and Ontarios Doug Ford.

McLeod noted Canadian unity, the rise of the Bloq Quebecois and challenges facing Alberta and Saskatchewan are among the other issues Trudeaus minority government will have to address.

McLeod was most recently the Conservative Indigenous Affairs critic. The party will be confirming its new shadow cabinet to be named before Parliament resumes on Dec. 5.

McLeod said she does not know if she will retain the critic portfolio.

I havent had any conversations with him, she said of Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer.

Cook said the chairs of cabinet committees, where decisions are typically made, will be telling of who has power in the new cabinet.

Those are the people you write to if you want to lobby the cabinet, he said.

with files from Canadian Press

Chrystia Freelandbecomes Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

Anita Anandbecomes Minister of Public Services and Procurement

Navdeep Bainsbecomes Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

Carolyn Bennettremains Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

Marie-Claude Bibeauremains Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Bill Blairbecomes Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Bardish Chaggerbecomes Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth

Franois-Philippe Champagnebecomes Minister of Foreign Affairs

Jean-Yves Duclosbecomes President of the Treasury Board

Mona Fortierbecomes Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance

Marc Garneauremains Minister of Transport

Karina Gouldbecomes Minister of International Development

Steven Guilbeaultbecomes Minister of Canadian Heritage

Patty Hajdubecomes Minister of Health

Ahmed Hussenbecomes Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Mlanie Jolybecomes Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages

Bernadette Jordanbecomes Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

David Lamettiremains Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Dominic LeBlancbecomes President of the Queens Privy Council for Canada

Diane Lebouthillierremains Minister of National Revenue

Lawrence MacAulayremains Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

Catherine McKennabecomes Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

Marco E. L. Mendicinobecomes Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Marc Millerbecomes Minister of Indigenous Services

Maryam Monsefbecomes Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development

Bill Morneauremains Minister of Finance

Joyce Murraybecomes Minister of Digital Government

Mary Ngbecomes Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade

Seamus OReganbecomes Minister of Natural Resources

Carla Qualtroughbecomes Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion

Pablo Rodriguezbecomes Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Harjit Sajjanremains Minister of National Defence

Deb Schultebecomes Minister of Seniors

Filomena Tassibecomes Minister of Labour

Dan Vandalbecomes Minister of Northern Affairs

Jonathan Wilkinsonbecomes Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Cabinet Committee on Agenda, Results and Communications

Cabinet Committee on Operations

Cabinet Committee on Global Affairs and Public Security

Cabinet Committee on Reconciliation

Cabinet Committee on Economy and the Environment

Cabinet Committee on Health and Social Affairs

Treasury Board

Incident Response Group

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Peering into the new Trudeau cabinet - Kamloops This Week

A POTENTIAL 20million replacement school for rundown Doon Academy is still on the table despite a funding knock back.

East Ayrshire Council leader Douglas Reid has been in touch with Scottish Cabinet Secretary Derek Mackay to make the case for the new Dalmellington high school.

The campus proposal would also see the construction of a new primary school for the town.

SNP Councillor Reid said he has written and spoken to the finance minister and received a positive response.

He said: The council have put quite a bit of money towards a new school. We are hoping the Scottish Government will assist with funding as well.

It is hoped another wave of potential Holyrood funding would include cash for the new secondary.

Council officials now plan to submit a second bid since the first one was rejected.

Councillor Reid continued: Fingers crossed for Doon Academy. This would ensure a secondary provision in the Doon Valley.

There are hopes for a definitive answer in the new year, he added.

He described the secondary plans as the final piece of the jigsaw for the area considering Patnas new school and the construction of Bellsbank Primary getting underway.

Highlighting the importance of the high school, he stressed it shouldnt miss out on facilities just because it is small.

Doon Valley Councillor Drew Wilson said it would be one of the largest investments in the area.

The independent politician said: It will be a new modern facility that can only boost the attainment of our young people for the future.

A paper presented to cabinet councillors recently said the Doon Academy building continues to deteriorate.

It saidthe initial bid for Scottish Government funding (for the school) has been unsuccessful.

It is understood refurbishment is not a feasible option because of asbestos.

The secondarys main building has been rated as amber by the council which means it needs work.

The race is now on to get the cash secured and the new school plan back on track.

The councils property management plan report said: progress to finalise a schemewill be required within 2020 with a further bid for funding to be submitted at the next stage of the New Learning Estate Investment Programme.

The new school could cost between 15 million to 20 million.

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A 20m replacement school for Doon Academy still on the table - Cumnock Chronicle