Inverclyde Council Schools Submission

Stuart McMillan MSP has made a submission to the recent consultation on Inverclyde schools. His submission can be downloaded here.

McMillan Writes to Chancellor

West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan has strenuously denied Duncan McNeil’s claim that Inverclyde jobs and community projects are under threat because of ministers’ dithering.

McNeil claimed that a ‘crisis’ had been sparked by confusion over the future of the Scottish Government’s Community Regeneration Fund and said the Community Development Trust’s 100 staff could be affected.

But Mr McMillan says the Government has its hands tied by Westminster as Scottish ministers do not yet know the level of the Scottish Block Capital Grant for 2007/8 which is handed out from London.

He said: “This confusion is yet another example of why our Scottish Government should have control over its own funding. The nonsense of Scotland having to wait to find out how much we will get from Westminster must stop, as it is directly affecting communities in Scotland. I am sure even Duncan McNeil would agree we’re not getting much “union dividend” from this system.”

Mr McMillan also replied to Council leader Stephen McCabe’s demand to know how much money the Inverclyde Alliance will get next year. He said: “I share Councillor McCabe’s concern over this issue and have written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the possibility of the Scottish Block Grant’s level this year being trimmed to its lowest ever level since devolution began.

I explained that any cuts will have a major impact on the voluntary organisations in areas of urban deprivation in Inverclyde and have asked for reassurance that there will be no reduction in the Scottish Capital Grant.”

McMillan Backs Alcohol Awareness Month

West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan is fully backing Scotland's first ever Alcohol Awareness Week next month.

awareness week, from October 21-27, is an initiative by the Scottish Government, the alcohol industry, health services, voluntary sector and an array of supporters, including Scottish Rugby.

Mr McMillan said: "We know that most Scots drink responsibly but also that alcohol related health harm is on the increase. It can also be a trigger for crime, which we are trying to control in Inverclyde and throughout the West of Scotland. It is important that we all get to know the units in our drinks so we can make informed choices and take responsibility for our own consumption.”

Scottish international scrum half Mike Blair said: "We support responsible drinking and initiatives like Scotland's first ever National Alcohol Awareness Week. We hope this week-long initiative will help Scots find out about alcohol units and how to enjoy a drink without risking their health, which can only be a good thing.

"This week alcohol was sold at a Scotland international match in Murrayfield Stadium for the first time in a quarter of a century and many of our supporters probably enjoyed a drink during the match. The message to people is that alcohol can be enjoyed in a responsible way."

Student Investor Challenge

West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan is encouraging schools and colleges in Inverclyde to register for the ifs Student Investor Challenge, sponsored by Deutsche Bank & Foreign & Colonial Investment Trust.

The ifs challenge equips thousands of young people with the knowledge and capability to manage their own finances, both now and in the future, by providing insight into the stock markets, savings and investments.

The challenge is operated by a financial education charity, the ifs School of Finance and is free to enter, open to teams of four students aged between 14 and 19 and usually attracts around 30,000 participants each year. It involves students investing a fantasy £100,000 in the stock market over a three month period, followed by regional finals involving a business quiz and a national final where the top eight teams in the country compete for an all expenses paid trip to New York and £2000 for their school.

Mr McMillan said: “The annual ifs Student Investor Challenge has proved successful in helping young people gain an understanding of the stock market, investments and business. It is backed by the Deutsche Bank, which employs many Scots in Scotland. Scottish companies can be 'invested' in, and it gives the pupils an opportunity to see how Scottish companies can compete with others on an international stage. They also have the opportunity to win a fantastic prize and have fun taking part.”

To register a team, or for more details, go to www.studentinvestor.org on, or before, November 5, 2007.

McMillan on Flooding

West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan has welcomed Scottish Water’s commitment to investigate flooding problems in the Inverclyde area.

Mr McMillan met with Scottish Water’s Regional Manager for Ayr, Paul Maxwell, to highlight the concern regarding the Greenock A8 in the Ladyburn area which gets closed during heavy rain, as does the Blackstone Roundabout on the A8 at Clune Brae, Port Glasgow; Partridge Road, Greenock, which suffers ground flooding and Kempock Point in Gourock, where sewage rises through the shingle at the pier.

Mr Maxwell confirmed that a survey will begin next month on the main sewers around the Ladyburn and Blackstone Roundabout areas to identify and resolve any infrastructure issues. The sewer outfall pipe at Kempock Point will be inspected by camera for defects and repaired if necessary. He added that Scottish Water was unaware of any problems in the Partridge Road area, but if residents contact them when this is happening they will investigate it immediately.

Mr McMillan said: “I am extremely pleased that Scottish Water intends to act so promptly on the problem areas I highlighted during our meeting. The residents of Inverclyde can now be assured that in the event of more heavy rain the roads and infrastructure in the problem areas will be able to cope and flooding should be prevented.”

McMillan Highlights Charties Boost

West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan has welcomed the chance for charities in the Inverclyde area are invited to discuss their funding needs at a surgery being organised by Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland.

The event is taking place on Wednesday, 26th September at CVS Inverclyde in the Port Glasgow Business Centre. A one-to-one consultation with an assessor, lasting 45 minutes, are available between 11:00pm and 6:30pm and should be booked in advance. Disabled access is available at this venue, and when making an appointment please mention that this would be required.

Mr McMillan said: “This opportunity is a chance for local charities to boost their funds and all interested parties should be represented. The grants available could make a real difference.”

The consultation is an opportunity for representatives of registered charities to discuss potential projects towards which the Foundation may be able to provide financial support. Foundation representatives will be able to give you tips on filling in the application form and advice on the kind of projects that we fund.

Andrew Muirhead, the Foundation’s Chief Executive, said: “The Foundation has an ongoing commitment to investing in the Scottish community and we like to support charities which enable people to play a fuller role in the community. We are always keen to encourage a wide range of local charities to come and discuss their projects with us, and these consultations prove invaluable to charities looking for help and advice prior to making an application to the Foundation.”

Notices 'On-the Spot'

West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan has welcomed the introduction of “on the spot” fixed penalty notices for lower-level offences, including breach of the peace, urinating in a public place and drinking alcohol where it is banned.

Mr McMillan said: “I am please that police officers now have these additional powers to take quick and effective action against this type of anti-social behaviour, which is becoming the scourge of our towns and villages. Fixed penalty notices can play a part in reducing crime in Inverclyde and help to build safer, stronger communities.”

Stuart also supported to plan to reduce the acceptable drink driving limit from 80mg to 50mg in the blood. He said: “Around 60 people die in drink driving accidents on Scottish roads each year and if we can save even one life by reducing the level, that would be a great step forward.”

Free Maps for 11 year olds Welcomed

West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan has urged schools in East Dunbartonshire to take up the offer of free maps for Primary 7 pupils. All schools are entitled to benefit from the Ordnance Survey’s ‘Free Maps for 11-year-olds’ scheme by registering online and stating how many maps are needed.

Stuart said “This is a fabulous opportunity for children to learn a little more about maps and obtain skills which will stay with them for the rest of their lives. They can also learn a great deal more about their local area. Maps in the home are often owned by an adult and research has shown that children who have free access to maps of their own develop significantly better map skills".

“Some schools have already registered for the offer, but there are many more maps available for those who have not yet done so. Registering is free and easy, so no-one need miss out.”

For more information on the Free Maps for 11-year-olds scheme, visit freemaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/freemapsfor11yearolds

McMillan Welcomes Small Claims Decision

The decision to increase the limit in small claims cases from £750 to £3000 has been welcomed by West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan.

Stuart said “This decision means that the people of Inverclyde and throughout the West of Scotland will have access to a quicker, simpler and cheaper small claims procedure. People who in the past were prevented from pursuing a claim against a business or individual can now do so without the expense of having to employ a lawyer. This is another example of how the Scottish Government is committed to improving access to justice for all.”

The change will take place from next January and means that cases such as disputes about household goods and bank charges could be dealt with in the relatively simple small claims procedures of the Sheriff Court.

MSP HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF ADVICE WEEK

West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan has shown his support for this week’s Citizens’ Advice Bureaux's Advice Week. He said “Advice Week is an annual event where activities are held all around the UK to promote the Bureaux as vital local charities, to raise much needed funds and to recruit the 5000 new volunteers needed every year. The first one opened for business in September 1939 as World War II began, staffed entirely by volunteers and with financial support from local councils".

“Every Citizens’ Advice Bureaux is an independent registered charity and without the contribution of over 20,000 trained volunteers and financial support from trusts, lottery funds, companies and individuals, they could not continue to provide their vital service, helping people to solve problems before they become crises. The Citizens’ Advice service is one of the UK's largest voluntary organisations as well as one of the best known in the UK - 95% of people have heard of the organisation and nearly half have used a CAB".

“I hope that the advice week will help to raise awareness amongst people in communities across the country of the work that they do and of how they can help them. For those wishing for more information, they can access the website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk”

Veto on Zonal Mail Pricing Welcomed

Stuart McMillan MSP has welcomed a report from postal services watchdog Postcomm outlining their reasons for proposing to reject zonal pricing of mail deliveries.

Stuart had raised concerns about the proposals for applying a surcharge on the delivery of mail in remote or rural areas.

He said: “I am delighted that this unreasonable and discriminatory idea has been thrown out by the watchdog. This would have affected many customers and businesses in rural areas of the West of Scotland. These proposals struck at the heart of Royal Mail’s universal service obligation and ordinary people across the West of Scotland would have suffered. I hope this is the last we will hear of zonal pricing.”