October 2009 diary column
02 November 2009
October 2009 diary column
ARC proposals.
The proposal to close 4 of the 6 Activity and Resource Centres across our region is so ill-thought out that it is, frankly, offensive. I very much hope it will have been either withdrawn or rejected by the time you read this column, but considerable damage has been done that will take a long time to undo. A seed of doubt has been sown about the future of the ARCs, and that is enormously damaging in itself.
I find the proposal offensive because no-one seems to have been talking about the impact on, or the welfare of, the ARC users or their carers. The only justification for the proposal is to save money. I could have understood it better if a properly thought out alternative was being put in place but, if there is one, it appears to be a very well kept secret. There is vague talk of individual support programmes ‘in the community’ but that could never replicate the therapeutic benefits of coming together within the supervised surroundings of the existing ARCs. They do a magnificent job, they are unique, and they must be kept.
Forestry windfarms.
I read the announcement that opened up the possibility of Forestry Commission land hosting large scale windfarms with some alarm. Not that I am anti-windfarm – in the right locations there is nothing wrong with them, (although whether they are an efficient way of generating electricity or not is another matter altogether). But we need to be very careful if there is any chance of vast stretches of Galloway’s afforested hilltops being covered in turbines, because we could be in danger of sacrificing long-term benefits for short-term profit.
Just last month I wrote of the re-awakening of interest in a Galloway National Park; there is ongoing speculation about a ‘Dark Sky’ designation reflecting the purity of Galloway’s night-time; and there are discussions underway to create a ‘Biosphere’ zone centred on the Galloway Hills. All of the above opportunities will be lost if these hills are given over to windfarm development.
There has never been a properly thought-out national windfarm strategy – yet never has one been more urgently required.
Marie Curie & MSPs.
One of my parliamentary colleagues has co-ordinated the production of a recipe collection from MSPs of all parties in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care, and the book enjoyed a well attended launch at Holyrood just last week. 67 Members have offered up their favourite recipes, and entries to the book, called MSP’s Gut Feelings, include Alex Salmond’s Cullen Skink, Annabel Goldie’s courgette and tomato bake, Tavish Scott’s stir-fried lamb and Wendy Alexander’s savoury cheesecake. Mind you, the Presiding Officer’s lamb cake is not to be sneezed at either!
With Christmas in mind, this wee book would make a great present. If anyone would like a copy, just get in touch and we’ll let you know how to get one.
Consultation, consultation, consultation.
Its consultation time, folks, but there are two important exercises currently underway that I want to draw to your attention. Firstly, the all important consultation on the future of NHS services is up and running with a series of public drop-in sessions across the region. If anyone wants details of these, or how to take part in the consultation, just contact my office on 0800 028 7260 and we’ll tell you.
The second consultation is from the Scottish Government and is on the subject of High Hedges – a problem that constituents often bring to my attention. The Government is seeking a range of views to determine whether or not legislation is required to deal with the problem. The exercise ends on 13th November – so there’s not long to go. Again, contact my office for details if you wish to take part but haven’t already done so.
Older People’s Parliament.
Since I first became an MSP in 1999, there have been calls for an ‘Older People’s Parliament’ and I was delighted to preside over the first national coming together of older peoples organisations in the Parliament’s debating chamber just a few weeks ago. Many issues were raised and many views aired, but the one constant refrain that drew the loudest applause was the repeated call for a properly recognised Older Peoples Parliament. I don’t know exactly what will come out of the day long event in Edinburgh, but I don’t think that that particular demand is going to go away!
One more 10 year old.
Regular readers will recall the birthday party for 143 ten year olds that we held at Holyrood to mark our 10th anniversary as a Parliament. All of those children were born on 1st July 1999 – the day the Parliament was given its legislative authority. Barely had the cake crumbs been cleaned up, when we got a call from a family in Australia who had emigrated to Adelaide 3 years ago with their 2 daughters and a son who – you’ve guessed it – was a 1st July ‘99 baby!
You can imagine that family’s excitement therefore when I pitched up in Adelaide, where I was visiting the Parliament of South Australia, to present the birthday boy with the same ‘goodie bag’ he would have received if he had been in Scotland last July. In a schedule that was otherwise packed with meetings and parliamentary protocols, that moment will live with me for a long time.
Town centre regeneration.
Like many others, I was bitterly disappointed when Stranraer’s excellent bid for the first round of town centre regeneration funding was rejected. I have subsequently met with the Minister on a number of occasions to highlight the very strong case that Stranraer has to receive some funding from the second (and final) round which is due to be announced shortly. Again, the bid is a strong one, and no one would deny the need. Let us hope that our efforts bear fruit this time around.
Efficiency personified.
So there I was in the transit lounge of Dubai airport, reading papers on my way to the Antipodes. We suddenly realised that we’d left it a bit ‘last minute’ to catch the next flight, so rather hurriedly gathered our belongings together and rushed to the gate. We made it ok, but as the plane took off I realised I had left my not inexpensive reading glasses in the lounge. Brilliant.
2 weeks later, and I am returning from the Antipodes and once again find myself in the transit lounge at Dubai airport. Chancing my arm, I asked at the desk whether there might be a chance that my glasses were still around. A book was produced, the date of my previous flight verified and there, sure enough, was written proof that my glasses were in lost property. Not only that but, as time was a bit short, they were brought to me at the departure gate by a smiling and friendly airport employee. I was totally amazed and couldn’t help thinking that if that had happened at Gatwick or Heathrow I would now be in the process of purchasing a new set of glasses! Good for Dubai.