McMillan Urges Support for Community Service Motion

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament that calls for people serving community service orders to be used to help clear watercourses and culverts in areas that are affected by flooding. Mr McMillan cites the recent success of a similar programme being used to remove snow and ice during the winter and has long campaigned for improved flood prevention throughout Inverclyde. Mr McMillan hopes to gain enough support for the motion to be able to be debated in the Scottish Parliament and has raised it with the Scottish Government.

"I have been working on flooding issues in Inverclyde for some time now and I felt it would be useful to look at the issue from another angle.

"For people serving community service orders my proposals may provide an opportunity for them to assist with flood prevention measures, this would mean they are giving something directly back to the community.

"I know that whilst this may not always be possible, as there will be times where specialist equipment and expertise may need to be used, I am sure there will be occasions when people on community service orders could help with some basic aspects of the job.

"I have lodged this motion in Parliament and already it has received some cross party support, I am hoping this continues as I wish to get a Parliamentary debate on this very important issue . It is an issue that I have raised with the Scottish Government and will raise again in the future."

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Notes for Editors:

Please find below the motion by Stuart McMillan MSP

S3M-05668 Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (Scottish National Party): Community Service Assistance— That the Parliament recognises the work carried out during the recent adverse weather conditions by offenders given community service orders; understands that tasks were completed satisfactorily and with obvious community benefit, and would welcome introduction of a similar scheme, where possible, with those people carrying out community service orders assisting to clear out watercourses and culverts where communities such as Greenock and other areas in Inverclyde have been at risk of flooding.