McMillan Visits Inverclyde Peace Initiative

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has recently visited Inverclyde Peace Initiative who are based in St Stephens High School, Port Glasgow to learn more about the excellent work they undertake with school pupils and in the local community.

Inverclyde Peace Initiative offer the advancement of education in conflict resolution, mediation and anger management.

Mr McMillan said;

"I was delighted to sit down and learn more about Inverclyde Peace Initiative and the excellent work they do with our young people in Inverclyde.

"It was evident from speaking to the staff that they are passionate about their jobs and believe in finding peacefully resolutions to conflicts.

"I hope the Initiative continues to bring in new volunteers and challenge our young people to engage with each other rather than creating barriers and finding conflict.

Bert Boyd, Secretary of Inverclyde Peace Initiative said;

"Inverclyde Peace Initiative are encouraged by the support of Stuart McMillan MSP.

"The young volunteers are already planning the venue and programme for the Training Weekend in January made possible by the grant from Cashback/YouthLink funding.

"The work of the Initiative continues to grow and we are pleased that an increasing number of young people are signing up as volunteers in order not only to learn more about conflict resolution themselves, but also to learn how best to pass on this knowledge and skills to other young people."

Fort Matilda Station

From Inverclyde Now:

THE Fort Matilda Station building in Greenock has an appropriate new lease of life – as a home for Greenock and District Model Railway Club.

The B-listed building has been empty and unused for 25 years since British Rail stopped issuing tickets there.

The building is seen by the club as providing ideal accommodation for its activities as well as potentially providing a valuable community asset.

Already an approach has been made to use the accommodation by Gourock Wargames Association.

Talks have also been held with Port Glasgow Regeneration Trust about other possible compatible uses for the building.

Possibilities also exist for other organisations to make an approach to the Model Railway Club for accommodation.

Presently the building, whilst in a reasonably good external state, has no internal facilities and it will take a lot of work to bring it up to a habitable standard.

It is hoped to attract funding from a number of bodies to provide facilities such as toilets suitable for use by people with disablities, a kitchen area, level floors and heating.

The club also hope that eventually the exterior of the building can be restored with window and door boarding removed and new main doors fabricated to the original 1900-design.

The Model Railway Club was formed more than 30 years ago and hosts its 25th annual exhibition in Greenock Town Hall from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 6 November and noon to 5pm on Sunday 7 November. There will be an information stand about the plans for the building at the exhibition.

The club’s re-use of the building has been enthusiastically supported by MSP Stuart McMillan and local councillor Alan Blair.

McMillan Writes to East Dunbartonshire Council on Cold Weather Contingencies

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has today (Thursday) written to East Dunbartonshire Council to enquire what provisions they are putting in place to mitigate against the upcoming adverse weather conditions.

In his letter, Mr McMillan raised his concerns regarding the potential for flooding, burst pipes and the worsening condition of roads.

Mr McMillan said;

"After the terrible weather conditions of last winter its important that we are fully prepared for the elements these coming winter months.

"It's important that we all take the necessary precautions to stay safe this winter.

"Therefore, I have written to East Dunbartonshire Council, asking for an overview of the contingencies put in place to deal with flooding, burst pipes and the worsening condition of roads."

McMillan Welcomes Homecoming Response from Scottish Government

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has today (Thursday) welcomed the response from the Scottish Government to his recent letter regarding a future Gathering event incorporating Greenock.

Responding the Minister for Tourism, Jim Mather MSP, said, I would encourage local partners in Inverclyde to look for opportunities to take part in the Homecoming celebration as a way of showcasing all the area has to offer, including the historic Customhouse building.

Mr McMillan said;

"I am pleased the Scottish Government has recognised that Greenock can play a part in a future Homecoming celebration.

"Having a future Gathering event in Inverclyde would be an ideal opportunity to promote the area as a tourist destination and a place to visit.

"Therefore, I hope the relevant partners in Inverclyde will consider making contact with the Scottish Government to find out how they can get involved in Gathering 2014."

McMillan Raises Constituent Concerns Regarding A78 with Transport Scotland

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has today (Tuesday) written to the Chief Executive of Transport Scotland regarding concerns raised by constituents about road safety on the A78 - Inverkip Junction.

Mr McMillan has been contacted by constituents who have highlighted issues with the renewal of the line markings on the road. The constituents have argued that, there has been a change in priorities, and it is causing problems, no signs have been put up warning people of the changes.

Mr McMillan said;

"I have recently been contacted by constituents who have raised their concerns regarding the renewal of the line markings on the A78 and the potential issues this has brought for road safety.

"One constituent is concerned that there has been a change in priority, in their opinion, and this will require adequate signage to alert drivers.

"Therefore, I have, today, written to the Chief Executive of Transport Scotland to raise my constituent's concerns and ask that they investigate this matter immediately.

"It's imperative that road safety is the top priority."

McMillan Writes to Council Regarding Traffic Issues at Fore Street, Port Glasgow

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has today (Tuesday) written to Inverclyde Council regarding the double yellow lines and dropped kerb at Fore Street, Port Glasgow.

Mr McMillan has been contacted by constituents, at a recent Port Glasgow Library surgery, who are angry that motorists are ignoring the double yellow lines and parking outside the pharmacy on Fore Street. Alongside this, a constituent, who is wheelchair bound, has made Mr McMillan aware that parking on the yellow lines at Fore Street is blocking access to the dropped kerb.

Mr McMillan said;

"I was contacted by a number of constituents at my surgery in Port Glasgow Library regarding motorists parking on the double yellow lines on Fore Street.

"I have since checked, first hand, and on Google maps to see the issue and their picture clearly highlights the problem as motorists are ignoring the restrictions and parking on the yellow lines.

"I have, therefore, raised the issue with Inverclyde Council and the Roads Department and asked for an investigation into the ignoring of the restriction and also whether a pedestrian crossing could be introduced at Fore Street."

Google map view of Fore Street, Port Glasgow (12th October 2010) -

McMillan Welcomes Inverclyde Pupils to Scottish Parliament

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has today (Thursday) welcomed pupils from Inverclyde to the Scottish Parliament building to see, first hand, their Community Space Programme artwork on display in the building. Alongside this, the pupils will tour the Parliament building and attend First Minister Question Time as guests of Mr McMillan.

The Community Space Programme is an artwork exhibition by pupils at St Columba's High School, Gourock and Notre Dame High School, Greenock, which was on display at the Tramway, Glasgow earlier this year.

The pupils from both schools were asked to create places where people of all ages meet, mix and play. They chose 4 areas of land in Inverclyde where they would like to change for the better - Holefarm Road, Gilmour Street, Dempster Street and Bow Farm Flats area.

Mr McMillan said;

"I was delighted to have the pleasure of being invited to view the artwork when it was on display in the Tramway, Glasgow, earlier this year.

"I thought it would be fitting to bring the exhibition to the Scottish Parliament building and allow my fellow MSP's to witness the talents of our pupils in Inverclyde.

"It’s important to recognise the excellent work our young people are capable of and this exhibition fully demonstrates the talents of pupils in Inverclyde. They are all a credit to their school and Inverclyde.

"I hope the pupils all thoroughly enjoyed their time at the Scottish Parliament, today, and felt proud to see their artwork on display for everyone to see."

McMillan Welcomes Energy Efficiency Funding for East Dunbartonshire

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has today (Wednesday) welcomed the announcement from the Scottish Government that East Dunbartonshire Council is to receive £250,000 in grants to offer free insulation measures and provide energy saving advice to households.

Scotland's Energy Efficiency Action Plan includes a headline target to reduce total energy consumption by 12 per cent by 2020.

Mr McMillan said;

"This is fantastic news for East Dunbartonshire and the many households who will benefit from insulation measures and energy advice to their homes.

"This funding will help East Dunbartonshire residents cut their energy bills and save money which is of great importance during difficult economic times.

"By improving household energy efficiency, Scots could save an estimated £2 billion by 2020.

"I look forward to hearing how East Dunbartonshire Council will utilise this funding and assist constituents throughout the area."

McMillan Welcomes Progress in Fight Against Hospital Acquired Infections

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has today (Wednesday) welcomed the publication of new figures from the Scottish Government which show how hospital acquired infections (HAIs) have fallen since the election of the SNP Government. There were 472 C-diff cases in Greater Glasgow and Clyde during the last quarter the previous administration was in power, compared to 132 in the second quarter of 2010. MRSA cases have fallen from 68 at the end of the previous administration to 25 cases in Greater Glasgow and Clyde in the last quarter.

Mr McMillan said:

"The progress that these latest figures show is being made in the fight against Hospital Acquired Infections in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is extremely encouraging and is testament to the determination of NHS staff to tackle the problem head on.

"In comparison to the complacency we saw on the issue under the previous Labour – Lib Dem administration, the SNP Government moved quickly upon taking office to conduct the biggest ever survey of where such infections are taking place and to establish a Healthcare Environment Inspectorate to carry out unannounced inspections of hospitals.

"The Scottish Government has also invested a record £50 million in tackling the problem and I am delighted to see that these measures are clearly having an effect.

"These actions combined with the hard work of NHS staff are why we are seeing real progress after the complacency of the previous administration. These figures are extremely welcome and I am optimistic we will see further progress in the future."

McMillan Welcomes Inverclyde Homeless Forum to Parliament

Stuart McMillan MSP with Chair of Inverclyde Homeless Forum, Denis McIvor.

For more information about the work of Inverclyde Homeless Forum please contact;

Chair

Denis McIvor

07737 237 340

McMillan Welcomes Flood Forecasting Service

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has today (Monday) welcomed the news from the Scottish Government that a £750,000 flood forecasting service will soon help boost Scotland's resilience against the threat of flooding.

The Scottish Flood Forecasting Service, which should be up and running by March 2011, will link experts from the Met Office's operations centre in Aberdeen and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's flood forecasting team in Perth.

Daily statements will be produced for local authorities and emergency services detailing developing risks, creating early warning of potential flooding and more time to prepare fully for flooding events.

Mr McMillan said;

"The SNP Government is, once again, demonstrating its commitment to tackling the problem of flooding in our communities.

"This service will be a welcome tool for helping local authorities and communities prepare for the potential impact of flooding.

"I know, from speaking to constituents about flooding, this service will be vital for a community such as Inverclyde which has seen a lot of flood problems over the years.

"Therefore, it's vital when the Scottish Flood Forecasting Service is operational that Inverclyde Council and emergency services utilise the service in-order to fully prepare for any potential flood risk."

McMillan Comments on Fuel Duty Rise

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has commented on today’s (Friday) fuel duty rise which puts another 1p on the cost of a litre of petrol and diesel.

Mr McMillan said;

"This increase will have a crippling effect on businesses and households and threatens the wider economic recovery. Instead of stopping Labour’s highway robbery, the Con/Dem coalition is pushing up the cost of living for East Dunbartonshire households.

"It’s a national scandal that, in an oil rich country like Scotland, we are paying the highest fuel prices in Europe. The Treasury cannot justify hammering hard pressed motorists and businesses. This duty increase is bad enough, but will be compounded with the VAT increase in January.

"What Ministers in London forget is that for people in rural areas, a car is a necessity and not a luxury. Pushing up fuel prices is absolutely the wrong thing to do as we emerge from recession and these increases will actually hinder economic recovery.

"A fair fuel regulator is the only way to ensure that Scotland’s essential industries and households are not continually hit by rising prices."Scottish motorists and our hard pressed haulage industry need immediate action to bring down fuel costs and the coalition government will be held to their word."

McMillan Highlights Council's Lack of Action on Flooding

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has highlighted, once again, in the Scottish Parliament chamber Inverclyde Council's lack of action over the years to put in place measures to deal with flooding throughout the local authority area.

Mr McMillan raised the issue with the Minister for Environment, Roseanna Cunningham MSP, during a Parliamentary Question Time session.

Mr McMillan said;

"The minister is well aware of my long-standing interest in flooding in Inverclyde.

"I have undertaken a residents survey with constituents in the East End of Greenock, raised numerous Parliamentary Questions and written to Inverclyde Council on many occasions to highlight my constituents concerns about the perceived lack of action to tackle flood problems in Inverclyde.

"It's vital that Inverclyde Council react to the recent floods which affected so many constituents in Inverclyde, particularly at the West Station area, and put in place measures which will alleviate flooding throughout Inverclyde.

"Therefore, I will continue to represent my constituents on this important issue and highlight the flaws in the current administrations policy in dealing with flooding."

Notes;

Scottish Parliament exchange between Stuart McMillan MSP and the Minister for Environment -

Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): The minister is well aware of my long-standing interest in flooding in Inverclyde. Can she provide any guidance to the council's current Labour-Conservative-independent administration that would force it into action, as opposed to the decades of inaction on the part of that administration and previous ones?

Roseanna Cunningham: I am well aware of Stuart McMillan's long-standing interest in the matter and, at his invitation, I visited the area last year to see the difficult problems that were beginning to be experienced. I hope that all local authorities will carefully examine the new duties that they must now comply with. It might be that many local authorities must bring themselves up to speed with regard to their understanding of the implications of the new legislation. It is difficult to see how much more any Government can do. The hammer of legislation is now in place and councils' duties are clear. I hope that no council—Inverclyde included—will wilfully ignore what it is now required to do.

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-10/sor0930-02.htm