MSP & Councillor Welcome New Schools for Scotland

Stuart McMillan MSP SNP and local ward Councillor Keith Brooks have today (Wednesday) welcomed the news that 30 new schools are to be built across Scotland faster and sooner than planned.

Last week’s budget brought forward £80m of the cash as part of a £1.25billion investment to ensure the school projects get underway quicker. Inverclyde will see the refurbishment of St Patrick’s Primary School.

Mr McMillan said;

“Thanks to the SNP Government 30 new schools will be built across Scotland including the refurbishment of St Patrick’s Primary School here in Inverclyde.

“Even more pupils from across the country will benefit from top-quality classrooms as a result of the beginning of phase three of Scotland’s Schools for the Future programme and construction workers will benefit from new projects getting started sooner.

“Today’s announcement is part of the Scottish Government’s £1.25billion investment in the school building programme to ensure pupils have access to safe and productive learning environments.”

Local Ward Councillor Keith Brooks added;

“I am delighted to learn that St Patrick’s Primary School is to receive a refurbishment under the SNP Government’s investment in school projects.

“This announcement is a welcomed boost for Scotland’s education sector and also the construction industry.”

Ends

Scottish Government release -

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/09/school-buildings26092012

McMillan Presses Need for Infrastructure Improvements

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has today (Monday) urged the UK Government to unlock nearly £300 million of funding, to the Scottish Government, to allow it to take forward a number of infrastructure projects.

Mr McMillan is particularly keen to see funding being made available to start work on ‘shovel-ready projects’ such as the Gourock-Dunoon pontoons.

Stuart said:

"Infrastructure improvements are among the most pressing issues faced by the Scottish Government today in order to assure efficiency in transport, safety of the public, and the future ability of Scottish workers and industries to be competitive in the global economy. It is highly concerning that Westminster does not see the urgency of these improvements in Scotland, which would certainly be of great benefit to the Scottish people.

"Money for the Gourock-Dunoon Pontoons would be an important boost to the local economy and tourism prospects for the area.

"The Scottish Government will continue fighting to support necessary infrastructure improvements for Scotland’s future, and I fully support their actions.

"Therefore, I hope the UK government will release the necessary funding to start these infrastructure projects."

McMillan Meets Minister to Discuss Flooding

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has today (Thursday) met with the Minister for Environment, Stewart Stevenson MSP, to discuss the on-going issue of flooding in West Scotland and particularly Inverclyde.
　
Earlier this week Inverclyde witnessed some of the worst weather conditions in Scotland which led to large scale flooding and disruption to transport links (car and rail).
　
Mr McMillan has been a vocal campaigner in the need for more robust flood prevention methods in Inverclyde.

Mr. McMillan said:

"Once again, Inverclyde has witnessed some of the worst weather conditions in Scotland, leading to large scale flooding which has affected our rail and road network.

"Alongside this, I know businesses have been left devastated at the level of flooding and the cost this will place on their livelihood.

"It’s vital all public bodies act to address these annual flooding problems affecting Inverclyde.　 For too long the people of this area have had to suffer.

"Therefore, I have made this clear to the Minister for Environment and asked the Scottish Government to offer what assistance it can to Inverclyde. I have called for a flooding summit so that all partners can work together for better flood prevention and a better Inverclyde."

McMillan Welcomes Lottery Funding for West Scotland

Stuart McMillan MSP SNP has today (Thursday) welcomed the announcement from Big Lottery Fund that projects in the West of Scotland have secured funding through the ‘Our Place’ programme.

Our Place is funded by the Big Lottery Fund in Scotland. Funding of at least £1 million will be made available to each of five specific communities in Scotland. A development support provider will help people to get involved in Our Place and support communities to prioritise what they need in their area.

The areas participating in the Our Place programme are:

•Bellsmyre, West Dunbartonshire
•Moorpark, Renfrewshire
•Newmains, Wishaw, North Lanarkshire
•Roystonhill, Glasgow
•Greenock Town Centre and East, Inverclyde

Mr. McMillan said;

"I was delighted to hear that projects in the West Scotland region have received support from Big Lottery Fund.

“The Our Place fund is a large pot of money and I’m pleased that projects such as Alternatives West Dunbartonshire Community Drug Service, Bellsmyre Community Advice Centre Management Group, CVS Inverclyde and The Phoenix Community Health Project have secured funding.

"I know the financial assistance from the Big Lottery Fund will be warmly welcomed and I wish every project the very best for the future."

McMillan Highlights Proposed Changes to Out of Hours GP Services

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has today (Thursday) highlighted the proposed changes, by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, to Out of Hours GP services at Greenock Health Centre.

Mr McMillan received the information in a letter from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde who have arranged two community briefing sessions for members of the public to learn of the proposals and discuss any issues they may have with health board staff.

Mr. McMillan said:

“I would encourage any members of the public in Inverclyde who are concerned with proposed changes to Out of Hours GP services to attend the community briefing sessions at Greenock Health Centre or Inverclyde Community Care Forum.

“It’s important members of the public are fully informed of any changes to vital services.

“Therefore, the briefing sessions are an ideal opportunity for constituents to raise any issues they may have and to talk directly to NHS staff.”

Notes;

Community briefing sessions –

• Thursday 27th October at Greenock Health Centre, 20 Duncan Street, Greenock, PA15 4LY 6-8pm.

• Friday 28th October at Your Voice, 12 Clyde Square, Greenock, PA15 1NB 10-12noon.

McMillan Welcomes Roads Response from Inverclyde Council

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has welcomed the response letter he has received from Inverclyde Council in relation to the condition of the footways and road at Hilltop Crescent, Gourock.

Mr McMillan had contacted Inverclyde Council after receiving correspondence from a constituent at Hilltop Crescent who made Mr McMillan aware of their concerns about the condition of both the footways and road network. The constituent also attached a petition which was signed by over 25 households at Hilltop Crescent which argued that repairs are required to the footways and road.

In responding Inverclyde Council have stated, The footway will be placed on the proposed resurfacing programme as part of the 2012/2013 Capital Budget. A programme for substantial comprehensive patching will be promoted and targeted to be carried out as soon as resources are available.

Mr McMillan said;

“I am pleased with the response letter from Inverclyde Council that Hilltop Crescent in Gourock is to receive much needed repairs to the footways and road.

“I know from recently visiting the street that the works are necessary and I fully appreciate the concerns of all those constituents who signed the petition urging action to be taken.

“Therefore, I look forward to witnessing the resurfacing of the footways and the comprehensive patching on the road.”

McMillan Highlights A78 Traffic Incident to Transport Minister

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has today (Tuesday) written to the Transport Minister, Keith Brown MSP, to make him aware of the recent traffic incident on the A78 Trunk Road - Inverkip Junction which involved two vehicles.

Mr McMillan has been contacted by a number of constituents who both live and commute around the A78 Trunk Road - Inverkip Junction area and are anxious for improved road safety measures to be implemented in the area.

Mr McMillan said;

"I have, once again, written to the Transport Minister in relation to road safety on the A78 Trunk Road - Inverkip Junction.

"I recently emailed the Minister, on Monday 14th February, in relation to the A78 Trunk Road – Inverkip Junction to represent the views of my constituents on possible improved safety measures which could be implemented on the Trunk Road and at the junction.

"The purpose of my further writing is to make the Minister aware of this road traffic incident and to, once again, put on record my hope that he will meet with me at the junction to highlight my constituents concerns about road safety"

Scottish Budget Passed at Holyrood But Labour Turn Their Back on Inverclyde

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has welcomed the passing of the Scottish budget in Parliament today (Wednesday) and hit out at the Labour party turning their back on Inverclyde.

Labour did not vote for the budget to pass prompting the following comments from Mr McMillan;

“I find it incredulous that Labour MSPs turned their back on a further £11.5 million to create 25,000 modern apprenticeships, funding for an additional 1,200 college places and an additional £15 million for college bursaries.

“We saw an additional £6 million for URCs, not supported by Labour, so I do have to wonder if Labour actually want Riverside Inverclyde to progress and improve Inverclyde?

“It turns out Labour were offered everything they asked for in the budget yet still failed to support it.

“The SNP are positive about Inverclyde while Labour have turned themselves in to a joke, capable only of opposing anything and everything put before them.”

McMillan Welcomes Discover Inverclyde to Scottish Parliament

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) and Member of the Scottish Parliament Tourism Committee has on Thursday welcomed members of Discover Inverclyde to the Scottish Parliament building.

During their visit to the Scottish Parliament the Discover Inverclyde group attended First Minister Question Time, undertook a tour of the building and also met the Minister for Tourism Jim Mather MSP for a brief question and answer session.

Mr McMillan said;

"I was delighted members of Discover Inverclyde took up my invite to visit the Scottish Parliament building.

"This was a great opportunity for local businesses and organisations from Inverclyde to see the Scottish Parliament first hand and also to meet with the Minister for Tourism.

"It’s important that we continue to promote Inverclyde as a tourism destination and highlight the many positive aspects, such as Ocean Terminal in Greenock, the Tall Ships event in 2011 and the Gourock Highland Games, the area has to offer in the way of culture and tourism.

"I hope everyone who visited the Scottish Parliament enjoyed their time and I look forward to meeting them all again in the future."

Chris Jewell of Discover Inverclyde said;

"Our visit to the Scottish Parliament was very informative and enjoyable and we are grateful to Stuart McMillan for the invitation and for a very helpful day.

"Our members thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the chance to discuss matters with the Minister of Tourism who provided helpful insights into what we are doing and ways forward.

"We are committed to being at the forefront of new developments in tourism, retail, leisure and the arts in Inverclyde and to working with all the relevant parties to develop and improve all aspects of tourism in Inverclyde in the future and expressly to help redress the forecast Inverclyde population decline."

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

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has today (Friday) added his support to the Taste of Inverclyde weekend, which takes place from 10th to 13th September, by lodging a motion in the Scottish Parliament highlighting the events.

The promotion will offer Inverclyde residents and those from further afield the opportunity of sampling the wide range of food and drink on offer at Inverclyde restaurants, food shops, coffee shops, cafes and bars, with special promotions, discounts and other offers over the four day period.

Mr McMillan said;

"The Taste of Inverclyde weekend is an excellent way to showcase local produce and talent in Inverclyde.

"A lot of credit must go to Discover Inverclyde for their efforts in brining about such an event which recognises Inverclyde and the positive things it has to offer.

"Therefore, I hope many people will take the opportunity to go along to the events which are taking place and support local businesses, produce and talent."

Link to Discover Inverclyde website - http://www.discoverinverclyde.co.uk/whats-on/taste-of-inverclyde-weekend-10th-to-13th-september.aspx

Motion lodged by Stuart McMillan MSP;

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT MOTION
Date of Lodging: 3 September 2010
Short Title: Taste of Inverclyde

S3M-06903 Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): That the Parliament welcomes the Taste of Inverclyde weekend, which takes place from 10 to 13 September 2010; notes Discover Inverclyde is launching the four-day event, which will offer Inverclyde residents and those from further afield the opportunity of sampling the wide range of food and drink available at Inverclyde restaurants, food shops, coffee shops, cafes and bars; further notes people will have the opportunity to come and watch how food is made in Inverclyde at a range of businesses, including butchers and bakeries; acknowledges the efforts of all those involved, especially Discover Inverclyde, to create the Taste of Inverclyde weekend, and encourages everyone who is in Inverclyde from 10 to 13 September to get involved and support the event.

McMillan Welcomes Enterprise Minister visit to Inverclyde

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has today (Tuesday) welcomed the visit by Enterprise Minister Jim Mather MSP to Inverclyde. Mr Mather visited Gourock-based Invec Solutions Ltd, which repairs and services electrical equipment. The organisation recently accepted a £190,000 grant to help create 29 new jobs, through Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) from the Scottish Government.

Mr McMillan said;

"I am pleased to hear that the Enterprise Minister has visited Inverclyde and been able to attend Invec Solutions Ltd in Gourock.

"The funding support the organisation has received from the Scottish Government has been vital in allowing them to prosper and expand their workforce.

"During these difficult economic times it's essential that further employment opportunities are available within local communities and the Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) has allowed Invec Solutions Ltd to secure more jobs for Inverclyde.

"This is excellent news which I am sure will be welcomed by all in Inverclyde."

McMillan Delighted at Town Centre Regeneration Funding For Inverclyde

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) is delighted with the funding Riverside Inverclyde is to receive for Greenock from the Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

Mr. McMillan said;

"This is fantastic news for Greenock. We have seen a lot of great ongoing work to regenerate the area and this is a welcome boost from the SNP Government.

"Over £1 million going towards landscaping, new signs and public art I’m sure will be welcomed within the area and will give Greenock further encouragement for future regeneration.

"However, I would have liked to have seen some money for Gourock and Port Glasgow and I hope they are considered in the second round of funding which the applications close for at the end of the month".

McMillan Comments on Job Losses

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) has commented on the job losses at TSC announced today (Wednesday) in Greenock.

Mr. McMillan said;

"It is with regret that I heard this news today and I feel for those who will no longer be employed by TSC.

"I have spoken to the Enterprise Minister, Jim Mather, today and he reassures me the Scottish Government are doing all in their power to help businesses through this tough recession. I will be writing to him again to seek further information as to the future of such employment in the wider Inverclyde area.

"The First Minister is due to meet with T Mobile and TSC bosses next week and I hope the meeting will be fruitful and provide new employment opportunities for people in Inverclyde".

McMillan Welcomes Housing Cash Boost

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) has today welcomed over £34 cash boost for affordable housing across Inverclyde over the next year.

The Scottish Government funding will enable work to begin on new and improved homes for rent or low-cost ownership in the area. It is the second year of the £1.5 billion programme announced in 2008 to provide 21,500 new or improved affordable homes across Scotland by 2011.

Mr. McMillan said;

"When the SNP Government came into office they made it clear one of their main priorities would be to increase enormously the volume of affordable homes in Scotland. This package of £34.5 million for Inverclyde is a massive boost to the local housing situation and the local economy.

"One of the most common forms of complaint I hear when I have my surgeries relate to housing matters, and the Scottish Government's drive to increase the provision of affordable homes is recognition of that. The problem of a lack of affordable housing is not one specific to Inverclyde but one which is felt across Scotland.

"I am delighted the Scottish Government is therefore addressing the housing problem head on and this announcement is exactly what is required in Inverclyde during the current economic downturn".

McMillan Welcomes Commitment by Environment Minister to visit Inverclyde

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) has today welcomed the news that the Minister for Environment, Roseanna Cunningham MSP has accepted his invite to visit Inverclyde to view first hand the areas which flooded in December 2008.

The Minister was responding to a question raised by Mr. McMillan in the Scottish Parliament chamber where he asked what assistance the Scottish Government could provide Inverclyde to tackle flooding.

Mr McMillan said;

"I am delighted the Minister for Environment said she is happy to give the commitment to visit Inverclyde to view first hand the areas which flooded so dramatically at the end of last year.

"She also made it clear that Inverclyde Council do not currently have a flood prevention scheme but it is my understanding that it is due in the coming months. I hope it is before we see any more devastating flooding in Inverclyde which have already been too numerous.

"The Minister also made it clear that the Scottish Government would urge any councils in a similar position to Inverclyde to submit intended plans early on in the term so as to gain full advantage of assistance available.

"I recently met with SEPA and Scottish Water to discuss what could be done to prevent such flooding problems from occurring again in the future. Both meetings allowed me to take the organisations on site visits of where Inverclyde is prone to flood and make them aware of the problem.

"I think it's important the Minister for Environment comes to Inverclyde to see the problems and reassure constituents that the Scottish Government is doing everything in its power to tackle flooding.

"I look forward to greeting the Minister in Inverclyde in the not too distant future".

McMillan Welcomes Proposal for National Coastal Path

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP, West of Scotland) has today welcomed the proposals that are to be laid down in parliament by Alasdair Morgan MSP for a long-distance coastal path around Scotland .

Mr Morgan first raised the idea of a national coastal route with the former Scottish Executive in 2005 - since then he has pursued the issue researching other long-distance routes and found that Scotland already has many coastal paths which could be joined together into a unified long-distance route.

Mr McMillan said:

"I am pleased to welcome Alasdair Morgan's proposals particularly in relation to the potential effect they could have on Inverclyde. Inverclyde has a wonderful coastline and beautiful scenery and whilst it is utilised by some it has massive potential as an untapped natural resource.

"The proposals would help open up the coastline by not only making it more accessible to locals but also by making it inviting to tourists. This would provide a welcome boost to Inverclyde at a time of economic turmoil."

McMillan Urges Town Centre Funding for Inverclyde

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP, West of Scotland) has today written to the Scottish Government to ask how town centres in Inverclyde can benefit from a £60m Regeneration Fund announced in the Scottish Budget.

Mr McMillan said;

"It is no secret that the town centres within Inverclyde require much needed investment and regeneration to stimulate the local economy.

"Now the SNP Government has dedicated £60 million for Town Centres in Scotland, and I am determined to press the case for town centres in Inverclyde such as Gourock, which has seen a major lack of investment for decades as well as many proposals which have unfortunately been false dawns.

"That is why I have written to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance as a matter of urgency, and I look forward to hearing from him soon."

McMillan Welcomes HMIE Report

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP, West of Scotland) has today welcomed the HMIE report on services to protect children and young people in the Inverclyde Council area by lodging a motion in Parliament praising its findings

Mr McMillan said;

"The hard working groups and individuals who have helped to achieve such a positive report should be incredibly proud of their achievements. They are a credit to Inverclyde and the communities in which they serve.

"The report was universally positive. Of the 18 quality indicators, the Inverclyde Council area achieved 15 very good, two excellent and one good evaluation. It is important to recognise these achievements and the dedication of all those involved".