Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Cathy Peattie has called on the Scottish Government to do more to support the Antonine Wall and the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway. Cathy used the debate on Scotland’s Historic Environment to highlight the national and international importance of the World Heritage site and industrial museums such as the railway – “unique resources for our economy and our people” – and the difficulties they face and the potential they have to benefit the area and Scotland as a whole, given adequate government support and funding.

“With regard to the Wall, Falkirk and other councils are working with Historic Scotland, but without extra resources. They are told that the future may bring funding from public and private sources, but there is nothing on the table yet. Hadrian’s Wall is well supported by England. In Scotland, we have been promised jam tomorrow, but we are struggling to get even bread and butter today.

“Industrial museums are also very much the poor cousins of the sector, despite the large numbers of visitors who go through their doors. The railway museum at Bo’ness is a national treasure, and not just for Scotland, as some exhibits are unique in the UK. More can be done to give support. Such support is a win-win situation for people and the economy.

“The Scottish Railway Preservation Society is raring to go with its many plans to extend its work and expand the scope of its activities for volunteers from a wide variety of backgrounds – the existing locomotives have been refurbished on site by volunteers who have lovingly given their time, labour and expertise to the task. The SRPS would like to add a station at the Manuel junction with the main line. However, it can only do these things if funding can be found.

“Like the Wall, the railway provides enormous opportunity to enhance our historic environment and our economy. If we do not provide adequate funding then we are in danger of being left on the platform after the train has departed.”

Ends

full speech – http://snipurl.com/taj1

Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie has called on the Scottish Government to provide more investment for work-based training in Community Learning and Development, highlighting the work of the local Linked Work and Training Trust Central.

The Minister has agreed to facilitate a meeting on the issue with the Funding Council.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Cathy Peattie asked the Minister “what support is being provided for apprenticeships and work-based training in community learning and development.”

The Minister, Keith Brown, admitted that “there is currently no specific community learning and development modern apprenticeship framework.” but noted that “organisations delivering CLD may access support for apprentices undertaking other frameworks such as learning and development, management and business administration. The Scottish Government has supported the development of work-based training in community learning and development and is committed to ensuring flexible provision that builds a skilled and confident CLD workforce.”

In a supplementary question, Cathy Peattie asked: “Given its importance in delivering the Scottish community empowerment action plan, better community engagement and effective partnership working with Scottish communities, will the Scottish Executive explore with the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council how investment in work-based training, such as the training that is provided by Linked Work and Training Trust Central can be better supported?”

The Minister replied: “I congratulate Cathy Peattie on her recent appointment to an Opposition spokesperson’s post. I recognise the work that she has done with the Linked Work and Training Trust Central, which obviously also covers my area. There are potentially two routes through which this could be progressed. One is through Skills Development Scotland and the apprenticeship model. As Cathy Peattie said, it could also be progressed through the funding council. There are issues to do with that. The funding council currently designates as part-time students people who are taking the bachelor of arts in community learning and development degree programme, so it does not attract funding. As I have spoken with Cathy Peattie already, I am happy to facilitate a further discussion with her, me and the funding council, if that would be helpful.”

Cathy said that she had spoken to the Minister before the interchange in the chamber.

“I’m pleased to say that he is supportive. This is an important form of training with great potential for expansion, so I am hoping that the Scottish Government will use its influence and resources to make sure that it is better supported.”

Cathy is a longstanding supporter of work-based training in general and the local Linked Work and Training Trust Central in particular, and is currently the Convener of the Trust (an unremunerated post).

Falkirk Council will have £7.29m less to spend as a result of budget changes by the Scottish Government.

An analysis of the official budget tables published by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, shows that the share of the total Scottish Government budget provided to local government is falling, from 34.7 per cent in 2006-07 to 33.9 per cent in 2010-11.

Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie said:

“Across Scotland, this is a drop in funding of £270 million, and with Falkirk Council getting 2.7% of the Scottish local authority budget, that’s a cut of £7.29m locally. Add to that the Council Tax freeze and funding responsibilities that have been transferred from central to local government, and it’s clear that the pressure on local authority budgets is increasing enormously.

“This is happening despite the Scottish Government having £600 million more to spend than last year and greater resources than any previous administration.”

The Leader of Falkirk Council, Linda Gow, said:

“These cuts will impact on the services we are able to provide for the citizens of Falkirk Council area. We have one of the lowest Council Tax rates in Scotland and having frozen it for the past two years, the proposed freeze this year again means that the Government is making it more difficult for us to deliver services. It is ironic that a Government who declines to use its own tax raising powers seeks to prevent Local Government from using theirs to the benefit of those it serves”.

Shadow Local Government Secretary Michael McMahon said:

“The SNP Government is ripping off local councils by £270 million. Their decision to spend less than Labour on locally delivered services, like education and social work, is already having a real impact on the front line. Even councils run by the SNP, like Dundee and Edinburgh, are complaining that they are being forced by John Swinney to choose between cutting vital services and putting up Council Tax. He has introduced Tory capping by the back door.”

Note: If the Scottish Government had maintained local government’s share of the overall Scottish budget of £35,029.9m at 34.7 per cent, as it was under Labour, councils would have received £12,155.4m in 2010-11. This is £270.1m more than the £11,885.3m they have been allocated by the SNP in the draft budget. The percentage of the total received by Falkirk Council is based on the allocation received in 2009-10. For data, see http://snipurl.com/tajod

Cathy and Patrick Harvie at the launch of the Active Travel Inquiry

Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie is now Labour’s Scottish Parliament spokesperson on Climate Change, following a Shadow Cabinet reshuffle.

Cathy said that she is looking forward to the challenge of her new role.

“Having been very involved with the Scottish Parliament’s Climate Change Bill, which has been recognised internationally for the strength of its provisions, I am now keen to ensure that the legislation translates into equally strong action by Scottish Government, local authorities and other public bodies, working with civic organisations, businesses and the people of Scotland.”

She will also continue as Deputy Convener of the Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee, which has just launched an Inquiry into Active Travel.

Speaking about the Inquiry, Cathy said:

“Active travel benefits people’s health and the environment. We want to encourage more people to change their travel habits and opt for walking and cycling as main forms of transport.

“We are seeking views not just from organisations, but from anyone with an interest or involvement in walking, cycling and other form of active travel, about how they choose to travel, and what incentives would make people participate in more active travel.

“We will be looking at what progress has been made and what can be done to remove barriers and increase numbers walking and cycling. We will also consider active travel schemes operating in other countries.”

For further information, contact Cathy or visit the Scottish Parliament website http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/ticc/inquiries/ActiveTravelViews.htm

Cathy with the new £50 banknote

Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie has welcomed the new Clydesdale banknote designs – particularly the new £50 note.

Cathy said: “I am doubly pleased by this new design. On one side, the the note shows Scots doctor and suffragette Elsie Inglis, one of Scotland’s most inspirational women. On the other side is an an image of the Antonine Wall, an important part of my constituency’s heritage.

“It’s great to see the Antonine Wall included in the new design. Given the Wall’s historic importance and status as a World Heritage Site, it deserves greater recognition and exposure. I know that the council is working hard to promote the Wall, and I will be lobbying for more support from the Scottish Government.

“Without a doubt, Elsie Inglis is one of Scotland’s greatest pioneering women, both as a doctor and as a proponent of women’s suffrage and equality. She is famed for her medical work, founding the Edinburgh Hospital and Dispensary for Women and Children - now the ‘Elsie Inglis Memorial Hospital’ – and renowned for her work in the First World War, setting up the Abbaye de Royaumont hospital in France, and a total of 14 medical units across Europe. As an ardent campaigner for women’s rights, she helped to create the Scottish Women’s Suffrage Federation.”

Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie, Convener of the Cross Party Group on Carers, helping to launch Scotland’s first ever Charter of Rights for people with dementia and their carers.

Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie, who chairs the Cross Party Group on carers at the Scottish Parliament, said that there are “more than 69,500 people living in Scotland who have been diagnosed with dementia, and this is projected to increase to 127,000 by 2031. People with dementia and their carers have the same human rights as every other citizen. However, it is widely recognised that, in addition to the impact of the illness, they face cultural, social and economic barriers to fulfilling these.

“This Charter aims to empower people with dementia, those who support them and the community as a whole to ensure their rights are recognised and respected. In recent years numerous reports have demonstrated that levels of care for people with dementia are simply not at a high enough standard. The publication of a Charter of Rights for people with dementia and their carers is long overdue.”

Cathy wants people to give their support to the Charter by “signing up” online at http://www.dementiarights.org/support-the-charter/

The Charter was developed by the Scottish Parliaments Cross Party Group on Alzheimer’s which brought together MSPs and external organisations, including Alzheimer Scotland, the Mental Welfare Commission, the Scottish Human Rights Commission, Crossreach and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. The final document is the culmination of over half a year’s work, including a series of roadshows throughout Scotland which brought together service users, medical professionals and care home staff.

Henry Simmons, Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland, said: “For too long the rights of people with dementia and their carers have been in the shadows. Although they have the same rights as everyone else in Scotland, people with dementia have become disadvantaged, disenfranchised and disowned. We call on as many people as possible to sign up in support of this Charter, which we want to act as both a charter mark for service providers and a key influence on the National Dementia Strategy that’s currently in development.”

Duncan Wilson, Head of Strategy and Legal at the Scottish Human Rights Commission, said: “This Charter brings some long overdue focus on empowering people with dementia to understand and claim their rights, and will help to increase the ability – and accountability – of those responsible for caring for vulnerable adults. The Commission welcomes the efforts of the Cross-Party Group to reflect international human rights standards in their work. Looking ahead, we hope that a wide range of public and private bodies will be encouraged to make human rights part of their day to day work with older people.”

Cathy Peattie MSP with HSE board member Danny Carrigan, HSE Chief Executive Geoffrey Podger, and Chair of the HSE Judith Hackitt.

On Tuesday evening, 22nd September, Cathy hosted a meeting for the Health and Safety Executive in the Scottish Parliament.

“It was good to get so many people together to discuss how we can improve health and safety in Scotland,” said Cathy.

“There is a lot being done to address poor health and safety, but there are still many problems and I am particularly concerned that Scotland has higher rates than the rest of the UK, fewer successful prosecutions, and relatively low levels of fine being imposed. I think there needs to be a formal initiative that brings together and coordinates health and safety action in Scotland, to maximise the benefits of existing work, and to identify what can be done to address the “Scottish Safety Anomaly”. I know some people think that this is down to a different mix of employment and a different culture, but if that’s the case, let’s not use it as an excuse – we need to tackle the causes.”

Cathy signed up to the HSE pledge

We, the undersigned: 

• Agree to play our part in reducing the numbers of work-related deaths, injuries and ill-health in Great Britain.
• Call on employers to put health and safety at the heart of what they do and to take a common sense approach to health and safety.
• Commit to debunking myths around health and safety that trivialise the impact of injuries, ill health and deaths on individuals and their families.
• Recognise the importance of health and safety in difficult economic times and the dangers of complacency.
• Pledge to work with the Health and Safety Executive and its partners to Be Part of the Solution.

The HSE would like companies to sign the pledge – the form is on http://www.hse.gov.uk/strategy/signup.htm

Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie has called for action on pavement parking and other road safety hazards.

Speaking in a Scottish Parliament debate on road safety, Cathy highlighted the problems pedestrians face because of badly parked vehicles:

“Children are forced to use busy roads when going to and from school. Although we are extremely grateful for the dedication of crossing patrols, the plight of children, the elderly, wheelchair users and those with prams is made worse by obstacles, not the least of which is pavement parking. It is a recipe for an accident when vehicles park on the pavement and pedestrians are forced to use the road. Badly parked vehicles can also make it difficult to see oncoming traffic. More could be done to tackle those problems, perhaps by enforcing existing laws or by creating new byelaws. Failing that, we should consider what legislation we could introduce in the Parliament. We must ensure that people take responsibility for their parking. Motorists should realise the effect that bad parking has on children, young people and others who have to walk on the road. For those who do not take their responsibilities seriously, we need to have recourse to legal remedies.”

Cathy also called for

“Instead of taxing cyclists, we should improve their lot,” said Cathy. “We want more people to get on their bikes, so we should do what we can do to make the roads safe for them. Young cyclists could benefit from better training but what would benefit them most is more consideration from other road users.”

She also argued for better consultation with vulnerable road users.

“When we consider road safety improvements, we should pay more attention to the views of those who are endangered by bad practices. We should not only give out fridge magnets and lecture children; we should consult schools and the young people who attend them when we formulate policy. Getting it right for all road users is about persuading people to travel safely and sustainably. We should encourage and protect those who use environmentally friendly modes of transport.”

Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie wants people to be wary of doorstep charity collections.

She has been contacted by a constituent from Whitecross about leaflets being put through the door for an “urgently needed clothing collection”.

“The leaflets contain no company name or contact information,” said Cathy, “but my constituent tracked them down before approaching me. Their company registration number revealed that they are W&W Help Ltd., who were wound up in March for failing to submit accounts. They have since been found leafletting in various locations, requesting donations of old and unwanted clothes to help people in developing or eastern European countries. I understand that that as a result of these activities, they are being investigated by police and Trading Standards.”

“People should be aware that collections like this can be charitable or commercial. Both are legitimate if they work within their respective rules, and you can check them out using their charity registration numbers or company details. Personally though, I would advise caution when approached by doorstep collections. If it’s a charity you don’t know, and you cannot tell or aren’t sure about the collection, it’s safer to recycle clothes or take them to a charity shop.”

Will Scotland be excluded from UK Equality legislation?

UK legislation to tackle inequality and discrimination may not apply in Scotland if the Scottish Government gets its way.

Westminster’s Equality Bill contains a commitment to ensuring that spending by government at every level and by public bodies is scrutinised to ensure that it is fair to all, including a duty which would mean public bodies would have to consider how its decisions might tackle inequality – for example, in health and education.

Nicola Sturgeon, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, wrote to the UK Government on 25th March saying that she was not prepared to extend this “socio-economic duty” to Scotland.

The Scottish Parliament’s Equal Opportunities Committee, however, agreed unanimously that the Scottish Government should consult on this measure and the Scottish Government has now responded to that pressure.

Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie said that she was worried that services such as health and education would not address economic and social disadvantage if the UK legislation was not adopted in Scotland.

“If you share my concerns, then tell Nicola Sturgeon that she must extend this to Scotland. It is not enough to claim that disadvantage is being tackled, we need to have an obligation to tackle disadvantage and transparency so that we can see whether problems are being addressed.

“The Scottish Government consultation says that this issue is primarily for public bodies; I believe it is a matter for everyone who wishes to see a fairer, more just, Scotland. If you don’t want Scotland to fall behind in the struggle against inequality and discrimination, you can either respond to the consultation direct; or write to Nicola Sturgeon MSP; or write to or email me as your local MSP.”

The Scottish Government consultation has now been launched and can be accessed at www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/08/Socio-EconomicDuty

The closing date is 26th October 2009.