Scottish Parliament News
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Cathy Peattie MSP
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FirstBus “could do better”FirstBus have agreed that there are problems in the Bo'ness area, says Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie, and they are willing to meet the public to discuss the way forward.
“When I met the company recently,” said Cathy, “we discussed
a range of complaints from “In recent months we've had buses that don't turn up, apparently frequently due to breakdowns; and we've had buses that turn up in the wrong place and go away without letting anyone get on. There is general dissatisfaction about the timetable, and a variety of other complaints. “In the past, FirstBus has tended to shy away from their problems, but to their credit, this time they agreed to confront these issues, face to face with the public, through a Bo'ness User Forum. I'm happy to help facilitate this, and would like anyone who wishes to be involved to contact me.
I will of course be in touch with everyone whose individual cases I already
have taken up.” Canal FundingCathy Peattie MSP welcomed extra Scottish Executive funding announced
for local canal projects. Funding includes £50,000 to develop the economic study of possible alternative access to Forth & Clyde canal from the Firth of Forth via the River Carron; a £50,000 contribution to the capital costs of the Waterways Trust Scotland's Action Outdoors Activity Centre on the Union Canal at Falkirk; and £50,000 to develop freight movements on the Union & Forth &Clyde Canals. There is also a total of £600,000 Scotland wide for mooring improvements
and other works. This includes significant improvements to facilities
for boaters and work on possible new canal developments. Free Eye TestsFalkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie is confident that everyone will have access to a free and complete eye examination by 2007, following the announcement of an agreement with Optometry Scotland on the standard and fee for such tests. “This announcement means that people in Scotland will benefit, free of charge, from an assessment which is more comprehensive than the current standard sight test,” said Cathy. “This will help to detect increasingly common eye problems like early stage cataracts or symptoms of diabetes. We want optometrists to be the first point of contact for eye problems and for eye examinations to be performed appropriate to patients' symptoms and needs. “A regular eye test can help you make the most of your sight and
is vital in keeping your eyes healthy. Culture Report lambasted for ignoring disabilityFalkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie deplores the lack of consideration of disability issues in the 500+ pages of the Cultural Commission report. She also calls better mechanisms for the allocation and distribution of funding; and for a bigger share of broadcasting time for Scottish artists. Speaking in the Scottish Parliament debate on the Cultural Commission report, Cathy Peattie MSP said that there were only four references to disability in the main text. These were to “architectural design; the financial burden of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; home deliveries from the Falkirk library - a good library, I have to say; and, social security in Croatia. “Beyond references to being able to get into buildings, I found next to nothing about how to ensure that artists, performers and the public have equal access to and entitlement to participate in the cultural life of our nation regardless of disability. “The report proposes a conference about young people and transport, which is a great idea, but why not a conference on disability and the arts? After all, young disabled people face multiple barriers. They are excluded from cultural events and the issues are not only about transport but about prejudice and lack of facilities. Young disabled people are told, 'I'm sorry, there's no loos,' or, 'There's boxes in the loo for the disabled folk,' or, 'You can't come because you're a fire hazard.' That inequality is not acceptable. Mainstreaming equality means that proper consideration should be given to those issues, not only by the Parliament and its Equal Opportunities Committee but also by those who consider our cultural policy.” On funding, Cathy said: “I do not think that we need another body with its own institutional agenda, impervious to the views of other stakeholders. We must democratise the arts, creating a mechanism that allows for a diversity of stakeholders to influence the development of the arts ... “ and calling for more airtime for Scottish music, “there should be a digital radio station devoted to the music of contemporary Scotland (which) should not be a substitute for more prominent use of such material by Radio Scotland.” Remember Remember ... new fireworks lawsFalkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie is appealing to constituents to report
the anti social use of fireworks to the police. “It is now illegal to let off fireworks between 11pm and 7am,” said Cathy, “and anyone caught breaking the curfew could face a fine of up to £5000 and/or up to 6 months in prison. It's also illegal for retailers to sell fireworks throughout the year without a full license. “The law changed last year, and seems to have been a deterrent, but with bonfire night approaching, we need to make sure that the new laws are as effective as possible. That's why I am asking people to report retailers selling fireworks to under 18s, and the use of fireworks between 11pm and 7am, or any other anti social use of fireworks, for example where it causes distress to elderly people and pet owners.” |
Tackling Knife CrimeA new Bill will see a range of new measures to strengthen police effectiveness, crackdown on knife crime and improve community safety. Proposals in the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill include doubling the maximum penalty for carrying a knife in public from two years to four years; banning the manufacture, sale or hire of disguised lethal knives and batons; increasing the minimum age for buying a non-domestic knife from 16 to 18; banning football hooligans from grounds and improving security around parades and marches. Cathy has campaigned for these measures and recently presented a petition from her constituents to Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson (photograph pf handover sent by email) "This Bill will give local police the powers it needs,” said Cathy, “to help make communities throughout my constituency safer. We need strict new laws to deal with knife related crime and disorder in the community and I particularly welcome the tough proposals to deal with this menace. The Bill will also crackdown on those involved in football related violence – whether sectarian, racist or hate crime. Local police will be given the powers to take finger prints while out on the beat and arrest those they believe may be carrying a knife. It will also give my constituents more of a say in the organisation of public marches and parades in their community.” Other measures included in the Bill will target the so-called ‘Mr Bigs’ of the crime world by strengthening prosecutor's ability to encourage those accused of crimes to give information to them and the police about others involved in serious and organised crime, to help get more criminals off our streets. Screening programme for Bowel CancerCathy Peattie MSP has welcomed a new initiative to tackle bowel cancer. “Despite improved cancer services and reduced cancer deaths, cancer remains a major killer,” said Cathy. “In Scotland, bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths – 1550 people last year. I am delighted that, following successful pilot schemes, the programme will be extended to Forth Valley. “The programme provides home testing kits and means results will be returned within two weeks of receipt, reducing the anxiety of attending clinics and hospitals for screening, and the stress and uncertainty of waiting for results.
“We are now placing more emphasis on preventative measures to ensure
symptoms are detected and Girls and EducationFalkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie played host last week to Save the Children
in the Scottish Parliament, “Save the Children's research shows that 60 million girls around the world have never entered a primary school,” said Cathy. “That's the equivalent of the population of the UK. “In 2000, the United Nations agreed that by 2005 as many girls as boys would get a primary education but they have failed to meet this target - the first Millennium Development Goal to be missed.” “Save the Children is stepping up its campaign to get girls around the world into education, and I was glad to help get the message across to MSPs. “The research demonstrates that school fees are the biggest barrier to girls going to school. That's why I'm backing Save the Children's call to get school fees abolished by 2006.” Special Educational Needs : help for school leaversFalkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie has tackled the Scottish Executive over the lack of help for Special Educational Needs students leaving school for college. Speaking at Question Time, Cathy began by asking her tabled question about assistance for mainstream schools supporting pupils with special educational needs, to which the Minister, Robert Brown, replied that there were a “wide range of mechanisms ... (including) funding, guidance, resources and staff training.” Cathy, who is Convener of Holyrood's Equal Opportunities Committee, then used her supplementary question to target problems around transitional arrangements for pupils who leave school. “In its inquiry on removing barriers to disability,” she said, ”the Equal Opportunities Committee heard that a number of pupils wait nine to 12 months before the arrangements are put in place. Often, when pupils go on to college they have to fight again to get the additional educational support that they require to enable them to participate. Colleges are saying the same thing. Will the Scottish Executive examine the issue?” Accepting that this was a problem, the Minister said that new arrangements
would be introduced in November: “Local authorities will be required
to ensure that, at least a year before people leave school, arrangements
for what will follow are in place and have been discussed with the appropriate
authorities.” “The system will be reviewed in 12 to 18 months,” said Cathy. “So, to ensure that the system works well, it is important that issues are raised with Executive and HMI, and that they address them immediately, and in the context of the subsequent review. I would of course welcome contact from any constituents with concerns about this or any other aspect of SEN provision.” £49,500 award for Victoria ParkThe Scottish Executive have announced awards totalling £1m – with £49,500 going to Bo'ness Victoria Park for the “transformation of degraded woodland areas to deliver the community’s vision for improved access and recreational facilities, habitat enhancement and improved woodland management.” “I'm really pleased that a local project has done so well. This is the second largest grant - a major contribution towards the estimated cost, £117,331,” said Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie. “The award is part of the Scottish Executive's Greenspace programme. It's all about providing places where people and children can play, relax, and enjoy nature. There is a widespread feeling that the quality of our green space is deteriorating. This programme aims to ensure that does not happen.” |
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