Inverurie Labour

MSP calls for “innovative thinking” on future of North East Post offices

2006-12-21T05:48:00.000-08:00

Baker asks whether services can be provided in existing community buildings

North East Scotland Labour MSP Richard Baker has called for innovative thinking about the future of post office services in the region.

Baker is to write to Communities Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council to ask whether post office services could be provided through existing local facilities, such as schools and community centres.

The MSP’s call comes ahead of a Scottish Parliament debate on the future of the Post Office

Network and follows the announcement earlier this month of a two-month consultation on the issue.

Richard Baker said:

"We need to both recognise that Post Offices face an increasingly challenging environment but also look hard at creative and innovative ways of ensuring rural communities in the North East and elsewhere continue to have access to post office services.

"I will be writing to both Aberdeenshire Council and Communities Scotland to ask whether there is scope for some post office services to be provided through existing facilities such as schools and community centres.

"It seems sensible to consider locating post offices in places which are already being used by significant numbers of people."

Baker added:

"I have no doubt that local communities in the North East will run vigorous campaigns to protect post office services in their areas and it is important that the government consultation on the future of the network takes on board these concerns and responds positively where possible."

Campaign for improvements to Inverurie Station, train services

2006-12-20T05:37:00.000-08:00

Neil Cardwell (left) with Richard Baker MSP at Inverurie station

North East Labour MSP Richard Baker has welcomed the announcement of improvements to Inverurie Station and hopes commuters in the area will benefit from the creation of an Aberdeen Crossrail network over the next few years.

CCTV Help point induction loops are to be installed while signage at the station is to be improved as part of a £20m investment in the rail network by the Labour-led Scottish Executive.

The draft Regional Transport Strategy, published earlier this month, includes plans to improve the frequency of services between Inverurie and Aberdeen to every half an hour by 2009.

The strategy also raises the possibility of a quarter-hourly service as part of an Aberdeen Crossrail network by 2012.

In May, Richard led a debate in the Scottish Parliament on the need for a Aberdeen Crossrail network to provide improved train services between communities like Inverurie and Aberdeen.

He said:

"The announcement of improvements in help point facilities and investment is signage is good news for passengers using Inverurie station.

"The increasing numbers of journeys being made to and from North East stations show that people are keen to use local rail services and I am campaigning for further improvements to both stations and services."

Local Labour prospective parliamentary candidate, Neil Cardwell has joined Richard in his campaign for improvements to stations and services in Gordon.

He said:

"Increased use of the local rail network brings significant economic and environmental benefiting and it is important we do everything we can to encourage more people to choose to travel by train.

"I am pleased to be supporting Richard Baker's campaign to make a refurbished Inverurie station part of an ambitious Aberdeen Crossrail network offering frequent commuter services between Inverurie and Aberdeen."

Inverurie residents asked for their views on crime

2006-11-28T10:42:00.000-08:00

The Labour candidate in Gordon is to launch a major survey to ask local residents in Inverurie for their views on antisocial behaviour.

Launching the survey, Neil Cardwell said:

"I know that too many people still have their quality of life reduced by the thoughtless actions of the small minority who engage in antisocial behaviour.

"I would like to hear from people throughout Gordon about the problems they are facing and how we can work to address them."

The survey follows a speech on the issue by Cardwell to the recent Scottish Labour Party Conference in Oban.

In his speech, Cardwell expressed his disappointment that Liberal Democrat – controlled Aberdeenshire Council has not made extensive use of the powers given to local authorities by the antisocial behaviour legislation championed by the Labour-led Scottish Executive.

Cardwell also noted the SNP’s opposition to using the powers that have been made available to councils to tackle litter, graffiti, vandalism and petty crime.

Speaking to delegates during a debate on Crime and Justice, he said:

"It is only because of Labour’s determination and strong insistence that Scotland today has the tools that it needs to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

"Litter in the streets, graffiti on buildings, vandalism at the bus stop, boy racers making life miserable for local residents – examples of the low-level, petty crime declared unimportant by the other parties.

"But not too unimportant for Labour to deal with.

"Petty crime will never be insignificant to us."

He concluded: "If you are fed up with local vandalism, feel threatened or intimidated as you walk along the street or worried about the gangs hanging around your local shops, don’t look to the Liberals or the SNP – they are not on your side.

"It is Labour that is the voice of our communities."

Local activists will be delivering the survey to thousands of homes across Gordon in the next few months.

The survey can also be completed online at the local Labour Party website at :

www.gordonlabour.org.uk/asb/index.htm

and the latest Inverurie news update can be downloaded there as well.

The site also has full coverage of Labour's Oban conference.

MSP takes Energy Institute campaign to Holyrood

2006-10-27T07:33:00.000-07:00

North East Labour MSP Richard Baker is leading a Scottish Parliament debate on Aberdeen’s bid for the National Energy Technologies Institute.

Baker believes Aberdeen’s expertise, skills and infrastructure in a range of energy sectors will make its bid for the Institute, which was announced by Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown in his March budget, the strongest and most substantial in the UK.

The £500m Institute’s remit will be to promote the development of low-carbon emitting, renewable and secure energy technologies.

The Treasury are to commit £250m while major oil companies BP, Shell, EDF and E.ON UK have each pledged £50m of funding.

Earlier this week, CBI Scotland threw its support behind the Aberdeen bid, as did the UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA).

Richard Baker said:
"As the energy capital of Europe, Aberdeen is the natural home for the new institute. Aberdeen can help ensure that the new institute achieves its goal of making the UK the world leader in energy research and development.

"I welcome the Executive’s support for a Scottish bid for the new institute.

"The Executive funded Institute for Intermediate Technology, based in Aberdeen, already commissions research from Scotland, Europe and the rest of the world.

"I believe this would be an excellent model for a new UK energy institute with its centre in Aberdeen acting as a hub for research carried out throughout Scotland and the UK.

"Energy is vital to the economic success of the North East and locating the institute in Aberdeen would secure and create thousands of jobs.

"The National Energy Technologies Institute would be a massive boost to the cutting-edge academic work already being done by both Aberdeen University and Robert Gordon University in the energy field.

"The fact that so many major energy companies have their international bases in Aberdeen illustrates the potential that exists in the North East for industry, academia and government to work together to advance energy research and development.

"It will be a tough and competitive bidding process and it is vital the public, private and political sectors work together to bring this exciting new development to Aberdeen.

"I will continue to work alongside Aberdeen’s MPs Frank Doran and Anne Begg to make sure the strongest possible case is presented to the UK government Ministers who will ultimately decide where to locate the new institute."

The full text of Richard Baker's speech can be read at :

http://www.gordonlabour.org.uk/eti/eti26102006.htm

Speech on knife crime by Richard Baker MSP

2006-10-18T06:07:00.000-07:00

Scottish Parliament 6 October 2006

Speech on knife crime

Richard Baker : I congratulate Alex Johnstone on securing the debate.

I am glad to hear that his sedentary position is down to a bad back, not to practising martial arts with Mr Davies.

I am pleased that we are debating such an important subject and I am pleased that the motion received cross-party support.

The motion is important because it highlights the need to take a range of measures to tackle the worrying culture of knife crime.

As members will be aware, the problem is not confined to certain parts of Scotland.

Historically, Glasgow has had particular problems with knife crime—no doubt Charlie Gordon will refer to that—but between January 2000 and June 2005,

Grampian police recorded 428 incidents when children aged between eight and 15 were charged with possession of an offensive weapon.

That is a particularly worrying statistic, as it indicates that the problem sometimes involves surprisingly young people.

Education on the dangers of possessing knives is clearly crucial—although that is not to say that the other efforts to reduce knife crime are not equally important.

The Executive has taken a strong lead in ensuring that more severe penalties are in place for those who are convicted of carrying knives and in giving the police new resources and powers to help them identify people who carry knives.

Stricter regulation of sales and measures to ban sales to under-16s have proved popular with people who have expressed concern about the issue to me.

More than 400 people signed a petition, which I organised, calling for just such measures.

It was handed to the minister last summer.

Others have followed the Executive's lead.

For example, retailers have chosen to withdraw certain knives from sale.

That kind of action is important.

The Government alone cannot end the knife culture: that requires action throughout Scottish society and, as Alex Johnstone said, education must be an essential part of that.

Mark Davies's briefing to members yesterday about how he educates young people on knife crime, showing them the dangers of carrying a knife, was extremely informative and it showed just what a difference education can make.

Mark has certainly found that it has made a real difference to many of the young people whom he has been educating.

I hope that the Executive will build on its excellent work on this issue by encouraging more education campaigns to discourage young people from carrying knives, as well as by providing education beyond schools for the whole the community.

I hope that schools and education authorities will recognise the great value of education programmes of the kind Mr Davies has pioneered and that they will pave the way for more such initiatives so that we finally achieve the reduction in knife crime that we all want.

MSP urges Inverurie residents to have their say on licensing guidance and regulations

2006-10-11T12:45:00.000-07:00

Marlyn Glen, the North East Scotland MSP is calling on Inverurie residents to have their say on new plans aimed at helping reduce alcohol related health problems and antisocial behaviour.

Ms. Glen wants anyone in Inverurie with an interest in local licensing plans to make sure they take part in an Executive consultation which will shape guidance and regulations contained within the Licensing Act.

The consultation on the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 Draft Guidance and Regulations started on Monday 9 October and will run until 8 December.

The consultation asks those taking part their views on :

*Premises, mandatory, discretionary, occasional and personal licences

*Mandatory licence conditions for late night and adult entertainment venues

*Controls and regulations to tackle underage drinking

Speaking about the consultation, Ms. Glen said,

"The Licensing Act, passed last year, is designed to break the link between irresponsible drinking and crime by tackling under-age drinking, cracking down on binge drinking and supporting communities.

"This consultation goes further by asking residents, businesses and interested parties to give their views on the guidance and regulations which will be contained within the Act and is expected to come into force in 2009.

This is a real opportunity for local residents to make sure they get to have their say."

The consultation document is available on her Ms. Glen’s website at :

http://www.mglen.org.uk/licensing.htm

MSP backs North East church groups helping to make poverty history

2006-10-01T09:27:00.000-07:00

North East Scotland MSP Richard Baker has congratulated local churches, charities and community groups throughout the North East for their efforts to raise awareness of poverty in developing countries as the Scottish Executive today announced it is to increase the International Development Fund.

The fund, which supports projects in some of the world’s poorest nations, will rise from £m to £4.5m in the next two years.

The latest round of funding allocations, also announce today, will see 24 projects in Malawi, Swaziland, Ethiopia, Namibia, and the areas affected by the Tsunami and the Asian Earthquake sharing £3.1m in support over the next three years.

Richard Baker said, "Last year, the Make Poverty History campaign demonstrated the concerns and determination of people across the UK to end poverty and deprivation in the third world.

"Churches, charities and community groups throughout the North East are contributing to this effort through their tireless work to raise funds and support projects helping developing nations build their own future.

"I am pleased that the Scottish Executive has recognised this and pledged to increase its commitment to international development so significantly.

"Church groups in Aberdeen have been particularly involved in building links with Malawi and other developing nations.

"I would like to see these groups, and charity and voluntary groups throughout the North East supporting the work of some of the projects that this new funding will support. "

Link : http://www.makepovertyhistory.org

Link : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/5389962.stm

MSP backs North East church groups helping to make poverty history

2006-10-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

Richard Baker MSP - Speech in the Scottish Parliament : St. Andrew's Day Bank Holiday Bill 28th. September

2006-09-30T03:04:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to close for Labour in a debate that has emphasised a desire across the Parliament for St Andrew's day to be a national day of celebration and a holiday.

The fact that so many members signed up to Dennis Canavan's bill showed the great level of support across the chamber for the intentions of his bill, although, as we have heard, those intentions might not be as easy to achieve as we might initially have thought.

Iain Smith is right to say that we have benefited from having taken the time to consider the issues around the bill and develop a partnership approach to taking it forward, although the SNP has demeaned that approach today.

We come to mark St Andrew's day in a way that is fitting for a day of national celebration.

That is why members on the Labour benches warmly welcomed the joint statement by the First Minister and Dennis Canavan.

The statement was crucial in ensuring that the effect and intention of the bill will be widely understood.

As Susan Deacon said, we must be clear about what the bills that we pass will achieve.

Just as important, we must ensure that people outwith the Parliament are clear about the effect of those bills.

I think that the experience of the process that the bill has gone through should be reflected on by the Executive and Parliament.

The debate around the bill has been helpful in clarifying the fact that it will take more than a bill on its own to achieve the intentions of the bill.

Stewart Maxwell was wrong in his criticism of the Executive's position.

His strategy would fail to gain the broad support that is required for this measure.

I say to him and Michael Matheson that no party or person in the chamber has a greater claim than any other party or person has to taking pride in St Andrew's Day.

Further, I disagree with Stewart Maxwell and Murdo Fraser's view that the extra time that we have had in which to debate this measure has not been useful.

Whatever people feel about the quality of the report of the Enterprise and Culture Committee, the fact that there was further time to consider the issues has been helpful in that it enabled us to reach the point of agreement that we have reached and also to ensure that we are aware of what the bill does and what other measures will need to be taken to make it work.

As the minister and Dennis Canavan said, by taking a lead in organising events of celebration and encouraging local people and organisations to organise their own events, the Executive will encourage people across Scotland to take St Andrew's day as a holiday and to take part in events to celebrate it.

We should think carefully about what we want St Andrew's day to mean for us.

Obviously, we hope that there will be economic benefits.

However, I agree with Shiona Baird that the issue is not only about economics.

What is it, exactly, that we are celebrating?

As Donald Gorrie and Kenny MacAskill suggested, some people will ask why we should have St Andrew and not, for example, St Columba as our national saint.

As Duncan McNeil suggested, some will ask why, in a multicultural, multifaith country such as Scotland, we should celebrate a Christian saint at all.

However, as Jamie Stone said, it is in the significance that St Andrew has to many that we may find the answer to those questions.

St Andrew is not only our patron saint; he is the patron saint of Sicily, Greece, Russia, Romania and Malta.

I was pleased to hear the First Minister emphasise the fact that he regards St Andrew's day as an opportunity for Scotland to celebrate its cultural diversity and membership of the international community. Dennis Canavan, too, endorsed those goals today.

For many years, the Scottish Trades Union Congress has used St Andrew's day to celebrate anti-racism and internationalism.

It is fitting for a modern Scotland to celebrate not simply by reflecting on our past but by cherishing the new and future Scotland and celebrating the people from a variety of cultures and ethnic backgrounds who have made their homes here.

I hope that the Parliament will pass the bill and, with its help, I look forward to a national day of celebrations that will be embraced by all the people of Scotland.

Call for greater assistance for cancer patients

2006-09-21T02:07:00.000-07:00

Marlyn Glen, North East Scotland Labour MSP, has written to Scottish Health Minister Andy Kerr calling for greater financial support for cancer patients during their period of treatment.

Ms. Glen, who met representatives of Macmillan Cancer Support recently, said that Macmillan were asking for action on several points

"Travelling to hospital for treatment on numerous occasions can be expensive, " she said.

"The Hospital Travel Scheme Costs reimburses only specific groups of patients such as those in receipt of Working Tax and Child Tax credits, Income Support and Income-Based Job Seekers Allowance are, as well as those qualifying through the NHS Low Income Scheme.

" The Executive should promote this more widely and amend the procedures for claims for reimbursement of travel costs to take account of the condition of the patient during the cycle of treatment.

"The Executive should consider extending the principles behind the Highland and Islands Travel Scheme to the rest of the country.

"There, patients have the advantage of reimbursement if they live over 30 miles from a hospital, while paying the first £8.

"Those on benefit are exempt.

" The Executive can help patients undergoing many sessions of treatment at hospitals such as those receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy by allowing for an exemption from hospital car parking charges to be considered.

"The Executive should encourage guidelines being established for benefits advisors receiving cancer awareness training.

"The complexity of the illness requires advisors to have a working knowledge and understanding of cancer to offer the best possible advice on benefits and finance.

"Patients need to focus all of their energies on their treatment and their prognosis, and not to be distracted in any way by worrying financial burdens that arise from travel costs."

Campaign for deaf services in our Countryside

2006-09-16T04:02:00.000-07:00

Richard Baker is seeking reassurances that action is being taken at national and local levels to improve access to the countryside for deaf and hearing impaired people.

He has tabled parliamentary questions and will be writing to Aberdeenshire Council on the issue.

Scottish Natural Heritage have published the first study into access to the countryside for deaf people in Scotland.

The study highlights the need to improve services for deaf people, including better and more freely written information, the presence of sign language interpreters at large guided walks or events, and greater awareness of the needs of deaf people amongst front-line staff working to promote access to the countryside.

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 requires that the needs of disabled people are accommodated as far as possible when visiting the countryside.

Part 1 of the Land Reform Act passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2003 includes statutory rights of responsible public access to the countryside and requires landowners to manage their land responsibly in respect of people exercising those access rights.

Richard says: “The North East has a huge amount of beautiful countryside and it is important that everyone in the region is able to benefit from it.

"No-one should be denied the chance to experience anything the countryside has to offer because of a disability.

"The research published by Scottish Natural Heritage is an important and ground-breaking contribution to the debate and it needs to be followed up by action to improve the experiences of deaf people visiting our countryside.

“Each of us has a responsibility to enjoy the countryside with consideration for others and for land owners.

"Local and national government have a responsibility to help ensure that everyone, regardless of disability, can benefit from the educational and recreational opportunities offered by countryside.

“The report highlights the need for greater use of sign language interpreters and written information at countryside events and visitor centres, and these are initiatives which could be taken forward by both the Scottish Executive and local authorities.

"I have tabled questions in the Scottish Parliament and will be writing to Aberdeenshire Council seeking reassurances that services for deaf people visiting the countryside are very much on the agenda.”

Richard has tabled the following Parliamentary Questions:

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve access to the countryside for deaf people.

To ask the Scottish Executive what action is taking to improve and enhance the recreational and educational experiences of deaf people visiting the countryside.

Access to the Countryside for Deaf Visitors was carried out for Scottish Natural Heritage by OPENspace, the centre for inclusive access to the outdoors based at Edinburgh College of Art and Heriot-Watt University.

It can be accessed at http://www.snh.org.uk

Richard Baker's plea on play areas

2006-09-15T05:13:00.000-07:00

North East MSP Richard Baker is calling on the public, private and voluntary sectors in the region to work together to increase the provision of outdoor play areas in childcare centres.

Statistics released earlier by the Scottish Executive indicate that 66.8% of centres providing childcare in Aberdeen have an outdoor play area. In Aberdeenshire, the figures is slightly lower, at 65.7%.

Nationally, 68.7% of centres have an outdoor play area.

Mr. Baker is pointing out that, while the figures in the North East are comparable to the national average, they are lower than a number of other local authorities.

In Moray, over 80% of centres have an outdoor play area while in Perth and Kinross the figure is 76.6% of centres.

Mr. Baker believes early access to outdoor recreation can get children into the habit of exercising and increase their chance of leading a healthy lifestyle.

He said:

"The vast majority of childcare providers in the North East, be they public, private or run by the voluntary sector, offer children a secure and stimulating environment that includes access to play and recreation.

"However, I think we should still be concerned that over a third of childcare centres in the North East do not have an outdoor play area.

"I hope that Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Councils will be working with the private and voluntary sectors to address this.

"Outdoor play benefits children socially, physically and mentally.

"The earlier we can introduce our children to exercise and healthy living, the greater the chance of them continuing those habits as they get older.

"A healthy next generation benefits us all so I would like to see local authorities in the North East working with childcare centres and providers to find ways of increasing the number of outdoor play facilities in the region."