Category Archives: Fife News

Fife Alcohol Support Service

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Yesterday I met with Fife Alcohol Support Service (FASS) at their offices in Kirkcaldy to discuss the work they carry out throughout the Kingdom in offering free and confidential advice and counselling for those who either have, or are affected by those with, alcohol problems.

Alcohol related problems can strike anyone regardless of age, sex, or social status. It is therefore important that there are organisations such as Fife Alcohol Support Service available to offer free and confidential advice.

Claire gets a free Diabetes test with Asda

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I recently visited Asda in Kirkcaldy to take part in their free diabetes tests that they are offering shoppers in their pharmacies throughout Scotland. The offer allows customers to undertake a free diabetes screening test whilst doing their weekly shop, without having to make a prior appointment.

With the pharmacies being open seven days a week, including bank holidays, and with late opening hours Monday to Saturday it is hoped that it will encourage shoppers to take a test and reduce the number of people who are suffering with undiagnosed diabetes in Scotland.

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Claire meets Citizens Advice over payday loans

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I recently met with the Citizens Advice Service Scotland in my office in Kirkcaldy to discuss the work they are undertaking across the Kingdom, particularly with regards to the rise of payday lenders. 

The meeting focused on the ‘Continuous Payment Authority’ which can be included in many payday loan agreements and provides the lender authorisation to take money from the customers’ bank account without having to give prior notice. Continue reading →

Award Winning Bakers

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Recently in Parliament I raised the success of Fife’s Bakers at the 2013 Baker of the Year awards. I lodged a parliamentary motion that has since picked up the support of MSPs from across the major parties. A full list of who has supported and the motion itself can be found on my parliament work page. 

The 2013 Baker of the Year awards was a great success for bakers from across Fife as many left  with a host of awards and commendations highlighting the quality and success of the industry in the Kingdom. Continue reading →

Sheds Hairdressing Update.

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Previously in Parliament I raised the issue of the cancellation of Dunfermline based Sheds Hairdressing’s contract to provide hairpieces to the NHS. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing agreed to meet to discuss the issue further and I am delighted to say that the decision looks to have been reversed and the contract will hopefully now be renewed.

Sheds Hairdressing provides a vital service supplying and personalising wigs and hairpieces to many across Fife and this decision has caused a lot of concern and distress amongst clients. The hairdressers provide hairpieces to NHS patients who suffer from hair loss due to medical conditions or treatments such as chemotherapy and alopecia. The salon has had more than 200 referrals in the past year. Continue reading →

Kids Can Become Champions for Change

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Recently I teamed up with Scotland’s leading anti-sectarianism charity Nil by Mouth at an event in Holyrood to help encourage young people across Scotland to stand up and be counted in the battle against sectarianism.

Nil by Mouth was founded by Glasgow teenage Cara Henderson after the brutal sectarian murder of her friend Mark Scott in 1996. Since then the organisation has campaigned tirelessly against sectarianism on, and off, the terraces. Continue reading →

Claire’s School Dinner in Parliament

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I was delighted to tuck in to an award winning school dinner when the Soil Association’s Food for Life Scotland initiative was hosted at the Scottish Parliament. The event was designed to promote the Soil Association’s programme which aims to transform food culture across the country so that the food eaten is good for the consumer, the community and the planet.

School meals have certainly changed since I was at school Continue reading →

Court System is heading for Gridlock

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This week the Scottish Government has been warned by  the Faculty of Advocates and the Law Society of Scotland that the Courts Reform (Scotland) Bill will lead to a backlog in the system. I share these fears and believe that with the current closures due to still take place the court service is in danger of heading to a ‘gridlock’.

The bill will see cases where damages of less than £150,000 heard by new summary sheriffs rather than the Court of Session and cases would be held at sheriff courts across Scotland despite the Scottish Government’s recent decision to close 10 local sheriff courts. Locally the changes will see the closure of Cupar Sheriff Court with trials moving to Dundee and jury trials no longer taking place in Kirkcaldy, with trials moving to Dunfermline.

The move of all jury trials from Kirkcaldy would see an increase in jury trials by 283% at Dunfermline Sheriff Court. There are fears that the number of trials at Dunfermline would also increase with the passing of the Court Reform Bill leading to concerns about delays.

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Save Wemyss Caves Meeting

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Recently I met with Mike McFarlane and Moira Cook from the Save Wemyss Ancient Caves Society to discuss the future of the caves after I had spoken on the issue in a debate in the Scottish Parliament.

The Society was established in 1986 to protect and save as much of the Wemyss Caves and their unique drawings as possible. They aim to record information on the caves, to preserve them and promote them as a tourist attraction.

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Freshwater Pearl Mussel

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Yesterday in Parliament I spoke during Mary Scanlon’s member’s debate on the Freshwater Pearl Mussel after earlier attending an information session in the Parliament hosted by Scottish Environment Link. During the event Dr Peter Cosgrove from Aberdeen University informed us of the work he does with estates and land managers to raise awareness.

The debate was another example of the success of Scottish Environment Link’s Species Champions initiative.  As the champion of two species – the Puffin and Lesser Butterfly Orchid – I understand that just putting your name to a threatened species is not enough and we must be active in offering our political support in protecting them.