Bold ideas needed by the Scottish Government

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First Minister Alex Salmond has announced to Parliament the Scottish Governments legislative programme for the year ahead. The SNP run government will be bringing forward 15 bills in total.

Amongst the bills announced by the First Minister was the bill on an independence referendum and the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill which will introduce same-sex marriage in Scotland.

Other bills introduced include a children and young people bill, criminal justice bill, aquacultures and fisheries bill and a procurement bill.

Responding to the Scottish Government’s legislative programme local Scottish Labour MSP Claire Baker said:

“When Scotland needed bold ideas and legislation to create jobs and grow the economy we instead saw a tired First Minister distracted and dithering over the referendum.

“He offers a procurement bill too late to help construction companies in Fife and beyond. The Forth crossing is being built in China, Poland and Spain whilst the skills and resources are right here on the doorstep.

“Whilst I support the increasing of childcare support this was first promised in 2007 why has it taken so long to only just being realised? Having only just recently met struggling mothers through Gingerbread Fife I know that this legislation is needed now and needs to go further.

Fife Flyers win Scottish Autumn Cup

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Claire Baker lodged Motion S4M-04000 on 5th September:

That the Parliament congratulates Fife Flyers ice hockey team on winning the inaugural Scottish Autumn Cup, defeating Braehead Clan 7-3 in the final; notes that this was the culmination of a weekend-long tournament that took place at Fife ice rink; understands that Fife beat Edinburgh Capitals 2-1 in the semi-final, with Braehead beating Dundee Stars 4-2; notes that Fife Flyers is the oldest ice hockey team in the UK; understands that the team was founded in 1938 after the growth in popularity of ice hockey in the UK as a result of the country winning gold at the 1936 Winter Olympics, and offers support to all four Scottish teams for the season ahead in the Elite Ice Hockey League as they take on teams from England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Supported by: Patricia Ferguson, Kenneth Gibson, Anne McTaggart, Annabelle Ewing, Helen Eadie, David Stewart, Sandra White, Jamie Hepburn, Roderick Campbell, Mike MacKenzie, John Park, Dennis Robertson, Jackie Baillie, Richard Simpson, Maureen Watt, David Torrance, Kevin Stewart, Richard Lyle, Jamie McGrigor, Jim Eadie, Bill Kidd

Unpaid Fines Unacceptable Says Claire Baker MSP

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As figures released from the Scottish Courts Service show that more than 46,000 fines have been classed as ‘No Payment Received’ Claire Baker MSP has voiced her concerns that people are getting away ‘scot-free.’

Nationally one third of fines imposed by the police or courts are not being paid with arrears for court fines totalling £6.5 million over the 12 month period between July 2011 and July 2012.

Locally of the fines imposed by the Sheriff Court in Kirkcaldy 12% have made no payment at all, putting Kirkcaldy 3rd in the region behind Dunfermline (13%) and Alloa (18%). All three regions come in over the average for Tayside Central and Fife which stands at 11% for non-payments. 26% are in arrears with their payments, which is again above the regions average of 23% and second only to Stirling (28%).

With regards to justice of the peace payments Kirkcaldy is second in the region for both payments in arrears (15%) and non-payments (13%) against a region average of 11% and 10% respectively.

Commenting on the figures Scottish Labour MSP Claire Baker said:

“These figures are simply unacceptable; nobody should be able to get away scot-free from fines imposed by Scottish courts.

“Payment schemes are available for those who are struggling to pay, but it is unacceptable that there are those who are not paying a single penny towards their fines and this money is being lost from the public purse. Non-payment of fines is unfair on the law abiding people of Kirkcaldy who are working hard and fairly to ensure that they don’t fall behind with their own bills.

“What these figures show is that there is an unacceptable percentage of people ignoring court fines in Fife the SNP Government must ensure that any fines imposed by any court are fully enforceable and collectable.”

Dan Watson wins James Dyson Award

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Claire Baker lodged Motion S4M-03951 on the 30th of August:

That the Parliament warmly congratulates Dan Watson, a graduate of the Glasgow School of Art, on being named winner of the UK James Dyson Award; understands that his SafteyNet system is designed to make fishing more sustainable by offering smaller fish an escape route from trawl nets through escape rings that are fitted to the cod-end of existing nets; notes that the rings light up to act as an “emergency exit” sign for the fish; hopes that this can lead to a decrease in discards; understands that Dan will now be competing against finalists from 17 other countries to win the international award, and wishes him all the best in the competition.

Supported by: Drew Smith, Richard Lyle, Jackie Baillie, Annabelle Ewing, Jean Urquhart, Jamie Hepburn, Sarah Boyack

Welcoming Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight

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Claire Baker lodged Motion S4M-03945 on the 30th of August:

That the Parliament welcomes Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight which runs from Saturday the 1st to Sunday the 16th of September 2012, notes that the event has been managed by Scotland Food & Drink since 2009, understands that the annual event had more than 200 events taking place across the country in 2011 and looks forward to the many events taking place this year, believes that this event is a great opportunity to highlight Scotland’s food and drink industry and thank local providers, commends the hard work of those involved in organising and administrating the events, notes that the Scottish Parliament shall be debating Fife Diet’s Food Manifesto on Thursday the 13th of September and encourages members to take part in the debate as an on-going conversation of the future of Scottish Food and Drink

Supported by: Nanette Milne, Drew Smith, David Stewart, Liz Smith, David Torrance, Jamie Hepburn, Joe FitzPatrick, Mike MacKenzie, Dennis Robertson, Kevin Stewart, John Park, Aileen McLeod, Anne McTaggart, Claudia Beamish, Fiona McLeod, Patricia Ferguson, Annabelle Ewing, Hugh Henry, Murdo Fraser, Iain Gray, Neil Bibby, Jim Hume, Jackie Baillie, Margaret McDougall, Richard Simpson, Sandra White, Maureen Watt, Stuart McMillan

FOOD MANIFESTO TO BE DEBATED IN PARLIAMENT

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Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Claire Baker met this week with Fife Diet to discuss their food manifesto ahead of a debate in the Scottish Parliament. On-going plans from Fife Diet were also discussed at the meeting in Ms Baker’s Kirkcaldy office.

The debate, which will take place on Thursday 13th of September, was called for at the request of Ms Baker who wishes to discuss the Fife Diet food manifesto’s proposals in a national setting.

After the meeting Ms Baker and Fife Diet visited Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy to look over plans under consultation for a community food and wildlife garden.

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COME DINE WITH MSP

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Local MSP Claire Baker this week visited the Dalgairn Centre in Cupar to take part in their ‘Come Dine With Me’ project for service members.

Service members serve up lunch for each other, Ms Baker and staff in the centre as members learn how to prepare meals independently.

The centre in Bank Street aims to enable people with a learning disability to live an independent, self-fulfilling life. It aims to link members to the local community along with providing personal support and information.

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THE GREAT WEST WEMYSS BAKE OFF WITH WALK INN

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Claire Baker MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife today joined local councillor Tom Adams in visiting West Wemyss Walk Inn to take part in a baking class to celebrate their first anniversary.

Walk Inn is a community owned and operated organisation which specialises in fresh and seasonal local produce. With the help of lottery funding locals were able to regenerate a disused pub into a strong community business.

Walk Inn offers a fully licensed bistro, a café, a village shop which sells locally grown produce, and holiday accommodation.

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CLAIRE GOES NUTS FOR RED SQUIRREL FUN DAY

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Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Claire Baker attended the Red Squirrel Fun day in Tentsmuir Forrest organised by Fife Red Squirrel Group. The event, which was arranged in conjunction with the Forestry Commission and Scottish Natural Heritage, was organised to raise awareness of the threats faced by the red squirrel.

The main event took place in the picnic area by Tentsmuir car park and included stalls with games and information, face painting, quizzes, storytelling and ranger-led squirrel walks. Tentsmuir Forrest is an important habitat for wildlife and is home to many red squirrels and roe deer, it is also possible to see seals on the sandbars from Tentsmuir point. The forest has many waymarked trails throughout that allow you to explore either by foot or on bike.

Red squirrels are a protected species as they are under threat nationally largely due to the introduction of grey squirrels to mainland Britain. The North American grey squirrel was introduced to Fife in 1919 and is widespread in central and southern Scotland.

Around 121,000 red squirrels remain in Scotland, which is around 75% of the UK population, in contrast it is thought that the number of grey squirrels in the UK is over 3 million. The main threats facing red squirrels in Scotland are the spread of grey squirrels, habitat loss and fragmentation and squirrelpox virus.

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CLAIRE ADDS VOICE TO CALLS FOR INDEPENDENT REVIEW INTO LOMOND QUARRY

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Local MSP Claire Baker has today added her voice to calls from the leader of Fife Council, Alex Rowley, for an independent review into blasts at Lomond Quarry. The quarry, owned by Skene Group, uses explosives to extract hard volcanic rock dolerite. However there are reports that the blasts are being felt by local Leslie residents.

Mrs Baker has been working with local residents, including Lomond Quarry action group, in trying to find a solution for some time and feels an independent review is now the ‘next logical step’.

The Lomond Quarry action group has been regularly monitoring the blasts since March of this year by measuring the seismic blast activity at Paterson Park. [1] The limit set in regulations for Lomond Quarry is 6mm however the group has twice measured the blasts at 7.37mm and 12.7mm in the past two months.

Issues raised by locals resulting from these blasts have included cracks appearing in the walls of homes, buildings shaking and an impact on the valuation of houses in the area. There have also been claims that lorries are travelling through the area, to and from the quarry, at 6am in direct violation of planning permission.

Claire Baker MSP said:

“I have been following concerns on Lomond Quarry blasts for some time and have raised the issue in the Scottish Parliament. I was dissatisfied with replies from the Scottish Government as I have been with the response of Fife Council. I am pleased that the new Labour administration are prepared to ask some serious questions about how decisions were made and the impact these are having on residents.

“An independent review is the next logical step in trying to reach a solution. Questions have to be answered such as why are blasts being measured over the regulated limit and over issues such as the operating times of and the disruption this causes for residents.

“For too long residents feel that Fife Council have not been addressing their concerns and it is important that the views of local residents along with Skene Group are heard. I have written to Fife Council’s Chief Executive Ronnie Hinds supporting calls for an investigation as it seems now that only an independent review can help ensure an amicable and satisfactory conclusion.”