Dumfries Constituency MSP Elaine Murray used her contribution in a debate in the Scottish Parliament this week to highlight the contribution of local festivals to the wellbeing, identity, confidence and economy of their communities. She placed on record her gratitude to the volunteers in her constituency who, year after year, invest time, effort, and commitment into making such events a success. She also asked the Minister for Culture, Michael Russell, to join her in supporting Dumfries and Galloway Council’s request that Ridings of the Marches, traditional galas and Remembrance Day parades be exempt from the provisions of the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006.

Elaine Murray said:

“The organisers of such marvellous events have been subject to increased bureaucracy as a result of the Parliament passing legislation such as the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006. The relevant provisions of that act were intended to deal with the important public order issues that can arise from sectarian marches and political demonstrations. Councils now require the organisers of events to provide various bits of information, some of which are totally irrelevant to common ridings, galas or remembrance parades.

When I raised the issue of the burden of such unnecessary bureaucracy on traditional galas and so on last year, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice advised me that Dumfries and Galloway Council could apply to the Scottish ministers for an exemption for certain types of procession, such as common ridings, galas or remembrance day parades. Dumfries and Galloway Council wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice in November 2008 to apply for an exemption for such events. Five months later, with the common riding and gala season only weeks away, Mr MacAskill eventually responded and turned down the council's request.

These events rely on the good will of volunteers who give up huge amounts of their time, without pay. As soon as one event is finished, the organisers start to arrange the following year's event. They do not need to be treated as if they were organisers of political demonstrations or sectarian marches. Will the minister speak to Mr MacAskill about that so that, if Dumfries and Galloway Council repeats its request next year, we can perhaps get it granted?”

Summing up the debate, Mr Russell agreed to lend his support

Michael Russell said:

“Elaine Murray made an important point about licensing. I am happy to commit myself to speaking to my friend the Cabinet Secretary for Justiceto see whether we can make progress on the issue. Repetitive form filling should not be necessary for local festivals, into which members of local organisations put a great deal of time and effort. They need to be helped as much as possible by the organisations that are there to support them, which should not hinder them. I will take the issue up and will ensure that I communicate directly with the member.”

After the debate Elaine Murray added

“I am delighted that Michael Russell is joining me in asking for an exemption for these event. I hope that teh Council will reapply for an exemption next year and hopefully receive a positive response from the Scottish Government for next year.”

ENDS

Newly published statistics show that there was only 1 vacancy for a primary teacher in Dumfries and Galloway in February 2009, and 22 vacancies for secondary school teachers. 59 primary probationer teachers and 26 probationary secondary school teachers have provisionally been allocated to the region. The corresponding figures for 2008 were 7 primary and 18 secondary vacancies with 38 primary probationers and 40 secondary probationers allocated. In 2007 there were 35 primary vacancies and 27 secondary vacancies, with 66 primary probationers and 41 secondary probationers allocated to Dumfries and Galloway.

Dumfries MSP Elaine Murray said:

“Although the shortage of vacancies could be construed as being good news for the schools in the region, it is not good news for trained teachers hoping to find full-time employment, especially in the primary sector.

“Questions also have to be asked regarding why vacancy rates are now so low in the region and across Scotland. Is this a result of the financial squeeze on councils causing them to cut costs by reducing the numbers of teachers in our schools?

Why is the Scottish Government continuing to encourage young people to train as teachers if there are so few vacancies for them when they graduate? There is a huge gap between the numbers of probationary teachers allocated to the region and the likely number of vacancies to be filled once they have completed their training.”

The figures also show the number of total available positions in Scotland has fallen from 607 to 372 - a drop of 40 per cent in just the last year.

Labour Shadow Education Secretary, Rhona Brankin, added:

“These damning statistics show just how bleak things are for teachers. Next academic year there will be almost 3500 teachers that will be completing their probation this year and looking for work..”

END

NOTES

The Scottish Government’s ‘Teacher Vacancies and Probationer Allocations 2009’ report says:
• “There were 372 teacher vacancies advertised at February 2009, equivalent to 0.7 per cent of the full teaching complement. The number of vacancies had decreased from 607 in 2008, and is considerably lower than in recent years.”
1. The stats are here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/06/16092046/0

2. GTC Scotland Probationer Teacher Employment Follow – up Survey - http://www.gtcs.org.uk/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.aspx?lID=4515&sID=4710

3. Scottish Government advert: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/Schools/Teaching/career

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Labour politicians in Dumfries and Galloway are demanding the Council increases the number of household waste recycling points in the region rather than decrease them as previously planned. Not only would this help the Council to reach tough new national targets for recycling , it would also respond to the wishes of local residents most of whom want to recycle more of their household waste.

A report on the Council’s Waste Strategy brought to Planning, Housing and Environment Services Committee in December last year, proposed charging for the collection of rubbish which was not contained in fully closed wheelie bins and also charging £30 to uplift white goods such as cookers and fridges. These measures were opposed by the Labour members of the Committee on the grounds that this was an additional tax which would hit less well off people hardest and would lead to an increase in fly-tipping. Unfortunately, other councillors did not agree and these measures were approved.

The report also recommended the removal of 82 recycling points throughout the region. Once again this move was opposed by Labour councillors on the grounds that people wanted to be able to recycle their rubbish where possible and, in any case, these supposedly surplus recycling points were not identified. In this case, common sense prevailed and the Committee asked for a further report dealing identifying which points would be removed.

Dumfries councillor, Jeff Leaver, who is a member of the Committee, said: “We are still waiting for this report so it would appear that the removal of these points was not as simple as we were given to believe. Instead, in a report to the same Committee last week, the same councillors were told that the government expected local authorities to take every step to maximise their recycling and the Council was aiming to divert a further 25,000 tonnes of waste from landfill to achieve the 50% national recycling rate. Labour councillors were delighted to hear this positive U-turn by the Tory-led Administration and called upon the results of the long awaited recycling point survey to be used to greatly increase the number of recycling points rather than to remove two thirds of them as had been planned only 6 months ago!”

Dumfries MSP, Elaine Murray who last week took the lead for Labour in a debate on the National Waste Strategy in the Scottish Parliament, said:

“Waste recycling and re-use infrastructure urgently needs to be improved if we are to fulfil our obligations under the revised EU Waste Directive, and needs to be extended to commercial and industrial waste, which too often still ends up in landfill.

This will not be cheap. Audit Scotland’s report on sustainable waste management in 2007 observed that spending on waste management by local authorities is Scotland would have to increase from £89m in 2005/06 to £289m in 2019/20 to meet landfill targets, and that spending on residual waste treatment would have to grown to £79m over that period. That’s a significant challenge for local and national government, previously private finance could be levered in through Public Private Partnerships, as happened in Dumfries and Galloway, but this has now been ruled out in favour of the Scottish Futures Trust. It remains to be seen how this will deliver on waste management.”

ENDS
Contact: Councillor Jeff Leaver (Lochar Ward) 07825 633173

Monday 15th June 2009

Dumfries MSP Elaine has expressed her disappointment at the Minister for Environment’s refusal to support her call for a further exemption from SEPA’s charges for registering septic tanks .

Elaine Murray, Labour’s Environment spokesperson, said:

"Despite the period of exemption having run from March to the end of May 2009, I have found that many constituents were totally unaware of the charge for registration or its suspension during that period. Many owners of septic tanks have missed out on being able to register their tanks for nothing and will now be subject to a charge for registration.

I feel that the suspension of the charge ought to have been more widely advertised and with enough time for tank owners to take advantage; some constituents missed the deadline because they were on holiday.

I note that the Minister argues that SEPA does not intend to pursue unregistered septic tanks, however if they are not registered it may show up when the property is sold.”


End


Notes: Answers to written questions on this issue

S3W-24497 - Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab) (Date Lodged Monday, June 01, 2009): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to extend the waiving of charges for the registration of septic tanks.
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham (Wednesday, June 10, 2009): No. The waiving of SEPA''s charges for registering septic tanks has already been extended by two months to 31 May 2009, in response to a significant increase in septic tank registrations at the end of March, when the overall waiver of SEPA''s charges for most new permits ended. I believe a further extension of the waiver would be confusing to the public, and is unnecessary, as SEPA does not intend actively to pursue unregistered septic tanks.

S3W-24496 - Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab) (Date Lodged Monday, June 01, 2009): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of problems with the online registration of septic tanks in (a) March and (b) May 2009.
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham (Tuesday, June 09, 2009): I am aware that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) experienced some minor problems with their systems for handling online registrations of septic tanks at points during March and May 2009 when the charge for registration was waived. This was an operational matter for SEPA, and I understand the problems were resolved promptly.

S3W-24495 - Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab) (Date Lodged Monday, June 01, 2009): To ask the Scottish Executive what actions were taken to inform the public that the charges for registration of septic tanks, waived in March 2009, would be reintroduced on 1 June 2009.
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham (Tuesday, June 09, 2009): This is an operational matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and I have asked the Chief Executive, Dr Campbell Gemmell, to write to you.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Dumfries constituency MSP Elaine Murray is calling for mandatory jail sentences for people caught carrying knives, after learning only a quarter of offenders found guilty of carrying a knife in Dumfries and Galloway received a prison sentence. Of the 81 found guilty that year, 38 received a community sentence, 20 went to prison, 15 were fined and 8 received an alternative disposal.

Elaine Murray said:

"The SNP government is sending out the wrong message. We believe if you carry a knife you should go to jail – it is that simple.
"Knives are lethal weapons and it is completely unacceptable to walk the streets with one. It is about time the law toughened up on those who think it is acceptable to carry a blade.

"The Government's proposals to creating a presumption against all custodial sentences of six months or less which would see 65 per cent of knife criminals that currently receive custodial sentences receive a community sentence instead."

ENDS

Dumfries MSP Elaine Murray today (Wednesday 10 June) took an eco-driving challenge set up by the Energy Saving Trust in Scotland as part of a three-year campaign to encourage Scots commuters to drive in a more economical manner.

Using eco-driving techniques, the MSP for Dumfries and the Scottish Labour’s Environment spokesperson managed to save 12% on fuel when driving a designated course near to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.

Elaine Murray MSP said: “When the Energy Saving Trust asked me to take part in their eco-driving challenge, I was pleased to take them up on it. By following a few simple tips from the eco-driving instructor I was able to change my driving habits, save fuel and so save money. I’ll now put these tips to good use.

“I am delighted to support the Energy Saving Trust’s eco-driving campaign – it reminds us of the importance of taking small steps to save energy in our daily lives. This is not only good for reducing our carbon emissions, but also good for the pocket; a welcome boost for everyone in the current economic climate."

Funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by the Energy Saving Trust, the Eco-drive Scotland campaign aims to make fuel-saving driving behaviour the norm. A website – www.ecodrivescotland.com – has been set up where drivers can learn more about eco-driving. People can also call freephone 0800 512012 for free, local advice on eco-driving.

Mike Thornton, Director, Scotland for the Energy Saving Trust added: “Our research shows that while Scots care about the environment their prime motivation for driving in an eco-friendly manner is saving money by saving fuel. And with the average weekly fuel bill for Scots commuters currently standing at £30 who can blame them.”

“It’s all too easy for people to forget about eco-driving in the heat of the moment, when the lights change or when running late for an appointment. The idea behind this campaign is to make sure that eco-driving tips are given to commuters when they can actively do something about it: when they are behind the wheel of the car.

“We are aiming for eco-driving to become a normal driving habit and not something people only do when they remember. If every motorist in Scotland were to pick up one eco-driving tip a week we’re on our way to making a big difference, both to the environment and to people’s pockets.”

The campaign focuses on four key pieces of advice for motorists. These are:

1. Shift to as high a gear as possible: driving at lower engine speeds reduces fuel consumption: change up between 2000 and 2500 rpm.

2. Anticipate road conditions and drive more smoothly: rather than last minute braking, decelerate smoothly be releasing the throttle as early as possible. This allows the car to decelerate using engine braking. With the car in gear and throttle release, a modern car uses virtually no fuel at all.

3. Maintain a steady speed in as high a gear as possible: driving at a steady speed requires little effort for the engine. Avoiding unnecessary acceleration and heavy braking helps reduce fuel consumption.

4. Drive a little slower than your normal speed: stick to the speed limits and make your fuel go further. For most cars the most efficient speed is between 45 and 50mph. Driving at 50mph rather than 70 mph reduces your fuel consumption by 10 per cent at a stroke.

A recent survey of 1002 motorists in 44 locations across Scotland, commissioned by the Energy Saving Trust, found that:

• Forty-three per cent of Scots drive a car every day.
• Thirty-nine per cent of people would regularly check their rev counter as a guide to when to change up a gear if they thought it would reduce fuel costs and help the environment.
• Seventy-two per cent of people would regularly anticipate the road ahead to avoid sharp acceleration and heavy breaking if they thought it would reduce fuel costs and help the environment.
• Fifty-seven per cent of people would regularly cut down on their use of air conditioning in the car if they thought it would reduce fuel costs and help the environment.
• Fifty-four per cent of people would regularly drive away immediately when starting from cold rather than running their engine for a minute or two to warm it up if they thought it would reduce fuel costs and help the environment.
• Twenty-seven per cent of people would regularly remove their roof rack or roof box if they thought it would reduce fuel costs and help the environment.
• Fifty-nine per cent of people would regularly avoid making short journeys of under a mile or two by car if they thought it would reduce fuel costs and help the environment.
• Fifty-nine per cent of people would regularly check their tyre pressure if they thought it would reduce fuel costs and help the environment.
Forty-six per cent of people would regularly switch their engine off in a traffic jam if they thought it would reduce fuel costs and help the environment.

Wednesday 10th June 2009

Dumfries MSP Elaine Murray has welcomed an offer of free health checks for local people who care unpaid for ill, frail or disabled friends or family members during this year’s Carers Week. Lloyds pharmacy has teamed up with charity Carers Scotland and Carers UK to offer free heart health checks (normally worth £15) to carers from 8th-14th June. The checks include cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes checks and can are available from Lloyds pharmacies in Dumfries, Annan and Carlisle.

There are 14043 carers across Dumfries and Galloway a quarter of whom are likely to be in poor or very poor health.

Patrick Begley, Director of Carers Scotland said: “Carers with the heaviest caring responsibilities are twice as likely to suffer ill health as the general public. Too often carers suffering from stress, isolation and exhaustion are unable to find time to get checkups and end up ignoring their own health problems to continue to care. This offer will allow carers to get their health checked there and then, when they pop into their local Lloydspharmacy.”

Elaine Murray said: “The unpaid care provided to friends and family by carers makes such an important contribution to our society and local communities - we have got to make sure their own health doesn’t suffer as a result. Practical initiatives like this partnership between our local Lloydspharmacy and Carers Scotland will help carers to look after themselves, and I would urge carers to take up this excellent opportunity to have their health checked.”


Former GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips, who stepped down from GMTV to care for her children and elderly father said: “The isolation, exhaustion and stress that too often come with caring for friends or family can put carers’ own health at risk. It is so important that carers don’t forget to look after themselves and that is why I welcome the work Lloydspharmacy are doing in partnership with Carers UK, to enable carers to get free health check-ups at their local pharmacies.”


NB: The free checks are only available during Carers Week to carers with health check vouchers, which can be ordered by emailing charity@lloydspharmacy.co.uk

Dumfries MSP Elaine Murray has asked Scottish Ministers to encourage SEPA to further extend the free registration of septic tanks, having been innundated with enquiries from constituents who had been unaware that the waiving of this charge woudl cease at teh end of May..

Elaine Murray said:

"Concerned constituents have been contacting me for the past ten days regarding registration of septic tanks and the £103 charge which was reintroduced today. Many had been quite unaware that septic tanks should be registered and the waiving of the charge last March with the extension to the end of May seems not to have been picked up by many owners of septic tanks. There clearly are questions about how effective any publicity advertising the free registration has been.

To make matters worse, I have been told that SEPA’s on-line registration failed last week due to the volume of applications, and that applicants had to wait for long periods to get on to the site. As publicity has been ineffective and there have been problems with the online applications, I have written to the Minister for the Environment asking her to encourage SEPA to further extend the period of free registration.“

ENDS

Monday, 01 June 2009