Stagecoach’s Fife Transport Boost

19/10/2012

Stagecoach will shortly boost the Fife-Glasgow express network with nine new luxury coaches. This follows spending over the past year on five new coaches for the Fife-Edinburgh route, bringing the total spend to £4.4 million.

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker said the investment, which coincides with the launch of the new Fife-Glasgow timetable on 12 November, should improve the standard of journeys for Dunfermline travellers.

He said: “I am very glad to see investment in these important commuter routes. The new coaches have an increased capacity of 65 seats, which can only be a good thing for Fife workers and shoppers who depend on these networks. Read more of this post

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S4M-04499: Parliament Welcomes the Historic Edinburgh Agreement

18/10/2012

That the Parliament welcomes the signing of the historic Edinburgh Agreement between the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, and the Prime Minister of the UK, David Cameron; believes that the debate on Scottish independence should now move forward to full, frank and open discussion of the perceived benefits of independence and of the union, and hopes that it will be conducted in a positive and respectful manner with real vision for the future of Scotland.

Supported by: Angus MacDonald, Kevin Stewart, Mike MacKenzie, Brian Adam, Dave Thompson, Stuart McMillan, Richard Lyle

Date Lodged: 18/10/2012

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Independence Referendum Agreement Signed

17/10/2012

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker has welcomed the signing of the “Edinburgh Agreement” between First Minister Alex Salmond and Prime Minister David Cameron. This agreement confirms the Scottish Parliament’s power to hold a referendum on whether Scotland should become an independent country.

Mr Walker said: “I am delighted an agreement has now been reached. This marks an important step in Scotland’s journey by paving the way for the substantial debate on the benefits of independence to begin. Read more of this post

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MSP Seeks Limekilns Premises for Post Office Services

09/10/2012

Bill Walker has reassured Limekilns residents that he will inform the Post Office if suitable premises for a restored local service become available. The Dunfermline MSP has also asked local businesses to let him know if they can offer an alternative location for the Post Office formerly based in Main Street.

Mr Walker said: “Limekilns villagers have been without a local service since October 2011, following the resignation of the subpostmaster and withdrawal of the premises for Post Office use. This vacancy is still being advertised on the Post Office website, which is www.postoffice.co.uk. Read more of this post

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Commonwealth Games Mascot Clyde Drops into Parliament

08/10/2012

“Thistle-man” Clyde, official mascot of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, dropped into the Scottish Parliament recently to give MSPs a progress update.

After meeting Clyde, Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker said: “Clyde will be highly visible in the journey towards the Games and will play a major part in motivating young people to get involved in Scotland’s largest ever sporting event. Well done to twelve-year-old Beth Gilmour of Cumbernauld who won the UK-wide competition to design Glasgow 2014’s official mascot. I understand Beth is a keen swimmer, so I’m certain she will enjoy the Games. Read more of this post

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Suffragettes

05/10/2012

The 11th September 2012 marked the 50th anniversary of the death of local woman Anna Munro, who founded one of the first branches of the Suffragettes, here in Dunfermline in 1906. The daughter of a schoolmaster, Anna spent many years campaigning for equal suffrage, as well as helping the poor.

I recently raised a motion in Parliament commemorating her resilience in the struggle for women’s suffrage. It is easy to forget that less than 100 years ago women in Britain could not vote. The over-30s gained suffrage in 1918, but equality with men was not achieved till as late as 1928. Read more of this post

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Kincardine Housing Development

05/10/2012

I recently attended the official opening of the new Kincardine housing development, which I very much welcome. Kingdom Housing Association has built 65 affordable houses to replace two of the tower blocks demolished in 2010. This is the first phase of a regeneration that will conclude with the demolition of the remaining tower block, probably next year.

These modern, well-built houses are fitted with solar thermal panels, making them energy efficient and thus cheaper to heat. Dunfermline firm Oliver and Robb Architects designed them, while another local firm, Campion, built them in partnership with Fife Council and the Scottish Government. Read more of this post

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Budget Announcements

05/10/2012

Finance Secretary John Swinney must have the hardest job in the Scottish Government. At a time when Westminster has reduced Scotland’s capital funding by 30%, he has the near-impossible task of balancing the books. Yet, since taking up his post in 2007, he has made the right choices when faced with unenviable decisions between competing budget priorities.

On 20th September, he announced the Draft Budget 2013-14. Key points include the announcement that the Council Tax will remain frozen. This is only fair, since the freeze implemented in 2007 has yet to make up for huge increases under previous Labour/LibDem administrations at Holyrood. Read more of this post

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£25,000 Oakley Regeneration Programme

02/10/2012

£25,000 community initiative has launched in Oakley, funded by the Coalfield Regeneration Trust and the Scottish Government.

The Community Futures programme will see local people and groups set out a five-year action plan. Local priorities will be established through surveys, interviews, a community event and a public meeting.

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker said: “This is a very welcome initiative. I’m glad to see the Scottish Government supporting suitable projects in Oakley. Read more of this post

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S4M-04307: Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Funding

01/10/2012

That the Parliament acknowledges the benefits to young people and their communities of awards made by such bodies as the Big Lottery Fund, aimed at encouraging participation in sports and exercise; recognises, particularly, the value of such funding in the run-up to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games; congratulates Dunfermline Carnegie Hockey Club on its Big Lottery award of £1,900 to purchase equipment and encourage young people to become involved in hockey, and looks forward to supporting a successful “Team Scotland” in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Supported by: Kenneth Gibson, Richard Lyle, Kevin Stewart, Colin Beattie, Dave Thompson, Colin Keir

Date Lodged: 28/09/2012

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Blair House Trust Community Funding

28/09/2012

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker has welcomed almost £19,000 funding to the Blair House Trust from Scottish Coal, which the Trust will award to local groups for projects of long-term community benefit. Eligible projects must be in the Saline/Steelend and Oakley/Comrie areas or along the coal haulage route to Longannet Power Station.

Mr Walker, a former and founder member of the Trust while serving as a Fife Councillor, said: Read more of this post

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Dunfermline Carnegie Hockey Club Funding

28/09/2012

Dunfermline Carnegie Hockey Club has received a £1,900 award from the Big Lottery Fund to purchase equipment and encourage young people to get involved in hockey. These objectives meet the 2014 Communities outcomes of “more people take part in sport or physical activity” and “more people volunteer in sport or physical activity”.

Bill Walker, MSP for Dunfermline, welcomed the award: Read more of this post

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Fife Council School Estate Review

27/09/2012

A Dunfermline primary school with dwindling pupil numbers could relocate to the local high school, an MSP has suggested, to prevent disrupting the “social fabric of the community” if the school were to close.

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker’s suggestion comes as Fife Council conducts a review of the School Estate. While no closures have been announced, performance tables show that only 31 pupils attend Wellwood Primary School. This means the school runs at 33% occupancy, making it the most expensive per pupil in its cluster. Read more of this post

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Post Office Committed to Culross Services

26/09/2012

The Post Office has affirmed its commitment to restoring services in Culross. Responding to an enquiry by Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker, the National Consultation Team advised that a search is underway for suitable new premises.

Mr Walker said: “Culross residents have been without a branch for some weeks following the resignation of the postmaster and withdrawal of the premises. Read more of this post

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Energy Saving Support for Dunfermline Homeowners

20/09/2012

MSP Bill Walker has urged Dunfermline homeowners to find out if the Energy Saving Trust can help them make their homes greener and more energy efficient. Read more of this post

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S4M-04178: Remembering the Suffragettes

18/09/2012

That the Parliament remembers and commemorates the 50th anniversary, on 11 September 2012, of the death of Anna Munro, the Dunfermline woman who founded one of the first branches of the Women’s Social and Political Union, the Suffragettes, in Scotland in 1906; understands that she was imprisoned for protesting in 1908 and that she participated in the census boycott of 1911, and applauds her resilience and efforts in successfully campaigning for the right of women to vote.

Supported by: Brian Adam, Kenneth Gibson, Dave Thompson, Sandra White, Stuart McMillan, Fiona McLeod, Richard Lyle, John Finnie, Kevin Stewart, Colin Beattie, Maureen Watt, Colin Keir

Date Lodged: 18/09/2012

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Minister Opens Kincardine Housing Development

14/09/2012

 On Thursday, Scottish Government Housing Minister, Margaret Burgess, officially opened Kingdom Housing Association’s £9 million housing development in Kincardine.

The 65 new affordable houses replace two of the three tower blocks demolished in 2010.  This is the first phase of a larger regeneration plan which will conclude with the demolition of the last remaining tower block, probably next year. Read more of this post

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New Townhill Business

13/09/2012

I recently attended the opening of a new local business in Townhill. The family-run Loch Café is based in the Scottish National Waterski Centre, with a great view of the Loch, and is open to the general public. Owner Marie Hendry has put in a lot of hard work setting up the café and is to be congratulated.

The Loch Café is part of a wider upgrade to Townhill Country Park, which I very much welcome. The Park is an important local facility, home to Scotland’s national waterski training site, which is regarded as one of the best ski facilities in Europe. Read more of this post

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Police Memorial Service

13/09/2012

On 5th September I attended the Annual Service of Remembrance at the Scottish Police Memorial, located on the grounds of the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan. This memorial is dedicated to those police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Reverend Georgie Baxendale’s service was a fine tribute, and the Lone Piper’s Lament by Stewart Reid, whose police officer grandfather lost his life in the line of duty, was particularly moving. Among those who laid wreaths was Kenny MacAskill, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, on behalf of the Scottish Government, while the Lord-Lieutenant of Fife, Margaret Dean, laid another on behalf of the Queen. Read more of this post

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Parliamentary Moves

13/09/2012

The Scottish Parliament was certainly abuzz last week. Not only did we officially reconvene after the summer recess, but Alex Salmond announced his surprise Cabinet re-shuffle, which has involved a big move of Scottish Government personnel.

Of particular interest to Fifers will be Alex Neil’s move from Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment where, among other things, he oversaw progress on the new Forth Bridge, a project that appears well underway. Read more of this post

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Headwell House New Dunfermline Care Home

12/09/2012

Abbotsford Care (Glenrothes) Ltd is due to open a new care home in Dunfermline’s Headwell Avenue.

Headwell House, expected to open on 1st December, will be Abbotsford Care’s eighth home in Fife since their establishment in the care sector in 1987. Read more of this post

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S4M-04066: Parliament Hails Andy Murray’s Magnificent Sporting Achievements

11/09/2012

That the Parliament hails what it considers to the magnificent achievement of Scot Andy Murray on winning the 2012 US Open Championship, the first UK citizen to win a tennis “grand slam” event for over 70 years; applauds what it sees as Andy’s incredible year of sporting achievements, which included becoming the gold medallist in the men’s singles at the Olympics; commends what it considers to be his modest and dignified manner in reaching these sporting heights, and wishes Andy success in his future career.

Supported by: John Mason, Graham Dey, Brian Adam, Kevin Stewart, Kenneth Gibson, Richard Lyle, Dave Thompson, Colin Beattie, Maureen Watt, Sandra White, Colin Keir

Date Lodged: 11/09/2012

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S4M-04063: UK Defence Secretary’s Absence from Scotland

11/09/2012

That the Parliament expresses regret that Philip Hammond has yet to visit Scotland since becoming Secretary of State for Defence 11 months ago; notes that his absence occurs at a time when historic Scottish regiments have faced uncertainty regarding whether they would survive UK Government cuts; understands that over the last 10 years successive UK administrations have underspent on Scotland’s defence budget by £5.6 billion; further understands that between 2000 and 2010 Scotland experienced a 27.9% reduction in service personnel compared with 11.6% across the UK and that the number of service jobs continued to decline over the last year; considers these cuts to be disproportionate and damaging to Scotland, and believes that the potential £25 billion or more put aside for the upgrade of Trident nuclear missile submarines would be far better either saved for the taxpayer or spent more appropriately on non-nuclear defence.

Supported by: Kenneth Gibson, Brian Adam, Richard Lyle, Dave Thompson

Date Lodged: 10/09/2012

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S4M-04041: Riding for the Disabled Association Awarded £10,000

11/09/2012

That the Parliament congratulates Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporating Driving Dunfermline Group (RDA Dunfermline) on receiving a £10,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund to improve its riding arena; understands that RDA Dunfermline is a registered charity that provides tuition and hippotherapy to autistic youngsters and to people aged 3 to 65 with learning difficulties, medical conditions and who are physically disabled; considers that the activities offered by RDA Dunfermline can improve people’s confidence and enrich their lives as well as having significant physical benefits; further recognises the benefit to younger people who might not otherwise have a chance to fully participate in group activities with their peers, and wishes RDA Dunfermline every success with the continued provision of what it sees as this worthwhile service.

Supported by: Angus MacDonald, Fiona McLeod, Kevin Stewart, Richard Lyle, Mike MacKenzie, Maureen Watt, Colin Beattie, Stuart McMillan

Date Lodged: 07/09/2012

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Statement on Proposed Council Parking Charges

10/09/2012

I learned with utter dismay of the new parking charges proposed by Labour-led Fife Council for railway stations and elsewhere throughout Fife.  These include Dunfermline Town, Dunfermline Queen Margaret, Ferrytoll Park and Ride and the planned Halbeath Park and Choose facility.

This is all completely contrary to the well-established public policy of encouraging drivers to shift to train, bus and car-share whenever possible. It will increase the already high costs of travel, at a time when people’s budgets are squeezed.  It is completely mad to push more cars back on the roads and may even undermine employment by out-pricing travel costs. Read more of this post

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