CAMPAIGN:

SNP CANDIDATE SAYS MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE SHOULD BE IMPROVED OR BILLS CUT

 

SNP Councillor John Finnie, who is Westminster Candidate for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, has called for Mobile Phone companies to provide a much better service if the area is to benefit from advances in technology or to return some of the charges billed to customers.

Referring to a recent OfCom report which shows that whilst most mobile companies have reasonable coverage in built up areas they perform poorly for overall coverage in the constituency and struggle to provide coverage for the new 3G technology that supports mobile broadband.

Councillor Finnie said “Whilst some people get a good service where they live, you don’t have to travel far around the area to see for yourself what the problems are. The coverage maps, whilst highlighting the gaps don’t even tell the whole story, I know of quite a few folk who have to go outside their homes to use their mobile phones as the signal is not strong enough to work indoors. I have seen people stand in the rain to make a call and I have heard of others driving around to get a better signal, it’s really not like any of the adverts that the Networks use to sell their services. Quite clearly it is unfair for those who don’t get a good a service to pay the same as those who do, so what I am proposing is that the Network providers, who tend to operate very profitably indeed, to give a rebate to those who suffer from inadequate service.”

he added that Business in the Constituency was also being disadvantaged;

 “This is not only inconvenient for social users but poses a real problem when it comes to some of the business benefits that we could lose out on.  The mobile technology market is developing fast and is one sector that will certainly grow in the current recession with many people worldwide using their handsets to get information and buy goods. Many companies now use hand held computers and new generation mobile phone devices that rely on mobile broadband to operate. Having the speed to react is often the edge that gets results, if you can’t get a signal then you simply can’t compete with those that do.”

OfCom coverage maps for Highland can be seen here:

 

ROADSIDE LITTER - TIME FOR ACTION 21-09-09

The issue of litter being thrown from cars in Highland was discussed at a meeting this week between SNP Cllr Drew Hendry (Aird and Loch Ness) on behalf of the SNP Council Group, and Chief Superintendant Duncan of Northern Constabulary.

 Roadside rubbish can be seen in many parts of the Highlands and is largely the result of irresponsible behaviour by car users who simply throw food wrappings, drinks containers, cigarette ends and other rubbish from Cars as they drive by.

The results of the litter can be seen on many roads throughout Highland but are most noticeable on the roads leading to and from populated areas. Although an offence it is difficult to enforce due to the fact that this happens mainly at times when other people are not around (at night, on country roads, etc) and is rarely committed in front of police. 

The SNP Group sought the meeting to start a dialogue about how to tackle the issue through education and to highlight the practice in the hopes of making it more “socially unacceptable” and see this as the start of longer campaign to reduce roadside littering.

 

Commenting on the discussions, SNP Councillor Drew Hendry said “I get many requests from constituents to arrange council clean ups on roads around Aird and Loch Ness caused by this type of behaviour.

We decided, that as many of my colleagues are experiencing similar situations, to start discussions about how to positively tackle this blight on our beautiful countryside. We discussed with Chief Superintendant Duncan what could be done to help the police to address the issue and the meeting was very positive.

We talked about working with Driving Instructors to help get the message over early, about working with Schools and ways of growing public awareness amongst other possible initiatives. The Police are doing a good job but in the long term this problem will only be solved by the public making a stand and by making people aware that this is not acceptable behaviour in Highland”

 

SNP PUSH FOR BUS AID FOR TEENS AND FAMILIES 14-09-09

Highland SNP Group have called for more help for Families and Young people to access Bus Services.

Drew Hendry, SNP Councillor for Aird and Loch Ness, met with Stagecoach managing director Bryony Chamberlain and Scott Pearson, Highland divisional transport manager.

The meeting focused on how to get cheaper fares for 16 to 18-year-olds and how to get easier access on to buses for people with pushchairs.

Drew said young people often missed out on work opportunities, leisure facilities and sports groups through cost of travel, while families find public transport “challenging”.

He said: “The SNP sought the meeting to seek help for those who find accessing buses most challenging. When young people turn 16 they lose their cheaper fares, but often they are still at school, looking for or just starting a first job. They often don't have the extra money they suddenly need when they turn 17"

“We have asked Stagecoach and Citylink to look at ways to help 17 to 18-year-olds to use the buses more.

“We feel that this will encourage a healthier approach over transport for young people."

“The meeting with Stagecoach was very positive and they have promised to look at ways of introducing cheaper fares for 16 and 17-year-olds.

“We were also pleased to get a commitment on more pushchair-friendly buses throughout their Highland operational area.”

 

EWING WELCOMES RECORD POLICE NUMBERS IN HIGHLAND DELIVERED BY SNP

Press Release from Fergus Ewing MSP

EWING DELIGHT AT RECORD NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICERS IN HIGHLANDS

Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, has welcomed the publication of statistics today which show that there are now a record 17,038 police officers in Scotland, including an additional 65 in the Northern Constabulary area since the SNP Government came to power in 2007.

When the SNP came to Government there were 707 Police Officers in Northern Constabulary (Q1 2007), now that figure stands at 772 (Q1 2009).  An increase of 65, just over 8%.

Mr Ewing said:

“These extra police officers delivered by the Scottish Government are ensuring that our homes, businesses and streets in communities from Inverness to Aviemore and Fort William to Nairn and throughout the Highlands are safer.

“Thanks to the SNP we now have an extra 65 extra police officers in the Highland providing a visible, reassuring presence in our communities.

Mr Ewing continued:

“The SNP promised in our manifesto of 2007 that we would put more Bobbies on the Beat, that is exactly what the Scottish Government has done. 

“Today's figures show that the Scottish Government, after only two years in office, is well on our way to deliver on our commitment to have an extra 1000 officers by March 2011 and that the SNP are delivering on their promise to create a safer Highlands and a safer Scotland.”

 

FIGHTING THE THOUGHTLESS LIB DEM EDUCATION CUTS

 Press Release from Dave Thompson MSP

Issued 25 May 2009

THOMPSON SLAMS HIGHLAND-WIDE COUNCIL CUTS TO TEACHER NUMBERS

SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands Dave Thompson today condemned the cuts made to teacher numbers by the Lib Dem, Labour and Independent administration of Highland Council which will, by August 2009, see large decreases to teaching posts throughout the north of Scotland in order to save £780,000 in its 2009/10 budget.

Dave is particularly concerned that much of the problem is due to extra PPP/PFI costs of over £4 million in this year's education budget, which are draining essential services.

Commenting on the recent loss of full time History and Business Studies posts at Gairloch High School, Dave said:
"I was very concerned to receive the letter from Gairloch High School Parent Council outlining the impact these lost teaching posts will have on students.  Highland Council could have looked at other savings to be found but instead chose to cut front line services from vulnerable remote rural schools.

"Before the cuts were pushed through, SNP Councillors attempted to intervene by proposing an amendment which would have allowed more time to consider alternatives. Unfortunately the Lib-Lab-Independent pact powered the cuts through now resulting in students missing out on valuable history and business studies for the future.1

"The figures speak for themselves and many schools throughout the Highlands will be hit hard by this decision. Plockton High School, for example, only saw a reduction of 3 students this year from 2008, yet according to Council projections it will lose 5.73 teacher posts.2

"Beyond Plockton and Gairloch High Schools, it looks like there will also be losses at Alness Academy, Charleston Academy, Dingwall Academy and Fortrose Academy, among others.

"It's absolutely disgraceful to see this kind of draconian budget cutting from Highland Council despite securing a record settlement from the Scottish Government. Much of the problem is due to extra PPP/PFI costs of over £4 million in this year’s education budget, which highlight the poor value for money PPP/PFI schemes represent.

"Along with expressing my concerns and offering my support to the parents and teachers of Gairloch High School I've also written to the Chief Executive of Highland Council urging him to find a way to maintain Highland schools' full curriculum, including History and Business Studies.”

ENDS

1) Minutes of Special Meeting of the Highland Council, 12/2/09 10.30 am:
(http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/committees/thehighlandcouncil/2009-02-12-thc-min.htm)

ECS 6 – Primary and Secondary Devolved

Dr D Alston, seconded by Dr M E M Foxley, MOVED approval of the recommendation as detailed – the removal by August 2009 of all teaching posts that were over and above the current devolved school management entitlement - £780k saving for 2009/10 and £390k saving for 2010/11.

As an AMENDMENT, Mr B Gormley, seconded by Ms M Smith, moved that this matter be deferred pending further information so that the Council could make an informed decision.

On a vote being taken, the MOTION received 52 votes and the AMENDMENT received 19 votes and the MOTION was therefore CARRIED - the votes having been cast as follows:-

For the Motion:
Mr R Rowantree - LD
Mr D Mackay - IND
Mr J Rosie - IND
Mr B Fernie - IND
Mr R Coghill - IND
Mr D Flear - LD
Mr W MacKay - IND
Mrs D Mackay - LAB
Mr I Ross - LD
Mrs I Campbell - LD
Mr R Greene - IND
Dr A Sinclair - IND
Mr M Finlayson - IND
Mr M Rattray- LD
Mrs C Wilson- IND
Mr R Durham - IND
Mr A Rhind - IND
Mr D Chisholm - IND
Mrs A MacLean - LD
Mrs M Paterson - IND
Dr D Alston - LD
Mr B Barclay - IND
Mrs I McCallum - IND
Mr H Fraser - IND
Mr D Millar - LD
Mr B Clark - IND
Mr A Henderson - IND
Mr E Hunter - IND
Mrs H Carmichael - IND
Mr H Wood - LD
Mr A Graham - LD
Miss J Campbell - LD
Mr P Corbett - IND
Mrs B McAllister - LAB
Mr N Donald - IND
Mr D Henderson - LD
Mr F Parr - LAB
Mr J Gray - LAB
Mr K MacLeod - LD
Mr J Ford - LAB
Mrs G Sinclair - LD
Mr L Fraser - IND
Mr G Marsden - LD
Mr A S Park - IND
Mr J Holden - LAB
Mr T Prag - LD
Mr S Black - LD
Ms J Douglas - IND
Mr G Rimell - LD
Mr D Cameron - IND
Dr M E M Foxley - LD
Mr B Murphy - LAB
For the Amendment:
Mr G Farlow - SNP
Mr G Smith - LD
Mrs J Urquhart - SNP
Ms M Smith - SNP
Mr A Torrance - SNP
Mr P Cairns - SNP
Mr C Fraser - SNP
Mr I Renwick - SNP
Mr D Hendry - SNP
Mrs P Munro - SNP
Mr D Kerr - SNP
Mr J Finnie - SNP
Mr I Brown - SNP
Mr R Balfour - IND
Mr B Wynd - SNP
Mrs L MacDonald - SNP
Mr R Pedersen - SNP
Mr D Fallows - SNP
Mr B Gormley - SNP
2) Secondary School Teacher Entitlement Summary (also attached):
Secondary School Teacher Entitlement Summary                                                                                                   
Read the detail on the spreadsheet here:
Secondary School Teacher Entitlement Summary.xls>>

Explanatory Note to accompany the Secondary School Entitlement analysis:
Column A – the school roll census figure at September 2008. This figure is used to determine the budgeted teaching entitlement allocation to each Secondary school.

Column B – these teaching posts are funded on a short term basis over and above the initial allocation determined in A above, usually to address a specific need. This allocation has to be approved by senior management

Column C – the teaching posts allocated specifically to deliver education through the medium of Gaelic
Column D – the total number of teaching posts funded by the authority
Column E – the number of teachers currently employed within the school
Column F – the estimated school roll census figure at September 2009.
Column G – an estimate of the teaching posts that will funded over and above the initial entitlement at August 2009. This estimate has been provided by the Area ECS Manager following discussions with the Head Teacher.

Column H - an estimate of the teaching posts required at August 2009 to deliver education through the medium of Gaelic.
Column I – an estimate of the total number of teaching posts that will be funded by the authority at the start of the new academic session

Column J - this is the difference between column D and column I reflecting the movement in budgeted teaching entitlement as a result of the movement in the school roll, the change in the number of teaching posts funded over and above formula entitlement including Gaelic medium.

Column K - this is the difference between column E and column I reflecting the movement between the current number of teachers employed within the school and the total entitlement at the beginning of the new academic session.

Column L – the number of probationer teachers currently employed in each school.

 

COUNCIL EXPENSES

Highlighting why the SNP Highland Council Group have decided to publish all Councillors expenses from conducting Council duties, SNP Group Leader, John Finnie, today explained that the public were entitled to have clear and transparent access to expenses from all elected representatives.

Former Police Officer, Councillor John Finnie, who refused to take any additional money when the Lib Dems forced through a new pay structure at Highland Council last year instead donated the extra cash directly to a local charity.

Speaking of the need for public confidence Councillor Finnie said: “The people of Highland need to be able to trust those who represent them and part of that trust is being able to see clearly what their money is being spent on” he added “We are not only publishing all of our members expenses and explaining them but we will go further and challenge spending where we think it is not justified in the interests of getting the job done for the public. We have a track record of challenging spending on consultants and we are actively looking at things like organisational fees (memberships) that may not add anything to the job”

The SNP Group will publish expenses on this website as they become available from Highland Council.

 

FLY TIPPING AND BULKY UPLIFTS

The SNP Group on Highland Council strenuously objected to the Lib Dem led Council introduce charges for uplifting Bulky goods from Householders citing no real cost saving and a fear of increased fly tipping. Reports today suggest that the SNP were right and that dumping is on the increase.

We are continuing to fight to have a "Cleaner Highlands" to join our campaign or to report illegal dumping then please contact any of our Councillors or use the form on our contact page.

 

BLACK ISLE COUNCILLOR STARTS WORDWIDE PETITION TO KEEP HUGH MILLER’S COTTAGE OPEN

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savehughmillerscottage/ (PLEASE NOTE - The Petition Site Provider may suggest a donation, this has nothing to do with the campaign - please feel free to ignore this)

Black Isle SNP Councillor Craig Fraser has launched an International petition designed to make the National Trust for Scotland change their minds over the future of Hugh Miller’s Cottage in Cromarty. The Petition is designed to be one part of a wider campaign to raise the awareness of Hugh Miller and Cromarty and to keep the cottage open.

Speaking after the launch of the Online version of the petition on Saturday Craig said:

“There are many reasons why this small but hugely significant property should be kept open to the public but the main reasons are around the sheer importance of Hugh Miller’s work in influencing the world’s understanding of evolution and geology and the genuine threat to the local economy in Cromarty”

He Added “Hugh Miller’s work had an impact that was truly global at a point when communications were still carried by horse and ship yet his influence today is largely forgotten. We need to make more of our Highland and Scottish pioneers and the proposed closure of Hugh Miller’s cottage would deny many from finding out more about this remarkable man. Cromarty was the home of modern geology for many years due to Hugh Miller. In the year of Homecoming and in years to come, people should be able to visit his home”

“I hope that people of all political persuasions and from all over the world will help with the aim of keeping the Cottage open, but also to really raise the profile of Hugh Miller”