Nigel Don MSP

“For eight years in power in a Scottish government that regularly underspent its budget, the y did not consider the Laurencekirk junction a priority. Even with their own leader as Transport Secretary, they did nothing to deal with the problems of the junction. Indeed, he ignored a six thousand signature petition.”

“Despite this they now have the gall to criticise the SNP for failing to solve this issue in their three years in government. Worse than that they are doing so at a time when their own colleagues in the London coalition are determined to slash the amount of money available to the Scottish Government. Liberal Democrat Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg specifically targeted Transport as one of the budgets that should be slashed.”

“The Liberal Democrats are, as usual, playing politics – having failed to take any action whilst in power they now attack everyone else. If they are serious about this issue, I challenge them to call upon their London colleagues to stop the massive cuts in Scotland’s budget and allow the Scottish Government to promote real investment in the transport infrastructure to help up out of recession and deal with problems such as the Laurencekirk junction.”

“If they don’t, this then is another example of the politics without responsibility so typical of that party.”

Nigel has today welcomed clarification from the Scottish Government that the sale of fair trade goods could be considered as a cultural, social or recreational event and would therefore fall within the exception in the regulations which govern the sale of food and drink in schools.

Mr Don is a member of the Scottish Parliament Public Petitions Committee which has been dealing with petition PE1292 raised by Laura Stebbings on behalf of Dyce Academy Fair Trade Group. The Petition called for pupils to be allowed to sell fair trade products, including chocolate, in schools.

In response to the committee the Scottish Government stated that the Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools Regulations 2008 were flexible enough to accommodate fair trade goods as they were deemed to be within the cultural, social or recreational event category.

Commenting Mr Don said;

‘‘I am delighted that common sense has prevailed. There is a balance to be struck by head teachers but it is clear that the occasional promotion of fair trade products is allowed, and is surely to be encouraged as a part of social education.

‘‘It is encouraging to see young people getting involved in the Public Petitions Committee and I hope the Pupils at Dyce Academy are pleased with the outcome.’’

Full details of the petition including the Scottish Governments response to the committee can be accessed via the following link; http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/petitions/docs/PE1292.htm

Nigel has today questioned the Scottish Government on whether legal action by objectors would cause delay to the completion of the Aberdeen western peripheral route (AWPR). Mr Don raised the issue with the Transport Minster, Stewart Stevenson, at today’s General Question time where he asked whether objectors risked holding up the AWPR with legal action.

The Minster responded that It was likely that the actions of the objectors will cause significant delay to the construction of the AWPR, however, as the legal proceeding have not been undertaken yet it is difficult to anticipate the length of the delay.

Commenting Mr Don said; ‘’We have had a long and thorough public enquiry into the AWPR and I regret that opponents to the project seem intent on revisiting the issues and causing unnecessary delay which could increase the cost to the public purse.

‘’I welcome the Scottish Government’s continued commitment to this vital transport project and look forward to work getting under way to ensure that the benefits can be felt by the North East as soon as possible.’’

North East SNP MSP, Nigel Don, has today (Wednesday) raised the concerns of members of the deaf community who will be without access to their local facilities at the Smithfield Road premises of the Aberdeen and North East Deaf Society (ANEDS) when it closes in June.

Because ANEDS has failed to retain the contracts to provide social work services to all three north east local authorities it will effectively cease to function after June 10th and there will be no access to its premises. The Smithfield Road building has been used for many years by the Aberdeen Deaf Sports and Social Club, many other groups who work with and for the deaf community, and it is actually built around St John’s Church for the deaf.

Commenting Mr Don said;

“My discussions with Aberdeen City Council lead me to believe that the Smithfield Road building will not be available to the deaf community very soon, and I have today written to all those involved suggesting that they ask the Council for help in finding alternative accommodation for their activities..”

This situation is not of the Council’s making and I am confident that it will continue to fulfil its statutory responsibilities. It is however very clear to me that the deaf folk who presently use the ANEDS building need alternative accommodation and I am encouraging the Council to be engaged in that process

Nigel will tomorrow (Tuesday 18th) discuss the issue of male victims of domestic abuse at the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee.

Mr Don who is a member of the Public Petitions Committee has written to the Lord Advocate, Grampian Police and Aberdeen Council after Petition PE1307 raised concern over the lack of services and support available for male victims of domestic violence.

·

7,000 men in Scotland reported being abused by a partner last year·

14% of all cases of domestic abuse reported to the police involve a male victim reporting abuse from a female partner

The responses Mr Don received acknowledged that this is an important issue and confirmed that services and support were provided irrespective of gender.

The Scottish Government have recently launched a Men’s Advice Line, which is Scotland’s first specialised helpline providing support and advice for male victims of domestic abuse.

Commenting Mr Don said;

‘’Historically there has been an assumption that the victims of domestic abuse are overwhelmingly women but petition PE1307 has demonstrated that this is not the case so we must make sure that we have adequate support services for male victims and their children.

‘’The Scottish Government funding of a dedicated helpline for male victims of domestic abuse is a step in the right direction and I would urge anyone experiencing abuse or worried about male friends or family to call the helpline on 0808 801 0327 for advice.’’

Nigel today raised the views of Aberdeen residents regarding the introduction of minimum pricing to combat alcohol abuse. At today’s Health Question Time in the Scottish Parliament Mr Don informed the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Nicola Sturgeon, of the results of a survey sent to residents in central Aberdeen.

The survey asked a number of questions about alcohol consumption in Aberdeen including if residents were in favour of introducing minimum pricing for alcohol.

· 1105 respondents said they were in favour of minimum pricing

· 603 respondents were against minimum pricing

Replying to Mr Don the Cabinet Secretary said that the residents of Aberdeen were not alone in their wish to see minimum pricing introduced; health professionals, the police, charities, drinks manufacturers and members of the licensed trade all support proposals to tackle alcohol misuse including minimum pricing.

Commenting Mr Don said;

‘‘I was pleased to be able to raise the views of Aberdeen residents regarding minimum pricing with the Cabinet Secretary. The fact that we have received such a high level of support for the introduction of minimum pricing demonstrates that there is concern over alcohol abuse in Aberdeen.

‘‘The majority of respondents in Aberdeen agree with Scotland’s Health board Directors and the Association of Chief Police Officers who are in favour of minimum pricing to reduce consumption and the harm caused by alcohol abuse.

‘‘I will be continuing to raise the concerns of Aberdeen residents in relation to alcohol abuse and will shortly be meeting with the Convenor of Aberdeen City Council’s Licensing Board, Councillor Muriel Jaffrey.’’

Nigel has welcomed the positive response to his recent survey on alcohol in Aberdeen. The survey, sent to residents in central Aberdeen most affected by the sale of alcohol in the city centre, asked a number of questions about alcohol consumption in Aberdeen.

The response has shown a desire among residents for the number of licensed premises in Aberdeen to be capped or limited in some way, due to residents’ concerns about anti-social behaviour and the effect of alcohol on the city centre.

As a result, in the coming weeks Mr. Don will be meeting with Councillor Muriel Jaffrey, Convenor of Aberdeen City Council’s Licensing Board, to discuss the results of his public survey.

Commenting, Mr. Don said, ‘I am pleased that so many people have taken the time to respond to the survey, which shows, I think, the level of concern there is in the city about Scotland’s unhealthy relationship with alcohol. So far, it appears that there is a large majority among respondents who feel that there should be restrictions put in place on the number of licensed premises in Aberdeen.

A number expressed concern that there are already a disproportionate number of licensed premises in Aberdeen and any significant increase could be problematic. It seems there is a desire for the number of such premises to be limited and as a result of these concerns, I look forward to discussing what we can do in Aberdeen with Councillor Jaffrey.’

Notes:

1. The question regarding licensed premises asked in the survey was: Do you feel there should be restrictions on the number of licensed premises in Aberdeen City Centre

2. 1294 respondents said they thought there should be restrictions put in place and 435 respondents were against any restrictions being put in place.

Nigel has today called for improved translation and interpretation services in the NHS and across all Public Services in Scotland.

Mr Don questioned the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Nicola Sturgeon, on what steps the Scottish Government were taking to review translation and interpretation services across public services, and whether they would bring stakeholders and service providers together to discuss improvements.

Mr Don has been pursuing the issue after a petition was raised by Multi Ethnic Aberdeen Limited MeAL at the Public Petitions Committee in the Scottish Parliament. The petition highlights the need for increased access to translation services for patients who speak less common languages.

The Cabinet Secretary responded by stating that improving translation and interpretation services in the NHS and across Scotland’s public services was an important issue, and she confirmed that a summit would be held in June with stakeholders and service providers to drive forward improvements.

Commenting Mr Don said; ‘‘Translation and interpretation services in the NHS and across all public services are important to ensure accurate advice and assistance is given to members of the public, and in the case of the emergency services this can be life saving.

‘‘Given the increasing diversity of the population of Scotland we need to ensure that our translation and interpretation services evolve to meet the needs of users. I am hopeful that after raising this important issue with the Cabinet Secretary the Scottish Government will look into what improvements can be made and representatives from Aberdeen such as MeAL will be involved in the translation and interpretation services summit in June. ’’

Nigel has written to residents in Aberdeen seeking their views on the measures which can be used to reduce the impact of alcohol abuse.

Over the past thirty years in Scotland alcohol related deaths have almost tripled and the cost to the tax payer of alcohol abuse is estimated at £3.5 billion a year, due to the burden on police, the NHS and social services.

As a result the Scottish Government are bringing forward measures to help reduce the impact of alcohol abuse and there are a number of steps which can also take locally to promote safe and sensible drinking. Mr Don has asked residents in Aberdeen City Centre and the surrounding areas to make their views known on both local and national proposals.

Commenting Mr Don said; ‘‘A number of residents in the centre of Aberdeen have raised concerns with me over the number of licensed premises in the City Centre, and alcohol related anti-social behaviour. By consulting residents across the city I hope to be able to get an accurate picture of how alcohol affects us in Aberdeen, and I would urge as many people as possible to respond to the consultation to ensure their views are heard.

‘‘Once I have received the responses to the consultation I will be seeking meetings with Aberdeen City Council, Grampian Police and the Scottish Government to ensure the views of Aberdeen’s residents are understood and acted upon.’’

If you want to add your views to the survey, please get in touch with Nigel’s Aberdeen office. You can find details of how to contact Nigel’s office by clicking the ‘contact’ tab above

Nigel  has today congratulated Aberdeen social enterprise Transition Extreme on winning a gold award yesterday at COSLA’s 2010 ‘Excellence Awards’.

The awards are made to recognise organisations and projects which set new standards for excellence across Scotland’s councils. Transition Extreme, which is partly funded by Aberdeen City Council, won it gold award in the Community Planning and Local Democracy Category followings its continued success since being established 3 years ago as part of the city’s regeneration programme.

The social enterprise aims to encourage young people to take up extreme sports, art and music and was set up after discussions between the City Council and local skateboarders who felt Aberdeen had little to offer them. Since opening in 2007, the centre has attracted a large number of people both from within and out with Aberdeen and its initial number of registered users was 56% above original targets. The centre now includes a large-scale indoor skateboard/BMX Park, a climbing wall, recreation area, a healthy eating café, band practice studios, meeting areas and a mini cinema for screening outdoor and extreme sports films.

Mr. Don has today lodged a motion with the Scottish Parliament, congratulating the group on their recent success.

Commenting on the centre’s success, Mr. Don said, ‘I am pleased that Transition Extreme’s valuable work has been recognised at the COSLA Excellence Awards. The centre provides a great facility for young people to go and meet, and try out various different sports they otherwise may not get the chance to try.

It has also played an important part in regenerating that part of the city and is a good example of a social enterprise working with local youngsters.’

Nigel has also encouraged other MSPs to support his motion, which reads: Nigel Don (North East of Scotland) (Scottish National Party): Congratulations to Transition Extreme — That the Parliament congratulates Aberdeen’s Transition Extreme centre, a youth charity centred around extreme sports, on winning a gold award at COSLA’s Excellence Awards 2010; notes that the award recognises the social enterprise’s innovative work to encourage young people in Aberdeen to become active in extreme sports, art and music; further notes the centre’s crucial role as part of the city’s regeneration programme and its success in attracting people from the local area and further a field to Aberdeen and wishes the centre well in its work in making a difference to young people in Aberdeen

You can track the support for the bill here: