Parliament tells Government to think again on Flood Funding

17 January 2008

Parliament's Rural Affairs and Environment Committee has unanimously told the government to think again about changes to its flood and coast protection funding policy, following scrutiny of their budget plans.

In a rare moment of cross party unity about the SNP's budget plans, the SNP members of the Committee joined Labour, Liberals and the Tories in telling the Scottish Government it needed to reconsider its planned policy changes.

Peter Peacock, Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands who has been raising serious questions about the change in policy planned by the government, said:

"The fact the Committee has made a unanimous recommendation I hope will weigh heavily with the government and they can get themselves off the hook of their own making by reconsidering their policy."

The government planned to scrap their budget for supporting local authorities with the high costs of building flood and coast protection schemes.

Councils currently can apply for 80% of the cost of approved schemes and when they had completed their scheme another local authority would then benefit.

In future the funding would have to be found from within a council's annual budget allocation from government.

The Rural Affairs Committee has said in its report,

"Flood management schemes can be extremely expensive and individual authorities' annual shares of a national budget allocation might not be sufficient to fund the schemes needed in their areas.

"The committee has considerable concerns about how large-scale strategic flood management schemes will be funded under these arrangements." [Para 40, Page 9]

Download speech by David Stewart on Energy, Scottish Parliament 17/01/2008 ( PDF format) >>>

MSP condemns Highland Council Rent Increase

15 January 2008

Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, is condemning proposed increases to Highland Council house rents, accusing the SNP of taking from the poor to give to the rich.

Mrs Grant says the increases would not have been required if the housing stock transfer plan, which was vehemently opposed by the SNP, had gone ahead.

"Instead of the housing debt, which is £160 million, being written off and funding made available for refurbishment of what would have been housing association properties we are now facing rents going up," said Mrs Grant.

"While they are advocating a council tax freeze which disproportionately benefits the better off in our society the SNP led Council is proposing an inflation busting rent rise for their tenants many of whom are the least affluent in our society.

"This shows conclusively that the SNP are happy to take from the poor and give to the rich," said Mrs Grant.

Peter Peacock, Highlands and Islands Labour Regional MSP is calling on the chairman at Royal Mail to rethink his position on the future of Raasay post office.

In a letter to the Raasay branch, the Post Office has indicated that the local service does not fall into the categories protected from compulsory closure.

While it emphasises this does not mean the branch will necessarily shut – it does point out that it is in the group of 11,000 branches where 2,500 will be closed.

Given the unique geographical, economic and social factors on Raasay Mr Peacock believes this is ridiculous.

"The Post Office Network proposed certain access criteria to protect rural services.

"I share the surprise expressed by the secretary of the community council that the local post office should find itself in the category being considered for closure," said Mr Peacock.

Following an outcry from the community council and the wider population the MSP has to written to Alan Leighton, Chairman at Royal Mail, to outline the situation on Raasay and to urge him to re-categorize the branch.

Mr Peacock added: "In recent years much effort has been expended by the Scottish Executive, Highland Council and other statutory agencies to sustain and support the population in more remote parts of the Highlands and Islands, such as Raasay.

"It is deeply unsatisfactory and unhelpful to learn that Raasay post office is being considered for closure.

"If unique geographical features are to mean anything, surely Raasay post office should be near the top of any list of those branches exempt from risk of closure."

Peter Peacock, Highlands and Islands Regional Labour MSP has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament, criticising plans to relocate postal services in Fort William from the Crown Post Office to the basement of the local branch of WH Smith.

The north MSP has previously expressed concerns over the plans and heavily criticised the consultation process.

Mr Peacock said, "I am well aware of the considerable disquiet which exists in Fort William over the plans to move postal services in the town to the basement of the local WH Smith’s premises.

"I have received several representations from a local councillor and Fort William Community Council on this issue.

"Concerns have been expressed over the virtually meaningless nature of the ‘consultation’ and the unsuitability of the proposed location in the basement of WH Smith’s Fort William branch, which is accessed by steep and narrow stairs.

" It is planned to install a lift but this brings its own problems for the disabled and infirm in the event of a fire or simply dealing with peak customer demand.

"Overall the proposed move amounts to a downgrading of the service provided to the public, in what can be a very busy postal service outlet.

"The local community council has written to me advising they are trying to meet with a representative of WH Smith to discuss the issue and I will also be writing in support of their letter.

"The strength of feeling in Fort William over the proposals has not abated and the consultation process has been heavily criticised.

"I have lodged the motion on the Fort William Post Office to raise the profile of the local campaign and bring the issue to the attention of the Scottish Parliament."

Mr Peacock added, "The public in Fort William should have the right to expect that the closure and transfer of postal services from the Crown Post Office to another location should not amount to a downgrading."

The text of Peter Peacock’s motion reads :

Fort William Post Office— That the Parliament expresses concern over the current consultation about post office services in Fort William which are to be transferred to the basement floor of the local branch of WH Smith; notes the considerable concerns that have been expressed by local residents who believe that these new arrangements are not adequate to meet customer requirements, in particular for the elderly and infirm, and strongly urges the Post Office and WH Smith to reconsider the proposed location.

Plans announced today by the SNP to end the housing crisis won’t have any impact on the problems facing Highland Council tenants, according to Labour MSP Rhoda Grant.

The minority government proposals to abolish right to buy will only apply to new build homes.

The Highlands and Islands MSP said she is angry that the proposal takes no account of the fact that the debt which Highland Council faces means it is unlikely it would even be able to build new homes.

The £160 million debt could have been wiped out had tenants chosen in favour of community buy out of the housing stock voted on almost a year ago.

"The local SNP deceived people in the Highlands that a vote which would have cleared the debt was privatisation of their homes.

The situation tenants are in now – with over 2,000 local homes beneath minimum standard - is much worse.

"Any desire on the part of the Independent/SNP led Highland Council to build houses would have to be set against rising rents, stopping improvements and delaying repairs.

Tenants in the Highlands are in an impossible position and the Scottish Government will need to come up with more ideas than those outlined today to fix the problems they have created as a result of a campaign they promoted.

Now, to add insult to injury, Cabinet Secretary Nicola Sturgeon stressed, in her written statement, that the option for future transfer of housing stock would continue to exist.

A Moray Christmas morning ruined, a Shetland peat flood on hill croft houses, an Ardgay home abandoned for six months.

These are the kinds of experiences MSP Peter Peacock is hearing following his appeal to the people of the North to give him their stories for a Parliamentary Inquiry.

The Highlands and Islands Regional Labour MSP is gathering evidence on the effects of flooding and the measures local people think can be put in place to prevent it happening to them again.

And Mr Peacock is calling for action now on a new funding formula to ensure investment is made available to protect communities in the north from the effects of flooding, following changes in the minority SNP government’s funding policies for local government.

His call comes following a briefing from Officials at Highland Council who are working on schemes to alleviate flooding across the region and a week after the anniversary of the major floods that hit Dingwall and many other parts of the Highlands.

Peter Peacock said: "I have been contacted by many people from across the Highlands with their experience of flooding.

"I have had letters from residents in Dingwall, Strathpeffer, Newtonmore, Dornoch and many other communities.

"The disruption, misery and anguish caused by flooding takes a huge toll on those affected, and we are seeing more and more flooding as climate changes take effect.

"The briefing I have had from Highland Council illustrates the scale of the problem with many schemes requiring work and new planning being required as we anticipate more flooding events in future.

"Such is the scale of the problem that the Scottish Parliament, quite independent of government, is starting a major inquiry into flooding, changing weather patterns and whether our law and administrative practices are fit to manage the increased flooding we all anticipate over future years.

"The inquiry will report next year sometime, and the evidence Highland Council can give will be invaluable, but there are urgent changes in policy needed now to help Councils make key investments.

"The Highland Council faces a huge bill to make the necessary investments to help prevent flooding affecting peoples’ homes over coming years.

"Sadly, their ability to do so has been all but removed from them by one consequence of the minority SNP government’s policy on freezing council tax.

"Councils have traditionally had to make a 20% contribution to the costs of significant flood protection schemes, as well as now having to increase spending on maintenance of gulleys and culverts, for example, to keep drainage systems clear.

"With Council’s being told to freeze their Council tax it becomes almost impossible for them to find the necessary cash to do their bit. In the circumstances the minority nationalist government really have an obligation to meet the bills 100% and that is what I am calling on them to do.

"Thankfully the recent spending review has given the minority nationalist government twice as much money as Donald Dewar had at his disposal only some 8 years ago.

"Within a £30 billion budget flooding needs to get a higher priority and Councils need the extra support to overtake the vital work they need done."

Peter Peacock will be writing to the minority nationalist government seeking a change in policy.

This week’s Ross-shire marks the anniversary of last year’s flooding of Dingwall, Strathpeffer and many other parts of Ross-shire.

The flooding of homes is devastating.

The displacement from home, the loss of household goods and equipment and, worst of all, the loss of irreplaceable personal mementos – photos of the children growing up and relatives who have now passed away.

Flooding can leave a residue of real fear that it may all happen again.

A number of residents in Ross-shire have written to me with their experiences of flooding and I hope to meet some of them soon.

Their experience will be invaluable to me in the Committee of Parliament of which is just starting a major inquiry into flooding.

The incidence of flooding is increasing as we experience climate change.

Our flooding laws and procedures are becoming dated and we need to embrace a whole lot of new thinking if we are to protect people from flooding in future.

If you have a story to tell about flooding, please be in touch.

I have part of my website devoted to flooding and you can keep in touch with the progress of the inquiry there – just ‘google’ me!

The last couple of weeks saw confirmation of future spending plans of the UK Government, from which the Scottish Executive gets its income.

The growth in public spending remains truly remarkable.

The minority SNP government will have some £30,000,000,000, yes, close to £30 billion to spend each year.

That is twice the amount Donald Dewar had eight years ago.

The basic figures have been known since before the Scottish election, so there is no excuse for the SNP not delivering on every one of their election promises.

I expect that they won’t and you can expect to hear all sorts of excuses about being ‘short-changed’ by Westminster – its all part of this minority government’s obsession with picking fights with Westminster, to try to build up a sense of grievance.

It is also to try to wriggle out of what all their political opponents knew were undeliverable commitments – but they were commitments made.

We all need to hold them to their promises and expose the excuses when they come.

I intend to play my part in that.

One matter which should be beyond doubt should be a continuing commitment to our community wardens.

The community wardens in Ross-shire do a fantastic job, working with the police, making our communities safer and better places in which to live.

Labour is committed to doubling the number of community wardens, so more communities in Ross-shire could benefit.

That extra spending was committed as part of the increased public spending I mentioned above, yet there seems some doubt as to whether the new minority SNP government will give the Councils the money they need to keep the existing wardens, let alone double their number.

I will be keeping a very close eye on what the minority SNP government and their pals in Highland Council do and I intend to press them very hard to get more funding for this great work.

Two final matters. I was amused to hear a daughter gently, politely, but firmly, chastising her mother in the isles of Tesco the other day on the issue of good manners.

It seems a friend (who they had just bumped into) had left many messages for her mum, but mum hadn’t taken the time to respond.

She asked mum whether it was good manners not to return calls from friends and a chastened mum agreed it was not.

Good manners are still important and it is nice to see a younger person standing up for good mannered actions –adults should take heed!

Finally, I’m afraid my golf isn’t getting any better, but I will keep practising!

Peter Peacock, Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, has praised the work of Ross and Cromarty voluntary organisation Home-Start in a motion to the Scottish Parliament.

The Regional MSP congratulated them on the work carried out over the past 19 years by volunteers who offer support and help to families experiencing various difficulties.

They offer a variety of techniques and services including home visits, speech and language therapy, toy libraries etc. all of which are designed to strengthen families and helping them to learn new skills and improve their own self confidence.

The text of the motion reads :

Congratulations to Home-Start Ross & Cromarty—That the Parliament congratulates Home-Start Ross & Cromarty for its contribution to supporting families in the area for the last 19 years; praises the effectiveness of its volunteers in supporting the welfare of families through early intervention and other strategies, and wishes Home-Start Ross & Cromarty every success for the future.

13 September 2007

Gordon Brown unveils statue in honour of Nelson Mandela in Parliament Square

Highlands and Islands Regional Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has received a reply from the Scottish Executive following a parliamentary question she tabled several weeks ago, seeking information on the carrying of offensive weapons in the Northern Constabulary area.

The question asked how many people aged both under 18 and over 18 have been convicted of carrying knives or possessing an offensive weapon in the force area in the last five years.

Mrs Grant said, "I tabled the question in response to increasing public concern over the carrying of knives and offensive weapons in our communities.

"During 2004-05 twenty people, aged 18 and over, were convicted of ‘Having in a public place an article with a blade or point’ and a further thirty three with ‘Possession of an offensive weapon.’

"These were the highest figures recorded for such offences during the past five years.

"Over the remaining years the combined figures for both categories have varied between forty and forty four, the figure recorded for 2003-04 and 2005-06.

"The statistics for those under 18 committing such offences are lower but for the period 2005-06 seven persons under 18 were convicted of ‘Having in a public place an article with a blade or point’ and one with ‘Possession of an offensive weapon.’

"It is disturbing to see any such convictions in this age group.

"Any conviction for carrying a knife or offensive weapon is concerning, given the possibility of serious injury, or worse, if the weapon is used in anger.

"In a largely rural area such as covered by the Northern Constabulary, these figures must cause unease but they also confirm that the force is working to address the problem."

Mrs Grant added, "I would yet again, urge any young person considering carrying a knife or offensive weapon to bear in mind what the final outcome might be.

"Carrying such a weapon for ‘defence’ or out of bravado is extremely dangerous, particularly if alcohol is consumed.

"When a knife or offensive weapon is used, the outcome for the victim, the assailant and their respective families can be dire and ruin lives."

3 August 2007

Labour’s Highlands and Islands Regional MSP, Peter Peacock, has expressed his disappointment at the response he received from Highland Council following a letter urging the council to utilise the post office network for council services to help save local post offices.

Peter Peacock said, "I wrote to the convener and to the leader of the SNP group on the council highlighting the UK government’s plans to maintain their subsidy for the post office network and to support 500 new outreach services, some of which could come to the Highlands and Islands.

"While the convener gave me a full response, I am still awaiting a response from the SNP leader.

"One way for the new council to support the post office network is to ensure the council itself uses the post office to provide more key council services.

"This would build on pilot programmes such as mobile post office and satellite outreach services which have been trialled in Caithness and Ross-shire.

"I urged the council to offer maximum rating relief to post offices and to work in partnership with post offices by providing access to council facilities for outreach services, including mobile library services.

"I am pleased the council will help with rating relief and the reply I have received reveals that in the last year 87 post offices received over £38,000 in rating relief.

"However, overall the council’s response seems reluctant to fully embrace the role post offices could play.

"Indeed, the council have made clear they are keen to take customers away from the post office in collecting council tax and their reply reveals they have persuaded over 1,500 post office customers to take their business away from local post offices.

"The council also seem reluctant and maybe even unwilling to extend more routine services – like giving disabled badges and benefits applications - through post offices.

Peter Peacock concluded, "I applaud the council for wanting to be efficient and save council taxpayers money in how they deliver services.

"That is fine in itself, but I hope the council won’t then be complaining at any post office closures if they, themselves, are taking customers away as therein lies the essential problem with post office viability.

"I will continue to press the post office to locate some of their new outreach services in the Highlands and I will also continue to press the council to do as much as they can to better utilise the post offices."

6 August 2007

Highlands and Islands Regional Labour MSP Peter Peacock has written to Postwatch Scotland urging them to ensure concerns at Fort William regarding post office services are heeded.

18 July 2007

Pleas for cash aid for Dingwall Town Centre

Labour's Highlands and Islands Regional MSP, Peter Peacock has raised the issue of Dingwall  town centre in the Scottish Parliament.

The North MSP sought an assurance from the Scottish Executive that it would consider a small towns regeneration fund as a priority for extra funding and consider giving local authorities more powers to deal with empty buildings and dereliction and, where necessary, compulsory purchase of key buildings to secure town centre improvements.

Town centre trusts could act as a vehicle for environmental improvements, that many small towns seek.

Mr Peacock said, "I know that many communities feel powerless to act in bringing about town centre improvements in the timescales they desire.

"Very often town centres can be blighted by empty shops and dereliction, but also many towns and traders have great new ideas for bringing about environmental improvements to improve the feel of town centres and their trading prospects.

"These towns deserve backing.

"I have asked the Executive to consider setting up a new small town centres improvement fund and to give new streamlined powers to local authorities to assist improve town centres.

"I hope that if they do so Dingwall might benefit. I hope the Executive will act on this as I know town centres are a vital part of creating vibrant local communities.

"I would be happy to hear from anyone with ideas they have for improving their town centre and take that case to the Executive."

14 July  2007

Prime Minister Gordon Brown's speech as he arrives at Downing Street

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