HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS SNP MSPS WELCOME CROFTING BILL

News Release - for immediate use
10 December 2009
ATTN: News desks

Dave Thompson and Rob Gibson, SNP MSPs for the Highlands & Islands, have this morning (Thurs.) welcomed the launch of the new Crofting Bill which Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham announced in Inverness.

The legislation will address issues of widespread concern that crofting is in decline and a consequence of persistently high levels of absenteeism, growing levels of neglect and the continuing removal of land from crofting tenure.

The first part of the Bill proposes reforms to make the Crofters Commission more effective in delivering its core function of regulating crofting by allowing for directly elected members, greater flexibility in developing regulatory policy and changes to its powers to bring it into line with more conventional non-departmental public bodies.

Part 2 of the Bill will create a new Crofting Register which will be map-based and clearly define the extent of, and interest in, a croft and other land in crofting tenure.

Part 3 of the Bill defines 'owner-occupier crofters' and places a duty on the Commission to take action in respect of absenteeism and neglect by both tenant and owner-occupier crofters - requiring crofters to be resident on, or near, their croft and put it to some form of productive use.

Part 4 of the Bill tackles speculation on development of croft land by strengthening grounds under which the Commission may reject an application to decroft where it considers the cumulative effects of such applications to have a negative impact on crofting in the area, the long term sustainability of the community and the corresponding environmental, cultural and landscape benefits derived from crofting.

Rob Gibson MSP welcomed the announcement, saying:

"This legislation is very welcome and long overdue in improving crofting regulation. In particular, I have consulted many constituents across the Highlands who will welcome new powers to reject decrofting in the wake of applicants gaining outline planning permission. This should be able to stem the haemorrhage of good croft land for housing speculation.

"As the bill progresses it will become even more relevant to building sustainable crofting communities for the future.

Dave Thompson MSP praised the removal of burdensome requirements contained in the previous draft bill, such as the high cost of the register and the housing occupancy requirement:

"The Scottish Government is committed to developing a sustainable crofting sector, and the new Bill will set out measures to ensure crofting survives as a unique way of life.

"I have travelled around my constituency listening to crofters concerns and what they hope to see in the legislation. The SNP is a listening Government and that is reflected in today's Bill. As it goes through Parliament I look forward to scrutinising the legislation in detail and would urge everyone with an interest to make sure they give me their input as it travels through Parliament.

ENDS

NOTES

Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham laid out the details of the Bill at a press conference this morning at Scottish Natural Heritage in Inverness (9:40am).

Details of the announcement can be found at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/12/10100603

GIBSON WELCOMES MUCH NEEDED BROADBAND BOOST

News Release - for immediate use
9 December 2009

ATTN: News desks

Speaking ahead of his contribution in this evening's Holyrood debate on Broadband for Rural Scotland, Highlands & Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson welcomed a much-needed broadband boost for rural communities.

Today the Scottish Government announced an upgrade of 71 telephone exchanges to improve online services.

Due to high broadband take-up, a number of telephone exchanges in rural areas of Scotland have not been able to accommodate new users because of capacity constraints. Today's announcement will go a long way in relieving that strain.

Commenting, Rob Gibson said:

"I am very pleased to see a number of small settlements throughout the Highlands, in particular Durness, the Craigs, Gillock, Lyth, Tongue, Berriedale, Kinbrace, Rosehall, Scourie, Westerdale, Achiltibuie and North Erradale, as well as many throughout the Islands, have been identified for upgrade.

"At the beginning of this year I issued an eye opening report on the findings of a broadband consultation I conducted throughout my constituency. The numbers of hard pressed families and businesses operating with inadequate speeds and provisions, or even no internet at all, is simply insufferable in today's modern age.

"Upgrades in these acutely identified areas will go some way in improving the situation, though the job of increasing capacity, reach and speed in Scotland's rural areas is still far from finished and requires BT to offer equal access as enjoyed by city dwellers.

ENDS

NOTES

Copy of Rob Gibson's Broadband Consultation report attached.


Background: The Scottish Government announced in September that it was working with BT to agree an upgrade programme by looking at areas most in need. Following completion of this work, BT has already started work on the upgrade programme and expects the first upgrades to be operational by March. The exchanges to be upgraded are:


Argyll and the Islands - Coll, Colonsay, Gigha, Jura, Pirnmill, Kilchattan Bay, Kilfinan, Machrie, Pennyghael, Sliddery, Whitehouse

Ayrshire - Craigie, Straiton

Caithness and Sutherland - The Craigs, Durness, Gillock, Lyth, Tongue, Berriedale, Kinbrace, Rosehall, Scourie, Westerdale

Dumfries and Galloway - Bargrennan, Durisdeer, Marrburn

Forth Valley - Inversnaid, Trossachs

Inverness and East Highland - Advie, Glenferness, Laggan, Scatwell

Lanarkshire - Elvanfoot

Lochaber - Ardgour, Glenborrodale

Lothian - Garvald

Moray - Drummuir, Mulben

Orkney - Birsay, Hoy, Papa Westray

Renfrewshire - Loganswell

Scottish Borders - Grantshouse, Longformacus, Abbey St Bathans, Borthwickbrae, Lempitlaw, Stobo

Shetland - Burravoe, Fetlar, Gutcher, Fair Isle, Out Skerries

Skye and Wester Ross - Achiltibuie, Duntulm, Kinlochewe, Staffin, Uig, Killilan, Loch Scavaig, North Erradale, Tarskavaig

Tayside - Strathardle, Amulree, Bridge of Balgie, Bridge of Gaur, Butterstone, Trochry, Tummelbridge, Fern and Menmuir

For further information on the upgrade, see:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/BroadbandforScotland/SEBroadbandInitiatives/Announcements

Gibson backs rheumatology campaign

News release
immediate release
07/12/09

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has backed a campaign to block proposed cuts to the rheumatology services in Dingwall.

Mr Gibson added his voice following the intervention of SNP colleague Dave Thompson. After concerns were raised by Sutherland constituents and George Budge of Wick that the unit in Dingwall is due to be either cut to a 5 day a week service or have it's bed capacity reduced to be able to remain open for 7. The charity supported Puffin Pool is open on Saturdays and should not be forced to reduce its much appreciated hydrotherapy service.

Mr Gibson said…

"I am concerned by the plans to cut back on services at Dingwall. This unit offers relief to people across the Highlands so if anything the NHS should be increasing the scope of the operation not reducing it."

"I am calling on Chair of NHS Highlands Gary Coutts to make sure that people who rely on the rheumatology centre in Dingwall are not unfairly treated."

"Health centers which offer respite for those afflicted with arthritis are important and the fact is they should be open 7 days a week for those that need them not for 5 days or for fewer people."ENDS

Gibson backs rheumatology campaign

News release
immediate release
07/12/09

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has backed a campaign to block proposed cuts to the rheumatology services in Dingwall.

Mr Gibson added his voice following the intervention of SNP colleague Dave Thompson. After concerns were raised by Sutherland constituents and George Budge of Wick that the unit in Dingwall is due to be either cut to a 5 day a week service or have it's bed capacity reduced to be able to remain open for 7. The charity supported Puffin Pool is open on Saturdays and should not be forced to reduce its much appreciated hydrotherapy service.

Mr Gibson said…

"I am concerned by the plans to cut back on services at Dingwall. This unit offers relief to people across the Highlands so if anything the NHS should be increasing the scope of the operation not reducing it."

"I am calling on Chair of NHS Highlands Gary Coutts to make sure that people who rely on the rheumatology centre in Dingwall are not unfairly treated."

"Health centers which offer respite for those afflicted with arthritis are important and the fact is they should be open 7 days a week for those that need them not for 5 days or for fewer people."
ENDS

Gibson pipped at the post

News release
Immediate release
04/12/09

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has been pipped at the post on being named green politician of the year at the Scottish renewable green energy awards to Green Politician Patrick Harvie.

The Co convenor of the Scottish Green Party who is also convernor of Holyrood's Transport and Climate Change Committee beat Rob who was short listed along with SNP Colleague Alyn Smith MEP and Lib Dem MSP Liam Macarthur.

Congratulating Patrick on his success Rob said…

"Renewable energy is going to be the backbone of Scotland's future. Therefore it for all politicians to get behind it and make sure that it works. A dereliction of this is a snub to the dynamic and sustainable future which Scotland (with it's wealth of renewable resources) is due. Energy independence is an essential tool for national sustainability."

Rob who will be among a delegation among the delegation attending the Copenhagen summit said that green politics are more important now than ever.

"The fact is we are now in the climate change era. It is up to politicians to try and pull in the right direction to make sure that we don't suffer overly."

ENDS

Gibson welcomes Government action on crofting

News release
Immediate release
04/12/09

SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed news that hundreds of crofters will see interest payments on their homes halved after action from the Scottish Government.

The announcement was made by Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham means that as many as 1,700 crofters will be able to move from a fixed interest rate, as high as seven per cent, to a new variable rate of three point five per cent.

Mr Gibson said…

"I welcome this decisive action from the Scottish Government which will make a positive difference to crofters in the current economic recession."

"Crofters living in rural and remote areas often bear the brunt of the recession. The cost of living is magnified due to the fact of geography so any help that the Scottish Government can give (especially in these times) is good."

Rob also welcomed the statement that the Scottish Government is encouraging SEPA to waive fees to rural based businesses such as fishing, farming and forestry.

"It is important that rural businesses are helped as much as their urban counterparts to over come these tough economic times. Rural sustainable communities and businesses are going to be more important in the future prosperity of Scotland so support today is investment for tomorrow."

ENDS

Gibson urges loan consideration

News release
Immediate release
04/012/09

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has called on landlords, small to medium sized enterprises, Not for profit organizations and charities to make the most of the Scottish Governments energy saving loans

These organisations are eligible for a 0% interest loan of between £1,000 and £100,000 to install renewable energy technologies or measures that reduce energy consumption.

The loan funded by the Scottish Government is available for (among other things*) high efficacy heating, biomass systems as well as renewable features such as, wind hydro and solar panels.

Mr Gibson said...

"This a great deal which is definitely worth investigating. It is a chance to become more energy efficient and save money."

"Increased Energy efficacy is a win win situation. I would encourage SMEs, charities, not for profit organsiation and landlords to look seriously at this loan. It offers a way in which to improve their property as well as lessen energy usage and carbon emissions."

"In the climate change era being more energy independent is going to become more important. This loan is a way of achieving that energy independence."

ENDS

Note
Contact Energy saving Scotland advice centre for more information
0800 512 012

Link to website with more information.
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Scotland-Welcome-page/Business-and-Public-Sector-in-Scotland/Grants/Small-Business-Loans

*List of energy devices which can be used and improvements which can be made:
In the past, this loan scheme has supported the installation of:
• Improved lighting and controls.
• Compressed air fittings.
• Boiler/heating controls.
• Heat recovery.
• High efficiency electric motors.
• Building and pipe work insulation.
• Biomass systems.
• Ground source heat pumps.
• High efficiency heating.
• New plant/machinery.
Solar photovoltaic.
• Hydro-electric.
• Wind.
• Solar water heating.
• Solar space heating.
• Wood fuel heating systems
(boilers and room heaters/stoves).
• Heat pumps (ground, air and water source).
• Biomass heating systems.

The list is not exhaustive and other energy saving or renewable technologies may be considered. However please be aware that any electricity-generating renewable system, which the energy review suggests will result in the site becoming a net exporter of electricity over the course of a year, is not eligible for a loan.

Who can apply:
The scheme is aimed at Scottish businesses that fall within the EC definition of Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME), private sector landlords, not-for-profit organisations and charities.

Gibson congratulates Forres world champions

News release
Immediate release

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP has lodged a motion in parliament congratulating Murdoch Brothers butchers of Forres on their success at the 2010 World Scotch Pie championships.

The Forres based butchers beat of stiff competition from a record breaking 85 entrants to claim top spot in the steak pie category prize last week. They also picked up a bronze award for their pork pie

The butchers are a family company founded three generations ago, and uses world-class quality ingredients for its 40-year-old original family recipe which is still in use today.

Mr Gibson said…

"This is an impressive result for the Murdoch Brothers Butchers; they beat off stiff competition to win the crown. The victory is no mean achievement this was a year of record entries so it is an impressive feather in their cap."

"This win means that Forres has it's very own world champions. It is important that in the recession and an age when people are more likely to shop in the supermarket than locally then it is important that people recognise the quality that is on their doorstep."

"Competitions like this are a great way of show casing excellence. It is clear that Murdoch Brothers has that in both it's steak pies and pork pies too."

ENDS

Note

Copy of Motion

S3M-05318 Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish National Party): Forres Pies are World's Best— That the Parliament congratulates Murdoch Brothers Butchers on its success in the 2010 World Scotch Pie Championships; commends the Forres-based butcher shop in beating out 85 other entrants to earn the title of World Scotch Pie Champions while also taking home the bronze medal for its pork pie and gold medal for its steak pie, and recognises the continued excellence of Murdoch Brothers, a family company dating back three generations, and the world-class quality of its 40-year-old original family recipe, still in use today.