GIBSON BACKS MORE CAITHNESS POWERS

ATTN: NEWSDESK

News release
For immediate use

SNP CANDIDATE STANDS OUT AS MAN WITH IDEAS IN RACE TO HOLYROOD

SNP Candidate for the forthcoming Holyrood elections, Rob Gibson, has today backed local calls for more local decision taking powers for Caithness. 
Speaking as the race to Holyrood enters it's second week, Mr Gibson has outlined how Caithness could benefit from more local government. The SNP candidate, and Highland MSP since 2003, has pointed to Norway as an example of how more devolution in Caithness might work. 
In a major development in the race to represent the county in Holyrood, Mr Gibson is the first candidate in this election to respond to longstanding local concern at a lack of local rights to make council decisions in Caithness.
Speaking exclusively to North of Scotland News, Mr Gibson said:
"I am optimistic and confident about our future in Caithness. We need to take steps now to secure that prosperity, or we'll be kicking ourselves again and again further down the line.
"I fundamentally believe that a major step in securing that more prosperous future in Caithness involves taking more local government, health and development decisions locally.
"Taking more local responsibility means reaping more rewards locally. From our  emerging energy sector, to our vitally important small business community, Caithness stands to gain from more local powers. 
"Highland Council under a previous Chief Executive set up 'area' committees the size of Westminister constituencies. Now, some thought has to go into giving the Caithness wards some powers. A step by step return of powers to Caithness should begin.

 

"We need only look to Norway to see how smaller local government units make for more prosperous communities. In Scandinavia, it is small, rural communities - very similar to ours - who are leading the way in energy development, and they're making sure the local community benefits first and foremost. We have the skills, talent and drive to make this work in Caithness.

"There is undoubtedly local appetite for more decision making powers in Caithness, and I believe it is the job of politicians to listen and act on constituents' concerns. I am saying to folk in Caithness today; I hear you, I agree with you, and I believe more local government is best here."

ENDS

Contact for campaign press is Alex MacLeod: 07590 281 259

Notes:

 

In Norway, a commune can contain anything from 100 residents. These communes competently deal with administration of the education and health systems in the country, as well as working on localised energy systems. They provide small rural areas with strong representation within regional and national government.

 

In Sweden, the island of Gotland is at the forefront of renewable energy development. Under Swedish local government arrangements, the relatively small local authority enjoys a significant return on energy development in the area.

GIBSON WELCOMES FUNDING AS GREEN ENERGY PIER GETS ALL GO

For Immediate Release – Monday 21^st March 2011

Attn.     NEWS DESKS
           POLITICAL / TRANSPORT EDITORS

GOLDEN ENERGY OPPORTUNITY FOR NORTH OF SCOTLAND

 

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed today's news that the SNP Government will contribute £2.2 million to help complete a funding package of around £20 million for the project.

 

This work will not only include an upgrade of facilities at the port for existing users, including the fisheries and freight industries, but also exploit the potential from the emerging marine energy sector in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters.

 

Commenting Mr Gibson said:

 

"As promised, the Scottish Government has delivered the final funding package to give Scrabster Harbour the green light for building the marine renewable launch pad to service Pentland Firth tidal and wave leases.

 

"This points to a golden opportunity for the north coast mainland port. My congratulations go to the far-sighted harbour board leaders, Willie Calder and Jock Campbell who have given Caithness an example of clear sighted and steady business leadership with benefits for the whole area in mind.

 

"Along with all of us in the SNP I have backed Scrabster's efforts from the start. First Minister Alex Salmond agreed at the Caithness Regeneration Conference three years ago that the Scottish marine renewables revolution needed basic port infrastructure here

 

"Step by step the NDA, HIP, HIE and the SNP Government has delivered the public funds to compliment Scrabster's own investment. I am delighted we can keep ahead of the renewables development curve to create new jobs and a key hub here in Caithness."

 

ENDS

 

Notes

 

The Scottish Government statement on the funding can be read here:

 

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/03/21134335

GIBSON HOSTS LOCAL FARMERS AT TAIN RECEPTION

"As we get ever closer to wholesale reform of the CAP post 2013, we have everything to play for. We're in a good position in Scotland to influence the eventual shape of the policy, and I'll be making sure I feed in as many of the suggestions I have had from our farming sector - whether it is making sure that food production comes first, or a call for more effective support for Scottish farmers, or less of the bureaucracy that has come to be so closely associated with the CAP."

Mr Whiteford added:

 

"I've decided to endorse Rob as our next constituency MSP, because he's done tremendous work to fight for farming in Edinburgh. I don't want to see a Lib Dem MSP let Labour in by the back door, so I've decided it's time to stand up and be counted. This time, I'm voting SNP."

ENDS

ATTN: NEWSDESK

News Release

For Immediate Use Saturday 19th March

MSP JOINED BY TOP MEP AS LOCAL FARMERS ENDORSE SNP

Highland MSP and SNP candidate for Caithness Sutherland and Ross, Rob Gibson, has today hosted a large gathering of local farmers and crofters at the Carnegie Hotel in Tain. 

 

The reception celebrating Highland farming and crofting featured top agricultural MEP, Alyn Smith, as a special guest. The two politicians took questions from the crowd following the reception, which included local produce from in and around Tain.

 

During a speech to around forty local farmers, Mr Gibson revealed that the SNP would be placing support for farming businesses at the heart of its soon to be published 'farming manifesto'. The manifesto will include measures to continue to reduce red-tape, as well as placing the SNP squarely against the cuts to farming subsidies down in England. 

 

Many farmers in attendance have recently come out as endorsing Rob Gibson as the North's next MSP, including prominent local farmer Jim Whiteford.

 

Speaking after the reception, Mr Gibson said:

 

"It's been a pleasure catching-up with old friends and new today, and listening to very exciting ideas for the future of the agricultural industry.

"One of the major agricultural achievements of the SNP Government over the past four years is making life easier for farmers. That means cutting rep-tape, and ensuring that the support mechanisms are in place to attract new blood to the industry. Cutting out bureaucracy and reducing unnecessary administration will form a key component of the SNP's farming manifesto, to be published shortly.

 

"The Scottish recipe for success is in tune with many of our European partners and customers than a witch’s brew of cheap imports and reduced home production proposed in London, first by New Labour now by the ConDem.

"I'm confident of the SNP's support among farmers, who are faced with a Labour party who don't understand them and a Lib Dem party delivering Tory farming cuts down south. The SNP has a proven track record of support among farmers, because we value their contribution to the Scottish economy. I want to protect and build on our farming progress after May 5th."

Mr Smith added:

Gibson celebrates Brora win

News release

Immediate release 16/03/11

Highlands and Islands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed an announcement that Brora Youth Football Club is to benefit from a Scottish Government scheme which sees money seized from criminals ploughed back into worthwhile youth projects.

Mr Gibson was commenting after it was announced that Brora Youth Football Club was to receive £50,000 of funding which will see a new  state of the art 3G Astroturf surface being laid.

Mr Gibson said...

"This is excellent news for Brora youth football club. I am no football expert but I am told that 3rd Generation Astroturf such as is been laid in Brora, is the best there is at the moment. This can only be a boost and help with the development of footballing talent in Brora and the surrounding area."

"I am a big fan of the Scottish Government Cashback to Communities scheme.. It takes money from criminals’ ill-gotten gains, such as drug dealing and give it back to schemes which benefit youth groups across Scotland. Great credit has to go to Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill for taking the scheme forward."

"Since it was set up in 2007 Cashback to communities has given more than £40 million to hundreds of projects across the country helping more than half a million young people.

"Investing in our young people in this way is a sure way to build a better community, investments of this sort might even help Brora Rangers in the long run."

ENDS

Background:

The Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities programme uses money seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act to fund community projects in Scotland. Since it launched in 2007, £39.7 million has been taken from criminals and given to a variety of community projects. More information is available at: www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/public-safety/17141/cashback

The one-off £5 million in grant funding announced today will help 23 community groups upgrade their facilities or build new pitches or changing rooms. The projects have been identified as being of strategic importance to the Scottish game by the Scottish FA with the assistance of sportscotland.

The Scottish FA is a long term CashBack partner and was awarded £2.5 million between 2008 and 2011 to help fund a variety of youth coaching programmes and street football initiatives. More information on the ongoing work done by the Scottish FA funded by CashBack can be found here:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/254432/0092867.pdf

A list of the projects identified for funding is attached.

These awards are indicative at present and subject to further scrutiny after the full details of the projects are made available.

Highlands

Brora Youth

New 3G surface 55m x 20m

£50,000

Gibson hails Cooperative model

News/Agriculture release

Immediate release  14/03/11

Rob Gibson SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands hailed the setting up of the Fenwick Weavers Society, the first documented cooperative in the world, two hundred and fifty years ago today

14th March 1761.

Mr Gibson said that great strides forward had been made since the 18th Century in the Co-op movement and that is remained one of, if not the,  the fairest  models of ownership.

In 2011 a billion workers around the globe control producer and consumer coops.

Rob said that across the Highlands and Islands and beyond the cooperative model is thriving,

" Here in the Highlands two fine examples are Caithness Livestock Breeders, who have turned in healthy results this week in tough times and Highland Grain Ltd of Tore in the Black

Isle the famous suppliers of malting barley to the Scotch Whisky industry . There are many more to celebrate not least the Coop food stores dotted around our towns and villages in the North and new windfarm coops springing up."

"I have long championed the coop movement and note with pleasure that these mutual ideas spread across the world from Scotland. In today's trading world it is coops and mutuals

which are the most stable and sustainable businesses. John Lewis Partners and Waitrose are two employee owned chains that give the highest satisfaction to customers, year in, year out."

"Farming coop have been very successful across Scotland aided by the longstanding support of government and including the SNP Scots Government which have backed the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society Ltd. Even better the support is cross-party and is exemplified by the huge turn out in Fenwick today. "

"Last October I achieved a longstanding personal ambition to visit the Mondragon coops in the Basque Country. Begun in 1956 they now include 256 coops in the Mondragon Corporation with 90,000 members and plants in 18 countries all run by employee owners. Scotland needs their approach here in many fields. In the 1970s community coops were imported as an idea from Ireland, some still function. But the field is much wider and the search for sound business models in an uncertain world can learn from the co-operators of Fenwick and their many

successors right here in our own area."

ENDS

Note

Copy of Rob's speech (as well as link to the full debate) during the Wille Coffey's Members debate on the Fenwick weavers

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/apps2/business/orsearch/Report

View.aspx?r=6175&mode=html

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): I congratulate Willie

Coffey on bringing this debate to the chamber at this historic

time of 250 years after the creation of the Fenwick Weavers

Society, which is the oldest example in the world of a

distributive co-operation for which there is documentary

evidence. The creation of the society was a remarkable event,

which was based on the idea that solidarity between those who

live together can be developed for their best interests and

those of their families and the community in which they live.

Indeed, the weavers society served as a model for others in

more industrial communities and, as we know, the idea spread to

many parts of the world.

It is interesting to consider the Fenwick weavers in the

context of how people respond to crises, because the issues

that they faced in the 1760s were a Britain at war and a

Scottish economy that was affected by import restrictions and

so on, which was also very much the experience of Robert Burns

slightly later. In the end, they, too, supported emigration to

try to free themselves from the yoke that they were under,

which is what Robert Burns wrote about in trying to show up the

landlords who tried to stop people escaping from that kind of

oppression.

That situation happened again and again. Indeed, the kind of

communities that Robert Owen was involved in setting up in the

new world, in Pennsylvania, and those that Welsh idealistic

socialists set up in Patagonia were very much in the tradition

of trying to create a co-operative community that could stand

up for itself and make its way in the world.

The Fenwick idea has had many elaborations in later times, not

the least of which, as is mentioned in the motion, is the

Mondragon Corporation. It was founded in the wreckage and

carnage of the Spanish civil war in the Basque Country in an

area that had been devastated economically and had a closed

economic system. Don José María Arizmendiarrieta got together

some young men, who got themselves a technical education and,

in 1956, became involved in the production of—I

understand—small heaters of German origin. As the process

developed, they created their own bank, social security,

colleges and universities. Today, there are 256 co-operatives

in the Mondragon Corporation, which have worldwide reach.

Don José María recognised that innovation and education were at

the heart of the movement, as I guess the Fenwick weavers did. He said:

“However splendid the present might be, it is destined to fail

if it turns its back on the future.”

He thought that, through co-operation and solidarity,

innovation would enable workers to meet the challenges of the

ever-changing world. That is a huge testament to the ideas that

began in Fenwick so many years earlier and were carried forward

elsewhere in Scotland and in England.

I am delighted to support whole-heartedly the motion and an

idea in which I have been interested for 30 years. I visited

Mondragon at last in October and saw that it benefited from

ideas that had stemmed from our country and many others in

creating a model in which capital is controlled in a democratic

fashion for the benefit of all. I congratulate Willie Coffey

again on lodging the motion and I wish him and the Fenwick

Weavers Society well for the future.

SNP STEP IN TO SAVE MUSIC SCHOOL FROM LIBDEM-LABOUR AXE

For immediate release: Tuesday 15^th March 2011

Attn:    Newsdesks

            Political/Culture Correspondents

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCE FUNDING TO SAVE NATIONAL MUSIC SCHOOL

Scotland's up and coming traditional musicians will be celebrating today as their school is given a reprieve from closure by Education Secretary Michael Russell who is putting £200,000 into Plockton Music School with £200,000 in a partnership with West Highland College.  

The school had been set for closure after Liberal Democrat and Labour Councillors had voted to effectively close the well known and well loved institution last month.

Commenting, Highlands MSP Rob Gibson who attended the recent rally in Glasgow in support of the school said:

“This is great news and shows the SNP Government works where Labour/LibDem councils fail. Michael Russell’s dedication to Scotland’s culture and tireless work to better the education of our children is very welcome and truly fantastic.

"Mike Russell has found an imaginative bail out and a new way to develop the centre of excellence in traditional music. I've been a long time player and supporter of these young players whose talent and love of Scottish culture shows the future of our traditional music is safe in young hands. The SNP Government, MSPs and councillors share their values too.

“As a long time musician myself and a supporter of these young players, whose talent and love of Scottish culture shows the future of our traditional music is safe in young hands, it was a matter of disbelief when students, teachers and lovers of traditional music heard the LibDem/Labour Highland council's plans to close the school.

“They showed little duty of care for the students and their families with their announcement. The hypocrisy of praising protestors in the council chamber moments before voting to shut the school was a bitter blow and a stark contrast to the students demonstration in George Square in Glasgow, more a ceilidh-in than a sit in. 

"From the very start the SNP has consistently supported Plockton music students when the LibDem/Labour council thought it could axe the school without protest. They showed little duty of care for the students and their families. In council the hypocrisy of praise for the musical protesters followed by voting for closure was a bitter blow."

 

Speaking at the school this morning, Michael Russell said:

“The reaction to the proposed closure of the school from pupils, former pupils, musicians, politicians and members of the public clearly demonstrated the widespread support for the unique facilities at Plockton.

“This new partnership between the school and West Highland College will open up the school to older music students and allow them to take advantage of the quality teaching and outstanding legacy that Plockton has provided.

“Investment from the Scottish Government will make this partnership a reality and assist the bodies concerned in funding the school in these times of financial constraint over the coming years.

“Scotland has a fine history of producing talented professionals across a whole range of the arts and traditional music is no exception. As one of our National Centres for Excellence, it is already funded  by grant via the Highland Council and this will continue. Today’s announcement does not affect that relationship nor those responsibilities but opens up a range of new possibilities and broadens the base of support for this important facility.”

Dougie Pincock, Director of National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music:

“The additional funding through the college is a great opportunity for us to expand on the work we do already. The Scottish Government’s reaction to the overwhelming level of support we have received over the last few weeks is very welcome, and demonstrates a strong commitment to the development of Scottish traditional music education.”

Ends

GIBSON POINTS TO RURAL GARAGE FEARS

Newsdesk

For Immediate Use 2^nd March 2011

LIB DEMS DO NOT TAKE FUEL SERIOUSLY

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP, Rob Gibson, has today raised concerns over the future of rural petrol stations during a parliamentary debate this afternoon.

Mr Gibson - who has been approached by a number of constituents who are angry over the price of fuel - has pointed out that Lib Dem inaction on fuel duty could lead to the closure of small, rural petrol stations. Mr Gibson believes that fuel duty prevents independent garages from competing with larger supermarkets who can afford to pay duty.

One in three independent petrol stations have closed in the past 10 years.

Speaking after the debate, Mr Gibson said:

“Spiralling fuel costs affect us all, however I’m not sure that Lib Dem ministers in London actually realise the full consequences of their petrol price procrastination.

“I have been approached by Alistair Nicolson, who runs Pittentrail Garage in Rogart, who has told me that unless we see action from the UK Government to support small stations, businesses like his will disappear. He warns me that soon it may not be economically viable to run an independent petrol station in the Highlands, and I tend to agree.

“For folk like Alistair, the Lib Dem’s inaction on fuel duty is getting to be very worrying indeed. It is the fuel side of his business that is currently struggling, so we need to see action to lighten the load for these small garages.

“Petrol station owners like Alistair face losing their livelihoods and drivers in remote areas – where cars a necessity, not a luxury - will lose an essential service.

“This is yet another practical example of how fiscal autonomy and control of our own taxation could have a tangible and positive impact on our rural communities. And I urge Lib Dem ministers to deliver on their fuel pledge without delay, for the sake of businesses like Alistair’s.”

ENDS

GIBSON DEMANDS ACTION ON NORTH BROADBAND

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has called on a reduced rate for those receiving far slower broadband than is advertised.

Mr Gibson comments come in the wake of an ofcom report which shows that  the broadband that people received on the whole fell short of the advertised rate.

Mr  Gibson, who once walked out of a presentation from BT on Broadband because of their attitudes to delivering services in the North of Scotland said that this report highlighted the injustice.

The SNP MSP also suggested that people which were receiving vastly below the advertised speed should get a reduction in their internet bills.

"This report shows what most of us in the North and West Of Scotland have known for a long time that namely that providers especially BT give a woeful value for money when it comes to broadband speeds."

"My survey proved that people across the North and West were under provided when to comes to broadband, it is now up to BT and others to deliver on their promise or give a clearer account of what people can accept to receive from their broadband."

"The Scottish Government is pushing hard to upgrade the infrastructure of Broadband in the area, with HIE it successfully managed to secure funding of superfastboradbad for the Highlands and Islands. This shows the commitment there is to providing the means for fast broadband in the region."

"That should be matched by BT and the like. And if they are not happy to d this then they should reduce charges for people who receive slower broadband than is advertised."

Gibson welcomes Battery acquisition

News release

immediate release

02/03/11

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has warmly welcomed news that an energy giant has acquired Thurso based ABSL Solutions. 

Commenting on the news that Thurso based battery ABSL Solutions has been bought by the worlds largest industrial battery manufacturer EnerSys, Mr Gibson said...

"This is great news, the capacity to develop electricity storage for hydrogen and other renewables output is much enhanced by this acquisition.

"It shows once again that the Far North is in pole position for the Scottish Renewables revolution and that Thurso and Caithness is a key location for growing this type of business."

"The acquisition is testament to the excellence of the workforce and their reputation."

ENDS

GIBSON WELCOMES BOOST FOR DOUNRAEY WORKERS

ATTN: NEWSDESK

News release

For immediate use 28^th February 2011

SNP GOVERNEMNT TO INVEST IN RETRAINING AND REDELPOYMENT IN FAR NORTH

Highlands and Islands MSP Rob Gibson has today welcomed a Scottish Government announcement that £1,148,875 is to be awarded to the Caithness Chamber of Commerce to support the retraining and redeployment of the Dounreay workforce and wider community.

The cash boost comes as part of a £5 million round of funding for various Highland charities  and agencies . The funds will go towards the Chamber of Commerce "Make the Right Connections" support programme.

The cash has been awarded after the recently passed Scottish budget, which aims to protect and create jobs to drive economic recovery in the Highlands.

Speaking on the Caithness cash boost, Mr Gibson said:-

“This will come as welcome news to participants in the admirable ‘making the right connections’ scheme, which carries out important work in retraining and redeploying Dounraey workers.

“As well as concentrating on Dounraey employees, past and present, there is a community element to this scheme, so many more folk in North Sutherland and Caithness will benefit from this cash boost.

“We must do everything we can to minimise the ‘Dounraey impact’ here in Caithness, and support schemes such as this go a long way to ensuring this area is not left with the waste in the wake of the nuclear station's decommissioning 

“The recent SNP budget had jobs, training and skills at its heart. We believe that driving economic recovery in the Far North requires us to keep up a skilled workforce. That is why we have increased Highland apprenticeships by 53% since 2007, and will continue to make Highland jobs a priority if re-elected this year.”

ENDS

NOTES:

For skills, training and education, the Scottish Government's budget will:

* Invest a further £11.5 million to create 25,000 modern apprenticeship places - a record high for Scotland

* Provide 7,000 flexible training opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) - 2,000 more than originally planned in the draft Budget

* Protect the total number of core university places and invest £8 million for an extra 1,200 college places

* Invest an additional £15 million across 2010-11 and 2011-12 in funding for college bursaries

* Maintain the educational grants for pupils and college students most in need (Educational Maintenance Allowances (EMAs)) which were cut south of the border

* Invest £10m to deliver the Community Jobs Scotland programme in partnership with the Third Sector, providing new support for 2,000 unemployed people across Scotland

* Provide additional investment of £5m to support the extension of the Employer Recruitment Incentive to deliver up to 5,000 new jobs for individuals aged 18+, who have been unemployed for 6 months or more and who are participating in the Training for Work programme.

Successful round table meeting on heating issues at Strathpeffer.

Rob Gibson SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands congratulated Ulladale residents who met officials from SSE and Albyn Housing Society to seek an end to huge heating bills for their modern 'affordable' houses.

Mr Gibson offered to set up a round table meeting after residents spoke out to the Ross-shire Journal. They approached his colleague Cllr Jean Urquhart when there electricity bills went sky high. Calum Macaulay chief executive of Albyn and Greg Clarke and his team from Scottish and Southern Energy met with eight residents last Monday 28th February who were able to attend to discuss a way out of spirally debt that has plagued many of them and several of their neighbours.

Rob said,

"I offered to set up this meeting. It was a frank exchange of views. Albyn learned a lot about the residents' concerns and about the flaws in their wet electric heating system that was also installed in Strathpeffer, Ft Augustus and Kiltarlity and perhaps by other housing associations across Scotland just three years ago.

"SSE promised to work with residents to ensure new meters were installed to replace faulty ones, to offer advice and help to heat their homes more efficiently. SSE has already pledged to plan longer smaller payments to cover arrears.

"I hope that this is the start of a new chapter for Ulladale Crescent. I will be keeping in touch with the residents and the agencies to see that progress is made. I will also inform the Housing Minister Alex Neil of the wider problems that have emerged for affordable homes. They may be affordable to build but must also be affordable to heat."

Gibson calls for time table changes to be postponed

News release
immediate release
22/02/11

SNP MSP Rob Gibson has called for the management of Stagecoach

Highland to postpone proposed bus time changes and provide the

traveling public with full data on service costs and usage.

Evanton main bus stop

Mr Gibson said the public deserves answers….

"Constituents in Wick, Tain, Evanton an Ullapool have each

complained of Stagecoach Highland services failing to meet

travel needs."

"Bus users want to know why services are being altered to suit

the management's whims, not the needs of the traveling public"

"Stagecoach Highland must come clean. It must detail the huge

bus pass subsidies received from Scottish Government. What is

it doing to introduce more passenger friendly and eco friendly

buses? How much the soaring price of diesel an impact and how

will it consult customers to encourage more bus use."

"A successful international bus company will have more and less

profitable routes in its portfolio, here across the Highlands

and Islands Stagecoach has a role of essential passenger

carrier. Their managers need to enter true dialogue based on

full facts with their customers. The March timetable change

must be postponed immediately."

" I have written today to the Highland manager with these

demands for disclosure and action. "