Public Access to Police Offices Set to be Slashed
---Cumbernauld Police Office to be closed for 14 hours a day
---Kilsyth Police Office to be closed at weekends.
---Public are encouraged to sign Mark Griffin's Petition against the cuts
Mark Griffin MSP has expressed his concern at plans by Police Scotland to restrict public access to police offices in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, as well as the wider Central Scotland.
The plans come almost a year since Strathclyde Police proposed a similar, but less sweeping cut.
Under the proposals Cumbernauld Police Office would be open to the public from 8am to 6pm 7 Days a week and Kilsyth from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, being closed to the public altogether at weekends.
Should any member of the public wish to attend a local police office outwith these hours they would have to travel as far as Motherwell, Hamilton, or go into Glasgow.
Mark said:
"The proposals outlined by Police Scotland are deeply concerning, and are much worse than the plans Strathclyde Police touted, and then rejected, last year.
"The changes will see a major change at Kilsyth Police Office. It took years to get the police office moved to Main Street so the public could access it easier. Now it will be closed for 16 hours a day Monday to Friday and not open at all at weekends.
"Additionally, Cumbernauld is the largest town in North Lanarkshire, with officers responsible for policing over 51,000 people. We have 24 hour shopping at Tesco and Asda, which has made the Town Centre busier at night than it ever has been in the past.
"It is beneficial for local people to know that the local police office is open and manned if they require assistance, would like to inform staff of an incident or report lost property.
"The fact is Police Scotland is facing deep funding cuts from the Scottish Government – cuts of £60 million this year and again next year. These cuts add to an ever-growing list in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, from local health services to our justice of the peace court and our college. The Scottish Government are engaging in a comprehensive reduction in local public services and it is wholly unacceptable."
To sign Mark Griffin's petition against the cuts to Cumbernauld and Kilsyth Police Offices, please click the following link:
http://www.markgriffinmsp.org.uk/content/petition/
FOI Figures Reveal Scale of College Cuts
Figures recently obtained by Mark Griffin MSP and Gregg McClymont MP have shown the impact of Scottish Government cuts on Cumbernauld College. In real terms, funding for Cumbernauld has fallen by £500,000 since 2007/08 and by almost £1 million from a peak in 2010/11.
The impact on services is stark with total lecturers falling from 272 to 158; courses offered falling from 594 to 253 and the number of local people benefitting from a college education falling from 7,712 to 3,700.
Mark Griffin MSP said:
“These figures show the extent, and local impact, of the cuts handed down by the Scottish Government.
“The sheer scale of the Scottish Government’s cuts to our local college means it is now set to lose its independence and travel down an uncertain path as a result of this Government’s actions.”
Gregg McClymont MP added:
“The funding cuts endured by our college since the SNP took power are mind boggling. The result of these cuts is the end of Cumbernauld College's proud independent history. That's not good news for our town.”
New Housing For Cumbernauld Welcomed
Local politicians have joined forces to welcome the new social housing being built in Westfield.
Mark Griffin MSP and Gregg McClymont MP joined local Councillor Barry McCulloch on a site visit to the almost-completed housing development on Westfield Drive. The new development is part of North Lanarkshire Council’s ‘Building for the Future’ programme and will provide much needed social housing for Cumbernauld.
Mark said:　
"Social housing is at a premium in Cumbernauld, and any moves to address this should be welcomed. The houses are first class and I’m sure the new residents will be delighted with them."
Gregg said:
"I regularly meet with constituents who are struggling to get a house in Cumbernauld, it is a real problem. These new homes, as well as the new Sanctuary developments in the area, are positive news."　
Village Allotments a Great Success
6 months of hard work have seen a corner of Cumbernauld Village blooming again, as the allotments recently re-established by Cumbernauld Village Action for the Community (CVAC) are now productive and full of vegetables, fruit and flowers for harvest. There are also six resident hens.
CVAC leases the land from North Lanarkshire Council and have established 14 plots, which have all been taken up by local residents.
Philip Morgan-Klein from CVAC, said:
"We were delighted how quickly all the plots were taken up and we now have a waiting list. It’s been great to see people coming together to grow good healthy food, but it’s also fun and good for your health. We’ve applied to the Council to extend the area and we’re hoping to add more plots on the Langriggs soon."
"CVAC has had requests for plots from people from other areas in Cumbernauld so there should be allotments in every part of the town. So if you would like allotments for your area, find a few like-minded people in your area and start a campaign."
CVAC members were joined at the allotments by Mark Griffin MSP and Gregg McClymont MP.
Mark said:
"CVAC have made a tremendous job of the plots, and they have become a great local asset.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and was very impressed by the amount of the healthy produce already coming from the allotments.
"I congratulate all involved in the project and hope that other local groups, following at the example of CVAC, can explore similar initiatives elsewhere in our community."
Gregg added:
"I was very impressed by the work CVAC have done to transform the Langriggs into a flourishing space where Village residents can exercise and grow their own food.
"The project’s runaway success means that all the plots are now taken so I fully support CVAC’s call for more space.
"This is a wonderful example of a community coming together to improve their environment in co-operation with the local authorities."
CVAC are willing to offer advice to people in other parts of the town who want to develop allotments for their area. You can get in touch by emailing: cnauldvac@gmail.com.
Organ Donation Strategy Does Not Go Far Enough
Mark Griffin MSP, a supporter of presumed consent for organ donation, has been critical of the Scottish Government’s new organ donation strategy, which he has criticised for not going far enough.
The strategy, which has also been criticised by the British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland, seeks to improve the current system and attract more Scots to sign up as organ donors, but Mr Griffin has once again echoed his calls for the Scottish Government to follow the example set by Wales and introduce an ‘Opt Out’ system of presumed consent.
Mr Griffin has been an ardent supporter of presumed consent since the death of his father Francis in 2007. Francis, who served as a Councillor in Kilsyth, waited almost ten years for a heart transplant, but by the time he received it, many of his other organs had failed, and he died at the age of 47.
Mark said:
“I welcome the move to try and get more people onto the organ donor list, but much more must be done. 90% of Scots are in favour of organ donation, but far too few are on the list.
“People waiting for organs need radical action taken now, to give them the best chance possible of a fuller, healthier life. The Welsh Government has already put legislation in place that supports an ‘Opt Out’, or presumed consent, approach. If we followed suit in Scotland, we would see a considerable increase in the number of organs available for transplant, something that will save the lives of so many people.
“I fear the Scottish Government have missed an opportunity with this strategy, which frankly, does not go far enough.”
RSS
