New political approach taken
As many EK News readers may know, the House of Commons has gone virtual for the first time in its’history.
This week we will be voting remotely for the very first time and to date, (with the assistance of technology), I have spoken via Zoom in the Domestic Abuse Bill.
I have also continued parliamentary meetings as chairwoman of the Health All Party Group, and written on behalf of cross-party politicians, to Secretary of State Matt Hancock highlighting the vital need for PPE for health and social care staff across the UK.
Staff require necessary protections to ensure their safety at work- they are our frontline against this pandemic and alongside clapping for them every week, it is crucial that they have all the resources required.
I am pleased to have been granted an important debate on Mental Health in the House of Commons, building upon my campaign for Psychological First Aid for Frontline Staff.
Those working on the frontline, face huge physical demands in terms of long hours, intense work and significant anxieties around the real risk of infection for themselves and their families.
This is in addition to the enormous psychological demands of managing trauma, grief and psychological distress at this time.
The ability for frontline staff to access psychological interventions timely will be key, and I will continue to highlight this need in effort to ensure that everyone who needs support, gets it.
I was very proud to join in tribute last week with our local Legion marking the 75th anniversary of VE Day for all who served in WW2 bringing peace across Europe.
To mark this anniversary, a wreath was laid at East Kilbride Cenotaph followed by a cross-party video tribute sent out to local veterans across South Lanarkshire.
Special thanks to Robert Russell, vice chairman of the East Kilbride Legion who organised this fitting tribute.
The contribution of our constituency during the war effort was substantial, and it is important we mark this, in reflection and dignity for all who served.
Locally, I have also been connecting with Rev John MacKinnon of Calderwood Baptist Church who has been organising food parcels from our Food Bank in
Zoom calls the way forward during this outbreak...
conjunction with other church groups including those at the South Parish, Claremont, East Mains and Lindsayfield.
If anyone requires further information or is suffering food insecurity, please do not hesitate to contact them directly or to let me know.
I have also been regularly liaising with the Strathaven Resilience Support Service who can be contacted on 07599 487 216 by anyone living in ML10 who needs assistance with food or essential items.
Across our constituency, my office has been supporting those affected by Covid19 - including our local businesses, employees, families and many vulnerable groups and individuals.
In addition, we have assisted over 50 families to repatriate home via international flights and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me on lisa.cameron.mp@ parliament.uk or 020 7219 6855 if you have any issues at all.
Plans for 67 new council houses in East Kilbride have been approved by South Lanarkshire Council.
A range of houses including 16 cottage flats will be built on the 2.1 hectare site west of Shields Road which forms part of the surrounding Taylor Wimpey developed approved in 2015.
The development had been due to be discussed by the council’s planning committee on Tuesday, May 5, but all council meetings are currently cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Permission for the development was granted under delegated authority by South Lanarkshire Council chief executive Cleland Sneddon in consultation with the five political group leaders on May 5.
The main access to the site will be from Auldhouse Road with new footpath links provided throughout and as well as road access from Shields Road.
As part of the proposal, the houses will be constructed by developers Taylor Wimpey on behalf of South Lanarkshire Council’s housing department under a‘turn-key’arrangement.
This means the houses will be ready for people to move in once the council has the keys and that the site will be tenure blind with no differentiation between the private and social housing.
Construction was due to start during this summer with the first homes ready in March 2021 but the timescales will have to be moved back due to the current coronavirus restrictions.
South Lanarkshire Council’s executive director of housing Daniel Lowe said:“I am delighted to confirm that planning approval has been granted for another council housing project, providing 67 new affordable houses for rent, as part of a wider development by Taylor Wimpey of private houses for sale.
“Working closely with the developer a range of housing types and sizes, will be delivered, providing much needed family and accessible homes in the East Kilbride area.
“All properties will be built to modern energy efficiency and sustainability standards.
“On site construction was due to start over the summer with completed units being handed over to the council for occupation in phases from March 2021.
“In light of the restrictions placed on construction work due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, work will now not commence until it is appropriate and safe to do so.
“A revised timetable for the handover of units will be discussed with Taylor Wimpey once further guidance is available from the Scottish Government indicating that is safe to start on site work.“