Bill’s passing can be seen as truly historic
February is always one of those months in the year that seems to come and go with such speed – and it is often past before you know it. This February was no exception!
Since I last wrote here I have been delighted to support the passing of Stage One of the Islands (Scotland) Bill and was particularly pleased to speak during the debate as a member of the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee, which takes a keen interest in the areas that the bill addresses. As I said during the debate, the Bill’s passing truly can be seen as a historic moment and can be thought of as a key point – the culmination of many efforts made over the years by the SNP Government to deliver for our island communities.
There has been of course since my last column, many other political developments – from the Brexit chaos, which became even more bizarre when MSPS were given little to no time to review the Brexit papers in Edinburgh before an extension by the Cabinet Office, to the clarity which was anything but clear by the Prime Minister and her Cabinet. It has been yet another episode!
Parliament then entered recess, which for me meant an even greater opportunity to spend time in the constituency and at the heart of our communities.
Be that in allowing me to meet with representatives of local organisations or to personally engage with constituents face to face, it has been great to spend such time locally.
A local issue in Whitehill, which my office and I have been involved in, is the sewage works taking place near the Abbotsford Avenue area, and I have had ongoing discussions and communication with agencies such as Scottish Water and South Lanarkshire Council to better understand the position locally.
It is an issue which has now been put to a halt – for now – and I shall be sure to keep it on the radar in the coming weeks and months ahead.
In addition, as ever my office continue to take on enquiries relating to the M73 M74 A8 Improvement Plan and regularly communicate with Transport Scotland on these issues.
A positive example of engagement between the local community and Transport Scotland has been that we hope to facilitate in the near future a visit by the Scottish Roads Partnership (the contractor on the improvement works) to St John the Baptist Primary School in Uddingston to speak about the contractors plans to plant trees and vegetation near the school.
I hope that the children will have a very insightful time hearing about the works being carried out.
As ever I wish to end my column this month with a reminder that my constituency office, as previously advised, remains open for consultation
I hope that the children will have a very insightful time hearing about the works being carried out