When is Broadband reaching Us All, asks MSP?

17 January 2008

Peter Peacock, Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, is calling on the Scottish Government to spell out how it plans to bring broadband services to all households and businesses in Scotland.

The Government’s registration period for anyone not receiving broadband closes today (Friday) – and Mr Peacock has tabled questions to find out what happens next.

"The 'broadband reach project' says that the Scottish Government aims to provide broadband for everyone who has registered with the scheme, at home or in business, who has tried to get broadband and not been able," said Mr Peacock.

"My former colleague Maureen Macmillan campaigned tirelessly to see access improved in the Highlands and islands and the expansion of ADSL services to all exchanges in Scotland has increased the availability figures substantially over the last two years.

"But for those living and working in the Highlands and Islands who can not receive broadband this is increasingly an economic and social disadvantage.

"It’s almost impossible to use dial up for many basic internet activities.

"Even worse, some internet service providers are starting to phase out their dial up service completely.

"I am keen to find out when those who have registered will be told how they can receive broadband.

"Also, how the government plans to prioritise the introduction of broadband and if there are funds in place to support the various alternative technologies which may be necessary to allow certain areas to receive a broadband service.

"I would urge anyone who has not registered through HIE or on the Government site to do so today," he said.

8 January 2008

Peter Peacock, Regional Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands has vowed to support local communities which want to fight for their local postal services in the Highlands, following today’s announcement by the Post Office.

The figures revealed this morning indicate 18 branches earmarked for closure, 11 have been identified as outreach services and four may receive additional service points as the branches do not currently meet the access criteria - 167 remain unaffected.

Mr Peacock said, "It is very disappointing that these closures are being proposed.

"Local people, particularly the elderly depend upon local access to post offices and I appreciate the concern in the communities that now know they are threatened with the loss of their local post office.

"Wherever local communities want to fight to keep their local service I will help support their representations.

"I have written today to all the sub postmasters of the branches affected to ask what support they may find of most help and I will work with local community councils as well.

"It is vital that the consultation process now underway is meaningful and reflects the needs of local communities and I will liaise closely with Postwatch who represent the consumers interests in these matters.

"A number of local communities, while being promised the retention of some services will, in effect, be downgraded and I will be arguing for the hours that have been published to be expanded where that can be shown to be necessary."

Commenting on the fact that the most remote offices were being protected throughout the Highlands, Peter Peacock said:

"I am delighted that the government has stuck to the guidelines that it previously identified on the impact of geographical features in protecting the most remote rural postal services.

"The gloomy predictions of some that the whole network was under threat has been shown to be overstated.

"In the lead up to this consultation process I have been in regular contact with Postwatch Scotland over various issues surrounding post offices in the Highlands and Islands and I will continue to liaise closely with them. "

Gordon Brown addresses the National Policy Forum

1 December 2007

Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands MSP, is hopeful that a breakthrough has been made over the future of one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks.

Following a meeting in John O’Groats this afternoon which was well attended by local community members, HIE and Heritage GB, Mrs Grant said she was "quietly optimistic" that a process was now underway that would allow John O’Groats to be developed to its full potential.

Senior management from Heritage GB, which owns the John O’Groats Hotel and key land in the area, spoke of their commitment to the area.

HIE’s Roy Kirk laid out a process for the redevelopment which would involve the community.

He spoke of a three stage plan and of consulting with the private and public sectors to see how best the area could be regenerated.

"Mr Kirk showed obvious commitment and drive to see something done at John O’Groats.

"This may still be a long process but with Roy at the helm and the support of the local community I really believe this can be driven forward," said Mrs Grant

29 November 2007

Highlands and Islands Regional Labour MSP Peter Peacock will this week call on the Scottish Executive to remember the Scandinavian heritage of the north of Scotland.

Mr Peacock says it is vital to support the cultures of the Northern Isles and Caithness, where, although Gaelic was spoken, strong roots are felt in the Norse rather than the Celtic tradition.

"I was saddened to hear that the current funding stream for the Caithness Archaeological Trust Officer, Emma Sanderson, is coming to an end this month.

"This is exactly the kind of work that should be supported.

"This was a group set up by the people for the people and despite great voluntary support this must have an impact on the work that the group do in highlighting Caithness’ role as a Viking Centre for tourists and locals alike."

According to CAT Chairman, the Earl of Caithness, the trust has kept the post going for four years and there have been great developments in its outreach projects, including the formation of the Young Archaeologists Club which has attracted over 30 young members.

Mr Peacock says the benefits to tourism and the need to pass on our heritage to future generations make the work of local groups and festival organisers vital.

"There is a great culture of storytelling in the North of Scotland and the Viking sagas play a major part in that. The traditional music also has links with Scandinavian music and even the way of playing the fiddle is different," commented Mr Peacock.

"There are a lot of people keeping these distinct dialects and cultural roots alive.

The Up Helly Aa fire festival in Shetland draws visitors from around the world and a second phase of the highly successful Sagalands project – which brought together people from Orkney, Shetland, Faroes, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, Norway and Sweden – is set to be launched."

As part of a question to the Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture on whether the government will be represented at the Royal National Mod in Fort William, the Highlands and Islands list MSP plans to ask if the Scottish Executive is prepared to support these important parts of our heritage in the same way it supports Gaelic and Scots.

Gordon Brown addresses the Labour Party conference

Wendy Alexander addresses the Labour Party conference

The Scottish Government must guarantee funding of up to 100% for flood alleviation schemes in the Highland and Islands to avoid local council cuts in services.

This is the commitment Highlands and Islands regional Labour MSP Peter Peacock demanded from Environment Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead for at a debate on managing the risks of flooding at Holyrood this morning.

He said that retaining existing government support of 80% while restricting local authority’s council tax raising abilities would mean that money for flood works would have to come from reduced spending on schools, local roads and social work.

"I will not support putting undue burdens on the people of the Highlands and Islands and local authority spending, because of changes the minority government are making to local taxation." said Mr Peacock.

Mr Peacock cited the case in Moray where the bill for their various flood schemes comes close to £140m.

He said that even under the most prudent financial measures the Moray Council would face a 3.5% increase in their Council Tax which may last for 25 years to fund their share of the projects.

"All avenues for funding the scheme are now being blocked by this minority government with their tax plan changes.

"That potentially means the schemes can not proceed, or will have to be funded by millions of pounds of cuts in other services.

"This is a ridiculous position to put the people of Moray in."

He said that the only solution was for the Government to guarantee to fund the flood alleviation schemes in Moray 100% - a commitment the Minister singularly failed to give.

Mr Peacock said that he welcomed the discussions which took place at Holyrood today examining issues including the role of climate change in the debate, the length of time it takes to put flood schemes in place, the effects on our emergency services of flooding, the support required by Island Authorities in dealing with coastal erosion and a call generally for more sustainable measures to prevent flooding.

"We in the Highlands have seen these effects in Dingwall, in Inverness, in Elgin, Forres and Rothes, in East Sutherland, in Caol, Fort William and Acharacle in the West, and in Kirkwall and the North Isles," said Mr Peacock.

He added: "Flooding in Scotland is changing constantly and requires urgent attention, but the SNP needs to consider its own policy of handcuffing local authorities if this is going to happen."

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has called for an apology from the First Minister following his "snub" to the Scottish Crofting Foundation.

She was shocked to read in Monday’s Press and Journal that the SCF had been told they weren’t welcome at a summit on safeguarding a sustainable food supply for Scotland with Alex Salmond.

In a motion to Parliament she said: "Crofting plays a vitally important role in the food industry, given that crofters from all over the Highlands and Islands supply thousands of store sheep, lambs and calves annually as well as providing lambs for direct export to continental Europe."

She urged the Scottish Government to invite the Scottish Crofting Foundation to any future meetings relating to the food industry in Scotland.

The text of her motion reads :

Call for First Minister to Apologise to the Scottish Crofting Foundation—That the Parliament believes that the First Minister should apologise to the Scottish Crofting Foundation for excluding it from the summit held on 13 September 2007 on safeguarding a sustainable food supply for Scotland; further expresses surprise that the Scottish Crofting Foundation was not told officially that the summit had been arranged and, despite contacting the Scottish Government, was still not invited to attend; believes that crofting plays a vitally important role in the food industry, given that crofters from all over the highlands and islands supply thousands of store sheep, lambs and calves annually as well as providing lambs for direct export to continental Europe, and considers that the Scottish Government should invite the Scottish Crofting Foundation to any future meetings relating to the food industry in Scotland.

The motion is supported by Peter Peacock and David Stewart

A Highland and Islands Labour Regional MSP is pressing the Scottish Government for assurances after it failed to guarantee future funding for land purchases in Scotland.

Following a debate in Holyrood on the Land Reform Act MSP Peter Peacock, who hailed the progress the act had brought to local communities, said it was ominous that the Minister for the Environment Mike Russell had refused to answer when pushed on future funding.

"Labour Administrations since 1999 have ensured a growing supply of cash to allow communities to buy land.

"However, that funding comes to an end within 18 months and needs to be renewed. It is vital that funding continues after March 2009 and I will continue to press the minority SNP government on this," said Mr Peacock.

During the debate Mr Peacock highlighted the importance of the Land Reform Act.

"The 2003 act was symbolic of the power of the new Parliament and of devolution. It reflected and took inspiration from earlier struggles for land reform—the land raids of times past and in more recent times, the struggles of the Assynt crofters and the people of the island of Eigg who, before the legislation was passed, were successful in their efforts to buy their own land.

"The act also reflects the acts and campaigns of the campaigners over many years who felt that they had been denied access to Scotland's land."

The MSP commented that a transformation in the local economy is evident in many localities where people have been successful in purchasing their land.

"Such communities now have more economic activity, more land available for housing and an increased population—we need only look at what has happened in Gigha.

"In some of those communities, people also now have more liberal access to the land than was ever the case previously.

"The aspirations of communities are being better met, opportunities are being created and life has been put back into many communities."

He called for the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee to carry out a post-legislative scrutiny during this parliamentary session.

He wants Parliament's intentions on access and on a range of other issues, including timescales to buy land, court interpretation of interposed leases, rigid definitions of the legal difference between a crofting community body and a community body to be examined.

"Important questions also need to be asked about access following the Kinfauns decision recently involving Mrs Anne Gloag and public sector accounting conventions which could make purchase of public land more difficult than private land." said Mr Peacock.

Opposition parties at Holyrood succeeded in voting down the Government on its new skills strategy motion yesterday.

Suffering its second major defeat since May, this means that the SNP’s plans on skills, which include its proposals to merge Careers Scotland and Learn Direct Scotland to create a huge new central belt based quango, have been thrown out by Parliament.

Mr Peacock spoke out in Parliament, where Ms Hyslop outlined her plans, asking the Minister to: "explain why she is the first Minister in decades to break a cross Party consensus which recognised that in matters of skills, social and economic development in the Highlands and Islands the approach to service delivery should be different to reflect the different powers, responsibilities and approach of HIE and the local authorities to that of Scottish Enterprise."

He added, "HIE is widely recognised to have been outstandingly successful in social and economic development and I hope this is not the thin end of a wedge to progressively strip HIE of its ability to serve the distinct needs of this unique region. "

He urged the Minister: "even now to undertake to re-consider her approach in the Highlands and Islands, to work with HIE and the local authorities to retain local decision making and develop a distinct regional approach which forges ever closer connections to schools, where top rate careers advice is needed."

Following the 72-47 vote against the strategy Mr Peacock said, "This is a significant defeat for the SNP minority government with Parliament showing it has no confidence in their strategy.

"While the minority government are not obliged to revise their plans, given they have not secured majority support in Parliament I believe they should take the opportunity to reflect hard on what they have done and come back to Parliament with new proposals which take better account of the region’s distinct need."

Highlands and Islands regional Labour MSP David Stewart is quizzing Scotland’s top Prosecutor at Holyrood over the laws in place to protect the public from sexual predators.

Scotland’s Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini is meeting with MSPs today to explain the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the World’s End murder trial.

The 30 years old case against Angus Sinclair, a convicted double killer and paedophile who is currently serving a life sentence at Peterhead prison, was thrown out by the trial judge on the grounds of insufficient evidence.

Mr Stewart is pressing the Lord Advocate over what risk management procedures are in place to ensure that predators like Sinclair can not pose a risk to the public again.

"Since the Criminal Justice Act in 2003 those convicted of a serious violent, sexual or life threatening assault can be placed on an Order for Lifelong Restriction.

This means that offenders are assessed with a view to minimising the risks – including remaining in prison until the Parole Board is satisfied that the person can be released," said Mr Stewart.

"Attempted murderer Colin Ross was the first person to be placed under an OLR following the appalling incident in the Highlands and it clearly shows we are by no means immune. We need to see that those convicted before 2003 face the same rigorous controls to safeguard the public."

Mr Stewart is also to ask the Lord Advocate whether she will consider a review on allowing judges or juries sight of previous convictions where a defendant has a history of predatory sexual assault.

"My concern is that all possible measures are put in place to protect women from sexual predators and those who commit serious violent acts," said Mr Stewart.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): Does the Lord Advocate share my view that a case can be made for allowing juries sight of analogous previous convictions when defendants have a history of predatory sexual assaults? In the case of Angus Sinclair, what risk management procedures are in place in the event of his release to ensure that he never endangers the public again?

The Lord Advocate: In Scotland, evidence of a previous conviction can be admitted in the course of a trial only very rarely and in exceptional circumstances. That is not the case in many other jurisdictions, where evidence of similar fact, including previous convictions, may be introduced as part of the Crown case to show a disposition, particularly if the conviction relates to a similar crime. That is not the situation in Scotland. It would make my life as a public prosecutor easier if I could lead such evidence, but that is not to say that that is the correct approach. The matter must be considered objectively by the Government, the Parliament and others more widely so that a fair balance is reached. It would not be appropriate for someone who could be perceived as partisan to decide on such principles. Of course I would say that I want prosecutions to be made easier and to have more evidence available. My view is that allowing such evidence would enable more prosecutions to take place but, in a democracy, a balance must be struck by the Parliament rather than by prosecutors.

Mr Stewart asked about the risk management of Angus Sinclair. As Mr Stewart knows, Angus Sinclair is serving a sentence of imprisonment. He is not due to be paroled until 2016. That will be a matter for the Parole Board for Scotland. He is serving a number of life sentences and the Parole Board for Scotland will decide if or when he will be released on to the streets. That is not a matter for ministers, nor is it a matter for the prosecutor.

Opposition parties at Holyrood succeeded in voting down the Government on its new skills strategy motion yesterday.

Suffering its second major defeat since May, this means that the SNP’s plans on skills, which include its proposals to merge Careers Scotland and Learn Direct Scotland to create a huge new central belt based quango, have been thrown out by Parliament.

Mr Peacock spoke out in Parliament, where Ms Hyslop outlined her plans, asking the Minister to: "explain why she is the first Minister in decades to break a cross Party consensus which recognised that in matters of skills, social and economic development in the Highlands and Islands the approach to service delivery should be different to reflect the different powers, responsibilities and approach of HIE and the local authorities to that of Scottish Enterprise."

He added, "HIE is widely recognised to have been outstandingly successful in social and economic development and I hope this is not the thin end of a wedge to progressively strip HIE of its ability to serve the distinct needs of this unique region. "

He urged the Minister: "even now to undertake to re-consider her approach in the Highlands and Islands, to work with HIE and the local authorities to retain local decision making and develop a distinct regional approach which forges ever closer connections to schools, where top rate careers advice is needed."

Following the 72-47 vote against the strategy Mr Peacock said, "This is a significant defeat for the SNP minority government with Parliament showing it has no confidence in their strategy.

"While the minority government are not obliged to revise their plans, given they have not secured majority support in Parliament I believe they should take the opportunity to reflect hard on what they have done and come back to Parliament with new proposals which take better account of the region’s distinct need."

Highlands and Islands Regional Labour MSP Peter Peacock is saying a Parliamentary inquiry into flooding announced today must explore the real human cost of the problem.

At a meeting of the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee at Holyrood this morning he argued that given the number of people affected the Parliament needs to have a major inquiry.

"We must expose to the public glare people’s experiences of flooding. This is a major issue which is affecting more and more people’s lives," said Mr Peacock.

"There is an anxiety, certainly amongst the people of the Highlands and Islands, that given the high rainfall we have already had we could experience serious flooding later in the year."

He pointed out at the meeting that the Highland communities, including East Sutherland, Easter Ross, Moray, the West Coast at Fort William and Caol, Thurso and Kirkwall, have a lot of experience of flooding and will be pushing for their views to be heard as part of the process.

The inquiry will collect evidence from experts, from the communities, from local authorities and would allow recommendations to be made to inform possible Scottish Executive legislation expected next year.

"We need to consider the whole range of issues including why we are experiencing such high rainfall, what is happening in the areas that experience flooding, what statutory procedures are in place, budgetary spending and whether alleviation schemes are effective," said Mr Peacock.

He commented that he is keen to hear the views of local people in the Highlands and Islands and would welcome e-mails or calls on their experiences.

5 September 2007

Gordon Brown unveils statue in honour of Nelson Mandela in Parliament Square

30 August 2007

Gordon Brown welcomes Nelson Mandela to Downing Street prior to the unveiling of his statue in Parliament Square.

Mrs Grant said, "I tabled the question in response to increasing public concern over the carrying of knives and offensive weapons in our communities.

"During 2004-05 twenty people, aged 18 and over, were convicted of ‘Having in a public place an article with a blade or point’ and a further thirty three with ‘Possession of an offensive weapon.’

"These were the highest figures recorded for such offences during the past five years.

"Over the remaining years the combined figures for both categories have varied between forty and forty four, the figure recorded for 2003-04 and 2005-06.

"The statistics for those under 18 committing such offences are lower but for the period 2005-06 seven persons under 18 were convicted of ‘Having in a public place an article with a blade or point’ and one with ‘Possession of an offensive weapon.’

"It is disturbing to see any such convictions in this age group.

"Any conviction for carrying a knife or offensive weapon is concerning, given the possibility of serious injury, or worse, if the weapon is used in anger.

"In a largely rural area such as covered by the Northern Constabulary, these figures must cause unease but they also confirm that the force is working to address the problem."

Mrs Grant added, "I would yet again, urge any young person considering carrying a knife or offensive weapon to bear in mind what the final outcome might be.

"Carrying such a weapon for ‘defence’ or out of bravado is extremely dangerous, particularly if alcohol is consumed.

"When a knife or offensive weapon is used, the outcome for the victim, the assailant and their respective families can be dire and ruin lives."

Labour’s Highlands and Islands Regional MSP, Peter Peacock, has expressed his disappointment at the response he received from Highland Council following a letter urging the council to utilise the post office network for council services to help save local post offices.

Peter Peacock said, "I wrote to the convener and to the leader of the SNP group on the council highlighting the UK government’s plans to maintain their subsidy for the post office network and to support 500 new outreach services, some of which could come to the Highlands and Islands.

"While the convener gave me a full response, I am still awaiting a response from the SNP leader.

"One way for the new council to support the post office network is to ensure the council itself uses the post office to provide more key council services.

"This would build on pilot programmes such as mobile post office and satellite outreach services which have been trialled in Caithness and Ross-shire.

"I urged the council to offer maximum rating relief to post offices and to work in partnership with post offices by providing access to council facilities for outreach services, including mobile library services.

"I am pleased the council will help with rating relief and the reply I have received reveals that in the last year 87 post offices received over £38,000 in rating relief.

"However, overall the council’s response seems reluctant to fully embrace the role post offices could play.

"Indeed, the council have made clear they are keen to take customers away from the post office in collecting council tax and their reply reveals they have persuaded over 1,500 post office customers to take their business away from local post offices.

"The council also seem reluctant and maybe even unwilling to extend more routine services – like giving disabled badges and benefits applications - through post offices.

Peter Peacock concluded, "I applaud the council for wanting to be efficient and save council taxpayers money in how they deliver services.

"That is fine in itself, but I hope the council won’t then be complaining at any post office closures if they, themselves, are taking customers away as therein lies the essential problem with post office viability.

"I will continue to press the post office to locate some of their new outreach services in the Highlands and I will also continue to press the council to do as much as they can to better utilise the post offices."

Councillor Deirdre Mackay urges vote for local initiative

Councillor Deirdre Mackay is urging constituents in East Sutherland to vote for a local initiative for a National Lottery Award in the category of Best Voluntary/Charity Project.

Councillor Mackay said,

"The Young Karers East Sutherland Project, known as TYKES, was established after local research identified 74 children caring for family members.

" Many of them live in the more remote rural parts of the community and look after family members who have various forms of physical, mental and emotional disabilities.

"Such responsibilities can have a negative impact on the children's educational, health and social opportunities.

" TYKES is run by a dedicated team, and it offers a first-class essential service that provides support , activities, training, information and respite for these young people..

" I would ask that you show your support for their work by voting for them for this prestigious award.

"Please vote for them by clicking on the link below. "  

Vote for TYKES here  >>>     Voting closes on 3rd. August       

TYKES website >>>

Highlands and Islands Labour Regional MSP, Peter Peacock, has got the SNP Scottish Executive on the move on the question of support for local post offices, following questions in the Scottish Parliament.

He believes the outcome stands to benefit Caithness.

In a written answer to a question on providing funding to help sustain local services, Mr Peacock has been told that Executive officials "are examining the department of Trade and Industry’s plans for the post office network to see where the Scottish Executive can add value".

Further, the reply says, "We will seek to do all we can within our devolved powers to secure the best possible outcome".

Mr Peacock said, "This is a change of position over that first given to me by Cabinet Secretary John Swinney in Parliament and I welcome the fact he is at last listening to the needs of rural areas after having pressure put on him.

"At least there now appears a commitment to look at funding rural post offices and supporting them in other ways."

"I await the detailed proposals of how local communities can apply for funding, what cash limits will apply and what the priorities for any funding will be.

"There are huge expectations to fulfill and I hope he is not going to let people down when the detail is released.

"I encourage the SNP Executive to match the commitment shown by the Westminster Government to support new rural outreach services, such as those being piloted in Caithness and Ross-shire."

Mr Peacock concluded, "There are many post offices in Caithness and the islands facing challenging circumstances and I sincerely hope this concession from the executive means something real in helping protect rural services, but only time will tell."

North MSP calls for Financial Parity for Kinship Carers

Highlands and Islands Regional Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has called for kinship carers to be put on the same financial footing as foster carers.

Earlier this month Children and Early Years Minister Adam Ingram approved a new package of training allowances for foster and kinship carers, who can now claim up to £1,000 towards training.

The funding will allow carers to access approved childcare-related training courses and cover relevant costs such as childcare.

Mrs Grant commented, "Last month I tabled a parliamentary question at Holyrood on the role of grandparents who foster.

"They are typical of kinship carers in that they do not automatically receive the same support as foster carers, despite carrying out identical functions in supporting children.

"Local Authorities have discretion on whether or not they give financial support to kinship carers, many do not and assessment is often carried out on a case by case basis.

"My question called on the Minister to clarify what steps the Executive would take to ensure Local Authorities provide grandparents with the same level of support that they provide for other foster carers.

"Kinship carers are often financially disadvantaged and again grandparents carrying out this role are typical.

"They are most likely retired and living off their savings or on a fixed income.

"I readily acknowledge the excellent work carried out by those who foster children but I would argue strongly that the level of financial support given to foster carers should also be available to kinship carers.

"The £4 million package announced by the Children and Early Years Minister contains some proposals which will significantly help support children who require fostering care.

"I have however, written to the Minister expressing my concerns over the issue of parity in financial support between the two groups of carers and asking for more details on the financial package applicable to kinship carers."

Mrs Grant added, "The work carried out by both foster carers and kinship carers is invaluable to the children who receive it. This level of care must however be supported financially and it is vital that kinship carers are not disadvantaged simply due to their relationship with the child being fostered.

"I look forward to the Minister’s response."

17 July 2007

Labour's Highlands and Islands Regional MSP, Peter Peacock has raised the issue of Wick town centre in the Scottish Parliament.

The North MSP sought an assurance from the Scottish Executive that it would consider a small towns regeneration fund as a priority for extra funding and consider giving local authorities more powers to deal with empty buildings and dereliction and, where necessary, compulsory purchase of key buildings to secure town centre improvements.

Town centre trusts could act as a vehicle for environmental improvements, that many small towns seek.

Mr Peacock said, "I know that many communities feel powerless to act in bringing about town centre improvements in the timescales they desire.

"Very often town centres can be blighted by empty shops and dereliction, but also many towns and traders have great new ideas for bringing about environmental improvements to improve the feel of town centres and their trading prospects.

"These towns deserve backing.

"I have asked the Executive to consider setting up a new small town centres improvement fund and to give new streamlined powers to local authorities to assist improve town centres.

"I hope that if they do so Wick might benefit.

"I hope the Executive will act on this as I know town centres are a vital part of creating vibrant local communities.

"I would be happy to hear from anyone with ideas they have for improving their town centre and take that case to the Executive."

25 June 2007

24 June 2007