Sandra Osborne

Labour Party | Ayr, Carrick & Cumnock

Window on Westminster: September 2009

Town centre regeneration

Following an unsuccessful first round bid for Maybole and Girvan from the Town Centre Regeneration Fund I was pleased to hear that the Council is to have a second chance, albeit with a hasty application which has resulted in limited consultation. The proposals for Maybole would be a good start and the refurbishment of the town hall, given its prominent role in the town, would be a welcome improvement. But I am particularly pleased that the Girvan bid will feature a new pool and leisure facilities and I hope that this will provide the solution we are all looking for as well as a fresh impetus to the regeneration of Girvan. It is time for the SNP Government to put their money where their mouth is and award the funds. The Minister attended our local meeting and is well aware of the strong local feeling about the closure of the pool and the fact that Girvan feels neglected as a community. It is now in his power to act. My fingers will be crossed until October and if the bid is successful it is incumbent on us all to make sure we make the best of it.

Maybole Age Concern

Last month saw a change of venue for my Maybole surgeries to Age Concern, 16 School Vennel, Maybole. The Committee are working hard to encourage our local senior citizens to use the facility and drop in for a cup of tea. It is open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am – 2pm and Fridays 10am – 1pm. This is another example of the vibrant community spirit in Maybole which I am always very happy to support.

Impressed by Energy Agency

Another very impressive local project is the Energy Agency which I visited for an update last week. Due to their work many local households have been provided with free insulation measures for their homes resulting in a substantial saving on heating bills and a reduction in fuel poverty as well as reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The Energy Agency is a charitable organisation providing free, impartial, expert advice on energy efficiency and renewable energy and sustainable issues.

They are working throughout Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway on a number of different projects and it would be well worth going for a family day out to their Sustainable Energy Fair on Saturday 12th September from 10am until 4pm at Auchincruive Campus. Admission is free and there will be a free biobus from Ayr. Further details are available at www.energyagency.org.uk or telephone 01292 521896.

Over-development of Wind farms

A substantial amount of funding for the energy project in Carrick came from the developers of Hadyard Hill Wind farm. I think it is time both the Council in South Ayrshire and the community as a whole had an in depth look at the development of wind farms locally. While they have a part to play in a balanced energy policy there is a real and present danger of an unacceptable over accumulation in some of our most picturesque areas which are heavily dependent on tourism. Councillor McDowall and I met with the Community Council at Pinwherry last week and I know they feel there is a David and Goliath struggle between a small rural community and big business to stem the tide of overdevelopment. However, the impact on our precious countryside should be of concern to us all, whether we live there or enjoy the benefits of having it on our doorstep. I was pleased to hear that South Ayrshire Council will shortly consider areas which will be designated as unsuitable for wind farm development. I hope all 30 councillors will act to preserve a balance between our duty to lower co2 emissions while preserving our scenic landscape.

Construction Skills Certification Scheme

It has come to my attention that time served building workers are being deprived of employment opportunities if they do not have an up to date Construction Skills Certification Scheme Card. This is a scheme to ensure that employers are assured that people they employ on building sites have the appropriate qualification and are not what are commonly known as 'cowboys' I welcome this but for many years builders applying for work have not even been asked to show this card and the scheme was not strictly enforced. This has recently been tightened up which I also welcome, especially for young people entering the trade. However I am very concerned that experienced long term skilled building workers who are in an older generation will have difficulty meeting the criteria or will need to be re assessed when it is perfectly clear that they are well qualified to do the job. I have raised this with the scheme's operators but I would be grateful if anyone who has been similarly affected could contact my office and provide me with details. This can be in confidence if preferred. It is not acceptable in this time of recession that men who have worked hard in the building trade all their lives are deprived of employment just as the construction industry picks up.

The Decision to release al-Megrahi

Conspiracy theories have abounded ever since the Pan Am jet was blown up over Lockerbie. I doubt if we will ever know with certainty all of those involved. But we do know that one person was convicted under the Scottish Justice System.

The SNP Government's decision to free convicted murderer, Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi is in my view completely misjudged. He was convicted of the worst terrorist atrocity in our history, the mass murder of 270 people. While one can have sympathy for the family of a gravely ill prisoner, on balance, our duty is to honour and respect the victims of Lockerbie and have compassion for them. The SNP's handling of this case has let down Scotland. I am proud of Scotland and our flag but I was ashamed to see my country's flag misused to celebrate the return to Tripoli of a convicted mass murderer.