Scottish Greens

JOHNSTONE: TENNIS INVESTMENT SHOULD SERVE AS LESSON

Tue 9 Jul, 2013

Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian and former competitive athlete, is welcoming today’s announcement of government funding for tennis facilities but says it must serve as a lesson.

The Trashing Of Holmehill - One Week On

comms Sun 7 Jul, 2013

Last week, contractors working for the Stirling family destroyed part of Holmehill, a protected conservation area.

On Monday this week a Stirling Council planning enforcement officer visited the site and the council are now considering what appropriate action to take. The failure to ‘notify’ has been a serious breach of the conservation status of the site and I have urged the council to refer the matter up to the Procurator Fiscal. The PF could decide it is in the public interest to pursue the case further and the maximum fine would be £20k.

TOWN CENTRE PLAN COULD GO FURTHER WITH FULL TAX POWERS

Fri 5 Jul, 2013

The Greens have welcomed today’s independent report on town centre regeneration, but stress that bolder transformation, including more tax powers in Scotland, will be needed to ensure the future of town centres.

Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow said:

HARVIE ON RIGHT TO BUY: INVESTMENT STILL NEEDED

Thu 4 Jul, 2013

Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, is welcoming the Scottish Government’s decision to end council tenants’ right to buy by 2017 but is warning that investment is still needed to boost Scotland’s housing stock.

Tenants who have the right to buy will have a period of three years to exercise it following the assent of the Housing Bill, expected next year.

Patrick Harvie said:

Protected Conservation Area Trashed

comms Sun 30 Jun, 2013

Woodland on Holmehill yesterday was trashed by the Stirling family and their contractors in a display of utter disregard for the environment, the law and the local community. I attended the scene later in the morning and spoke to David Stirling, son of the land owner and MD of AllanWater Homes who was presiding over the destruction by contractors. AllanWater has of course a long term interest in building on Holmehill.

HARVIE: FRANCHISE BILL IS A STEP FORWARD

Fri 28 Jun, 2013

Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow and a member of Holyrood’s Referendum Bill committee, is welcoming today’s approval by Parliament of the Franchise Bill.

Mr Harvie said:

“DISMAL” CLIMATE PLAN OFFERS NO NEW POLICIES

Fri 28 Jun, 2013

Alison Johnstone has expressed dismay that the final version of the Scottish Government’s climate plan contains no new policies despite months of scrutiny and pressure from the public.

Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, said:

JOHNSTONE: REPORTS SHOW POOR PROGRESS ON P-E, TEACHERS OVERWORKED

Tue 25 Jun, 2013

Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, is highlighting two major reports out today (25 June) showing the challenges facing teachers and the lack of progress on physical education.

Commenting on the latest Statistical Bulletin, which shows a drop in secondary schools meeting PE targets, Alison said:

HARVIE ANTICIPATES BIG MAJORITY FOR EQUAL MARRIAGE BILL

Mon 24 Jun, 2013

Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, is reaffirming his commitment to equality this week, as Parliament prepares for the introduction of the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill.

Mr Harvie is congratulating the Equality Network for securing the public commitment of at least 89 MSPs.

Patrick said:

High Time We Tackled High Pay

comms Mon 24 Jun, 2013

My comment piece from Saturday’s Evening News…

As I headed into parliament on the number 27 this week it struck me that whether it’s bankers or bus bosses the issue of high pay and inequality hasn‘t gone away. Oxfam reports the wealthiest households are almost 300 times better off than the poorest.