September 2017
Well it's back to school - and back to Holyrood too! I was delighted to secure a member's debate on the reinstatement of the Levenmouth Rail Link in Holyrood - and a firm commitment from the Transport Minister to work with Fife Council on moving forward the next stage of the proposal.
I've also been busy investigating how Mars Pensions Trustees support the Kingdom Shopping Centre in Glenrothes. Next year Glenrothes will be 70 - I think it's high time that this wealthy landlord stepped up to the plate with its plans for our town's future.
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At the start of the month I was delighted to welcome Fife Gingerbread to Holyrood as the host for their Parliamentary Reception to mark the organisation's 30th birthday. While it's great to be back in Parliament, it's also important to remember and celebrate the vital work of organisations like Fife Gingerbread in supporting children and families across Fife. My congratulations to Rhona and all her team.
Yours for Scotland,
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Jenny Gilruth MSP
MSP for Mid Fife & Glenrothes
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Levenmouth Rail Link Debate in the Scottish Parliament
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On Wednesday 27th, I was delighted to secure my Member's Debate calling for the reinstatement of the Levenmouth Rail Link. I was delighted that my motion received cross party support - MSPs from all of Holyrood's political parties joined together to make the case for Leven's Rail Link.
Levenmouth is the largest urban area in Scotland not directly served by rail services. The track is a distance of 5 miles in length and it was still use until 2001 as a freight line. Since I was elected last May we have lost jobs on Leven High Street at the Royal Bank, Clydesdale Bank and just last weekend with the closure of WH Smith. Now is the time for the political will to be seized - to revive Leven's fortunes and improve the opportunities for the next generation.
I was delighted that, following this debate, Transport Minister Humza Yousaf agreed for Transport Scotland to take the lead on the study for the next stage towards reinstatement, subject to agreement with Fife Council.
This was a great result for the LMRC campaigners, who I had the pleasure of hosting as guests to Holyrood. Their resolute professional determination has kept the Levenmouth Rail Link alive to all politicians - and they are to be commended for their tenacity and commitment.
You can watch the full debate here:
https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/members-business-jenny-gilruth-msp-levenmouth-rail-link-september-27-2017
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Fife Gingerbread 30th Anniversary Reception
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I was delighted to sponsor a Parliamentary Reception in Holyrood on behalf of Fife Gingerbread. When Fife Gingerbread was first established in 1987 family structures were very different. Over the past 30 years the organisation has had to work hard to adapt to the changing needs of its service users. Between December 2015 and November 2016, Fife Gingerbread supported over 1,500 families.
A special thanks to the Minister for Children and Early Years, Mark MacDonald MSP, for attending as the event's guest speaker.
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Debate on Scottish Housing and New Towns
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On September 13th, I took part in a debate on housing and rebutted calls for a new generation of New Towns, which was of particular interest as the MSP for Glenrothes. Today, Scotland is building social housing on a faster rate than any other part of the UK thanks to the efforts of the Scottish Government.
I spoke on the lessons to be learned from Glenrothes' experience as a New Town - such as the ownership of the town centre.
You can watch my contribution to the debate here:
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wearitpink for Breast Cancer Now
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On Friday 20th October, the weak it pink event will be held across the UK by Breast Cancer Now. Here's my with my MSP colleagues Gail Ross, Jeanne Freeman and Mairi Gougeon showing our support!
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in Scotland - unfortunately most people know of someone affected by this terrible disease. Every year around 4,600 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and almost 1,000 people will die of it.
wear it pink is an important opportunity to stand together and support Breast Cancer Now’s life-saving research and I would like to encourage constituents to join me by wearing it pink on Friday 20th October.
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Missing: the Owners of Glenrothes Town Centre
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Mars Pensions Trustees own the civic space of our town - yet I haven't received a single communication from them since my election last May. I've started a campaign and have written to every single business who hold a tenancy in the Kingdom centre - thanks to those who've been in touch on this matter already.
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Mars have employed managing agents who act on their behalf, but I remain in the dark as to what they do to attract inward investment to Glenrothes.
As we approach the 70th anniversary of Glenrothes I don't think that's good enough. My campaign will be widening its approach by seeking local views on the future of Glenrothes - please get in touch if you'd like to play a part.
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Official Opening of the Queensferry Crossing
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I was delighted to attend the official opening of the new Queensferry Crossing over the Forth on September 4th, as opened by HRH Her Majesty The Queen. It was a tremendous day and the enthusiasm for the Scotland's new bridge has been inspiring. The new crossing is now well in use by commuters and is a fantastic attraction in its own right to the coast of Fife.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to commend the hard work of the engineers and skilled professionals involved in the construction of the new crossing. Having visited the site last during construction last summer I know only too well how hard those involved worked to deliver this project – and indeed, under budget. Fife is proud of their efforts and proud of Scotland’s beautiful new bridge
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Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight 2017
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I had lots of fun visiting Blacketyside Farmshop & Tearoom in Leven with my colleague Stephen Gethins MP to promote the Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight 2017, which ran from to Saturday 2nd to Sunday 17th September.
All over the world, Scotland’s food and drink products are renowned for their quality, yet many people don’t know just how many fantastic products are produced here locally. The #onethingfortnight encouraged Scots to swap one of their usual brands for a Scottish one they may not have tried before. The event was a great way to try Scottish brands and experience more of the excellent food and drink that Scotland produces.
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Call for Action on Fixed-Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs)
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I am calling for action to be taken on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs). Since 2008, people across Fife have lost over £63million to FOBTs. This is a huge problem and the UK government need to get serious about tackling it.
FOBTs are so addictive they’re known as the ‘crack cocaine of gambling’ – and it is no wonder given how much people have lost out from using these toxic machines. The UK government must take action to stop people losing out even more.
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As an MSP, I lodge a number of Parliamentary motions each month to congratulate achievements within the constituency. This month, I lodged motions on the following:
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- Motion to congratulate Watson's of Leven butchers on being shortlisted for a Champion of Champions Scotch Lamb PFI award.
- Motion to congratulate Watson's of Leven butchers on winning the Scottish Craft Butchers Black Pudding of the Year Award, which it also won in 2016.
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- Motion to commend the Rimini Street Foundation for providing six laptops to Fife Employment Acess Trust (FEAT) to support the delivery of a cognitive therapy programme.
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- Motion to recognise the achievements of both Dr Stuart McLaren and Isabel Philp from Leven Health Centre and wish them well on their retirement.
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- Motion to congratulate Tom Nicoll from Markinch on having his film Retreat shown at the Screenplay Film Festival in Shetland.
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- Motion to welcome Diageo's award-winning training programme, Learning for Life, which encourages young unemployed people to attend a six-week training course.
- Motion to congratulate Diageo on becoming the 900th accredited Living Wage employer in Scotland.
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- Motion to commend Graeme Brown, a classically trained musician from Windygates, on raising over £6000 in funds for MND Scotland.
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- Motion to welcome the listing of 5 Scottish universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2017-18.
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- Motion to recognise the work of Joan Hutton, receptionist at Glenwood Health Centre in Glenrothes, and wish her well on her retirement.
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- Motion to congratulate Father Gerard Hand on the celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the foundation of St Mary's Church in Leslie.
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- Motion to congratulate Lorraine Watson from Thornton on becoming the first female to referre a senior men's match in Scotland.
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- Motion to welcome HIV Scotland's new report, HIV and Education: Guaranteeing Lessons for All.
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- Motion to congratulate the Glenrothes Strollers Superstars on winning a 2017 SFA Community Award in recognition of its support for disability football in Fife.
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Constituency Surgeries in October
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If there are any issues which you feel I may be able to help you with, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me at one of my constituency surgeries.
Friday 6th October
Constituency Office, Commercial Street, Markinch
11am - 12noon
Friday 27th October
Sainsbury's Leven
10am - 11am
Monday 30th October
Rothes Halls, Glenrothes
11am - 12noon
If you aren't able to make the above times, please contact my office on 01592 764815 or 0131 348 5792 and my team will arrange an appointment at a time convenient to you.
Alternatively, I can also be reached by email at:
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