June 2017

At last! We have (hopefully!) finally finished the last round of elections for the foreseeable future. It feels like the country has been in non-stop campaign mode for a long time, so it's great to be able to put everyone's focus back onto the local issues that matter here in the Mid Fife & Glenrothes constituency.

And there's plenty of issues that do matter. This month saw a landmark achievement in handing over the Levenmouth Rail Campaign petition to the Transport Minister Humza Yousaf. It's a hugely important and symbolic step, and I remain committed to working with the campaigners to deliver the much-needed rail link. I'm particularly delighted that I'll be able to work with my newly elected (or Re-Elected!) Fife Councillors and local MP colleagues on this project.

Yours for Scotland,

Jenny Gilruth MSP
MSP for Mid Fife & Glenrothes

Neil Slorance Illustration

I was delighted to be illustrated by artist Neil Slorance this month. Neil is a Scottish illustrator based in Glasgow who is well known for his political caricatures and his regular work for The National newspaper. Neil was in town for the inagural Glenrothes Comic Con. A huge thank you to Neil for both the illustration and for stopping by!

In the Constituency

Launch of Scottish Growth Fund at CelluComp Glenrothes

It was great to visit CelluComp with Finance Secretary Derek Mackay MSP on Friday 16th June in Glenrothes for the Scottish Government announcement of support for business through the Scottish Growth Scheme.

The Scottish Growth Scheme is a £500 million package of financial support for Scottish businesses, aimed at helping businesses in Scotland grow. Funding will be provided through a number of initiatives, starting with the Scottish-European Growth Co-investment Programme. A really positive development for businesses in Scotland.

https://news.gov.scot/news/scottish-growth-scheme

Visits to Local Schools

When I was first elected in May last year, I made a commitment that I would visit all of the schools in my constituency. I've now visited most of them, and it's been a fantastic experience. Visiting schools has been one of the highlights of my job - from my years working as a teacher, I've maintained a real passion for education.

A big thank you to the headteachers and to all the staff in the schools I've visited. Your hard work at the chalkface changes lives.

Ladybird Family Nurture Centre Glenrothes Summer Fête 2017

On Monday 5th June, I had a lot of fun at the Ladybird Family Nurture Centre annual Summer Fête. Well done to all the staff and parents for organising. As we're now in Summer, there will no doubt be loads of fetes and local events happening in your community, and I'd encourage everyone to get there and show your support!

Visit to Lomond Court Care Home

I had a great visit to Lomond Court Care Home in Woodside for Care Home Open Day on Friday 16th June - even running into a resident who used to live in my house (!). The Open Day took place during Carer's Week was a great chance for people to get an insight into the work going on in care homes across Scotland. It's easy to overlook the invaluable work carers do each and every day, and they deserve recognition for this important work.

In Parliament

Levenmouth Rail Campaign Petition Handover

On Thursday 1st June, we had a fantastic turnout at Parliament for the 12,506-strong petition handover by the Levenmouth Rail Campaign to Transport Minister Humza Yousaf. It was great to be joined by David Torrance MSP with strong support from plenty of other cross-party MSPs. This is a fantastic achievement.

I am longstanding supporter of reinstating the campaign. Levenmouth is the largest urban area in Scotland not connected by a rail link, which has a significant impact in limiting job opportunities and the potential for investment. Levenmouth needs this link, and I will do everything I can to make sure it is delivered.

Scottish Education Governance Review

This month saw the publication of the Scottish Government's education governance review Next Steps document, outlining important reforms in Scottish education outlined by the Deputy First Minister & Education Secretary John Swinney MSP.

Headteachers will be allowed to choose their staff and decide upon their school curriculum from the national framework. Parent councils are being strengthened, giving parents more involvement, and every school will have someone responsible for promoting engagement with a pupil's family and the community. Teachers will have enhanced career and development opportunities. The new Scottish Education Council will also take a system-wide focus on improvement.

As a former teacher, I believe that these reforms will be transformative for Scotland’s education system.

This follows the Pupil Equity Fund, which has delivered £120m of additional funding directly to Headteachers across Scotland, empowering them to spend the money on the individual needs of their own schools. Warout and Thornton Primary have each been given around £100,000 of additional funding, with Kinglassie and Newcastle Primary Schools also benefitting amongst others.

Additionally, the Teaching Makes People campaign launched in February and has seen thousands more people consider a career in teaching - more than 40% of people who saw the campaign video are now seeking career advice in teaching.

I wish every teacher in Fife – and every pupil – an enjoyable summer.

Meeting the Hansard Scholars

On Thursday 1st June, I also welcomed the Hansard Society Scholars on their visit to the Scottish Parliament. Lots of interesting questions on Scottish politics and my time in Parliament, covering topics such as party politics, Brexit and the General Election. It's always a pleasure to meet the Hansard students.

Marie Curie's Blooming Great Tea Party Campaign

I had a great time at the Blooming Great Tea Party event for Marie Curie on June 1st. This summer campaign is encouraging people to get together with friends, family or colleagues to host a tea party event to raise funds. It's a fantastic initiative and I'm pleased to show my support.

Please visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/teaparty, or if you want to register a tea party yourself, please call 0800 716 146.

Constituents' Visit to Parliament

On June 29th, I had a fantastic end to the Summer Term with a visit from these great constituents in Mid Fife & Glenrothes! I'm proud to be their representative in Parliament.

Parliamentary Motions

In my role 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:

S5M-05941: Motion to congratulate the Levenmouth Rail Campaign on handing over the 12,506-signature petition to the Scottish Government, and calling for a Member's Debate on the issue.
S5M-06067: Motion to congratulate the success of the inaugural Glenrothes Comic Con at Rothes Halls on Saturday 10th June.
S5M-06091: Motion to congratulate the Mid Fife & Glenrothes constituency-based winners at the Fife Volunteering and Voluntary Sector Awards 2017.
S5M-06110: Motion to congratulate Fiona Ritchie on winning her first national trophy at the UK Pipe Band Championships in Belfast.
S5M-06122: Motion to congratulate Kirkton of Largo Primary School on winning the Learning Through Technology award at the Scottish Education Awards 2017.
S5M-06129: Motion to congratulate Pitteuchar West Primary School in Glenrothes on celebrating its 40th anniversary.
S5M-06123: Motion to congratulate Mountfleurie Primary School in Leven on celebrating its 60th anniversary.
S5M-06210: Motion to congratulate YMCA Glenrothes on securing £147,354 in funding from the Big Lottery Fund Scotland to run a support programme for homeless people through the Y Social Skills Academy.
S5M-06300: Motion to congratulate Iain Matthew and the members of the Scotland team in the tri-national amputee football tournament in the Netherlands on Friday 23rd June.
S5M-06301: Motion to congratulate the Glenrothes Strollers Community Football Club on their new clubhouse.

Congratulations to Re-Elected MPs

A sincere congratulations to both Stephen Gethins MP and Peter Grant MP, who were both Re-Elected as the representatives for the North East Fife and Glenrothes constituencies in the House of Commons respectively.

I've thoroughly enjoyed working with both Stephen and Peter over the last year as an MSP, and am delighted to be able to continue working with them both to serve my constituents.