PDE Column, 22nd December 2008 – Linwood Town Centre Plans Approved, Home Heat Helpline, Safety on Local Buses, Forestry Commission Christmas Trees

Linwood Town Centre Plans Approved!

Planning permission has finally been granted.  The planners report told councillors how hundreds of Linwood families had backed the case for a new town centre.  Ahead now lies the legal transfer of the site from the Council to Tesco.  A start on site is planned by the autumn. From then it is likely to take around 18 months to clear the land and rebuild the new town centre. My concern now is to do all I can to encourage speedier progress.  Encouragingly Tesco has agreed to temporarily re-house all the remaining shops to nearby locations so these businesses can continue trading during the building period.

I have been meeting with the Chief Executive of the Health Board to press the case for a new Health centre.  I expect they will shortly commit to this, as part of the new town centre.  Thank you to everyone who kept the campaign going for a better Linwood.

Hospital Infections Reporting Improvements but exposure to winter crisis
After months of delay there is also more good news on the health front the Health Secretary has bowed to our campaign start reporting hospital acquired infection rates at hospital level. Lots of Buddies supported my campaign to know what is happening at their local hospital and I am delighted we succeeded.

In future we will all know what the level of C-diff and MRSA are. This is a vital step in tackling hospital infections. I welcome this move by the Cabinet Secretary

The NHS however is more exposed and less prepared to a winter crisis than at any time in the last decade. The number of blocked beds has doubled while the over number of beds has fallen. There are reports of elderly patients are being given extra blankets to keep warm in wards with no heating.
So despite ministerial promises, bed blocking has returned and we have a new strain of flu creating the very real threat of a winter crisis.

Home Heat Helpline

Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99) is a free-phone energy helpline, launched earlier this month. The Helpline enables vulnerable customers to access the information and services they need to manage their fuel bills. They will also be able to direct calls – at no cost to the caller – to a number of specialised services including, Consumer Focus Scotland, Energy Savings Scotland Advice Centre, benefits teams at DWP and the Care and Repair Forum Scotland.
Many pensioners in Scotland are well aware to the Scottish Government Central Heating and Warm Deal programmes, but one third of those surveyed across the UK are unaware that there are grants available to fit free or discounted home insulation. Many people do not know they might qualify for grants and other assistance from their energy supplier. The Home Heat Helpline website (www.homeheathelpline.org) also provides online support.

Safety on Local Buses

Last week I was pleased to be able to view some of the latest safety measures to be installed on local Arriva buses. Arriva have introduced a number of hidden CCTV cameras on their local buses – making local buses even safer. Already the cameras are aiding the arrests of anyone who misbehaves. Most importantly it should works as a deterrent to stop bad behaviour starting in the first place – giving passengers and drivers greater safety and security.

Forestry Commission Christmas Trees

The Forestry Commission this year offered MSPs the chance to nominate a local charity or organisation to receive a free Christmas tree. I was delighted to nominate the Renfrewshire Carers who do such worthy work 365 days a year.  You can see the tree in the picture above.