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"...her campaigning against education cuts is good news for parents!" - Rachael Ewing, Seedhill
"...her campaigning against education cuts is good news for parents!" - Rachael Ewing, Seedhill
“Stretching to some 239 pages, the report of Holyrood’s Scotland Bill committee, chaired by Labour’s Wendy Alexander, is a substantial document and a document of substance. It is thorough, examining the Westminster proposals to give more powers to Scotland with a critically forensic eye, and analytical. More important than the impressive committee work are the proposals it makes and the impact it will have on the debate over Scotland’s constitutional future. In this respect, Ms Alexander’s report is the most significant development since the publication of the Scotland Bill, which heralded the setting up of the Scottish Parliament more than a decade ago.” 4th March 2011, Scotsman
Wendy Alexander, Holyrood’s Scotland Bill convenor, is proud of the report produced which represents the most significant transfer of financial powers to Scotland from London since the creation of the United Kingdom. Follow the links below for full details:
Resignation
As most of you will now know I have decided not to seek re-election in May. It was a very tough decision and very much a personal one. Read more »
To those who have signed the petition, thank you. You are one of nearly 3000 local people who have taken the time to sign up to say no to the planned changes.
Update news:
1. We met with Education Cabinet Secretary, Mike Russell last week to urge him again to intervene in Renfrewshire. The meeting was unsuccessful as he refused to intervene at this stage, indicating he will review matters in 2012 after HMIE makes ‘observations’ on the all-school pilots due to start in August.
What you can do:
2. Parents will lobby the council before its Full Council Meeting on Thursday 17th Feb to show their opposition to the policy.
3. Please join a rally in Paisley this Saturday 19th February to oppose these plans. The rally will gather outside the Town Hall at 10.45 am – please think of going along and supporting families like your own, who are concerned about the future of the standard of education to Renfrewshire children. Read more »
Reduction of teaching hours in Renfrewshire Primary schools by qualified teachers from 25 to 22.5 hours a week – 10%
Thank you to those who have taken the time to either sign the online petition or contact me individually regarding this issue.
Every day, as word spreads, the number of people registering their concern grows.
I wanted to take the opportunity to update you with the following important news:
1. Parent Council Website: The Renfrewshire Parent Council Forum (RPCF) has been set up by parents. It’s an excellent website. It’s for YOU to connect with other parents throughout Renfrewshire. It provides a superb information platform. Please take a minute to look! Read more »
As the Education issue has erupted Renfrewshire Council has cited the ‘Curriculum for Excellence’ in their claims. But what exactly does ‘Curriculum for Excellence’ mean?
Read a brief overview as described by the Scottish Parliament’s Information Centre.
Wendy Alexander MSP expressed dismay as Bmi announced yesterday the cancellation of its daily service between Glasgow Airport and London Heathrow. It emerged earlier this month that the airline was considering pulling out of the route due to increases in landing charges at Heathrow.
Over a hundred jobs are now at risk of redundancy from the beginning of March as a result of the airline’s decision. Glasgow Airport is Renfrewshire’s largest employer.
Wendy Alexander MSP said:
“Renfrewshire cannot afford to lose these high-quality jobs and Michael Moore should have pressed Bmi to retain this vital service. Read more »
Sadly we have got used to education cuts in Renfrewshire. In the past 3 ½ years we have seen Council cuts to school budgets, psychological services, music tuition, closure of schools and nurseries, closure of libraries, loss of school transport, loss of classroom assistants and the decision to axe 60 more primary teachers will take the total loss of teachers to over 300. To my mind this is the worst decision yet.
I believe what Renfrewshire is planning to do will harm kids’ education. No other authority is yet planning to do the same. So I hope the Leading Administration councillors will reconsider this retrograde step when it comes to the full Renfrewshire Council meeting on 17 February. Read more »
Paisley North MSP Wendy Alexander has expressed concern as Scottish Government ministers failed to set a meeting discussing education cuts in Renfrewshire. Renfrewshire Council has recently proposed to replace 60 primary school teachers with non-teaching staff in order to cut costs. A final vote by Council officials to pass the proposal will take place in the middle of February.
Wendy Alexander MSP said:
“Ministers promised local MSPs a meeting but they seem to be stalling. We are pressing for the meeting before the council takes a final decision on 17th February. Read more »
Local MSP Wendy Alexander is calling on employers to give their staff paid time off work to give blood. The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2010. The service estimates that they need just over 190,000 donors to secure enough blood for patients into the future.
Wendy Alexander MSP said:
“Please make a special effort to give blood. The NHS predicts that it will need just over 190,000 donors to secure enough blood for patients in the future and it is particularly important to maintain supplies during the colder months. Read more »