PDE Column, 20th July 2009 – Small Companies, PACE, New Homes, New Renfrew Police Station

Hard times for small companies

Do you know any small business that is struggling to get financing? If so please get in touch.  I sit on the Scottish Parliament’s Economy Committee and our current work is all about access to finance for small businesses. I have been in touch with the Chamber of Commerce and other local businesses to uncover what is happening locally. These discussions reveal real concerns about the current attitudes of banks to small businesses. Despite being bailed out by the Government, banks are still reluctant to lend – leading to extra pressures on jobs. So if you know of a worrying case let me know. You can email me at wendy.alexander.msp@scottish.parliament.uk 

PACE for fun

I have watched PACE – Paisley’s Youth Theatre performances over many years. But Saturday was the first time I had been a participant – or at least my children were! I thought PACE’s summer workshops would be a great experience for my toddler twins. What really impressed me was the professionalism of “PACE veterans” of 15-25 years who inspired the toddlers. These young people leading the children’s workshops were teaching my two that good fun does no require a lot of expensive electronic gadgetry!

Meanwhile I had hoped for a quiet coffee myself – but the Wynd’s coffee shop was too busy for that. It turned into an impromptu surgery.

New Homes

Talking of good news recently I had the opportunity to visit the 190 new affordable homes under construction by Sanctuary Housing Association in Linwood. The quality of the new homes is excellent. Every house has a front and back door as well as its own garden. Residents will begin moving in during August.

Crucially residents of Armour Place, above the Linwood Town Centre, will be moving into their new homes by this autumn. This means the development of Linwood’s town centre can finally now go full steam ahead.

Renfrew New Police Station

Slower progress though on the Renfrew police station. As many readers will know Renfrew desperately needs a new police station. Unfortunately there has been a delay. This is a disappointing development for a much needed project. I am seeking assurances from Police Board and Police Chiefs that this delay will be minimal and the new police station will be up and running as soon as possible.

Finally more encouraging news on the town’s health centre. Concerned constituents contacted me about he lack of buses passing the new Ferry Road site. I took it up with Strathclyde passenger transport and they came back to me confirming the United Bus Company are now operating an extra service to accommodate the new Health Centre taking the tally serving the new location to an encouraging 8 buses per hour. They have also made all bus companies aware of the new health centre site for consideration in their future bus network development plans.