PDE Column, 6th July 2009 – Protect Seabirds, Scotland’s Toursim Industry, Town Centre Regeneration, St. Andrew’s visit Parliament

Bill will protect seabirds

As some of you may know I have long holidayed on the island of Mull. We are heading there this week. When I was younger I liked to bird watch. Since the kids came along I have less time for bird watching but I retain an interest in our birdlife. And the ailing fortunes of our seabirds carry an important environmental message. So much in rural Scotland has improved in recent years but the state of Scotland’s seas has worsened. So if you want your children to grow up and enjoy seeing sea birds then we need urgent environmental action.

Scotland is home to around four million breeding seabirds of 24 species. But a new report by Scottish Natural Heritage reveals that Scotland’s seabird numbers fell by 19% between 2000 and 2008.

The Climate Change Bill passed by the Scottish Parliament in June will help in the long run. But more immediate action will come with the Marine Bill, launched this spring. With it includes measures to safeguard Scotland’s unique marine species and habitats.

First-Hand Experience

Holidaying at home will also give me the chance to see at first hand how Scotland’s tourism industry is performing. I sit on the Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee so it is always good to have the chance to see what is happening on the ground. For some people running a small B & B is just a hobby, but for many more a small tourism business is their livelihood. With consumers watching their budgets ever more closely the price/quality offering has to be right. People understandably expect more these days. My impression is that standards are rising but not fast enough to keep up with the international competition.

Anyone who has struggled for too long trying to book a long distance train trip will understand my frustration. It is wrong that it is easier to book a cheap flight to England than a cheap train ticket.

On The Move

My week away meant that I missed out on moving my office to a new space within Abbey Mill. Having my office in Abbey Mill is a great reminder of Paisley’s heritage. It is a heritage I drew on in my recent submission to John Swinney calling for Paisley to get its fair share of the new Town Centre Regeneration Fund. As Paisley is the largest town in Scotland we must not miss out. If you would like to add your own comment to this submission please log on to my website www.wendyalexander.co.uk 

A Great Achievement

I mentioned in my last column St Andrews Academy great achievement in winning a Green Flag for Eco schools – the only mainstream secondary in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire to achieve this highest and prestigious award. To follow up on this I was delighted to welcome them to the Scottish Parliament on June 24th to witness some of the final debating on the very day the Climate Change Bill completed its passage through the Scottish Parliament.