That the Parliament commends the work of RNIB Scotland to support blind and partially-sighted people during the COVID-19 outbreak; acknowledges the survey that it undertook to capture information on how the virus is affecting people's emotional wellbeing and ability to access food and the provision of accessible information; notes that 74% of respondents indicated that they were concerned about accessing food, 21% reported that they had had to ration food and only 14% said that they continued to shop in store on their own; understands that one-fifth reported that, since the lockdown began, they have spoken to others rarely, often less that once every two days, and that two-thirds feel less independent; believes that these survey results indicate that blind and partially-sighted people in Scotland have been hit particularly hard by the necessary anti-virus measures, and hopes that solutions can be found to help people with a visual impairment to consistently access food independently and connect with others during lockdown.
Current Status:
That the Parliament commends the work of RNIB Scotland to support blind and partially-sighted people during the COVID-19 outbreak; acknowledges the survey that it undertook to capture information on how the virus is affecting people's emotional wellbeing and ability to access food and the provision of accessible information; notes that 74% of respondents indicated that they were concerned about accessing food, 21% reported that they had had to ration food and only 14% said that they continued to shop in store on their own; understands that one-fifth reported that, since the lockdown began, they have spoken to others rarely, often less that once every two days, and that two-thirds feel less independent; believes that these survey results indicate that blind and partially-sighted people in Scotland have been hit particularly hard by the necessary anti-virus measures, and hopes that solutions can be found to help people with a visual impairment to consistently access food independently and connect with others during lockdown.
Supported by: Rona Mackay, Richard Lyle, Emma Harper, Sandra White, Kenneth Gibson, Clare Adamson, Fulton MacGregor, Alison Johnstone, Mark McDonald, Jeremy Balfour, Donald Cameron, Bill Kidd, David Torrance, Annabelle Ewing, Stewart Stevenson, Elaine Smith, Sarah Boyack, Maureen Watt, Neil Bibby, John Mason, Tom Arthur, Monica Lennon
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That the Parliament welcomes the launch of Macmillan Cancer Support’s emergency appeal to help meet unprecedented demand during the COVID-19 crisis; recognises that Macmillan’s renowned nurses and other healthcare professionals are being called on to help in the response to the virus, while their colleagues continue to maintain crucial care and support people with cancer; understands that an estimated quarter of a million people with cancer in the UK fall into the clinically vulnerable category for COVID-19; notes that the charity is experiencing an unprecedented surge in demand for its services, including thousands of additional calls to the specialist nurses on its telephone helpline; is concerned that, because it is almost entirely funded by public donations, Macmillan is reporting a 50% drop in income due to the impact of the virus; commends it for investing in a £5 million COVID-19 response fund to address emerging needs, which include funding additional roles such as support workers to help with increased workloads or IT equipment to enable cancer patients to speak virtually to their loved ones, and wishes Macmillan success in raising the urgent funds that it needs to continue to be there for people living with cancer.
Current Status:
That the Parliament welcomes the launch of Macmillan Cancer Support’s emergency appeal to help meet unprecedented demand during the COVID-19 crisis; recognises that Macmillan’s renowned nurses and other healthcare professionals are being called on to help in the response to the virus, while their colleagues continue to maintain crucial care and support people with cancer; understands that an estimated quarter of a million people with cancer in the UK fall into the clinically vulnerable category for COVID-19; notes that the charity is experiencing an unprecedented surge in demand for its services, including thousands of additional calls to the specialist nurses on its telephone helpline; is concerned that, because it is almost entirely funded by public donations, Macmillan is reporting a 50% drop in income due to the impact of the virus; commends it for investing in a £5 million COVID-19 response fund to address emerging needs, which include funding additional roles such as support workers to help with increased workloads or IT equipment to enable cancer patients to speak virtually to their loved ones, and wishes Macmillan success in raising the urgent funds that it needs to continue to be there for people living with cancer.
Supported by: Monica Lennon, Clare Adamson
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That the Parliament congratulates Atlas, a social enterprise group that meets in the Reach for Autism Centre in Greenock, on securing £50,000 worth of Scottish Government funding to continue its work on breaking down barriers around autism; understands that the group's efforts include a stage play drama that attracted the attention of the First Minister, and that it has also provided training to the Scottish Government on autism; notes that Atlas has also delivered training for local police officers, teachers and people who run the children’s hearings system; recognises that, since the young people first started their push to change the way the public view people with autism, they have won national recognition and awards; acknowledges that the group plans to expand its training activities, set up an awards scheme and reach out to more youngsters who need support, and wishes it all the best for the future.
Current Status:
That the Parliament congratulates Atlas, a social enterprise group that meets in the Reach for Autism Centre in Greenock, on securing £50,000 worth of Scottish Government funding to continue its work on breaking down barriers around autism; understands that the group's efforts include a stage play drama that attracted the attention of the First Minister, and that it has also provided training to the Scottish Government on autism; notes that Atlas has also delivered training for local police officers, teachers and people who run the children’s hearings system; recognises that, since the young people first started their push to change the way the public view people with autism, they have won national recognition and awards; acknowledges that the group plans to expand its training activities, set up an awards scheme and reach out to more youngsters who need support, and wishes it all the best for the future.
Supported by: Jeremy Balfour, Bill Kidd, Emma Harper, John Finnie, Sandra White, Rona Mackay, David Torrance, Stewart Stevenson, Richard Lyle, Fulton MacGregor, Kenneth Gibson, Alexander Burnett, Ruth Maguire, Willie Coffey, Gillian Martin
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That the Parliament commends Parkdean Resorts for investing £250,000 in Wemyss Bay Caravan Park; understands that this is part of an £80 million programme of investment by Parkdean Resorts to improve and modernise its caravan sites; recognises that this investment will see the popular coastal holiday destination receive 12 new caravans to replace older ones, and that renovations are planned within the arcade facilities; notes that Parkdean currently employs 100 staff at its Wemyss Bay park, with more staff to be employed, and wishes the company all the best for the future.
Current Status:
That the Parliament commends Parkdean Resorts for investing £250,000 in Wemyss Bay Caravan Park; understands that this is part of an £80 million programme of investment by Parkdean Resorts to improve and modernise its caravan sites; recognises that this investment will see the popular coastal holiday destination receive 12 new caravans to replace older ones, and that renovations are planned within the arcade facilities; notes that Parkdean currently employs 100 staff at its Wemyss Bay park, with more staff to be employed, and wishes the company all the best for the future.
Supported by: Bill Kidd, Christine Grahame, Sandra White, David Torrance, Stewart Stevenson, Richard Lyle, Fulton MacGregor, Kenneth Gibson, Ruth Maguire, Willie Coffey, Clare Adamson, Gillian Martin
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That the Parliament welcomes the launch of Scotland’s second marine tourism strategy, Giant Strides 2020-2025; recognises that its development has been led by British Marine Scotland in partnership with Royal Yachting Association Scotland, Scottish Canals and Sail Scotland; understands that it builds on the first strategy, Awakening the Giant, but takes a much broader view of marine tourism, its role in coastal and island communities and the significant benefits that it believes that this can deliver for communities, the environment and the economy; believes that the success of this strategy will rest in how it is used; notes the view that businesses, community groups and clubs should use it to help inform their planning and development; understands that businesses and organisations can become a partner to work on one or more of the strategy’s 14 objectives, with the partnership planning process a central aspect of this strategy; thanks the many individuals and organisations who responded to the consultation to help shape this strategy, and hopes it will be a useful tool for boosting the marine tourism sector in the Greenock and Inverclyde constituency and across Scotland.
Current Status:
That the Parliament welcomes the launch of Scotland’s second marine tourism strategy, Giant Strides 2020-2025; recognises that its development has been led by British Marine Scotland in partnership with Royal Yachting Association Scotland, Scottish Canals and Sail Scotland; understands that it builds on the first strategy, Awakening the Giant, but takes a much broader view of marine tourism, its role in coastal and island communities and the significant benefits that it believes that this can deliver for communities, the environment and the economy; believes that the success of this strategy will rest in how it is used; notes the view that businesses, community groups and clubs should use it to help inform their planning and development; understands that businesses and organisations can become a partner to work on one or more of the strategy’s 14 objectives, with the partnership planning process a central aspect of this strategy; thanks the many individuals and organisations who responded to the consultation to help shape this strategy, and hopes it will be a useful tool for boosting the marine tourism sector in the Greenock and Inverclyde constituency and across Scotland.
Supported by: Rona Mackay, Emma Harper, Liam McArthur, Kenneth Gibson, Bill Kidd, Joan McAlpine, Stewart Stevenson, Fulton MacGregor, Maurice Corry, John Mason, David Torrance, Sandra White, Willie Coffey, Gillian Martin, Ruth Maguire, Clare Adamson
Current Status: Eligible for Members’ Business, Pending Cross Party Support
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That the Parliament commends Mitchell McFarlane, who is from Greenock, on launching the project, 1goodturn, which aims to support vulnerable people in Inverclyde and Glasgow; understands that Mitchell visits the Inverclyde Homelessness Centre every second Sunday with Maria Frankgate to offer men’s and women’s haircuts; recognises that he also travels to Glasgow every Tuesday night to offer his barbering services to vulnerable people by setting up his barbering chair in Cadogan Street; notes that he also hands out donations of clothes to homeless people in Glasgow; applauds Mitchell for giving up his spare time to support people in this way, and thanks everyone who has supported the initiative so far.
Current Status:
That the Parliament commends Mitchell McFarlane, who is from Greenock, on launching the project, 1goodturn, which aims to support vulnerable people in Inverclyde and Glasgow; understands that Mitchell visits the Inverclyde Homelessness Centre every second Sunday with Maria Frankgate to offer men’s and women’s haircuts; recognises that he also travels to Glasgow every Tuesday night to offer his barbering services to vulnerable people by setting up his barbering chair in Cadogan Street; notes that he also hands out donations of clothes to homeless people in Glasgow; applauds Mitchell for giving up his spare time to support people in this way, and thanks everyone who has supported the initiative so far.
Supported by: Fulton MacGregor, Colin Beattie, Emma Harper, Kenneth Gibson, Sandra White, David Torrance, Richard Lyle, Bill Kidd, Stewart Stevenson, Gillian Martin, Neil Bibby, Gil Paterson, Clare Adamson, Tom Arthur, Willie Coffey, Ruth Maguire
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That the Parliament joins PG Paper in celebrating a busy start to 2020 with a record number of international shipments; recognises that staff at the company’s headquarters in Greenock have helped shift over 5,000 containers of various types of paper around the world in the current financial year, which represents an 11% annual increase; understands that this follows the firm’s most recent set of annual accounts, which showed a £20 million increase in turnover to £56 million for the 12 months to 31 March 2019, which led to a healthy profit of £1.6 million, up by £90,000; notes that the workforce is also growing, with 24 staff now employed at the company; appreciates that the number of shipments since April 2019 is the most since the company was founded in 2003 by Poonam Gupta OBE, who runs the business with her husband, Puneet; acknowledges that PG Paper now operates in 55 countries worldwide, including China, India and in South America, and that last year opened a sales office in New York; congratulates the firm on its success, and hopes that its business continues to grow.
Current Status:
That the Parliament joins PG Paper in celebrating a busy start to 2020 with a record number of international shipments; recognises that staff at the company’s headquarters in Greenock have helped shift over 5,000 containers of various types of paper around the world in the current financial year, which represents an 11% annual increase; understands that this follows the firm’s most recent set of annual accounts, which showed a £20 million increase in turnover to £56 million for the 12 months to 31 March 2019, which led to a healthy profit of £1.6 million, up by £90,000; notes that the workforce is also growing, with 24 staff now employed at the company; appreciates that the number of shipments since April 2019 is the most since the company was founded in 2003 by Poonam Gupta OBE, who runs the business with her husband, Puneet; acknowledges that PG Paper now operates in 55 countries worldwide, including China, India and in South America, and that last year opened a sales office in New York; congratulates the firm on its success, and hopes that its business continues to grow.
Supported by: Fulton MacGregor, Bill Kidd, Richard Lyle, Kenneth Gibson, Sandra White, Gillian Martin, Alasdair Allan, David Torrance, Neil Bibby, Gil Paterson, Clare Adamson, Tom Arthur, Willie Coffey
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That the Parliament welcomes the £19,100 that has been awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to the Palace of the Kip Valley project in Greenock; understands that this is an inter-generational oral history initiative that aims to bring older and younger members of the community together, including people with additional support needs, to explore, share and celebrate their heritage; recognises that it focuses on Ravenscraig Hospital, which was formerly known as a poorhouse and the Smithston Asylum; notes that the hospital has served the community since 1879 and was at one time referred to as "the Palace of the Kip Valley" due to the cost of its build and its luxury fittings, and hopes the project attracts people from across the community to allow them to engage with their heritage.
Current Status:
That the Parliament welcomes the £19,100 that has been awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to the Palace of the Kip Valley project in Greenock; understands that this is an inter-generational oral history initiative that aims to bring older and younger members of the community together, including people with additional support needs, to explore, share and celebrate their heritage; recognises that it focuses on Ravenscraig Hospital, which was formerly known as a poorhouse and the Smithston Asylum; notes that the hospital has served the community since 1879 and was at one time referred to as "the Palace of the Kip Valley" due to the cost of its build and its luxury fittings, and hopes the project attracts people from across the community to allow them to engage with their heritage.
Supported by: Emma Harper, Bill Kidd, Kenneth Gibson, Fulton MacGregor, Sandra White, Colin Beattie, David Torrance, Richard Lyle, Clare Adamson, Gillian Martin, Willie Coffey, Gil Paterson, Tom Arthur, Ruth Maguire
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That the Parliament notes the contents of the RNIB Scotland report, Communication Failure?, launched on 17 February 2020, highlighting what it considers communication failures of NHS boards regarding people with sight loss or visual impairment; considers that the actions of each NHS board, including NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which covers the Greenock and Inverclyde constituency, are putting blind and partially sighted people at risk of missing treatments and potentially leading to increased ill health due to inaccessible health information; believes that patient confidentiality is being breached due to individuals relying on carers, relatives or friends to read appointment letters on their behalf; understands that 170,000 people in Scotland have significant sight loss, and therefore considers that the need for accessibility is high, and notes the view that every NHS board should engage with organisations that deal with sight loss to provide a more person-centred approach to communicating with such people.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes the contents of the RNIB Scotland report, Communication Failure?, launched on 17 February 2020, highlighting what it considers communication failures of NHS boards regarding people with sight loss or visual impairment; considers that the actions of each NHS board, including NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which covers the Greenock and Inverclyde constituency, are putting blind and partially sighted people at risk of missing treatments and potentially leading to increased ill health due to inaccessible health information; believes that patient confidentiality is being breached due to individuals relying on carers, relatives or friends to read appointment letters on their behalf; understands that 170,000 people in Scotland have significant sight loss, and therefore considers that the need for accessibility is high, and notes the view that every NHS board should engage with organisations that deal with sight loss to provide a more person-centred approach to communicating with such people.
Supported by: Annabelle Ewing, Colin Beattie, Richard Lyle, Jeremy Balfour, Sandra White, David Torrance, Fulton MacGregor, Bill Kidd, Jackie Baillie, Stewart Stevenson, Monica Lennon, Gillian Martin, Willie Coffey, Clare Adamson, Gil Paterson, Maureen Watt, Tom Arthur, Sarah Boyack, Neil Bibby, Ruth Maguire
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10/03/2020
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That the Parliament congratulates John Dollard, from Greenock’s east end, on his debut solo exhibition, 20:20 Hindsight, at the Beacon Arts Centre; recognises that John is a self-taught artist, being a commercial painter by trade, and only started producing his own work five years ago; notes that John describes his work as Scottish Pop Art and hopes to encourage other artists locally through the Inverclyde Art Forum Facebook page that he has set up; believes that creating art can be relaxing and therapeutic for people; hopes that John’s exhibition will encourage others to pick up a paint brush in their spare time, and wishes John well for the future.
Current Status:
That the Parliament congratulates John Dollard, from Greenock’s east end, on his debut solo exhibition, 20:20 Hindsight, at the Beacon Arts Centre; recognises that John is a self-taught artist, being a commercial painter by trade, and only started producing his own work five years ago; notes that John describes his work as Scottish Pop Art and hopes to encourage other artists locally through the Inverclyde Art Forum Facebook page that he has set up; believes that creating art can be relaxing and therapeutic for people; hopes that John’s exhibition will encourage others to pick up a paint brush in their spare time, and wishes John well for the future.
Supported by: Gail Ross, Clare Adamson, Gil Paterson, Maureen Watt, David Torrance, Colin Beattie, Kenneth Gibson, Bill Kidd, Richard Lyle, Sandra White, Alex Rowley, Fulton MacGregor, Willie Coffey, Tom Arthur, Stewart Stevenson, Ruth Maguire, Gillian Martin
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