Politicians Congratulate Dundee City of Culture Bid Team on Shotlisting Success

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Dundee’s constituency MSPs Joe FitzPatrick and Shona Robison and Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie today sent their congratulations to the Dundee bid team which has successfully been shortlisted for UK City of Culture 2017 — and sent commiserations to the neighbouring city of Aberdeen which lost out to Hull, Swansea Bay and Leicester, the other three shortlisted bids.

 
Joe FitzPatrick said: “This is excellent news and will add to the increasing list of accolades for the city. It all helps to keep Dundee in the public eye as a good place to live and work and a great cultural centre.”
 
Shona Robison said: “Congratulations to Dundee City Council and the bid team and all involved with the bid who have made such an excellent job. Dundee is a city on the move.”
 
Stewart Hosie said: “This is confirmation that Dundee is making headway and changing public perceptions of the city. Culture often leads investment and Dundee is the place to be for work, leisure and quality of life.”

 

City MSPs Welcome Youth Employment Funding Boost For Dundee

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Joe Shona DocksDundee’s constituency MSPs today welcomed an investment package of £772,512 to fund employer recruitment initiatives and tackle youth joblessness in Dundee City Council area.

The funding comes from a £87.85 million investment – bringing together cash from the Scottish Government, local councils, Cosla, the European Commission and employers – is expected to support 10,000 young people into work across Scotland. An additional 3,000 jobs are expected to be created in small business around the country for workers of all ages.

The announcement comes on the day that labour market figures show unemployment in Scotland fell for the seventh consecutive month to 7.1% – while the UK figure remained static at 7.8%. The statistics show the headline employment level rose by 47,000 between February and April – an increase of just over one per cent to 72.2%, compared to the UK which fell by 0.1% to 71.5%.

Youth unemployment fell by 6.1 percentage points over the year to February to April 2013, meaning Scotland now has one of the lowest youth joblessness rates from across the EU.

Commenting, Dundee City West MSP said: ”This £88 million investment in jobs for young people is fantastic news and Dundee’s available funding is £772,512 which will support 240 jobs and confirms the SNP’s commitment to give every young person in Scotland the opportunity to work and make their contribution to society.”

Shona Robison, Dundee City East MSP said; “It’s also great to see how small and medium sized businesses will benefit in their ability to recruit young people and build capacity for economic growth.

“The huge emphasis that the SNP Government has placed on tackling unemployment – particularly youth unemployment – is paying off with another set of encouraging figures.

“But it is vital that we keep up this momentum and the significant announcement today will ensure that employers have the right help in place to take on more young staff and grow their business.”

 

MSPs Welcome Council Proposals to Aspire to Improve Attainment in City Schools

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L-R: Joe FitzPatrick MSP, Shona Robison MSP, Cllr Ken Guild, Cllr Stewart Hunter, Cllr Gregor Murray, Mrs Kim Flynn, Lina Waghorn, Kenny Lindsay.

L-R: Joe FitzPatrick MSP, Shona Robison MSP, Cllr Ken Guild, Cllr Stewart Hunter, Cllr Gregor Murray, Mrs Kim Flynn, Lina Waghorn, Kenny Christie.

Dundee’s constituency MSPs Joe FitzPatrick and Shona Robison have expressed their support for proposals by Dundee City Council to scrap school music tuition fees and to improve educational attainment in the city through investment in a new arts education programme ASPIRE.

The proposals are to go before the Council’s Education Committee on 24th and will take effect from the new term in August.

Commenting on the proposals, Shona Robison, Dundee City East MSP said: “I’m pleased to learn of Dundee City Council’s new Education initiatives.

“Scrapping music tuition fees will help boost even further the number of primary and secondary pupils in Dundee benefitting from learning an instrument.

“Apart from the acquisition of musical skills, learning to play an instrument gives the pupil confidence and satisfaction and allows them to attain goals and to express themselves creatively.

“It is very important and I commend Dundee City Council’s initiative and hope that it will receive all-party support at the Eduation Committee.”

Joe FitzPatrick, MSP for Dundee City West said: “ASPIRE, which is partly funded by the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland, will benefit nearly 2000 primary pupils in the city and improve their attainment and confidence.

“Through the use of this arts education programme we can inspire the next generation and create long-term social transformation in deprived areas of the city.

“The Council is taking bold and imaginative steps to dramatically increase the education records of achievement in Dundee schools, and I very much support these new initiatives.”

MSP Attends Eilish McColgan Visit to Craigie High School

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S2 pupils of Craigie High School who were members of the Giant Heptathalon team with, Back Row L-R: Nicola Barker, Active Schools' Co-ordinator, Alasdhair Love, Scottish Athletics, Scott Madden, Active Schools' Co-ordinator. Front, L-R: Nigel Holl, Chief Executive, Scottish Athletics, Eilish McColgan, Shona Robison MSP, Minister for Sport and Commonwealth Games.

S2 pupils of Craigie High School who were members of the Giant Heptathalon team with, Back Row L-R: Nicola Barker, Active Schools’ Co-ordinator, Alasdhair Love, Scottish Athletics, Scott Madden, Active Schools’ Co-ordinator. Front, L-R: Nigel Holl, Chief Executive, Scottish Athletics, Eilish McColgan, Shona Robison MSP, Minister for Sport and Commonwealth Games.

Dundee City East MSP Shona Robison, Minister for Sport & Commonwealth Games, today sat-in on the first International Athlete School visit of the Inspire 2014 programme.

The Minister joined officials from Scottish Athletics at Craigie High School to sit-in on an inspiration talk and Q&A with athlete Eilish McColgan to S2 pupils who had participated in the Giant Heptathalon event.

Subjects covered in the talk included training issues, dealing with success and failure, the life of an athlete and how important good diet is in developing physically and mentally.

 

Shona said: “This was an inspirational talk and went down very well with the pupils. Some of the questions related to celebrity athletes that Eilish has met but many more were good questions about how to make a career in athletics and how to sustain and improve performances over the long term.

“I was particularly pleased that Eilish is looking forward to the Commonwealth Games and stressed how good it would be to be in front of a home crowd, all of whom will be aware of who she is and will be cheering her on.

‘In partnership with scottishathletics, the Scottish Government has created a new programme for schools to help pupils take part in athletics. Inspire 2014 will complement the work of athletics clubs to ensure a smooth move from school into club athletics.

‘Inspire 2014 will help create a new generation of hopefuls keen to emulate Eilish and make their dreams come true.’

“Young and successful athletes like Eilish can make a huge difference in inspiring and motivating young people to get more active and participate in sport.”

MSPs Welcome Highest-Number of Police Officers in Tayside

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Dundee’s SNP MSPs Joe FitzPatrick and Shona Robison today welcomed newly published figures which show that as of 31 March, the number of police officers in Tayside was at its highest level since 2007, standing at 1,245, an increase over every other quarter.

 

This is the final report on statistics of the eight forces configuration as the next statistical report will address staffing numbers of the new single force, Police Scotland.

Dundee City West MSP Joe FitzPatrick said: “I welcome the new statistics showing that the Scottish Government has kept its commitment to deliver increased police numbers and drive down crime.

“There is no substitute for bobbies on the beat and that is what we have delivered, with police numbers in Tayside at their highest-level since 2007.

 

“The SNP has delivered safer communities, and crime is at a 40 year-low thanks to these extra police officers patrolling our streets.”

 

Shona Robison, MSP for Dundee City East said: “The new Police Officer Quarterly Strength Statistics Scotland figures show that across Scotland, the SNP has delivered 1,261 additional police officers, a national increase of 7.8%.
“Not a single one of those additional police officers would be there, protecting our communities, if Labour had their way.  And all the opposition parties voted against the Scottish Government Budget which is delivering the resources to maintain these police numbers.”

Minister Welcomes Action to Tackle Prejudice in Sport

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Shona on an earlier Sport Ministerial visit

Shona on an earlier Sport Ministerial visit

Speaking to an audience of Sport Governing Bodies at a sportscotland equality seminar in Glasgow today, Sport  & Commonwealth Games Minister Shona Robison, who is also responsible for equalities said:

“There should be no barriers at all to participating in sport and the Commonwealth Games provides a fantastic opportunity to promote equality. Yet the Equality Network’s Out for Sport report – the biggest research to date on homophobia and transphobia in Scottish sport – highlighted problems in attitudes that still exist.

“We take homophobia very seriously so I welcome the Out for Sport recommendation to develop an action plan to tackle prejudice, put in place diversity strategies and to monitor progress.

“This issue needs leadership and Sport Governing Bodies should have clear policies in place for LGBT people, and sportscotland will have a role to ensure that consideration of LGBT people is mainstreamed into sport development plans. An LGBT sports charter will also be created, which Governing Bodies can support and promote to their members, to help spread the inclusion message.”

Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said:

“This seminar is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the achievements which have been made over the past year by many of the Scottish Governing Bodies of Sport (SGBs) in progressing their work with equalities.

“Significant improvements have been made by SGBs in developing initiatives, plans, and policy frameworks to help them increase the diversity of their membership and organisations.

“In addition, sportscotland is undertaking a range of equalities work to ensure that the opportunities to participate, progress, and achieve in sport are available to all, and by providing the LGBT sector with the opportunity to engage directly with SGBs will undoubtedly lead to further progress.”

Scott Cuthbertson, Community Development Coordinator for the Equality Network, said;

“The Out for Sport report reveals for the first time the extent of homophobia and transphobia experienced in Scottish sport. We welcome the strong commitment from the Scottish Government and sportscotland to tackling this issue, ensuring LGBT people can play a full and active role in the sporting life of Scotland.”

Shona attends Girlguiding Scotland’s Annual Event

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L-R - Gill Slocombe Chief Guide, Mary Putt Girlguiding Anglia’s Chief Commissioner, Shona Robison MSP Minister for Commonwealth Games, Sue Walker Girlguiding Scotland’s Scottish Chief Commissioner and Alison Plummer, Girlguiding Glasgow’s County Commissioner

L-R – Gill Slocombe Chief Guide, Mary Putt Girlguiding Anglia’s Chief Commissioner, Shona Robison MSP Minister for Commonwealth Games, Sue Walker Girlguiding Scotland’s Scottish Chief Commissioner and Alison Plummer, Girlguiding Glasgow’s County Commissioner

Dundee City East MSP Shona Robison attended Girlguiding Scotland’s annual event at the Apex City Quay Hotel, Dundee, on Saturday 1st June, to celebrate a year of adventure.

 

Girls and young women had the opportunity to take part in a large number of exciting events throughout 2012 and sent a total of 34 girls and 11 adults on international trips to Germany, Poland, Iceland and Ghana. Three Scottish girls also went to Guyana through Gold – a Guiding Overseas Linked with Development project.

 

Also attending the event among 250 guests and members were special guests  Cllr Bob Duncan Lord Provost of Dundee, Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP and Girlguiding Chief Guide, Gill Slocombe.

 

A number of awards were presented during the event, including the Baden Powell Challenge Award to three Guides and 50-year long service awards to seven Leaders.

 

 

 

Dundee Groups Meet MSPs at Scottish Parliament

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Nine members of Dundee West Communities Association and five members of staff at the Brooksbank Centre visited the Scottish Parliament today and met up with the city’s MSP Shona Robison and Joe FitzPatrick.

Also on the tour was Callum Duffy, a Grove S3 pupil presently on work experience with the MSPs.


The groups viewed First Minister’s Questions and were given a tour of the parliament by the MSPs’ staff.


The picture shows Joe and Shona with the members of the two groups in the main debating chamber.


Second from right is Ginny Lawson of the Brooksbank group and fifth from right is Stella Carrington of Dundee West Communities Association.

 

Minister Launches Social Enterprise Mentoring Partnership

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seated with the Legacy logo: L-R: Graeme Powrie of Pilotlight, Shona, Derek Marshall, Chief executive at Factory Skatepark.

seated with the Legacy logo: L-R: Graeme Powrie of Pilotlight, Shona, Derek Marshall, Chief executive at Factory Skatepark.

Shona Robison, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport was at the Factory Skatepark in Balunie Drive today to launch a mentoring scheme that will match-up successful business people and social enterprises  to help them develop and succeed.

The scheme will provide six charities across Scotland with top business mentors such as senior staff from Scottish Enterprise, Visit Scotland, sportscotland, Schuh, Scottish & Newcastle and Redspire – is known as the Pilotlight partnership.

Working with the Scottish Government, the scheme aims to put the social enterprises on a steady footing for growth and development.

The new partnership between the Scottish Government and Pilotlight in Scotland is part of the Legacy 2014 project to deliver a lasting legacy from the Commonwealth Games.

Shona said: “I’m launching this initiative at the Factory Skatepark – which previously benefitted from Pilotlight support and has prospered and substantially expanded as a result.

“The Commonwealth Games will deliver 11 days of spectacular sporting events but success will be measured not just by medals but by more training opportunities, a stronger economy and more jobs.

“This initiative will help these enterprises enhancing the services they offer to their local communities and making a positive imprint on the future of the organisation.

“The business leaders involve will provide invaluable experience, sharing the benefit of their skills and knowledge of the business world to create a significant impact on the operation and performance of social enterprises to ensure their future sustainability.”

The first three projects to benefit are Active Communities in Paisley, Drumchapel and District Sports Centre and Youth Football Scotland.

 

Walk To School Week

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Shona with Barnhill PS pupils at today's event.

Shona with Barnhill PS pupils at today’s event.

Dundee City East MSP Shona Robison today joined P7 school pupils at Barnhill Primary School to promote Walk To School Week.

The initiative by the pupils, part of the Scottish Government’s Greener Together campaign, is supported by Paths for All and Dundee City Council’s Education Department.

Speaking to the school assembly, Shona commended the pupils on their initiative and on their commitment to healthy exercise which was so important for them as individuals and for a more green, environmentally-friendly and more active Scotland.

Shona is pictured with staff and P7 pupils at the event. Also in the picture; Keith Irving, Head of Living Streets Scotland (back left), Ian Findlay, Chief Officer of Paths For All, (third from right), Headteacher Pamela Nesbitt is second from right.