Pauline McNeill MSP

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Dear Constituent

The beginning of 2010 has been a difficult time for families across Scotland with freak weather conditions forcing the cost of heating up, as people struggle to stay warm.

That is why I am supporting a number of initiatives such as the Energy Saving Trust and the Homeheat Helpline (0800 33 6699), designed to provide advice and financial support to lower the cost of heating and to make our homes as fuel efficient and green as possible with grants for roof and cavity wall insulation, better windows and draft excluders as well as a free home energy use survey.

I am also calling on the Scottish Government to reconsider its rejection of the Boiler Scrappage Scheme which the UK Government is offering to households south of the border. The scheme provides £400 towards the costs of installing a fuel efficient boiler which could save households across Scotland as much as £235 per year.

The SNP equivalent scheme only provides assistance to low income families and the elderly, a small percentage of the more than 12,000 households struggling to afford to stay warm.

Motions

Last week I tabled two motions before Parliament:

S3M-5545 - Pauline McNeill: Celebrating the Opening of the New Glasgow Warriors’ Training Base—That the Parliament welcomes the opening of the Glasgow Warriors’ new training base at Scotstoun stadium; acknowledges the £18 million redevelopment on the site, which will play a key part in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow; notes the Princess Royal’s attendance at the opening ceremony and hopes that all of Scottish rugby will be able to benefit from the facility, and welcomes the partnership of Scottish Rugby, Glasgow City Council and Culture and Sport Glasgow to ensure that the facility becomes a centre of excellence for rugby.

*S3M-5492 Pauline McNeill: Congratulations to Notre Dame—That the Parliament recognises the excellent report given to Scotland’s only all-girl state school; commends Notre Dame High School in Hillhead, Glasgow, for achieving one excellent and four very good grades; also recognises head teacher Philomena McFadden’s work leading the school, and notes HM Inspectorate of Education’s belief that the school managed to form a central part of the community.

Appointments

I am currently looking for a caseworker in my office. If you think you’re the right person for the job please forward your CV no later than 21st January.

Caseworker Job Description:

Salary – to be discussed

Hours – 4 days may be one day in Edinburgh

Key responsibilities:

· Dealing with general public enquiries.

· Dealing with constituency casework effectively and efficiently and investigating and responding to issues raised through correspondence, telephone calls, emails and surgeries.

· Maintaining an electronic and manual filing system. Associating previous papers with current correspondence and extracting document on request.

· Typing of correspondence and reports as required.

Key skills amd competency

· Knowledge and understanding of the Scottish political scene (Essential).

· Knowledge and understanding of issues affecting the local community (Essential).

· Demonstrable interpersonal skills with the ability to identify and take forward issues on behalf of my constituents (Essential).

· Flexible approach to working with the ability to work on their own initiative within a small local constituency office (Essential).

· Proven communication skills, both written and verbal with a polite, pleasant and confident telephone manner and be able to deal with constituents and outside bodies in a confidential manner (Essential).

· Experience of dealing with sensitive issues and respecting the need for confidentiality (Essential).

· Strong organisational skills (Essential).

Surgeries

My next Constituency Surgery will be held on Monday the 25th January at 9am

in the BCD Credit Union, Townhead. Appointments preferable

Best Wishes,