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Dear Constituent


The dominant issue in Parliament this week was the Draft Budget announcement and especially the announcement of the cancellation of the Glasgow Airport Link project.

It is unacceptable that the Scottish Government has shown such a disregard for the impact on Glasgow’s economy and jobs of such a decision. I will certainly play my part in calling on the Scottish Government to deliver for Glasgow. The Scottish Budget must be one that reflects Glasgow’s position as Scotland’s largest and most diverse city.

I have had two questions at General Question recently, the first on the Lighthouse in Glasgow. I called on the Culture Minister to step in and help safeguard the future of Scotland’s National Centre for Architecture and Design. The Minister needs to fully outline if Scotland's Centre for Architecture and Design will continue to exist, and if so where will it be located.

The second question was on the issue of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). I have long been of the opinion that planning permission should be required before and HMO licence is granted and I am pleased that the Housing Bill Consultation is looking at this particular issue. However, we have been waiting for over three years for the implementation of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, in particular the element that allows for local authorities to apply increased financial penalties relating to unlicensed HMOs.

I also responded to the Ministerial Statement on Broadcasting. There is consensus that Scotland needs strong commercial television as well as the proposed Scottish Digital Network. I will work with the Government to demand improvements in the share of production that is based in Scotland.

The dominant issue in Glasgow Kelvin this week has been the planned development at Otago Lane. I have already expressed my objections to the proposed development and I will continue to work with members of the community in order to prevent this development being given the go-ahead.


I have also lodged a number of motions in Parliament recently, the most recent noting the UN Report on War Crimes in Gaza.

I have also lodged motions congratulating Thornwood Community Council and Glasgow School of Art, both of which are based in Glasgow Kelvin, as well as a motion welcoming the announcement of funding for the Glasgow Gaelic School, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu in the Constituency.


Thanks for stopping by.


Pauline McNeill MSP
for Glasgow Kelvin

Updated 25th September 2009

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