Contact Improving bus Parliamentary Annual Report 2016 services Bob Doris MSP MemberMember of of the the Scottish Parliament for for Glasgow Maryhill and and Springburn constituency constituency (SNP)(SNP)

Constituency Office,Maryhill Burgh Halls, Often constituents contact Glasgow for service New constituency 10-24 Gairbraid Ave, Glasgow G20 9AB me in relation to concerns enhancements. Boosting community over bus services. The office now open I intend conducting similar 0141 946 7700 most recent community to consultation exercises on have a bus service [email protected] public transport provision regeneration withdrawn is , elsewhere across the with ’s 4A no I have been working with Springburn www.bob-doris.scot constituency and I would longer servicing the area. Community Council to see if a co-ordinated be interested to hear the plan for regeneration can be developed. BobDorisMSPGlasgow Following my intervention, views of constituents. along with local I updated them on the successful work @BobDorisSNP Having made councillors, a replacement being undertaken by the Royston representations not just to service (the M4) is now Regeneration Forum on which I sit. That bus companies, but also being trialled for 6 months. Photo credit: Andrew Lee brings together housing associations, child Strathclyde Partnership for Regular advice surgeries I still don’t believe this is care providers, schools and elected Transport (SPT) I believe the most appropriate representatives amongst others. both need to perform far service and I have therefore I am pleased to announce my new across the constituency better. Most importantly it seeks to place the launched a parliamentary constituency office is now open at I arrange a rolling schedule of advice surgeries across the constituency Maryhill Burgh Halls. voice of the local community front and every month. In recent months I have held surgeries in areas such as consultation on I will therefore be keen to centre. Ambitious plans are starting to Springburn, Royston, , Milton, , Acre, and ‘Connecting Kelvindale’ make representations to It is a well-established landmark, built emerge. Maryhill, and I am always looking for suggestions for new venues. with 4,000 households the ’s in 1878 and refurbished and re-opened being contacted. I will use Transport Bill when it is in 2012, in part thanks to European I am seeking to identify local partners in Advice surgery details appear in advance on my website at the analysed results to presented to parliament. funding and a £1.8m Scottish Springburn to form a similar forum for the www.bob-doris.scot and its always best to book ahead as they tend make further Its intent is to improve bus Government grant. local area. I am pleased that NG Homes are to be very busy. My dedicated office team are also happy to take representations to First services. keen to be involved and I am determined queries over the telephone. Co-located beside the Glasgow Life that in the future the voice of the local sports centre and down from the new community will be placed at the heart of Call 0141 946 7700 for more information. Scottish Government funded £12.4m any emerging plans. Health Centre in Maryhill, I was keen to I would be keen to support regeneration open my office in a growing Previously closed by , Bob opens Fighting to retain local Jobcentres Motion S5M-02971 community hub. efforts in your area and would encourage the new Cadder Community Centre having supported Date Lodged: 07/12/2016 constituents to get in touch. a £1.2m grant from the Scottish Government The Jobcentre Plus on Maryhill considerably longer journey times Springburn Job Centre. Road is earmarked for closure by (particularly significant for those Closure of Glasgow Underlying all this is very real worry the UK Government’s Department with a caring responsibilities) and Jobcentres from constituents over the ever for Work and Pensions. Those a far poorer service for supporting ScotRail meeting secured to develop greater risk of benefits sanctions. That the Parliament notes using Maryhill job centre would be individuals back into employment. with concern reports that directed to Springburn instead. I have met with Job Centre Plus, Concerns that Springburn Job eight jobcentres in improvement plan for local train services the trade union representatives Concerns have been raised with Centre is also not geared up to Glasgow are facing PCS, and raised the matter in the 7.30pm on Wednesday 1st February, at will taken up with ScotRail when the me that this will lead to significant take the additional volume of closure, including in Scottish Parliament with First Ledgowan Tenants Hall, Shiskine Drive, Minister next speaks to them. difficulties for vulnerable groups business may also lead to a poorer Glasgow Maryhill and Minister and Jamie . I hope as many rail users as including the cost of travel, service for those already using the Springburn; believes that possible will be able to attend. I am keen for constituents to get in touch Hepburn MSP, the Minister for the closure of these about wider service improvements required, Employability and Training - they jobcentres would have a I also took the opportunity to raise the not just on the . share much of these concerns. devastating impact on matter during a recent ministerial statement For instance following representations from I have also sought and gained jobseekers who rely on on rail services. I asked ’s Transport constituents I recently had assurances from cross party support to have the the service, and would be The need for service improvements on our Minister, MSP to take a matter debated in the Scottish incompatible with the rail network are well documented. I met personal interest in any future improvement ScotRail about eliminating ‘skipping’ at Parliament. ambition of supporting ScotRail to ask for community engagement plan for the Maryhill Line, a line which has Springburn station during peak time people into work, and with local commuters and for a local rail suffered more than most. journeys, a practice whereby trains by-pass The motion lodged is printed here further believes that the service improvement plan to be the station occasionally in order to make up In response the Transport Minister and I intend making a powerful social security system implemented. time on a journey when running late. confirmed he will take a personal interest in submission to the UK Government should have dignity and Elected members and protestors ScotRail have agreed and I have secured a performance on the Maryhill line, to ensure Email me at [email protected] consultation on the matter respect at its heart. outside Maryhill job centre objecting to the closure. public meeting which ScotRail will attend at that ScotRail delivers. He advised the matter and give me your views and suggestions. Bob Doris, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn constituency (SNP) Working with parent councils | Engaging with trade unions The cost of this publication has been met from Parliamentary resources. The Parliament is not responsible for the content of other internet sites. INSIDE Parliamentary business | Supporting local community groups IN BRIEF... Council back IN PARLIAMENT to the future Cross Party Group on Palliative Care on schooling I have been elected as convener of the cross Across the constituency in 2009 the City However I have raised serious concerns over party group on Palliative Care in the Scottish Council closed several primary schools. At the lack of information available for the Parliament. the time I made strong representations to the consultation, the lack of choice given over council on behalf of parents saying they had potential sites for the school, as well as I am very keen to ensure that we improve the got their sums wrong and there would not ensuring that promises made to local sports support open to those coming towards the be enough school capacity. organisation North Kelvin Sports, who use 1 end of their life. I wish to see the successful 2016 Year of the Dad the NK pitches, are honoured by the City implementation of the new Scottish It is no surprise therefore that the Council Government strategic framework and its I recently invited Home-Start Glasgow Council. have just consulted on a new school for commitment that everyone who needs North to Holyrood for a parliamentary Maryhill on the site of the former North I will fight for the best deal for the local palliative care will have access to it. debate I led. Home-Start were pitches. communities. commended for their work with families On a personal level I was very grateful of the locally. support and love provided when my own mother and father passed away in the last The debate was themed around 2016 Year Working with parent councils year. I want to do what I can to improve of the Dad and I am pleased to say Home- I work with Parent Councils across the services for others. Start are launching a new dads’ group constituency and I would welcome any invite having successfully gained money from to attend them. I also want to help ensure that as a society we various sources including the Scottish are more resilient when coping with the Government and the National Lottery. Some recent matters I have sought to sensitive issues around death and dying. support Parent Councils on include Elmvale Primary Parent Council in relation to 2 3 Tracy’s Tree significant road safety issues, and work is I was pleased to ongoing in this area; St Mary’s Primary Bob becomes new support Tracy’s Tree Parent Council in relation to a campaign for and attended the a new outdoor sports pitch; and the Parent convener of the switching on of the Councils at ’s Benview campus over Local Government Christmas lights in the city council’s dire lack of disabled and Maryhill. The tree buggy- friendly access to the school from and Communities was inspired by the Panmure Street. life of Tracy Lennox. Committee 4 Each bauble has the It is a privilege to convene this committee. I name of a loved one who has passed Engaging with trade unions am currently involved in scrutinising the away, as an opportunity to remember Scottish Government budget in areas such as and celebrate their lives. 1. Helping a community litter pick and housing and local Government. recycling initiative in Springburn. 2.Supporting a football tournament at Ashfield stadium as part of a African • Housing Challenge Scotland’s week of activities. I will be seeking to ensure that the Scottish 3. Helping present long service awards to Government’s £3billion investment in staff and volunteers at Marie Curie Hospice affordable housing delivers the intended in Springburn. 5 50,000 affordable homes. 4. With volunteers at Tron St Mary’s Church With community councillors and elected taking part in their oriental exercise class. I will also be seeking to ensure that Glasgow representatives following a meeting with RBS. 5. At Holyrood with community group City Council – who distribute the Scottish I recently met constituents who are currently I’ve also had the privilege of meeting the representatives from Possilpark discussing Government cash – ensures that local housing Bank closures taking industrial action against Glasgow City workers representatives at Springburn grants available from Foundation Scotland. associations also benefit from that Council over their concerns in relation to based City Building, which employs 2,000 6. Delighted to open the Friends of Maryhill investment. I opposed the closure of two bank proposals to outsource the city’s ICT services. people. Park summer gala. branches in Maryhill and Possilpark. I 7. Joining in the fun a Young Peoples was disappointed RBS rejected our case. I share some of their concerns and I have I discussed with their Joint Trade Union Futures summer street party in Possilpark. • Local Services corresponded with the Council and written Convener’s Group (JTUC) their views about However I am currently in discussions Our committee has identified significant to Audit Scotland following concerns that the the future of the organisation. The JTUC have 8. Meeting with Milton Arts Group at their with RBS seeking a community legacy recent exhibition of works including this amounts of Scottish Government cash that plans may not reflect value for money for city been crucial in helping secure the long term connected to financial inclusion. stunning mural containing many north supports local services which is transferred tax payers. future employment of the workforce. Glasgow landmarks. 6 from other budgets, including £250million for I recently joined Scotland’s schools as part of the Scottish More specifically the budget will social care transferred from the NHS. Backing Education Secretary, John Government’s ‘attainment provide an additional £100m The draft Scottish Government budget Swinney MSP, on a visit to John challenge’. going straight to head teachers increases this by another £107million. Much Paul Academy in Summerston to across Scotland, distributed The forthcoming Scottish budget, of that money is to ensure that social care staff schools observe some of the good work based on levels of free school which I will be backing, will see are paid the living wage in Glasgow and across being carried out in schools meal entitlement. schools in our constituency Scotland, as well as to deliver more care beds across our constituency. attainment continue to benefit from the This will be of particular benefit for those in need. challenge The Education Secretary intends £750m Attainment Challenge to many local schools who have I will be seeking to ensure that money is well providing additional funds for Fund. high levels of entitlement. 8 7 spent.