July 2010
July 30, 2010 12:00 AM
Parliament is now in recess and that gives me a welcome chance to get out and about across the region visiting community groups and businesses.
The last week in parliament before recess was a very busy one, as we dealt with the final stages of two significant bills.
Crofting Reform
The Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill seeks to reorganise the Crofting Commission, introduce a new map based crofting register, enhance the Crofting Commission's power to deal with neglect and absenteeism and update aspects of the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993.
From even before its introduction to parliament, however, the Bill has been controversial and poorly managed by Ministers. For example, proposals included in the Draft Bill were fiercely criticised - leading Ministers to drop various intended provisions (eg, an occupancy requirement and proposals that would have enabled crofters to use their tenancy as security for a loan) - and the Bill's eventual passage through parliament has been characterised by strong opposition and multiple amendments. I voted against proposals to introduce a new map-based Crofting Register. I believe such a register would be costly, take many years to implement and is ultimately unnecessary. However, these proposals went through. While I have reservations about many aspects of the Bill, it is important to note that the increased democratisation of the Crofting Commission represents a positive step forward for the organisation, and a constructive element of the legislation.
Criminal Justice & Licensing
The Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill has also had a turbulent time making it into statute and my colleague Robert Brown MSP has been heavily involved in amendments to it during committee stage. One of the most hotly debated sections of this bill related to the introduction of a presumption against short sentencing. I believe that we need to change the mindset of our criminal justice system so that the goal of reducing re-offending is a key objective in the effort to cut crime in Scotland.
While appropriate for serious or violent offenders, going to prison for short periods is a hugely expensive way of making bad people worse and communities less safe. Scotland's prisons suffer from chronic overcrowding, which makes them hugely expensive and ineffective at preventing re-offending. Too many of those being passed through this revolving door system commit more crime once released. In fact there is clear evidence that very short prison sentences simply reinforce offending behaviour: 74% of those released from short term prison sentences go on to offend again within two years, compared to 42% for those on community sentences.
Liberal Democrats believe that action to reduce re-offending and cut crime in Scotland's communities needs to start with the replacement of short prison sentences, of three months or less, with tough and effective community penalties where offenders can pay back the communities they have harmed and which address the root causes of offending behaviour. I am pleased to say that our arguments held sway and the proposals were endorsed by a majority in parliament.
Ellon Health Centre
Readers will know that I have been campaigning for better health service provision in Ellon. NHS Grampian is now reviewing its capital plan and it will report back in later in the year. In the meantime, some action has been taken to try to alleviate the accommodation pressures facing the health centre. A clinical room in the Auchmacoy Unit will now be used to provide additional podiatry services, a welcome move as podiatry waiting times in our area are higher than anywhere else in Scotland. Speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists will now also operate from there, freeing up much needed space at the health centre. While these are 'sticking plaster' improvements, I welcome anything that shows NHS Grampian is finally taking the matter seriously.
Finally, congratulations to all the volunteers who ensure that Ellon is blooming lovely every summer - the flower tubs and displays around town are looking great, helping to make Ellon a very welcoming place for locals and visitors alike.
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