Graeme has lodged the below-listed motions in Parliament over the last few weeks, congratulating various people and organisations across Angus South constituency for some quite fantastic achievements.
Motion S5M-09455: Arbroath Police Officers Honoured for their Bravery
That the Parliament congratulates the police officers, Sergeant Andrew Sheppard and Constable Rory Forge, on being honoured at the Police Scotland Bravery and Meritorious Service Awards; understands that the Angus police officers received the accolade from Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone at the Scottish Police College following their courageous night-time rescue of a woman from the North Sea off the coast of Arbroath in 2015, and commends all Police Scotland officers, who regularly go above and beyond the call of duty to make Scotland a safer place to live.
Motion S5M-09421: First Anniversary of #IncludED in the Main?!
That the Parliament notes the first anniversary of the publication of ENABLE Scotland’s report, #IncludED in the Main?! – 22 steps on the journey to inclusion for every pupil who has a learning disability; recognises the success that the campaign has enjoyed in its first year by securing four of its key priorities for change; notes the Scottish Government’s publication of Guidance on the Presumption of Mainstreaming, the announcement of independent research into the experiences of children, young people, parents, school staff, education authorities and their partners in relation to additional support for learning, the plan to work with Education Scotland to develop inclusive education resources to support headteachers, teachers and support staff in their work and the proposal that people supporting teachers who have direct contact with pupils as part of the learning process should be regulated; recognises that these are just the first steps on the journey to inclusion, and acknowledges the report’s 22 recommendations, which it believes would mean that all children receive an inclusive education in a setting that best meets their educational and developmental needs in Angus South and across Scotland.
Motion S5M-09207: Dundee and Angus College’s Success at the College Development Network Awards
That the Parliament congratulates Dundee and Angus College on its success at the College Development Network awards; congratulates Scott Guthrie on winning the Student Citizenship Award; notes that Scott was a participant in the college’s Cashback For Creativity programme and became unofficial leader for the group, finding new powers of communication and working hard to inspire and encourage wherever he could; understands that he continues to work hard and that he was described in his nomination as “quite simply a great role model for us all”; congratulates the college on winning the Inclusive College Award for its film festival; understands that the festival uses filmmaking in an innovative way to engage and develop students with learning disabilities; believes that the 2017 festival saw the students in charge of all the decision making, growing in confidence and building a whole new skillset along the way; welcomes the remarkable response that it received from across the globe from filmmakers eager to take part; notes that the college was also commended in the Essential Skills category and Innovative College category; commends all of the winners, and welcomes this further recognition for the excellent work that takes place at Dundee and Angus College.
Motion S5M-09195: Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee’s Community Benefits Programme
That the Parliament welcomes the £21,070 that has been provided by Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee to 14 groups, the Carnoustie West End Bowling Club, Carlogie Primary School, Carnoustie and District Horticultural Soceity, Carnoustie High School Brass Band, Caledonia Golf Club, Carnoustie Camera Club, Carnoustie Tea Dance Club, Carnoustie and Monifieth Men’s Shed, Carnoustie Memories Group, Adoption and Fostering Group Angus, Letham Grange Golf Club, Peter Pan Playgroup, Carnoustie Scout Group and Monifieth Athletic Football Club; notes that this funding comes from the committee’s community benefit grants programme and that, since it started awarding these, £123,098 has been given to local good causes; understands that the committee has also recently provided £2,500 to Carnoustie Community Council’s Christmas Lights Fund and £4,500 to sponsor a penguin in the Maggie’s Penguin Parade, and welcomes the donations provided by the committee to organisations across the community.
Motion S5M-09140: Sean Maxwell Wins Outstanding Individual Award at the Scottish Empty Homes Champions Awards
That the Parliament congratulates Sean Maxwell, who works as a shared service Empty Homes Officer for both Angus and Dundee City councils, on being presented with the Outstanding Individual award at the Howdens Scottish Empty Homes Champions Awards 2017; notes that Sean was also nominated for his work across the two councils in the Outstanding Service category and specifically in relation to Angus Council in the Best Use of the Media section; understands that Sean took up his post in December 2015 and that, since his introduction, he has worked tirelessly to address and expose the issues of empty homes; believes that Sean has introduced an innovative and approachable style of empty homes work that has led to impressive results being achieved in both local authorities; congratulates all of the award winners and nominees, and welcomes the steps being taken to bring empty properties back into use.
Motion S5M-09101: Awards for All Funding in Angus South
That the Parliament congratulates two Angus South-based groups on being awarded Awards for All funding; notes that the CAFE Project, which offers drop-ins, focus groups and other activities for young people in Arbroath, has received £8,940 to replace its heating system and that Carnoustie West End Bowling Club has been awarded £3,925 to improve its facilities and encourage people of all ages to try the sport; commends both on their community work, and wishes them continued success.
Motion S5M-08985: Arbroath Sea Fest
That the Parliament notes with regret that the annual Arbroath Sea Fest has been brought to an end after 21 years of attracting tourists to the town and boosting its economy; pays tribute to the organisers and volunteers for their hard work over the many years; recognises that it enhanced the reputation of Angus as a great place to live and to visit; welcomes the financial support provided by the event to charities, and appreciates the benefits, opportunities and memories that the Arbroath Sea Fest event has generated for its community over many years.
