On Burns’ Nicht, the Scottish Government launched their consultation on an Indepedence Referendum – which will be the most important question for the people in Scotland for over 300 years.

The consultation is mainly online, and you can take part here.  Alternatively, we have copies available in reception, or we can mail them out to you, let us know if you have any difficulties!

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Dundee City West MSP Joe FitzPatrick has welcomed news that Scottish Water will freeze household water charges for 2012/13.

In April household charges will stay the same level as they have for four years – meaning the average charge will remain at £324.

Joe FitzPatrick, SNP MSP and Convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Local Goverment and Regeneration Committee, said:

“Coming on top of the Council Tax freeze which has now been approved for another year in principle by all local authorities, this
is fantastic news for customers, giving them a helping hand during a time when household budgets are stretched.

“Scotland now has amongst the lowest water charges in the UK, proving why it is vital to keep Scottish Water safe in public hands.

“The SNP will not follow the disastrous Tory route of privatisation but instead ensure customers benefit from public ownership with lower
bills and excellent services.”

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Commenting in the wake of a new report by think-tank Centre for Cities, Dundee’s senior politicians have claimed that the city has ‘forward momentum’ which will help drive the city’s recovery.

Stewart Hosie, MP for Dundee East and SNP Treasury Spokesman said: “There is no doubt that the momentum of the V&A museum project going ahead on schedule has led investment into the local economy and created a ‘feel-good’ factor in other sectors – in our property market, to take one example.

“Dundee, with Angus and North-East Fife, is bucking the trend on property prices and that is helping investors to decide on new projects, such as Malmaison’s long-term lease on the former Tay Hotel.

“The city is also experiencing an expanding population which is highly-beneficial in encouraging commercial expansion and private investment leading to jobs.

“The Scottish Government recognises the huge potential which Dundee has and through its agencies has delivered support to new projects and investment in protecting existing jobs such as at Michelin where  860 jobs were safeguarded and 140 new jobs are being created.

“Dundee City Council is punching above its weight by supporting house-building and construction of new schools. This is precisely what you need to do to encourage growth during recession – and Dundee is well-placed to make big strides forward when the UK economy recovers.”

Dundee City West MSP Joe FitzPatrick said: “Unemployment and particularly youth unemployment rates are too high and the Scottish Government has recognised this by appointing a dedicated Minister for Youth Employment and investing an extra £30 million in helping Scotland’s young people into training, work or education to secure a stronger workforce of the future.

“The Finance Secretary and Education Secretary will discuss with local authorities, the voluntary sector, colleges and private sector employers the best way to make this additional investment work to reduce youth unemployment.

“This underlines the Scottish Government’s commitment to doing more to tackle the problem of youth unemployment and the government’s pledge to ensure that every 16-24 will have a place in training, education or a job.

“However, the Cities report has many positives. Dundee has the 10^th highest level of skilled workers of any UK city.

“We also have the unique advantage of having two world-class universities with highly-qualified graduates, some of whom find jobs in the spin-off commercial opportunities offered by our strong Life Sciences and Computer Games sectors.

“Recent new jobs announcements by a number of major companies including Tesco, M&S and Malmaison and recent investments in the city show that we are building a synergy based on the city’s strong regeneration.

“The city is poised for a jobs bonanza as a hub for offshore turbine manufacture which will bring hundreds of new green jobs.”

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Dundee City Council plans to regenerate Lochee were welcomed today by constituency MSP Joe FitzPatrick.

Joe FitzPatrick said: “I’m pleased that our redevelopment plans for Lochee are on track and particularly that approval has now been given to demolish most of the Highgate Centre and open up Lochee High Street.

“The plans for Lochee are ambitious and should result in a more open and easily accessible central retail hub, more housing and retail units and more access to car parking space.

“I’m very keen to see progress on the new health centre and the public transport hub.

“Lochee is a resilient community and has undergone many changes in recent years and the residents and local business community have been very patient while these changes have been in progress and I hope that many will  contribute to the public consultation in due course.

“I know that the Council are keen to move ahead swiftly with many of the components of the new plan and capitalise on the city’s forward momentum.”

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Dundee City West MSP Joe FitzPatrick is to write to the Chief Executive of Tesco Stores over continued legal delays that have prevented the go-ahead being given to a new ASDA superstore at Wester Gourdie.

The MSP has expressed his frustration that the proposed store development at the former NCR factory site on Myrekirk Road, Dundee has been stalled since first approval for the store was granted by the City Council in 2010 after a number of legal objections and appeals from Tesco – and now are missing from the UK development plans by the retail giant.

Joe FitzPatrick said: “Today, ASDA announced its plans to create 5,000 jobs as part of a £500m investment in its store network across the UK – but these plans do not list Dundee.

“I am now seriously worried that continued delays by a commercial rival may put this investment in the Dundee store and the 200 jobs boost to the local construction industry and 480 new jobs at the store – that it will bring.

“I know that the community of Charleston and the West End are very much in support of the new ASDA at Wester Gourdie going ahead.

“It seems to me that these protracted court actions are more about commercial rivalry than community need and local groups and many individuals have contacted me over the last few months to pass on their complaints about what they see as unnecessary delays in this project.

“Asda’s new full application was approved by Dundee City Council on 19 September 2011. Asda had hoped to begin work on site before the end of the year.

“However, Tesco then applied to the Court of Session to have the decision reviewed.  The Council’s decision will therefore be subject to a Judicial Review which is unlikely to be heard until the Spring of this year.

“This is the second time that Tesco has challenged Asda’s plans for this site in court.

“Tesco first applied to the Court of Session in 2010 for a review of the decision by Dundee City Council to approve Asda’s first outline application for the store development at this site and this legal challenge was dismissed by the Court in 2010 and again on appeal by Tesco.

“But Tesco appealed this decision to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and a hearing is scheduled in February 2012.

“These legal wranglings are postponing much needed investment, regeneration and the creation of up to 480 new jobs in the local community.

“I have today written to Tesco Chief Executive asking him for an explanation of these endless legal objections that are putting at risk the development of a new store for Charleston and the West End.”

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Responding to figures published today by TIGA, the trade association representing the video games sector, which show that the industry is losing out overseas competitors, Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s newly established Cross Party Group on Computer Games Technology, Joe FitzPatrick MSP echoed the call for increased support from the UK government.

Joe FitzPatrick said:

“These figures released by TIGA show that developers across the UK are losing out on investment to their overseas competitors, where significant government support is in place.”

“The video games sector is a significant employer in Scotland, particularly in Dundee where we have a cluster of developers.”

“While our businesses continue to compete, TIGA’s figures show that many are struggling to stay afloat in a fiercely competitive international environment.

“In Canada, a 25% tax break has been introduced on research and development for the industry, while in France, a 20% tax break was introduced back in 2007, which was granted EU approval and has been shown to be within the law.

“The future success of the video games industry is under threat as other countries cut taxes for the sector in order to give their developers a competitive edge.

“The SNP government has consistently supported a Games Tax Relief, recognising the role that it could have in supporting this promising industry, but these powers remain reserved and the UK government has refused to step in and create a level playing field for our firms.

“The time for action is now. Before the General Election in 2010, then Labour Chancellor Alistair Darling promised to support the industry but failed to include provision in his final budget. Both the Tories and the Liberal Democrats expressed their desire to implement a Games Tax Relief, but they turned their back on the industry once in power, letting down thousands of workers across the country and risking the future of the industry.”

“Last week the Cross Party Group on Video Games was formally established in the Scottish Parliament. I very much hope that by getting developers and policymakers in the same room that we can come up with constructive solutions to support the industry as well as put pressure on the UK government to recognise the need for decisive action.”

“Export-oriented industries like the video games sector are exactly the kind of industries that the Westminster government should be supporting in order to fuel the economic recovery. The Chancellor cannot afford to delay any longer and must include a Games Tax Relief in his forthcoming budget.”

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Dundee’s constituency MSPs today expressed their delight at news that the Malmaison hotel chain is to take a long-term option on the former Tay Hotel and bring it back to life.

MSP for Dundee City East Shona Robison said: “Generations will remember the Tay Hotel and its predecessor Mathers’ Hotel on the site and many will have had their weddings, family functions and other social events there, so it is wonderful that the unique building is being brought back into service.

“I am delighted that the prestigious Malmaison hotel chain will operate on this key site which greets visitors to the city and which will face the V&A Museum. This is a feather in the cap for the Dundee Waterfront partnership.”

Joe FitzPatrick Dundee City West MSP said: “The rebirth of this unique B-listed landmark hotel on the corner of the Waterfront is fantastic news for the ongoing regeneration of the city. I know that many were concerned at the fate of this formerly-popular building in recent years.

“This is yet another vote of confidence in a new Dundee and consolidates the onward momentum of regeneration of the Waterfront.”

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Dundee’s constituency MSPs today welcomed the announcement that Dundee
Port is to be one of two Enterprise Areas for Low Carbon and
Renewables as announced today by the Scottish Government’s Cabinet
Secretary for Finance John Swinney.

The Port of Dundee will comprise the Renewable Energy Enterprise East
Area along with Leith.

“Shona Robison, Dundee City East MSP said: “We welcome confirmation
today that Dundee Port is to be granted Enterprise area status.

“Dundee Port, as an Enterprise area, will be able to offer incentives
to private investors and this will undoubtedly boost the city’s
prospects of becoming a renewable energy hub.

“The Enterprise areas programme is great news for the city and will be
a key stimulus for greater growth and investment here.”

Dundee City West MSP Joe FitzPatrick said: “The Scottish Government
had promised to give Dundee Port serious consideration for Enterprise
area status and we are delighted that we now have confirmation of it
today.

”The Scottish Government’s Economic Plan previously identified the
locations across Scotland which offer the biggest potential for
private developers to base their manufacturing operations, the
Strategic Energy Sites – of which Dundee is one.

“Dundee will benefit from today’s announcement by being able to offer
incentives to attract private investors and secure a great many good
quality engineering jobs and of course apprenticeships.”

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Recently-appointed Convener of the Cross Party on Video Games, Joe
FitzPatrick MSP (Dundee City West) today welcomed the official
approval of the group by the Scottish Parliament’s Standards,
Procedures and Public Appointments Committee.

Joe FitzPatrick said: “Over the last few months I’ve been meeting with
a number of key industry representatives in an effort to make a Cross
Party Group on Video Games a reality. Today, I received notification
that the group has been approved and can no go-ahead as soon as
possible.”

“I feel that it is vitally important that we get policymakers,
developers and educators into the same room so that we can look at the
challenges facing the industry and come up with constructive
solutions.”

“The first meeting of the Cross Party Group is currently scheduled to
take place in early March. John Swinney, the Cabinet Secretary for
Finance and Sustainable Growth, has indicated that he is very much
looking to get involved and will be in attendance.”

“The growth and job-creating potential of the video games sector is
immense. Clusters of video games developers like what he have in
Dundee are potential catalysts for much broader urban economic growth.
With the Waterfront project now really beginning to take shape, we
must seize these opportunities to help Dundee fulfil its true
potential.”

“We already punch above our weight in the video games industry, with
dozens of developers choosing to locate their businesses in Scotland,
particularly in Dundee. This delivers highly skilled employment
opportunities, especially for our young graduates.”

“With recent reports suggesting that the UK economy is sliding back
into recession due to the Westminster government’s drastic cuts, the
time to act is now. I very much hope by creating this new group that
we can identify what specific problems the industry is facing and then
extend our support in order to stimulate new growth in the sector that
will create more highly skilled jobs.”

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“Control Orders are issued to owners of dogs that have on at least one occasion been out of control. This ‘doggie asbo’ requires the owner to bring and keep the dog under control and to have it microchipped within 14 days of the notice.

“These orders are issued if the behaviour of any dog gives cause for alarm or makes an individual apprehensive and this is preventative – to prevent any attacks taking place.

“Once an order has been issued, the owner must comply with the terms of it. If the owner fails to comply, the local authorities can take immediate action to ensure public safety.

“This means that where certain circumstances warrant, local authorities have the power to order the destruction of a dangerous or unresponsive dog and this could apply even if a dangerous dogs order had not previously been issued, or in place of a further order if they had been.

“Although it is impossible to prevent an incident from taking place, I think the new legislation and its monitoring has taken us along the road of prevention as far as it is possible to go. Howwever, in the light of the Sheriff’s comments I sahll be writing to him asking him for his opinion on how the local licensing aspect of the legislation can be tightened up.”

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