Kevin supports Robin Hood tax

On his recent visit to Montrose David Martin, Labour MEP for Scotland campaigned in favour of a Robin Hood Tax, a nominal tax on investments that could help alleviate poverty in developing nations. Kevin was pleased to support the campaign in a personal capacity.

Kevin signs David Martin's petition

"This is an excellent campaign that has the support of the European Parliament Labour Party and major charities such as Oxfam. Given the recent financial crisis it is only right that investors pay this small Robin Hood Tax in order to help developing nations across the world" said Kevin as he signed the petition outside RBS in Montrose High Street.

MEP learns about importance of Montrose Basin

Kevin met David Martin, Labour Party MEP for Scotland at the Montrose Basin bird hides last week and told him about the important contribution of local volunteers to maintaining this important habitat.

 

Kevin, with Lesley McMahon, Scottish Labour North East Scotland list candidate and David Martin MEP

Kevin Hutchens stated "The Montrose Basin is a rich and varied habitat for birds from acros Scotland and contributes much to the biodiversity of the nation. That it is succesfully managed is largely due to the valuable contribution of local volunteers many of whom are linked into to the Scottish Wildlife Trust. I wish them every success for the future."

 

"If elected as the MSP I will ensure that I maintain contact with this important organisation and work alongside it to promote wildlife tourism in a sustainable way."

Kevin committed to retaining Police numbers

Following on from a statement issued by the Liberal Democrats, published in local papers on the subject of policy on the Police, Kevin issued the following statement.

 

"The Scottish Labour Party is committed to the principle and the practice of a Safer Scotland. It guarantees to ensure there will be no cuts to Police on the beat and to protect frontline Police and Police numbers, with the priority being on getting more Police officers out in communities, rather than stuck behind a desk.

 

"Scottish Labour also has a clear policy commitment to deliver a single Police force for Scotland. However measures will be taken to make sure that local accountability continues where it exists already or is strengthened. The same principle will also apply to the development of a single Fire and Rescue service.

 

"Through such measures savings will be made, for example there will be a reduction in the number of senior officers and consequently in the significant levels of bonus that are paid out. This will in turn release finance for front line operations.

 

"If elected as the Scottish Labour Party MSP for Angus North and Mearns I will work with Tayside and Grampian Police to ensure that all the good practice they have developed in local community policing and crime prevention is not only retained, but strengthened and work to ensure that all good practice is shared throughout the new force area."

Local candidates sign mental health pledge

As part of Scottish Labours campaign in Angus North and the Mearns, local Scottish Labour candidates made a visit to the SAMH project in Montrose.

 

Pictured from left to right are Richard Baker and Jenny Marra, Scottish Labour list candidates for North East Scotland, William Campbell, Scottish Labour candidate for Angus South, Kevin Hutchens. All have signed the SAMH pledge to support Mental Health.

Kevin stated, "We were very impressed with the dedication and commitment of the Scottish Association for Mental Health team in Montrose, and were very pleased to hear of their work throughout Angus. It was also helpful to hear of the many concerns of the staff and the people with poor mental health they provide a service to. In particular it was concerning to hear of how debt, money problems and job insecurity were often a cause of poor mental health. Clearly SAMH deserves the fullest of support in its work in Angus and throughout Scotland."

Scottish Labour Manifesto has much for constituency

In a statement issued today Kevin welcomed the Scottish Labour Party Manifesto as having much to offer to the constituency.

"Fighting for what really matters puts forward a vision that is relevant to all of this beautiful and varied area, from Forfar in the north through to Stonehaven in the south there is much of relevance. Unemployment and lack of job security is a key issue for many people in the area, with recent news of job losses in Forfar being very much in the headlines. Consequently the key commitments to pursue growth, more jobs and the creation of more businesses is relevant to everybody."

"One of the key pledges is to guarantee an apprenticeship to every suitably qualified young person who wants one. Within this a key priority is to develop new skills in the workforce ,particularly in the areas of science, technology, engineering, maths and tourism. This will be particularly of benefit to the energy and tourist industry locally. New areas that will be developed include that of renewable energy where it is vital that young people in the workforce are prepared for a new era of green jobs. I have already been in early discussions with Montrose Port Authority and Sainsbury's as to how this might be made a reality and will be discussing this commitment with other employers in the area over the coming weeks."

"Another commitment that is of particular relevance to the constituency relates to tourism. Tourism is both a cornerstone of the local economy and a huge opportunity for growth and development. We must not allow tough economic times to halt the pace of progress. I will therefore work with all involved in the tourist industry locally to boost its voice and promote its development. Of particular welcome is the manifesto commitment to reduce the duplication between Scottish Enterprise and Visit Scotland by making Visit Scotland the lead organisation on tourism development. Many people come to Scotland for big events, like the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, but do not always take advantage of the opportunities to see more of Scotland while they are here. That is why I am particularly pleased that Visit Scotland and Event Scotland will be tasked with delivering a "See more of Scotland" campaign for event visitors. If elected as a Scottish Labour Party MSP for Angus North and the Mearns I will work with the local tourism industry to ensure that all the excellent quality attractions in the community are given the best possible publicity through this initiative."

"The need for affordable housing is relevant as ever to all of the people of Angus North and the Mearns. In the north the housing market is particularly affected by the high prices that have emerged as a result of the Oil industry, while in Angus the waiting lists show that there is a great need to move developments forward particularly in the area of affordable rented housing. That is why it is crucial that Scottish Labour is given the opportunity to prioritise funding for housing and to develop alternative forms of finance, including the establishment of an infrastructure fund to encourage private developers and ensure more house are built to satisfy demand. It will also be welcomed locally that Scottish Labour is committed to ensure that both Housing Associations and Housing co-operatives receive a stable level of subsidy so as they can fulfil their roles as core providers of affordable housing alongside local authorities."

Kevin supports new development in Montrose

In a statement issued today Kevin expressed his support for the bid by Sainsbury's to bring 200 new jobs to Montrose.

"I was pleased to attend the promotional and consultation meeting organised on behalf of Sainsbury's at the Old Church Hall Montrose. What particularly impressed me was the clear way in which information on the proposal to develop a new supermarket on the former distillery site on Brechin Road in Montrose was portrayed. It was also very pleasing to see the very strong interest that was being shown by local people in the exhibition."

"Clearly Sainsbury's have responded to local concerns about the need for more car parking spaces and the need to increase tree planting. It is also pleasing to see that provision has been made on the plans for car park spaces for Blue Badge holders who may be wheelchair users, and for wheelchair accessible toilets."

"One of the great pieces of news for the people of Montrose about this proposed development is that it could lead to up to two hundred full and part time jobs being developed for the benefit of local people. I was also interested to see that a policy existed of sourcing key food products such as Beef, Lamb and Pork locally. However the publicity did not specifically mention local Fish and Chicken, so I have asked Sainsbury's for further information on this matter, particularly given the excellent record of the North East in providing Fish from the North Sea."

"Given that this development will clearly not only be of direct benefit to the community but also help build the profits of a successful company I was also interested to seek out more information on how they plan to exercise their responsibilities to the wider community via their Community Social Responsibility policy. I have therefore asked for a copy of this, and will be interested to see how Sainsbury's plan to bring wider benefit to the people of Montrose and District."

"What particularly will be of interest to me will be their commitment to development and training of their workforce, particularly via Apprenticeship schemes which are a key commitment in the recently produced Election Manifesto of the Scottish Labour Party "Fighting for What Really Matters" with an apprenticeship place being offered to every suitably qualified young person. I have therefore asked for more information on their plans to use Apprenticeships, particularly in the priority areas of Food Science and Technology. It is my strong belief that by working on this important need Sainsbury's can be of great benefit to all of the constituency of Angus North and the Mearns. What will be of particular interest will be how they are planning to include People with disabilities in their employment and training plans."

 

"It is my hope that if elected as the Scottish Labour MSP for Angus North and the Mearns I can work alongside Sainsbury's and other local supermarkets and businesses to ensure the success of the Apprenticeship scheme and other training measures for all of the people of the constituency. Through such work a sustainable future can be secured for all of this beautiful area in which I am proud to live, and will be even prouder to represent if chosen by the local electorate."

Kevin welcomes Stonehaven Caravan Park moves

In a statement issued today Kevin welcomed the moves by Aberdeenshire Council to encourage the Caravan Club to take over the running of the Queen Elizabeth Caravan Park on the seafront at Stonehaven.

"Coincidentally this come at a time equally welcome has come in Forfar for the excellent caravan park there Here the Caravan Club have just announced its success in gaining a 20 year extension to its current 30 year lease on its beautifully placed Lochside Caravan Park and an investment of £1.25 Million to improve the facilities on the site. This will encourage more visitors to not only visit once but to visit again this popular site that is seen by many as the Gateway to the Angus Glens. It will also if combined with a takeover of the caravan park in Stonehaven help lead to more tourism opportunities for both of these towns. Having been told the benefits and success of the Forfar caravan park during the General Election campaign in Angus in 2010 I am well aware of the success of the Caravan Club in boosting tourism and feel much could be gained by a link being made to this excellent organisation in Stonehaven".

"Scottish Labour will seek to work with organisations such as the Caravan Club in promoting tourism throughout Scotland. At its recent launch of its Manifesto for business it resolved to give a stronger voice by making Visit Scotland the lead organisation to develop tourism. It also resolved task both Visit Scotland and Event Scotland to deliver a "See more of Scotland" campaign for visitors to big events such as the Commonwealth Games due to be held at Glasgow in 2014. Such a strategy should also be applied to events such as the Edinburgh Fringe and the New Year celebrations in Stonehaven".

New Ambassador role 

"In the case of Angus North and the Mearns many people may ask what the various parts of the constituency have in common. It is in common with many rural constituencies across Scotland vast and expansive in scope. It has great beauty and a rich history that surely deserves to be promoted. For example it has Celtic tradition, it has many Roman marching camps reaching throughout the area, it has the wildness of the Angus Glens and in more recent times it has the saving of Scotlands honours to its name. If elected as MSP I would see it as an important part of my role to use my position to give the fullest possible promotion to all of the constituency. From the tradition of the Forfar Bridie to its success in being the birthplace of key inventors such as Robert Watson Watt the inventor of Radar it has so much to offer".

"In terms of natural history it has both the Montrose Basin and Fowlsheugh of which it can be very proud ,and in the areas of creative writing it can boast being the birthplace of William Burness, the father of Robert Burns and also being where Lewis Grassic Gibbon the author of 'Sunset Song' spent his early years. If elected as MSP I would see it as being an important part of my role to be effectively an ambassador for the constituency, but also very importantly to hold Visit Scotland to account in promoting the area to the fullest ,and to work with local business and enterprise to encourage transport providers to develop new links on the tourist trail".

"Through pursuing sustainable tourism among both the home and overseas market there will be benefits for all of the economy of the beautiful constituency of Angus North and the Mearns".