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MSP Slams West Lothian Council for Voting Against £410,000 Uplift Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has commented on West Lothian Council Leader’s decision to decline the Scottish Government’s bid to uprate needs-based indicators when allocating funding for individual local authorities in 2015-16. “I am concerned the Leader of West Lothian Council has chosen not to accept the Scottish Government’s uprated funding offer particularly when West Lothian has one of the fastest growing populations in the country. “This means our young people and our elderly are missing out on an extra £410,000 over 2015-16. Despite having written to the leader of West Lothian Council on October 9th 2013 to ask him to explain his reasons for voting against this extra funding I have yet to receive any reply or explanation. “I…

Hyslop Welcomes Update of Police Counter Provision Linlithgow Police Counters to Remain Open Linlithgow Constituency MSP has welcomed the news that Police Scotland have agreed to keep the Police Counter in Linlithgow open from Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm. In the original provision, Police Scotland had proposed to close counter provision at Linlithgow Station. Fiona said; “After listening to members of the public and to those who submitted to the consultation I am delighted that Police Scotland have reviewed their proposals to close the counter at Linlithgow Police Station. “This means Linlithgow Counter Office will remain open from 9am to 5pm right through the working week. Despite the public counter demand being relatively low at Linlithgow, I am pleased that the local community who use this service have…

FIONA HYSLOP MSP EXPLORES WEST LOTHIAN’S FIBRE BROADBAND NETWORK More than 35,500 local homes and businesses can now benefit from BT’s £2.5 billion roll-out; local communities encouraged to get connected BT today demonstrated the technology behind its roll out of super-fast fibre broadband in West Lothian to local MSP Fiona Hyslop. The MSP visited Bathgate telephone exchange and a new fibre street cabinet in Armadale to find out for herself how the technology works and why it’s essential for the area’s economic future. She urged local people to reap the benefits of BT’s investment in high-speed fibre broadband. The new network now passes around 35,500 homes and businesses in Armadale, Bathgate, Broxburn, Livingston and Midcalder. Whitburn is also being upgraded and when BT’s £2.5 billion commercial roll-out is complete, around…

Hyslop Welcomes Successful Cabinet Meetings in Bathgate Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has commented on the success of January’s Cabinet Meeting where members of the public and local representatives and organisations were able to quiz Ministers on what Independence could mean for West Lothian. Members of the Cabinet proceeded to attend engagements across West Lothian once the public meeting aspect of the event had ended. Fiona commented; “The Cabinet’s visit to Bathgate marked its first meeting outside Edinburgh in 2014. “As well as the First Minister’s announcement of £1 million which will provide an additional 35 new affordable homes for rent in Bathgate, several Cabinet Ministers arranged local visits while in West Lothian to engage with the community in their respective portfolios. “I chaired the public meeting section of the event…

Submission for Pinewood School Consultation From Fiona Hyslop MSP for Linlithgow 30/01/14 I am writing to submit my views as the local Constituency MSP for Linlithgow on the proposed changes to Pinewood School in Blackburn, West Lothian and request that you amend the proposals preferably by withdrawing and resubmitting after an amendment following a discussion with the parents. Consultation I am aware that there are three separate consultations and I agree with the proposals in the ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and the SEBN (Social, Emotional and Behavioural Needs) consultations but I have concerns that there is an overall lack of strategy with regards to the SCN (Severe and Complex Needs) proposals. I would also want to acknowledge that the council did respond to requests to extend the consultation, extending it…

Hyslop Welcomes New Commissioner for Veterans Local MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the creation of a new commissioner to look after the affairs of veterans. Fiona commented, “As the local constituency MSP for Linlithgow I have met a number of ex-service personnel in West Lothian and so I am delighted that the position of a Scottish Veterans Commissioner has been created, the first of its kind in the UK. “Veterans Minister, Keith Brown is a former Royal Marine and Falklands War veteran himself and his personal commitment to veterans is undeniable. The creation of the appointment of the Commissioner further strengthens the Scottish Government’s dedication to addressing the health, housing, education and justice needs of current and former servicemen and women as we strive to repay the vital service that…

Hyslop Welcomes Council Decision to Save Nursery Places at Donaldson’s Linlithgow MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news that nursery places for three and four year olds at Donaldsons, First Adventures and Oakwell in Linlithgow will be eligible by partnership funding. West Lothian Council’s existing contract with private nurseries is due to end in June 2014. The Council have now announced that it will go into partnership with three private pre-school providers which include ‘centre of excellence’ Donaldson’s nursery. Fiona Hyslop said; “I am absolutely delighted that the council has reversed its decision and will fund nursery education places at Donaldson’s, First Adventures and Oakwell Nurseries from August this year. “I was inundated with correspondence from worried parents from all three of these nurseries and wrote to the Chief Executive…

Hyslop Welcomes Scottish Cabinet to Bathgate Local MSP Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news that Scottish Cabinet Ministers will meet in Bathgate in January allowing the people of West Lothian the chance to ask questions on Independence and the local impacts it would have. Fiona said; “I am pleased that the Cabinet will appear in Bathgate on January 28th to answer questions on the referendum put to them by the people of West Lothian. “It is important to take the National debate to a local level and to listen to the views of the people who will be choosing Scotland’s future.”

Hyslop Condemns Labour For Voting Against Free School Meals Scottish Government Policy to Benefit 6,514 in West Lothian Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has condemned Lothians Labour MSPs decision to vote against the Scottish Government’s policy to provide healthy free school meals to all pupils Fiona Hyslop said, “This funding is a welcome support for our ever growing population of young children in West Lothian. With a 9.6% rise since 2001, we have the 7th highest number of under 5s of any council area in Scotland therefore this funding will greatly benefit our children as they grow up. “I am very surprised and hugely disappointed that Labour MSPs did not support Free School Meals for P1-P3s particularly when the announcement has already been warmly welcomed by Child Poverty Action Group…