Category: News in Lothian

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop raised the continuing concerns about the closure of Linlithgow Palace in the Scottish Parliament Debate: ‘Historic Environment Scotland (Site Closures)’, on Wednesday 3rd May in a Members Debate.  The debate brought by Sharon Dowey MSP focussed on the value of National Heritage sites to local tourism and businesses and the need to reopen many of these significant historic sites and was replied to by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture.  Speaking after the debate Fiona said: “This was an important debate, and I was pleased to be able to highlight the historic, cultural but also economic value of Linlithgow Palace as a national heritage not only to our town but nationally. “Concerns about high masonry safety concerns has seen the Palace closed post pandemic from May 2021…

“I share the concerns of many of my Constituents about the potential closure of important leisure facilities across West Lothian, which includes two within my own Constituency - Xcite Armadale and  Broxburn Swimming Pool. Although West Lothian has better swimming pool provision than elsewhere in Scotland the lack of buses mean that it is unreasonable to expect people to travel distances to swim – for example it is counter productive to active health and well-being for older people in Broxburn who don’t have cars to be expected to travel to Winchburgh for a swim. “I understand that West Lothian Leisure are facing a significant budget short fall as a consequence of West Lothian Council’s budget decisions which included a requirement for West Lothian Leisure to become self-funded over the next 5…

Fiona Hyslop, MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, has secured a Member’s debate in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday, May 10th to highlight the importance of St Michael’s Hospital in Linlithgow and to ensure it is retained as a hospital facility. In August 2021 the decision was taken by West Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership to close St Michael’s temporarily using emergency powers, under pressure of short-term staff shortages across West Lothian. In June 2022, a report to the West Lothian Integration Joint Board contained two recommendations – that St Michael’s should remain closed, or a public consultation be held with all relevant parties to review future bed space requirements at St Michael’s. Fiona’s debate will be held on Wednesday 10th May after Decision Time at 5pm, subject to agreement…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has spoken in a debate in Parliament on Climate Change and the Just Transition last week (20th April). The debate reiterated the scale and the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for Scotland to show continued global leadership in a Just Transition to Net Zero and highlighted the Scottish Government’s draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan which sets out a just and fair pathway to maximise the opportunities. Fiona spoke in the debate about the importance of community led transition and highlighted the work of Blackburn in her Constituency, who were selected as one of the 7 Scottish Government’s Climate Action Towns. Fiona commented, “I welcome the fact that Blackburn has  been selected by the Scottish Government as one…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, met with representatives from the West Lothian African Women’s Network. West Lothian African Women’s Network work to provide African women in West Lothian with a strong collective voice to promote public exposure and amplify the voices of women across Scotland. They are also working to ensure there is more representation of African women in leadership roles. Fiona met with the group in Whitburn Partnership Centre on Thursday 13th April. Commenting following the meeting, Fiona said: “West Lothian African Women’s Network and doing important work to advance equal participation and representation of African women in appointed and elected positions in our West Lothian community. “I was pleased to meet with members of West Lothian African Women’s Network to hear more about their work…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights First Ministers priorities of ‘Equality, Opportunity, Community’, set out in the First Ministers statement to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 18th April. The First Minister has published a new policy prospectus which has set out how the Scottish Government will deliver for Scotland over the next three years. In his first statement to Parliament, the First Minister said three missions, which are centred on the themes of equality, opportunity and community will be key to his Governments work. Fiona said: “The First Ministers ‘New Leadership – A Fresh Start’ prospectus details the key aims of this new Scottish Government and what they intend to achieve in each Cabinet portfolio. “I am pleased to see that the First Minister has placed ‘Equality,…

Fiona Hyslop, MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, has lodged a motion in Parliament calling for a debate to highlight the importance of St Michael’s Hospital in Linlithgow and to ensure it is retained as a hospital facility. For a motion to be debated in Parliament as part of Member’s Business the motion must receive cross party support. In August 2021 the decision was taken by West Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership to close St Michael’s temporarily using emergency powers, under pressure of short-term staff shortages across West Lothian. In June 2022, a report to the West Lothian Integration Joint Board contained two recommendations – that St Michael’s should remain closed, or a public consultation be held with all relevant parties to review future bed space requirements at St Michael’s.…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has raised over £500 – with donations still coming in - for Marie Curie at her Blooming Great Tea Party she held in Armadale on the 11th April. Fiona said, “I was very pleased to see so many local people at our Blooming Great Tea Party last week (11th April). Local Businesses, organisations and residents were pleased to come out in support of Marie Curie. “Marie Curie is an important charity that that supports those who are terminally ill and their families and I am delighted that we have raised over £500 – with donations still coming in - for them from our coffee morning. “I would like to thank all those who came along and so generously gave their time and…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has visited the Bridge 19-40 Union Canal Society at the Port Buchan Basin in Broxburn. Fiona met with the Chair and Secretary of the Society to hear more about their work and their future ambitions for the Society.  Fiona said, “It was a pleasure to meet with the 19-40 Canal Society in Broxburn. The canal is so important to our sense of place, heritage, environment and wellbeing and the society have a clear passion and drive for ensuring the Canal can be enjoyed by local people and visitors alike. “The Society are keen to ensure that they can offer more boat trips by securing a new passenger boat and they will be fundraising to do so. They are also keen to hear…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, will be holding a Blooming Great Tea Party to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care at the Methodist Church Hall in Armadale on Tuesday 11th April. Fiona said, “I am delighted to be holding a Blooming Great Tea Party in Armadale in my Constituency in support of Marie Curie. “Marie Curie is an important charity that that supports those who are terminally ill and their families and by supporting their Blooming Great Tea Party, we can raise funds and awareness of the fantastic job they do. “It is also an opportunity to meet Constituents and people from the community I so would encourage anyone who is free from 10.00-11.30am on Tuesday, 11th April to come along and help raise funds for…