10 May 2011
MSP PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR WILLOW WOOD
ANGELA CONSTANCE RE-ELECTED TO SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT 2011-2016 RE-AFFIRMS HER SUPPORT FOR WILLOW WOOD
It has been a whirlwind four years since I was elected to serve the Livingston Constituency in the Scottish Parliament. My work has been demanding but on the whole, hugely enjoyable and rewarding. My visit to Willow Wood to open the new garden remains a highlight.
It has been a real privilege to serve the communities that I grew up in and which I have lived in virtually all my life;I am delighted that the electors of the newly established Almond Valley constituency have extend this privilege for another five years from May 2011.
I believe the first ever SNP Government greatly improved our society; the next, with a substantial overall majority in the parliament will continue this work. We have driven standards up in the health service, reduced crime to a thirty–two year low and assisted those on tight budgets by freezing Council Tax, abolishing prescription charges and restoring the right to free higher education.
Since December last year, I have even been able to contribute to the Government programme directly, as Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning. I am very proud to have been the Minister responsible for delivering a record number of apprenticeships with funding for 25,000 places this year.
The SNP approach to Government is different because we appreciate that all public services are interconnected. We know that economic issues impact on crime and that housing issues impact on health, among other examples. From the outset, the SNP has governed by moving public policy forward for the benefit of the whole country not in compartmental fashion that buys off interest groups.Scotland is a community of communities and it is our duty to serve them all.
I will freely admit that when I was first elected I was rather ignorant of the issues facing Park Home communities. It is no exaggeration to say that I have been inspired by the dedication of Willow Wood residents in not only improving their own community but also in trying to improve life for Park Home residents across the country.
Whilst I will never be an expert in the ins and outs of the current Caravans Act or Mobile Homes Act I do know that they are woefully inadequate to protect the rights of Park Home residents. I have learned a great deal from Willow Wood and it has been a great pleasure working with you to make representations on this matter to the Minister for Housing and Communities, Alex Neil.
I am pleased to say, all our hard work has borne some fruit. The Scottish Government has recently consulted on ending the dubious concept of sales commission and we await its conclusion. I can also advise you that the SNP is committed to reform Park Homes legislation and be in no doubt that both I and the Minister know that nothing short of root and branch reform is required.
It is only right that if we can pass a Bill for Crofters we should pass a Bill for the larger community of Park Home residents.
Of course, it is never easy to pass fresh primary legislation in such a complex area and this will take time to deliver. In the short term, though, the SNP is also committed to pursuing a statutory instrument as early as this year in order to address some of the less complex issues.
I very much look forward to continuing to work with you in the months and years to come and to visiting Willow Wood again in the near future.
