Chamber
Plenary, 27 Mar 2003
27 Mar 2003 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Great Northern Partnership
I begin by pointing out that this is the final members' business debate. I know that the Presiding Officer and Tom McCabe were very much involved in setting up the system of members' business debates right at the start of the Parliament. The debates have been a very considerable success. They have promoted a series of worthy causes; indeed, speaking for myself, I am very pleased by our progress in getting speedy justice for asbestos sufferers. Duncan McNeil and I have promoted their cause in various members' business debates.
Members have raised issues on behalf of interests in their communities or on behalf of people who had cases that needed to be highlighted. In many cases, the debates have drawn further responses from the Executive. As a result, they have proved to be an important vehicle for getting issues discussed and action brought forward. They are an adornment to this Parliament that we can be proud of.
I congratulate Elaine Thomson on securing this debate and on highlighting both the work of the GNP and the SIP programme itself. Evaluations clearly show that the GNP has progressed well, is operating strategically and has an excellent record of community involvement. Indeed, for the reasons that Elaine Thomson pointed out, it can claim to be community-led in many ways.
I shall address some of Richard Lochhead's points later, but when we consider how we can assist deprived communities, we should take a genuinely consultative approach to the matter. The Scottish Executive or local government should look for bottom-up solutions that suit a local community's particular circumstances, rather than adopt top-down policies for a city such as Aberdeen. People in a local area experience its problems at first hand, but are also in a good position to assess the area's relative advantages or any different opportunities that it might present. The great virtue of the SIP system is that it allows local people to influence what goes on and how resources are spent in their community to suit their best interests.
Members have raised issues on behalf of interests in their communities or on behalf of people who had cases that needed to be highlighted. In many cases, the debates have drawn further responses from the Executive. As a result, they have proved to be an important vehicle for getting issues discussed and action brought forward. They are an adornment to this Parliament that we can be proud of.
I congratulate Elaine Thomson on securing this debate and on highlighting both the work of the GNP and the SIP programme itself. Evaluations clearly show that the GNP has progressed well, is operating strategically and has an excellent record of community involvement. Indeed, for the reasons that Elaine Thomson pointed out, it can claim to be community-led in many ways.
I shall address some of Richard Lochhead's points later, but when we consider how we can assist deprived communities, we should take a genuinely consultative approach to the matter. The Scottish Executive or local government should look for bottom-up solutions that suit a local community's particular circumstances, rather than adopt top-down policies for a city such as Aberdeen. People in a local area experience its problems at first hand, but are also in a good position to assess the area's relative advantages or any different opportunities that it might present. The great virtue of the SIP system is that it allows local people to influence what goes on and how resources are spent in their community to suit their best interests.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel):
NPA
Our final item of business this morning is the members' business debate on motion S1M-4020, in the name of Elaine Thomson, on the Great Northern Partnership ...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament commends the work done by the Great Northern Partnership (GNP) in Aberdeen; notes that the GNP plays an important role in improving quali...
Elaine Thomson (Aberdeen North) (Lab):
Lab
I am pleased to introduce the debate today, which is almost our last debate.The Great Northern Partnership is one of 48 social inclusion partnerships that we...
Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I lodged an amendment to the motion and I am delighted that, in her speech, Elaine Thomson referred to the role of the community representatives within the G...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Please move to a close.
Brian Adam:
SNP
I am just about to do so, Presiding Officer.Rather than duplicate the administrative functions of other public and voluntary sector agencies, we could better...
Mr Tom McCabe (Hamilton South) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the motion and I congratulate Elaine Thomson on securing a debate on SIPs as the first session of our Scottish Parliament draws to a close. It is d...
Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
What a joy it is to follow Tom McCabe's positive contribution. However, it is a pleasure to speak in today's debate. The first members' business debate in th...
Mr McCabe:
Lab
The member seems to be making an argument for refining social inclusion partnership funding, yet the SNP's policy is to abolish such partnerships. Which is t...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
Brian Adam has outlined the SNP's position. My point is that organisations such as the GNP cannot even get access to the funding that is currently available ...
Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab):
Lab
I am happy to congratulate Elaine Thomson on securing the debate. I think that I replied to the first members' business debate in the Parliament so it is pro...
Brian Adam:
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
I will when I get into my discussion.Many communities in my constituency in Edinburgh, which is one of the most prosperous cities in the United Kingdom, expe...
Brian Adam:
SNP
We probably agree on the analysis of the source of the problem but we disagree about the solution. Will Sarah Boyack comment on the proportion of the funding...
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
I think Brian Adam misunderstands the purpose of SIPs and the way in which they operate. I have yet to be lobbied on that issue, although voluntary organisat...
The Deputy Minister for Social Justice (Des McNulty):
Lab
One of the number of points that Brian Adam got wrong in his speech was his claim that this is the last debate. I understand that there will be a further deb...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Modesty prevents me from commenting on that.
Des McNulty:
Lab
I begin by pointing out that this is the final members' business debate. I know that the Presiding Officer and Tom McCabe were very much involved in setting ...
Brian Adam:
SNP
I readily acknowledge that that is the intention. In as much as success has been achieved, the SIP programme has been a success. However, will the minister d...
Des McNulty:
Lab
I will deal later with that issue, which is important in considering the transition that lies ahead as SIPs move towards community planning.It is important t...
Brian Adam:
SNP
Will the minister give way?
Des McNulty:
Lab
I will finish my point.
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Technically, the minister is in his last minute.
Des McNulty:
Lab
We are progressing links so that the experience and skills that have been gained through the way in which the SIP has worked can be shared. We want to develo...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
I close the last members' business debate of this Parliament.
Meeting suspended until 14:30.
On resuming—