Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman) Lab

The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S3M-7682, in the name of Michael Matheson, on Denny town centre regeneration. The debate wi...

Michael Matheson (Falkirk West) (SNP) SNP

I welcome a number of the local residents of Denny and Dunipace who have come here for this debate because it is on a very important issue in their community...

Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con) Con

Michael Matheson’s motion is in three parts. The first part asserts that“there is widespread dissatisfaction among residents in the Denny and Dunipace area r...

Hugh O’Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD) LD

My congratulations go to Michael Matheson on bringing the issue to the chamber, and on his extensive knowledge of the locality. For my sins, or otherwise, I ...

Michael McMahon (Hamilton North and Bellshill) (Lab) Lab

Will the member give way?

Hugh O’Donnell LD

I apologise to the member. I did not see him sitting up there at the back.

Michael McMahon Lab

The Denny area is represented by the constituency MSP who is leading the debate. The other members who are taking part are list MSPs for the area. Labour doe...

Hugh O’Donnell LD

The distinction is an interesting one. It is not relevant, however. I apologise again to Mr McMahon. I did not see him sitting up there at the back. Given th...

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP) SNP

I, too, congratulate Michael Matheson on securing the debate. I welcome residents from Denny and Dunipace to the public gallery.I, too, think that it is disa...

Michael McMahon Lab

I came to the chamber to pick up papers for this afternoon’s debate on the local government finance orders. There is no Labour representative in the Parliame...

Jamie Hepburn SNP

That was a very useful clarification. There is no interest from the Labour Party in Denny town centre. It is also very useful to know that Mr McMahon is sitt...

Margaret Mitchell Con

On what basis can the member say that there is complacency from the Conservatives on the council?

Jamie Hepburn SNP

On the basis of Ms Mitchell’s contribution, in the main.Hugh O’Donnell stole my thunder somewhat. Like him, I live in Cumbernauld, which, as he mentioned, wo...

The Minister for Housing and Communities (Alex Neil) SNP

I, too, congratulate Michael Matheson not just on obtaining the debate, but on the tremendous work that he has done, especially for Denny and Dunipace, first...

Margaret Mitchell Con

I take it that the minister is referring to the motion, which talks about dissatisfaction among the residents about the regeneration process and how it is be...

Alex Neil SNP

I am referring to both the need for regeneration and the regeneration process—or, as the local people would say, the lack of a regeneration process.Two or th...

Hugh O’Donnell LD

As Michael Matheson pointed out, the problem is long standing. It predates the current economic circumstances, regardless of who is to blame for them. Conseq...

Alex Neil SNP

I have visited Falkirk Council to discuss regeneration in general and the needs of certain areas in particular. Of course, every council faces the challenges...

Margaret Mitchell Con

Will the member take an intervention?

Alex Neil SNP

I am afraid that I do not have time.There is plenty that can be done with a bit of imagination and leadership. If Falkirk Council comes to me as the regenera...