Chamber
Plenary, 27 Mar 2003
27 Mar 2003 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Great Northern Partnership
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 probably appropriate that, as a back bencher, I speak in the final members' business debate of the session.
Elaine Thomson's motion should be supported. It makes two key points. It recognises the good work that has been done in Aberdeen by the GNP and it acknowledges the importance of SIPs throughout Scotland. Tom McCabe made the important point that SIPs are doing good work. Without SIPs, who would be focusing on and pulling together some of our most disadvantaged communities in Scotland? SIPs are a vital way of helping local communities advocate for themselves the kind of changes and support that they want from local facilities.
I recognise the concept of a strong and economically powerful city with pockets of severe deprivation and social exclusion. The purpose of SIPs is to try to give those communities a voice so that they are not isolated and left apart in a sea of affluence.
Elaine Thomson's motion should be supported. It makes two key points. It recognises the good work that has been done in Aberdeen by the GNP and it acknowledges the importance of SIPs throughout Scotland. Tom McCabe made the important point that SIPs are doing good work. Without SIPs, who would be focusing on and pulling together some of our most disadvantaged communities in Scotland? SIPs are a vital way of helping local communities advocate for themselves the kind of changes and support that they want from local facilities.
I recognise the concept of a strong and economically powerful city with pockets of severe deprivation and social exclusion. The purpose of SIPs is to try to give those communities a voice so that they are not isolated and left apart in a sea of affluence.
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—