Education Cuts

I make no apology for returning to the subject of Renfrewshire Education cuts. The latest move is closing nursery schools. Renfrewshire council are now proposing to shut all 6 nursery schools in Renfrewshire. Four of these nursery schools will become ‘nursery classes’ attached to local primary schools and two will become pre-5 centres. All these nurseries will lose the teachers currently working in the nursery schools. Nursery head teacher posts will be ‘deleted’ (in the Council’s terminology) and the classroom teacher will be obliged to choose redeployment, which may not be to nursery teaching, or resignation. In their election manifesto the SNP claimed they were ‘concerned at the removal of nursery teachers from nurseries in some council areas’ and wanted to ‘deliver access to a fully qualified nursery teacher for every nursery age child’. That doesn’t seem to be what we are witnessing in Renfrewshire. If you would like to add your objection to these proposals you can write to John Rooney, Director of Education and Leisure Services, Renfrewshire Council, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1LE. The deadline for responses is noon on Friday 7th November.

In addition to the news at the beginning of the new school year of the failure by Renfrewshire to give a full time contract to any of its probationary teachers from last year – 172 in all – the number of teacher staff posts also has been cut this year. Renfrewshire Primary schools seeing a 3.2% drop in teachers and secondary schools seeing 6.3% less teachers. Unsurprisingly there is no longer the promise to have smaller class sizes in English and Maths in first and second year.

Graffiti and Vandalism

There is no doubt there is exasperation over the graffiti blight in Renfrewshire. I commend the council’s graffiti squad who daily work tirelessly to clean up the worst affected areas and also commend the council webpage which allows members of the public to email or text images of graffiti for inclusion and consideration for action.

The Police too are taking active steps to combat the problem. In addition to the new mobile CCTV van being utilised within our community, by introducing the Campus Police Officers to four secondary schools within Renfrewshire the Police are actively encouraging good citizenship and behaviour from bases within the schools. These officers should hopefully influence young people and lead to a significant reduction in incidences of vandalism and graffiti. The Police also encourage the public to contact then directly or on Crime Stoppers on 0800555111.

Tesco in Paisley

I visited Tesco’s recent public exhibition in the Wynd Centre displaying  proposals for a Paisley Store at Renfrew Road. Following their successful relationship with St Mirren and building of the new St Mirren stadium, Tesco’s store was originally earmarked for the Love Street site but I am told the recent switch to nearby Renfrew Road is seen as moving nearer to the Town centre and provides scope to plan a Silverburn sized superstore. One or two constituents have expressed an anxiety to me over increased traffic in that area and I will be seeking assurances on that, plus assurances that the original Love Street site is progressed effectively and not left to become a derelict eyesore. The Tesco exhibition was the first stage in a community consultation process therefore I would urge Buddies to check out the proposals and make your thoughts known. A ‘Have Your Say’ booklet has been prepared by Tesco which shows a layout of the plans and includes a feedback form. I have some in my office or contact Jennifer Duncan at Tesco House, Delamare Road, Cheshunt, Waltham Cross, EN8 9ZB.

Energy Saving Advice

Writing this column in Energy Saving Trust’s Energy Saving Week I have joined the campaign this week by taking 10 minutes out of my busy parliamentary schedule to spend on measures which will cut my personal energy use - I encourage buddies to do the same. Wincing at my own recent household gas and electricity bill increases I realise many householders are feeling a big pressure on their finances.

I know these steps have been publicised for sometime but as the temperature drops outside and winter is nearly upon us it’s worth a reminder. Simple steps like switching appliances off at the socket rather than leaving them on stand by, or installing low energy light bulbs to improve energy efficiency in the home.

I encourage Buddies to call the local Energy Saving Scotland advice centre on 0800 512 012 for free, independent, home efficiency advice from expert advisers.  Alternatively find further information on the Energy Saving Trust website at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk