Wednesday 15 May 2013

INGRAM WELCOMES SUPPORT FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE

Local SNP MSP Adam Ingram has welcomed the announcement from Big Lottery Fund Scotland Director Jackie Killeen of up to £8 million of Lottery money which will be spent on supporting people affected by domestic abuse across Scotland through the Becoming a Survivor scheme.

Becoming a Survivor will make grants from £10,000 to £1 million to help support people affected by domestic abuse and survivors of domestic abuse to be in a home of their choice and help them to move on with their lives both practically and emotionally.

Commenting on the announcement  Mr Ingram said:

“Becoming a Survivor will provide support to men, women and children who have been affected by domestic abuse which has long been recognised as a major contributory factor to homelessness. Through Becoming a Survivor the Big Lottery Fund will support multi agency approaches to projects that help people who have experienced domestic abuse be in a home of their choice and provide them with the practical and emotional support necessary to make that choice successful and sustainable.

“Across Scotland there are almost 60,000 recorded incidents of domestic abuse each year and research shows that victims of domestic abuse often feel unsafe in their own homes.

“Domestic abuse is the fourth most common reason for making a homeless application in Scotland, with three quarters of applications being made by women. For many women ending an abusive relationship requires them to leave their home and for their children it often means leaving their school, their friends and community. The Becoming a Survivor scheme recognises the wider impact of domestic abuse and will support those affected to move to a more secure future.

“This funding will go some way in making a difference to many people who have been affected by domestic abuse helping them to feel both practically and emotionally supported and in the long term, it may help give them a brighter future.”

Ends.

Notes to Editor:

For more details regarding Becoming a Survivor go to http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/scotland
Becoming a Survivor closes to applications on June 28, 2013

Friday 10 May 2013
 
INGRAM WELCOMES FIRST EVER STRATEGY FOR HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT
 
Local SNP MSP Adam Ingram has welcomed the publication of the first-ever overarching strategy for Scotland’s historic environment by Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop.

The 'historic environment' can be defined as the physical evidence of past human activity. This is widely acknowledged to include the following categories of evidence:
 
• Archaeological sites and monuments
• Buildings and architecture
• Gardens and designed landscapes, battlefields and other cultural landscapes
• Palaeoenvironmental sites
• Marine and maritime sites

This definition can also include associated evidence:

• Artefacts, especially in situ or otherwise associated with places
• Archives, including maps and other documents, which describe, depict or relate to places and often provide the only surviving evidence for past human activity

Commenting on the strategy Mr Ingram said:

“Until now there has been no overarching strategy for our historic environment.  These proposals are intended to ensure Scotland’s historic environment is understood, valued, enjoyed and enhanced - now and in the future.

“The historic environment is central to telling the story of our nation.  It is right at the heart of our cultural identity and has a key role in defining Scotland’s place in the world.

“Too often we take the historic environment for granted, or assume it will last forever.  In practice, the historic environment needs careful management and a clear sense of direction.  It is a precious asset, capable of providing real and increasing benefits to Scotland’s people.

“Our historic environment is not simply stones, bricks and mortar.  It is a combination of the tangible and the intangible – from buildings, landscapes and objects, to traditions, stories and memories.

“The Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley area is a very strong historic environment well known worldwide as Burns country as well as it's links with Robert the Bruce to name but a few. I certainly welcome both the recognition of this valuable local asset and it’s protection in the future.”

The 12-week public consultation follows a fundamental review of the Scottish Government’s policy on the historic environment.

Ends.

Thursday 25 April 2013

INGRAM WELCOMES START OF A77 CONSTRUCTION WORK

Local SNP MSP Adam Ingram welcomed the start of the work on the A77 Symington and Bogend Toll Improvements today which will bring significant benefits for drivers and residents alike.

Commenting Mr Ingram said:

“I am delighted that construction has started on the A77 which brings to fruition a long promised and long delayed project. Once again this SNP Government has delivered where others have failed.

“Campaigners have fought tirelessly to have this upgrade and I have had many exchanges with the Transport Minister Keith Brown on this matter where he assured me that when the funding became available the works would be progressed and he has delivered on his promise today.
 
“This upgrade is vital for our local economy and the safety of the local communities. This is very good news for the local area and will be a welcome step forward in ensuring the Symington Bogend Toll junctions are made safe.

“This project will see a total investment worth £10.6 million.  On completion, the new road improvements will enhance journey time reliability and improve safety. I and local residents along the A77 are anticipating the completion of the project in 2014 when we will have a local strategic road network that is fit for the 21st century.”

Ends.

Notes to Editor:

• The A77 Symington and Bogend Toll scheme has a construction cost of £10.6m
• It will improve safety on the A77 by closing central reservations between Spittalhill Interchange and Dutch House roundabout and providing two grade separated junctions
• New road bridges will be built over the A77 at Symington and Bogend Toll between Spittalhill Interchange and Dutch House roundabout
• This is expected to reduce the number and severity of accidents
• The upgrade will benefit the local economy by providing for safer access to and from the A77
• The scheme takes consideration of current planning strategies including potential development opportunities and housing developments along the A77
• The work allows potential future upgrades that will enable the speed limit to increase from 50mph to 70mph at this location.

Thursday 25 April 2013

INGRAM ATTENDS COALFIELDS COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAMME LAUNCH

Local SNP MSP Adam Ingram will be attending the launch of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust new grant making programme at Dalmellington Community Centre on Friday 26 April at 11am.

The Coalfields Community Grants programme will provide grants of between £500 – and £10,000 in four separate tranches, one of them devoted to local organisations that have never received CRT funding before and another to eligible projects in coalfields 'cold spots'.

The programme will not only award grants to eligible coalfield projects but will also provide training and support to local organisations to equip them with the skills required to apply for funding from other sources.

Commenting on the launch Mr Ingram said:

“The commitment from the Scottish Government to the regeneration of our coalfield communities is very much welcome particularly when it comes on the back of the demise of Scottish Coal in the local area.

 “This new programme has the added benefit of not only awarding funds but opening up opportunities to access funding from other grant making bodies by equipping members of the local communities with the skills and knowledge required to submit successful applications.

“Coalfield communities have high levels of deprivation, worklessness and childcare provision is very poor. The Ayrshire coalfields particularly suffers from geographical isolation. However we have some outstanding examples of community led regeneration in The Zone Initiative based in Dalmellington, and Yipworld in Cumnock.

“I believe we should be investing in people rather than physical assets and commend the approach of building on the existing community assets with local people themselves identifying needs and how best to address them.

“The Scottish Government has listened to and taken on board my and other MSPs concerns regarding the future of our local areas and the invaluable role of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust. I am delighted that the representations I made have had such a positive outcome and I look forward to seeing Ayrshire communities involve themselves in both economic and social regeneration initiatives.”

Ends.