Stevenson Comments On Black Fish Trial

Commenting on the sentencing today of those involved in the black fish landings, Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson said:

“The fishing industry in Scotland has built up a reputation for following the rules over the years that has allowed the Scottish Government to secure agreement in Europe for us to try innovative new practices such as the Catch Quota Scheme. This reputation has come at a huge cost and after extreme sacrifices from the fishing industry and the communities that support it, as people in Banffshire & Buchan Coast know only too well.

“It is disappointing that a small number of people chose to put the reputation and livelihoods of the rest of the industry at risk. However, as they have been caught and punished for breaking the law I hope that we can now put this behind us without the good reputation of the rest of the fishing industry in Scotland being tarnished in any way by these events.”

Boost For Scotland’s Flood Protection

New flood protection schemes for Forres, Galashiels and Inverness have come a step closer today as part of the local government settlement for 2012-15.

The three new schemes will receive support from the Scottish Government for up to 80 per cent of their total costs. Locals Authorities are yet to appoint project contractors but according to Minister for Environment and Climate Change Stewart Stevenson, today’s announcement will give assurance to potential bidders and residents.

Mr Stevenson said:

“This is great news for flood protection in Scotland, particularly for the three vulnerable areas who will receive this aid. We have listened to the concerns of local government and agreed with COSLA that this resource should be targeted towards major new projects.

“Today’s announcement will give these councils the certainty to tender and I look forward to seeing the positive impact these schemes will have to the lives of residents and livelihoods of businesses. In partnership with COSLA, a further application round will be held in due course which will help take forward flood protection schemes in other parts of Scotland.”

Following representations from local authorities about funding of large scale flood protection schemes, the Scottish Government and COSLA agreed that for the 2012-15 spending review period, the flooding component of the general capital grant should be targeted towards major projects. The distribution of this being agreed between COSLA and the Scottish Government.

The current estimated costs of the three additional schemes are

Highland - River Ness (Tidal Section) Flood Prevention Scheme, £22 million

Moray - Forres (River Findhorn and Pilmuir) Flood Prevention Schemes, £44 million

Scottish Borders - Galashiels (Plumtree, Wilderhaugh and Netherdale) Flood Prevention Scheme, £3.6 million

Stevenson Hails Arts And Culture Digital R&D Programme

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has hailed the launch of a Scottish Arts and Cultural Digital R&D Programme as a valuable opportunity for Scotland’s arts and cultural sector.

The program, which has been launched jointly by Creative Scotland and the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, aims to help arts and cultural organisations of all sizes from across Scotland develop further using new digital technologies. There is a £500,000 fund in place to support this work.

Highlighting the opportunity, Mr Stevenson said:

This is great news for arts and cultural organisation in the North-east and across all Scotland.

“The rapid development of digital technologies opens up exciting new opportunities for Scotland’s world-renowned arts and culture sector to reach new audiences and develop new business models.

“I would encourage any local arts and cultural organisation to apply for assistance under this scheme before Friday 20th April.

“Eligible organisations must be either predominately publically funded and/or registered charities and seek to work with digital technologies.”

For further information and to submit an application, visit http://www.nesta.org.uk/digital_rnd_scotland.