Council tax frozen

The SNP Government has given Glasgow City Council funding to freeze council tax until 2011/12, without any reduction in services. Labour and Tory MSPs blocked moves to scrap the council tax during this parliamentary term.  We will seek a stronger mandate to replace council tax with a fairer system next term.  Until then the SNP freeze will help thousands of hard pressed taxpayers in this constituency who are struggling to make ends meet.  Under Labour council tax went up by 60%.  Under the SNP you won’t have to pay a penny more in 2011 than you did in 2007. 

More help with housing

The SNP Government’s investment in affordable housing is higher than ever - over £160 million this year for Glasgow, to deliver much-needed improvements and safeguard jobs. More help is available for homeowners too, with a new Homeowners Support Fund helping those faced with repossession.

More apprentices

The SNP Government has provided £6 million for Glasgow City Council to create an extra 1000 apprenticeships on top of existing places, helping to build up the skilled workforce the city needs to compete.

More investment

The SNP Government is helping to fund major projects in Glasgow like the £445 million M74 completion and the infrastructure to support the Commonwealth Games. The new £842 million Southern General Hospital, Scotland’s biggest ever building project, is publicly funded by the Scottish Government.

Safer streets

In 2007 the SNP pledged to increase the number of police officers on the beat. We are delivering that pledge.  There will be over 1000 extra police in Scotland by 2011, just as we promised. Strathclyde Police has already seen a major increase and by 2011 there will be more than 450 extra police officers available in Strathclyde to make our streets safer.
Recently released figures show a dramatic reduction in crime across the south side, following a 12 month police crackdown.  Over 4000 fewer crimes were recorded than in the previous year. Violent crime in Govan has been cut to a five-year low, with housebreaking cut by over half in Pollokshields. 

Excessive drinking helps fuel crime and anti-social behaviour, as well as damaging health. The Scottish Government has announced tough action to crack down on the irresponsible sale of alcohol, as well as on those who abuse it. 

Nursery closures

Govan MSP Nicola Sturgeon has criticised Glasgow City Council’s school closure plans. The Council’s programme has been hotly contested by parents in Govan constituency and across the city. The administration bowed to pressure not to shut down nurseries in Nithsdale Road and Shawbridge Street - but Labour councillors voted as a group to shut down other establishments on the hit list

Nicola says: ‘I am very disappointed that Labour councillors voted to shut down Newark Drive Nursery and Bellahouston Primary. The consultation process has been woeful and has left parents feeling frustrated and angry. Parent groups made their case in a very compelling way but feel they have not been given a proper hearing. That’s no way to treat people whose only concern is for their children’s future. ’

Pollok Park saved!

Local campaigners and park users have reacted with delight to the news that the Council has shelved plans for a Go Ape adventure course in Pollok Park. This is great news for local people, who were overwhelmingly opposed to the Council’s plan. I congratulate everyone involved in the Save Pollok Park campaign - they have done a fantastic job.  It’s just a shame it took the Council so long to realise that their proposal was as unworkable as it was unpopular.’

Town Centre Regeneration Fund

The Scottish Government has created  a new £60 million fund to help regenerate local high streets. Areas which are recognised as town centres within cities – like Shawlands or Govan Cross – can submit bids.  Nicola will be working closely with Glasgow City Council to support any opportunities the fund can provide.

More help when you need it most

The Scottish Government is investing a record £33 billion in the health service over the next three years. There are now more frontline NHS staff than ever