Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie is now Labour’s Scottish Parliament spokesperson on Climate Change, following a Shadow Cabinet reshuffle.

Cathy said that she is looking forward to the challenge of her new role.

“Having been very involved with the Scottish Parliament’s Climate Change Bill, which has been recognised internationally for the strength of its provisions, I am now keen to ensure that the legislation translates into equally strong action by Scottish Government, local authorities and other public bodies, working with civic organisations, businesses and the people of Scotland.”

She will also continue as Deputy Convener of the Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee, which has just launched an Inquiry into Active Travel (photograph attached)

Speaking about the Inquiry, Cathy said:

“Active travel benefits people’s health and the environment. We want to encourage more people to change their travel habits and opt for walking and cycling as main forms of transport.

“We are seeking views not just from organisations, but from anyone with an interest or involvement in walking, cycling and other form of active travel, about how they choose to travel, and what incentives would make people participate in more active travel.

“We will be looking at what progress has been made and what can be done to remove barriers and increase numbers walking and cycling. We will also consider active travel schemes operating in other countries.”

SCOTTISH Labour leader Iain Gray has attacked the SNP Scottish Government for “not doing enough” to stimulate economic recovery. 

Mr Gray said: "Alex Salmond and John Swinney froze in the headlights at the height of the banking crisis while the UK government stepped in to save Scottish banks and stimulate the overall economy.

"Labour at Holyrood came forward with a 15 point plan while the SNP did nothing. I am relieved that finally John Swinney has followed most of our plan.

"But the SNP still do not get it. Alex Salmond and John Swinney are more intent on wasting time and money on a referendum nobody wants and a National Conversation no one is listening to. They are more interested in pursuing the narrow interests of the SNP than those of ordinary Scots concerned about jobs and the economy."

SNP First Minister Alex Salmond has come under fire for for not paying council tax.

Labour leader Iain Gray said: "Three years ago, Alex Salmond said that if he was First Minister, he would pay council tax on his First Ministerial residence. Alex Salmond is now First Minister – but he’s not paying the Council Tax on Bute House.

"I know Alex Salmond told voters he would abolish council tax. Is he doing it one person at a time – starting with himself? The rest of Scotland is facing up to the realities of the recession. Tightening their belts. Paying their way.

"How does the First Minister think they feel when they read he has dodged his personal council tax promise? The newspapers call this hypocrisy. But isn’t it just contempt for the Scots who are worrying about their jobs, their pay and their mortgages."

SENIOR Labour politicians within Falkirk Council this week spoke out about plans for Falkirk’s Park Gallery and expressed concern at a "misleading" campaign, headed by a Glasgow-based artist and opposition politicians.

Last month (Sept), the Council’s leisure, tourism and community committee, agreed to relocate the Park Gallery in Falkirk’s Callendar Park to space inside the A-listed Callendar House from April next year. The matter will be debated by the full Council next week.

The current gallery facility, housed in a small outbuilding, has no toilet and restroom facilities for staff. Figures for 2008/2009 year show the gallery attracted 4145 visitors in the year. A total of 28,268 people visited Callendar House in the same period.

Administration figures believe attendances at the gallery could be boosted with a move to Callendar House. Part-time staff, who currently work alone in the present gallery building, would also have the support of Callendar House colleagues – and access to on-site toilets and other facilities.

Councillor Adrian Mahoney, the convener of leisure, tourism and community at Falkirk Council, said: "People are being asked to sign an online petition protesting at a ‘closure’. We want to relocate the Park Gallery from its home in a small outbuilding within Callendar Park to the main Callendar House, an A-listed building which attracts around seven times as many visitors each year. This isn’t a closure."

Councillor Mahoney said the online petition, launched by former Callendar House artist in residence Janie Nicoll, was misleading.

"Urging anyone online to sign up, Ms Nicoll claims it would be ‘almost impossible’ to host the Park Gallery’s artworks in Callendar House. In fact, Callendar House is already used for art exhibitions – the annual Winter Warmth exhibition is partly-housed within Callendar House. And, of course, some of the best galleries in Scotland are located within historic buildings; often sharing spaces with museums."

Council leader Linda Gow said: "The proposal agreed by the committee was not to close the Park Gallery but to move it into Callendar House.

"The Council looked at this matter not only as a budget consideration but also because of the drawbacks of the current venue. It is quite a small venue, comprising two adjoining with low headroom. This has restricted the range and scale of professional exhibitions which can be shown. It also lacks storage and staff facilities, which again has placed restrictions on workshops and other activities. A larger venue with good ancillary facilities would allow a higher profile for exhibitions and activities."

Provost Pat Reid, who represents the ward covered by the Park Gallery, said he had received only two objections to the Park Gallery relocation proposal. "One of them was from someone who lived outside the area," he said.

He added: "I think a move into the House will enhance provision. It is elitist to say that we need only dedicated galleries to show art. Some of the best exhibitions I’ve seen recently have been work by local primary and secondary school children at the Camelon Education Centre, from students at Falkirk College and the artwork for the 2008 Mod, displayed in the gallery at Falkirk Town Hall. The local Art Club and local disabled artists have their annual exhibitions at the Town Hall as well. All of those exhibitions were incredibly popular and very good."

Labour figures also said it was strange to see SNP councillors urge people to sign Janie Nicoll’s online petition.

In April, former SNP leisure convener Councillor Tom Coleman criticised the artists in residence project – in particular a project in which Ms. Nicoll took pictures of dogs in Callendar Park. The controversy was reported in The Falkirk Herald. Councillor Coleman was reported as saying: "What it boils down to is the quality of the material and the quality of the idea. In this case, it scores nil points."

LABOUR Prime Minister Gordon Brown says the country faces its biggest choice for a generation – “a choice between a change that benefits people like you – or a change that benefits the privileged few”.

Speaking after his keynote speech to the party conference in Brighton, Mr Brown said: “I am determined to stand up for the mainstream majority of families in Britain – to stand up for those British values of fairness and responsibility for all.

“Today I believe we have shown that we are the party of ambitious change for the many:

“- Change for a new society with new measures to tackle anti-social behaviour and ensure our public services meet new challenges – expanding free childcare for two year olds, a new offer on social care for older people, and additional funding to local authorities to help keep people in their homes.

“- Change for a new economy with tough new rules for bankers and investing for growth, with a new legal obligation for fiscal responsibility.

“- And change for a new politics so we ensure that MPs guilty of gross financial misconduct are recalled and we modernise our democracy with a new voting system.

“In the coming weeks, don’t just listen to what our opponents say – demand to know what they would do. Because if you’re a family that’s feeling the pinch – don’t take it from me – just ask them the question. If you care about me, why is your first priority to give a £200,000 pound tax cut to each of the 3,000 wealthiest estates?

“I am confident we are on the side of the British people on the fundamental choices our country faces in the years ahead.”

Watch Gordon’s speech by clicking the YouTube video above.

GRANGEMOUTH Labour MP Michael Connarty said the release of the dying Libyan Abdel Basset al-Megrahi – convicted of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing – was “stupid and unforgiveable”.

Megrahi, suffering prostate cancer, was released by the SNP’s Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill – on the grounds that Mr al-Megrahi had three months or less to live. The bomber was given a heroes welcome – with locals waving Saltire flags – as he arrived back in Tripoli last month on a specially chartered flight.

Mr Connarty spoke out after receiving a letter from an angry constituent. The letter, from a resident in Bathgate, said:

“Can we ask Alex Salmond to visit each one of the families who lost someone in the Lockerbie Bombing? Is this decision not another example of the SNP Government who have their own agenda? How can Salmond say he stands up for the people of Scotland in one hand and release a Bomber on the other? Waving Saltires at the airport – all of Scotland did not support this decision, the flying of our flag should not been seen as support for the SNP’s actions. Scotland’s people must remember the sacrifice and at the next elections kick the SNP out in every town over Scotland. The SNP are a disgrace to Scotland and must be booted out at the next elections for this action alone.”

Mr Connarty said: “I do not know why compassionate release, if thought necessary by the SNP Government, was not into a hospice or private accommodation in Scotland. To send the man home to a triumphant welcome in Lybia was stupid and unforgiveable.”

MP Michael Connarty has praised a charity’s work to help troubled families.

Children 1st run the Falkirk Family Group Conference Service from premises in Melville Street, with funding support from Falkirk Council.

The service brings families together, helping them deal with concerns about children, and helping them find solutions to their own difficulties.

Michael said he was very impressed by the services on offer. He said: “The service provides a process in which family members can work with professional support – who are independent of the statutory agencies – to work out an agreed plan which will deal with the problems in a child’s life and allow them to stay in or return to their family home.

“The fact that 99 per cent of children and families successfully carry out the plan and the child and family stay together is a sign of the success of the service.

“It puts the child at the centre of the service and the family and avoids the major traumas and high costs of family break–ups.”

Children 1st receives some of its funding from the Postcode Lottery, which recently unveiled a series of big winners in the Bo’ness area.

Mr Connarty said: “It is great that the Scottish Postcode Lottery not only produces local winners in the postcode lottery, but also makes families and children winners through this service.”

During a visit to the Falkirk office, Mr Connarty met the local administrator Marie Donald and had a lengthy discussion about the Family Group Conference service with Lorraine McKillop, the Service Manager for Children 1st.

To contact the Family Group Conference Service call 01324 621811 or email: falkirk@children1st.org.uk

The base is at 16 Melville Street, Falkirk, FK1 1HZ.