Carnegie and Duloch Primary Schools Catchment Review

This is the text of a letter from Donna Manson to parents, carers and other interested parties regarding the catchment review for Duloch and Carnegie Primary Schools:

"Public Consultation on the rezoning of the catchment area for Carnegie Primary School and Duloch Primary School

The result of the public consultation regarding the three options for rezoning the catchment area for Carnegie Primary School and Duloch Primary School will be discussed by the Education & Children’s Services Committee on Thursday 12^th November at 10.00am.

A copy of the full committee paper and appendices can be found at www.fifedirect.org.uk/committtees

Once you have accessed this site, you should scroll down the calendar to the 12^th November and click on Education & Children’s Services Committee. At the bottom of this page you will find the committee report and appendices.

The recommendations, to be discussed by the committee, are as follows:

1. In the light of the results of the public consultation, to approve Catchment Option A (catchment split at Trondheim Parkway)

2. To agree to dual catchment arrangements continuing at Duloch Primary School

I will write to you again on Friday 13^th November informing you of the outcome of the committee’s discussion and provide you with further information regarding P1 enrolment procedures for August 2010 intake.

Yours sincerely

Donna Manson

Area Education Officer"

Housing debate at the Scottish Lib Dem Conference

On Saturday I made a plea for more funds to be provided for the construction of more rented homes in Fife. At the Scottish Federation of Housing Association's Meeting at the Lib Dem Conference I cited my regular advice surgeries and office calls as evidence that there is a great need.

The housing waiting list in Fife is long and it's not getting shorter. Big families in small overcrowded homes combined is a common feature.

In particular there is considerable demand for suitable accommodation for elderly people with special needs. The council are unable to keep up with the demand for adaptations to homes and elderly people resent the declining warden service for sheltered accommodation.

Another common problem is the rented accommodation trap. Working people on low incomes who are desperate to avoid homelessness often accept private lets that they cannot afford. As a result they run down their savings to keep up with the payments but when they have run out they face eviction and homelessness - but this time without any savings.

The SNP recently cut £4.6m from Fife's housing capital budget because they reckon we have sufficient homes already. I have been pressing them to reverse this cut. Just how can they say we have enough!

My speech on the TA

For the first time ever, I had the Defence Secretary on his knees. Before his speech, he was begging for forgiveness, but unfortunately it was only for the fact that he has to leave early for an appointment at 5 o'clock. I forgive him if he leaves, but I am sorry that he will miss the brilliant speech that I am about to give...

Read the rest of my speech on the Territorial Army at TheyWorkForYou

I knew there must have been some benefits to Gordon Brown as Prime Minister!

I received this letter from Fife Police regarding the survey of residents that they conducted which shows that residents believe that crime has dropped in the village thanks to extra police presence to protect the Prime Minister.

Even though crime levels were not very high before most North Queensferry residents appear to feel safer thanks to the PM. I'm glad there is at least one benefit to having Gordon Brown as Prime Minister! So many people can't wait to see the back of him.

There are clearly some concerns about the vehicle stop points and the carrying of guns which the police are conscious of. It's helpful that the police undertook this listening initiative. It shows they are sensitive to local opinion.

Camdean Primary School visit Westminster

Pupils from Camdean Primary School in Rosyth visited Westminster on Tuesday as part of a week long visit to the city.

They enjoyed an official tour of the Palace followed by a talk from the education department and finally from me.

Afterward they went for a whistle stop tour of the central London.

Update on new Carnegie Primary School construction

The following information is intended to provide a brief synopsis of the progress to date on the construction of the new Carnegie Primary School in the east of Dunfermline.

"All members of the Fife Council team working on the project are cognisant of the challenging timescale to open the school for the new academic term August 2011.

• The new Carnegie Primary school is being procured and will be constructed by a contractor appointed under a traditional single stage design and build contract.
• Initial 'expression of interest' tenders were invited with an advertisement in the Official Journal of the European Journal (OJEU)
• 31 'expression of interests' were received.
• Of the 31 submissions, a preferred shortlist of 5 contractors was reached with formal tender invited in July 2009.
• Over the past 3 months, design work has been undertaken by the contractors, responding to the Council's tender document, brief and vision for the new school.
• Of the 5 shortlisted contractors only 4 decided to submitted formal tender returns on 23 October 2009.
• The Fife Council team are currently evaluating these detailed tender documents, with a recommendation of the preferred contractor to be made to the Building Fife Future Project Board in December 2009/January 2010.
• Upon selection of the preferred contractor, detailed design for the school will commence.
• Work to construct the school is programmed to start in May 2010.
• At this present time the Fife Council's Education and Property Services team are satisfied that the project is on programme to be completed by end of July 2011 and open for the new academic term August 2011."

Mystery owner sought for Culross house

I'm on the hunt for the owner of an abandoned home in the centre of the historic village of Culross. The issue of ownership was raised with me by neighbours who were concerned about the condition of the home. However, investigations at the Land Registry revealed no clues as to ownership. Now I'm appealing to you to help with the hunt.

Families throughout West Fife are desperate for a home so to leave this one empty is a calamity. The eighteenth century two storey stone built terraced house is an integral part of the historic village. It’s a lively community and to add another family to that life would be fitting.

Do you know who owns this house?