Malcolm Chisholm in February, helping collect signiatures against the Biomass Plant
"Forth Energy has consistently promoted the idea that burning wood fuel and replenishing crops after harvest limits the levels of carbon that are released into the atmosphere, but an increasing number of environmental organisations have stated that that position is too simplistic. The long-term effects of biomass combustion on the atmosphere and on climate change depend on the type of feedstock that is used, how sustainable the source is, and the alternative energy sources that are displaced by investment in such plants."
Malcolm in the Scottish Parliament, September 22nd 2011 I have been made aware of very serious concerns about the proposal and I myself have many serious concerns. I have asked the Scottish Government a series of questions about the plant in Parliament.
Read Malcolm's questions to the First Minister and Scottish Government >>>
Read Malcolm's letter of objection to the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit here >>>
Scottish Government information about the Energy Consents Unit >>> Malcolm writes in favour of the trams coming to Leith and questions the Scottish Government "Residents and businesses have endured a great deal of disruption over the last two to three years and the least they can expect is some tangible benefit..."
Read Malcolm's letter to John Swinney the responsible Scottish Government Secretary here >>>
Read Malcolm's questions pressing the Scottish Government to complete the tram proect with sound funding, asked in September and October >>> Malcolm's recent speeches and work in the Scottish Parliament. In recent months of the 2011-12 Scottish Parliamentary session, I have continued to raise issues of local concern such as those around the proposed Leith Biomass plant, and in the debate on carbon emissions, spoke on various health related issues including mental health, cancer treatment, and alcohol misuse and minimum pricing.
In the last months of the 2010-11 Scottish Parliamentary session, I raised issues of local concern such as problems with care homes, such as Elsie Inglis, and problems with factoring services. I also concentrated on wider issues that affect constitutents in Edinburgh North & Leith. I have spoken in debates about infrastructure and investment in Scotland, in which I argue that we focus on housing strategy, as well as on creating jobs for young people. I have very recently argued the importance of investing in the first three years of a child's life.
Malcolm speaking to workers against the Council's privatisation plans outside Edinburgh City Chambers in December
Malcolm defends public sector pensions in Edinburgh, North & Leith, November 17th >>>
"The cabinet secretary may not be aware that the City of Edinburgh Council’s proposed privatisation of a large number of council services does not conform with section 9.5. I hope that the proposal will, in any case, be rejected but, in the meantime, will he write to the council to remind it that the protocol - and that section in particular - is still in force? "
In the last couple of months of the 2009-10 session, I raised concerns over the Leith Biomass Plant, I debated the needlessly harsh Tory-Lib Dem Government cuts, argued for minimum pricing for alcohol, and took part in a debate on domestic violence against women and men, and the debate on minimum pricing for alcohol, and took part in an important debate on the impact on children of having parents in prison, and highlighted the work of the Circle project in Pilton.
I have continued to take an interest in NHS Lothian questioning the Scottish Government about NHS spending in the Lothians , debating on how quality can be maintained and improved, and arranged a debate on Lymphoedema and breast cancer services.
I am now a member of the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee, and Substitute Member of the Public Petitions Committee.
Read more about Malcolm's speeches >>> Malcolm can help with local issues If you have a concern about a local issue - it doesn't matter how local. For example, I have taken up an issue of road safety at Granton Mill Rd and West Granton Rd. I have written to LRT and the City of Edinburgh Council suggesting that the bus stop be moved to the opposite side of the road and to the East where the road is wider.
All of my contact details are to the left, or you can click here to email me >>> read about Malcolm's involvement in the Opening Doors scheme to encourage more people from ethnic minority communites into politics >>>
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