Picture above: Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko and his wife Inna planted a commemorative tree at the Ukrainian Chapel, near Lockerbie when they met families from across Dumfries and Galloway with Ukrainian heritage prior to the conflict
Is enterprise zone a first step?
I was interested to learn details of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s proposals to set up an enterprise zone in and around the Port of Cairnryan.
The suggested scheme, which will next week be considered by the council’s economic and resources committee, would also require input from the Scottish Government.
Various incentives such as non-domestic rates relief, enhanced capital allowances, streamlined planning process and skills and training support within the special zone are amongst the levers that might be used to help stimulate the local economy.
Tagged the ’South West Euro Gateway,’ the local authority’s new proposal follows the Labour-SNP administration withdrawing their bid for Cairnryan/Stranraer during a selection process for the UK Government plans to invest £52 million in partnership with the Scottish Government to create two designated Green Freeports north of the border. The five remaining contenders are located in central and northern Scotland.
I, of course, welcome any initiative that might bring new investment and quality jobs to Wigtownshire and I strongly hope the council can deliver on their enterprise zone aspirations.
As a strong supporter of freeports, and having seen first hand the success they have had elsewhere in the UK, my hope would be that any council-driven scheme now would lay the groundwork for future economic development opportunities that might come along.
There can be no certainties at the moment but, as I’ve mentioned in a previous Free Press column, Stranraer and Cairnryan’s strategic location could lend itself well to being part of a future cross-channel freeport: in partnership with Belfast Harbour and Larne. That would be a very positive development.
Dealing with rising cost-of-living
Many constituents are understandably deeply worried about the cost-of-living challenges and what the winter might have in store.
The UK Government has already committed to take £400 off consumers energy bills and this will be administered by the suppliers and applied as a monthly discount over six months from October.
As part of a £37 billion package, the eight million most vulnerable households across the UK will receive £1200 each of direct support to help with the cost-of-living.
Both candidates to succeed Boris Johnson as Prime Minister, one of whom will take office very soon, have indicated that they will take significant steps to further ease rising costs facing consumers.
On the day he or she takes office, I know the latest analysis, intelligence and carefully costed options drawn from across Government will be awaiting the new PM at 10 Downing Street allowing early judgements to be made and swift progress on an effective programme to mitigate the gas crisis impact.
The economic difficulties are global and largely the result from the brutal attack on Ukraine by Vladimir Putin’s Russian forces which, as we all know, has also caused devastating humanitarian consequences.
With Russia limiting gas exports, prices internationally have rocketed, and that has had a knock-on effect on many other commodities and services, fuelling inflation.
Whilst the UK is better placed than many nations, with substantial energy reserves of our own and a diverse range of power generation sources, one priority for the future PM will be further increasing our energy independence.
With wind, solar and long-established hydro power that is something towards which our region is already making a major contribution.
Ukrainian guests’ home from home
It was a moving and respectful gesture for the Ukrainian flag to be flying on the council buildings in Stranraer yesterday and at other principal local government premises across the region.
I know the move, to mark Ukrainian Independence Day, will have been greatly appreciated by a sizeable number of guests from the war-torn country staying in private homes and other accommodation, including several hotels.
Dumfries and Galloway Council estimate there will eventually be around 600 Ukrainian guests, of varying ages, staying in the region as well as a significant number of residents, with Ukrainian heritage, whose families have lived locally since the end of World War Two.
With the shorter-term outlook in the eastern European country remaining uncertain, our Ukrainian visitors are likely to be welcome guests for a lengthy period of time and some are seeking employment, taking the opportunity to improve their English and becoming very much part of our communities.
Helping bridge the dental gap
I’ve been aware for some time about the challenges facing post-Covid NHS dental services in our region and further afield and have raised issues on behalf of individual constituents.
A shortage of dentists nationally, partly resulting from retirements together with a backlog of dental work from the pandemic period, have exacerbated the problems.
The result is that some practices in Dumfries and Galloway have been unable to take on additional NHS patients or, in some cases, reduce their lists.
I’m supportive of efforts nationally to train more dentists but that obviously takes time and I will assist NHS Dumfries and Galloway in any way I can in their efforts to encourage newly-qualified or more experienced dentists to consider moving to our region by highlighting the quality-of-life potential and the excellent natural environment.
Demand growing for passports
One of the most frequent issues being raised with me by constituents in recent times has been delays and other difficulties in obtaining an up-to-date passport.
There are various contributory factors but I understand the main reason is a surge in demand following the pandemic for new passports or renewals as more people opt again to travel overseas.
I’m pleased that after contacting the relevant department we have been able to resolve most local cases brought to our attention, however, I will continue to press for a long-term improvement to this important service.
Tyler’s magic medal achievement
It was a privilege to have the opportunity of visiting the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and meeting Team Scotland members and some of their coaches.
I was especially delighted to witness in hall four at the National Exhibition Centre one of the early bouts of 23-year-old bronze medal winner Tyler Jolly, who is a member of the Bravehearts Boxing Club at Whithorn.
It was a great achievement by Tyler to again reach Commonwealth level and also reflects well on the coaching team and everyone involved at the Whithorn club. The medal is the icing on the cake..
Equally thrilling was watching on TV the progress of another of my constituents Rosemary Lenton of Dumfries, who at the young age of 72, earned a gold medal in the women’s pairs at the Royal Leamington Spa lawn bowls venue. She achieved the success along with her younger team mate Pauline Wilson.
My warmest congratulations go to Tyler and Rosemary — oldest gold medalist in Commonwealth Games history — and all the competitors with connections to Dumfries and Galloway.
Hoard moves on from Galloway
I was pleased that the Galloway Viking Hoard exhibition had a successful season at the Kirkcudbright Galleries.
The collaboration with National Museums of Scotland was a welcome initiative appreciated locally as the historical treasures were, of course, discovered almost a decade ago near Balmaghie by an enthusiast with a metal detector.
It’s interesting to see the unique archaeological collection has now gone on show in Aberdeen and my hope would be that some north-east visitors might later be tempted to boost our local hospitality sector by having a break in Dumfries and Galloway.
History can so often be important to our future!
A time for new challenges
With the recent heatwave and some downpours, young people across Dumfries and Galloway have had a mixture of weather during their school summer break.
Most experienced the disruption of the pandemic and my hope is that most had time to get out and about, pursue their interests, enjoy our wonderful environment and, for those who are older, received the key exam results they wanted.
I offer my best wishes to all who are starting school for the first time, heading away to university or equally important beginning a new job or apprenticeship and hope whatever lies ahead for our young people they are supported to make the most any new challenges, skills or other opportunities that await.