| Register |
 |
 |
Be the first to know Scotland's latest rural news. Register Now for our FREE Rural Update service. |
 Register NowRegister LaterExisting members login now
|
Information 
News
Halls campaign goes to Holyrood
SCVO have taken their village halls campaign to the Scottish Parliament. Sandra Hogg SCVO Information Officer and Norman MacAskill, SCVO’s Rural Policy Manager presented the Halls for All campaign to the petitions committee at Holyrood on 20th November 2007. The Halls for All campaign calls on the Scottish Government to tackle the slow burning crisis in village halls by cutting red tape and boosting financial support. The Halls for All campaign petition gathered 1,250 signatures online and a further 5,000 signatures on paper copies circulated throughout rural Scotland.
SCVO Rural Policy Manager Norman MacAskill said, "This campaign has gathered a fantastic level of support throughout rural Scotland, because people know that community buildings are at the heart of rural community life. We are confident that the Government will respond to the legitimate and heartfelt demands of Scotland’s rural communities, and put the necessary support in place to ensure a healthy future for these vital community assets.
"We were encouraged by the level of understanding and sympathy expressed by the committee and we are confident that this issue will continue to rise up the political agenda."
You can watch a video of Sandra Hogg delivering her statement to the petitions committee, and the question and answer session that followed, on the Scottish Parliament website. Watch petitions committee video.
The campaign received support from MSPs of all parties, including Cabinet Secretary for Finance John Swinney who signed the petition in Arbroath. The photo above shows MSPs from all parties turning out to show their support. If you click on the image you will be taken to a larger version.
The photo shows Liam McArthur MSP (LibDem), Roseanna Cunningham MSP (SNP), David Stewart MSP (Labour), Robin Harper MSP (Green), Norman MacAskill SCVO Rural Policy Manager, Sandra Hogg SCVO Information Officer and John Lamont MSP (Conservative).
Read more about the campaign
Next steps for village halls campaign
Salmond briefed on Halls for All campaign
Swinney signs Hall for All petition
International spotlight – importance of community buildings
Campaign urges Executive to tackle village halls crisis
Links
- Source
- SCVO
- Date
- 21-Nov-2007
- Categories
- COMMUNITIES, All Scotland, News - General, News - Top Story