MSP seeks feedback on cutbacks

SOUTH of Scotland list MSP Christine Grahame is seeking feedback from voters in the Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale constituency as her SNP government at Holyrood faces up to unprecedented cuts in public spending next year, writes Andrew Keddie.

"I've had a great deal of correspondence on local concerns, much of it triggered by the cuts to come from London," she told us last week as consultation forms were delivered to households across the constituency.

Ms Grahame began a series of summer surgeries at village halls in Peeblesshire yesterday. They continue today in Selkirk, Ettrickbridge and Ettrick. Next week the sessions move to Heriot, Fountainhall, Stow and Clovenfords on Tuesday, Lauder and Melrose on Wednesday and Hawick and Jedburgh next Thursday.

"Outwith the school summer break, I hold monthly surgeries at Tesco supermarkets in Peebles, Galashiels and Penicuik and the issues raised at the most recent sessions have informed the issues covered by my consultation," she explained.

"I now need to know how widespread these concerns are so I can take matters forward with the relevant agencies."

Eight service areas concentrating the minds of Borderers in the austere years ahead are covered in Ms Grahame's questionnaire.

On crime, she wants to to know about the prevalence of vandalism and anti-social behaviour and whether the Scottish Government is right in trying to set a minimum price for alcohol to reduce binge drinking and associated offences.

Ms Grahame wants to gauge the problems experienced by constituents with housing and public transport, asking if petrol prices should take account of the extra travel costs incurred by rural communities.

Other questions relate to access to an NHS dentist and other health services and the pressing issues regarding mobile telephone and digital television reception along with the availability in broadband.

All replies to the questionnaire are confidential.