News

Local MP concerned by Tories refusal to commit to Aircraft Carrier Contract
Labour MP Jim Sheridan has today expressed concern at the refusal of the Conservatives to commit to the aircraft carrier contract announced last year by the current Labour Government. The contract will give a much needed boost to Clyde shipbuilding and will see many new jobs created whilst safeguard employment for existing staff...(Read More).

Local Politicians welcome Lottery Funding for Tannahill Centre Refurbishment
Local MP Jim Sheridan MSP Wendy Alexander along with Councillor Terry Kelly have today welcomed the news that the New Tannahill Centre has been awarded a grant of nearly a £1million from the Big Lottery Fund...(Read More).

MP Awaits Commencement of Work on Moorpark Big Lottery Fund Project
Following a meeting with representatives of the Big Lottery Fund, Jim Sheridan MP is awaiting the commencement of work on a special initiative which will see a minimum of £1million invested in Moorpark in Renfrew...(Read More).

Jim Sheridan encouraged by Stagecoach’s Amfibus Trial
Local MP Jim Sheridan has today welcomed a proposed trial of an Amfibus next week between Renfrew and Yoker...(Read More).

Renfrewshire MP remembers Holocaust Victims
Local MP Jim Sheridan yesterday pledged his commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day by signing a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons to honour those who perished in the Holocaust...(Read More).

Local Politicians dismayed by SPT Decision to Cancel Renfrew Ferry
Renfrew politicians Jim Sheridan & Wendy Alexander have reacted with dismay to the decision of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to approve their budget plan which will end 500 years of history by scrapping the Renfrew Ferry...(Read More).

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Local MP concerned by Tories refusal to commit to Aircraft Carrier Contract
25th February 2010

Local MP Jim Sheridan has today expressed concern at the refusal of the Conservatives to commit to the aircraft carrier contract announced last year by the current Labour Government. The contract will give a much needed boost to Clyde shipbuilding and will see many new jobs created whilst safeguard employment for existing staff.

Speaking from his constituency office Mr Sheridan said, “I am deeply concerned that following a meeting between shop stewards and Tory Shadow Defence spokesman Liam Fox that no guarantee was made to ensure the contract goes ahead. A large number of my constituents work in the shipyards which are dependent on these contracts to continue operating.”

The vessels, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales have been scheduled to enter service towards the end of the decade and provide the Royal Navy with the means to meet Britain’s defence and peace-keeping commitments worldwide.

Mr Sheridan carried on to say, “Despite the fact that the Royal Navy needs these new ships to replace our ageing aircraft carriers I am appalled that the Tories refused to guarantee the carriers and that Liam Fox indicated that on the first day of a Tory government he would look at a 'break clause' allowing them to pull out of the contract. The Tories are risking thousands of Scottish shipbuilding jobs and this is a slap in the face to all the workers seeking assurances about their future. For aircraft carriers and the Royal Navy the choice is clear - safe with Labour or sunk with the Tories."

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Local Politicians welcome Lottery Funding for Tannahill Centre Refurbishment
9th February 2010

Ferguslie Park MP Jim Sheridan MSP Wendy Alexander along with Councillor Terry Kelly have today welcomed the news that the New Tannahill Centre has been awarded a grant of nearly a £1million from the Big Lottery Fund.

Mr Sheridan said, “This is a great boost for the people of Ferguslie Park. The £980,000 Growing Community Assets grant which will be spread over two years will support major refurbishment and improvements to the Tannahill Centre a key facility for local residents. The grant will be used to enable the Centre to provide attractive facilities to support a range of activities and also provide office premises for Ferguslie Park Housing Association and various community groups. It will also provide new facilities such as a fitness gym, small business units, and a computer training suite. The Big Lottery Fund estimate that 2,000 people in the local area together with 30 organisations will benefit from this grant.”

Partnership funding has been secured from the European Regional Development Fund and Ferguslie Park Housing Association. Other funding is not yet secured but is anticipated to come from Scottish Government Wider Role and Scottish Investment Fund.

Councillor Terry Kelly said “I am delighted by this award and look forward to exciting times ahead for the Tannahill Centre and its owners. This will be a great resource for the people of Ferguslie Park and I look forward to work commencing on this project.”

Wendy Alexander MSP said, “This is great news for Ferguslie and this grant will give a new lease of life to the Tannahill Centre making sure it is fit for purpose for the next decade. I would like to congratulate Ferguslie Park Housing Association for putting together such an impressive bid.”

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MP Awaits Commencement of Work on Moorpark Big Lottery Fund Project
5th February 2010

Following a meeting with representatives of the Big Lottery Fund, Jim Sheridan MP is awaiting the commencement of work on a special initiative which will see a minimum of £1million invested in Moorpark in Renfrew.

Speaking from his constituency office the Labour politician said, “This is a truly significant investment and I am pleased that work will soon commence in Moorpark as part of the Big Lottery Fund’s ‘Our Place’ programme. This initiative will provide lottery investment in an area which has sadly not seen the expected level of grants over the past three years. ‘Our Place’ is a pilot scheme for a new way of working for the Big Lottery Fund, which will see the BLF and communities working more closely together to stimulate demand and ensure that the needs and aspirations of local people are reflected in the lottery funding they receive. I think that this is important as Lottery funding should be about what the community wants and needs.”

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Jim Sheridan encouraged by Stagecoach’s Amfibus Trial
4th February 2010

Local MP Jim Sheridan has today welcomed a proposed trial of an Amfibus next week between Renfrew and Yoker.

Speaking from Westminster the Renfrew politician said, “Stagecoach’s Amfibus can travel by both water and road, will be put on a two-day trial between Renfrew and Yoker next Monday. Whilst not open to fare-paying passengers during the trial it would seem that Stagecoach have seen the continuing demand for a river crossing. The planned withdrawal of the SPT run Renfrew Ferry is a bad blow and keeping a river crossing in some capacity is most welcome.”

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Renfrewshire MP remembers Holocaust Victims
28th January 2010

Local MP Jim Sheridan yesterday pledged his commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day by signing a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons to honour those who perished in the Holocaust.

Holocaust Memorial Day which takes place each year on 27th January marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration and extermination camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Speaking after adding his name to the Book of Commitment Mr Sheridan said, “Holocaust Survivors are extraordinary people. We have a duty to them to pass on the lessons of the Holocaust to future generations. Holocaust Memorial Day gives us an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of Holocaust Survivors, to commemorate the millions who died under Hitler’s regime and to commit to a future free from racism and discrimination.”

Karen Pollock, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust said “We are delighted that Jim Sheridan is supporting Holocaust Memorial Day. Remembering and learning about the Holocaust is more important now than ever before. This year’s theme, ‘The Legacy of Hope’ highlights the important role young people have to play in taking the Survivors’ mantle forward and educating their peers about the Holocaust.

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Local Politicians dismayed by SPT Decision to Cancel Renfrew Ferry
22nd January 2010

Renfrew politicians Jim Sheridan & Wendy Alexander have reacted with dismay to the decision of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to approve their budget plan which will end 500 years of history by scrapping the Renfrew Ferry.

On hearing the decision the Labour MP said, “This is very disappointing. I had hoped that given the strength of feeling demonstrated by the people of Renfrewshire that the SPT would have seen this proposal as a mistake and reconsidered their position. The SPT are required by statute to produce a balanced budget and whilst recognising this would have preferred if alternatives to closing the ferry could have been brought forward. I am still investigating alternatives including private financing and assure the people of Renfrew that I will do all I can to keep the ferry going in some capacity.”

Wendy Alexander MSP said, “This short-sighted decision is a slap in the face to everyone who campaigned to keep the Ferry link. It is a second big blow after the axing of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link. I am calling on Scotland’s Transport Minister to step in. The Scottish Government saved £175m when the axed G.A.R.L. Just a tenth of this would pay for a new footbridge over the river and one twentieth of this could keep the Ferry open. It is time to stop ripping off Renfrewshire.”

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