Should Council Tax Sponsor This?

Carnoustie Golf Hotel and Course (Editor's photo)

Angus councillors will be asked this week to plough £50,000 into the Senior Open Golf Championship which is being held at Carnoustie next year.

Members of the local authority's strategic policy committee are being recommended to agree to sponsor the event in light of an anticipated £1.7m benefit to the local community.

The Senior Open Golf Championship is now firmly positioned as the top competition of the senior golf circuit, ensuring the participation of golf's greatest senior players from Europe, the USA and the rest of the world. It's likely to attract over 140 world-class players and bring significant media exposure and positive economic impact on the local and Scottish economies.

Golf is a wealthy sport so does it require council tax cash from the good people of Angus? I can think of many deserving causes which could use £50,000 other than a golf match. On these occasions local authorities provide extra policing and ambulance services, as well as increased pressures on other council services - isn't that enough?

No doubt Angus council will give the nod to this sponsorship but I wonder how many Angus council tax payers would like to be told how their money is to be spent.

Source: Courier

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New Herald Website

Andy Murray, in the early hours of this morning, defeated the American Taylor Dent in straight sets to reach the fourth round of the US Open. Riveting tennis it was and well worth the loss of sleep.

See the report at the Herald's new website which has gone live today. I rather like the design, far more streamlined.

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It's No Different for Our Soldiers Today

Our soldiers are suffering, many because of physical injuries but thousands with mental injuries. We have politicians who are happy to send our soldiers to a war which has no plan or slightest chance of success and we're happy to wipe our hands of them when the poor souls are discharged, because they can no longer be cannon fodder.

We don't shoot soldiers like Harry Farr anymore. We just ignore them and let them exist in their own living hell. Shame on our governments for not trying to help those who offer their lives to protect us. Without the professionalism and expertise of our military this country would not exist as we know it.

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Scottish University Bosses Awarded Huge Pay Increases

Scottish university bosses have seen their wages soar despite warnings that hundreds of lecturers and staff may be about to lose their jobs. The average salary of a university principal in the last financial year was £222,000, up 10% on the previous year.

The highest paid principal was Sir Muir Russell, the former civil servant who presided over the Scottish Parliament building fiasco. In his role as head of Glasgow University (pictured above), he received an annual wage of £249,000, a grace-and-favour home and £35,000 towards his pension.

His counterpart in Edinburgh Sit Timothy O'Shea, was paid £228,000 and also receives a rent-free house, chauffeur-driven car and £47,000 in pension benefits.

The biggest pay rise went to Heriot-Watt university principal Anton Muscatelli, who is due to replace Sir Muir at Glasgow in October. His annual salary rocketed by almost 19% last year to £194,727.

Although universities are run as independent charities at least half of their funding comes from taxpayers.

Laura Laws, convenor of the Coalition of Higher Education Students in Scotland said, "We have to accept that the principals of our universities do an excellent job for less money than they would be earning in the private sector."

There's that old chestnut again, these worthies would receive so much more in the private sector. Are we expected to believe that? I don't believe it for a minute because, if it was true, they'd be off like a shot. Let's be honest, who, in private business, would employ Muir Russell after the absolute mess he made of the Scottish Parliament building project.

Don't forget the salaries are only part of the deal. I know the property in which the last principal of Dundee university lived and it's possibly worth well over £750,000 and, as you can imagine, situated in a rather select part of the city. I couldn't hazard a guess at how much it would cost a month to rent.

It is not my intention to imply all university principals are greedy, but it certainly looks that way. After all aren't they just run-of-the-mill accountants these days?

Source: Sunday Post

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FBI Doesn't Do Diplomacy

The FBI phoned a Scots police force in the middle of the night and demanded Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill's address after he freed the Lockerbie bomber.

The Lothian and Borders force was told at 2am an official from the US embassy wanted to deliver a letter from FBI Director Robert Mueller.

Mr Mueller was so furious at the decision to release the bomber he wanted the letter hand-delivered. He had ordered an official from London to travel to Edinburgh, hand over the letter and wait while Mr MacAskill gave a response.

Lothian and Borders police refused to give out the details but contacted officials at the Justice Secretary's private office. They informed the FBI there were set procedures in such cases and delivering a message to Mr MacAskill at his home in the middle of the night was out of the question.

The FBI chief's actions have sparked political fury at Holyrood. They were told they couldn't phone up and demand the home address of a cabinet minister of another country. Also they were informed that the letter could be handed to the night doorman at St Andrew's House, the HQ of the Scottish Government in Edinburgh, and it would be passed to Mr MacAskill in the morning.

In the event, Mr Mueller's angry letter was emailed to Mr MacAskill's office next day.

Christine Grahame, SNP MSP, sums up my opinion about Mr Mueller:

The last few weeks have clearly been a wake-up call for certain establishment figures in the US, including Texan Mr Mueller, who are clearly used to throwing their diplomatic weight around on the international stage, she said.

That might work in Texas but it won't cut much ice in West Lothian.

It will fuel doubts over the FBI's competency if it has to phone a poor duty sergeant at Lothian and Borders Police in the early hours to secure the address of Scotland's Justice Secretary.

Trevor Royle writes about the US/UK's 'special relationship' in today's Sunday Herald.

Source: Sunday Post

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Let's Insist the DFID Spend our Money Wisely

The above flask can save millions of lives. The Department for International Development gives billions of our money to other countries yet millions of people continue to die.

Guido has highlighted the need for the Westminster government to ensure part of the money given to 'developing' countries is centred on providing clean water for their people. I entirely agree with him about wasting money on propaganda videos showing Douglas Alexander wishing folk in Bangladesh a Happy Ramadan. That is an insult to those dying of dehydration in countries where they can't even break their fast with a drink of water.

We do need to start protesting about where our hard-earned tax goes. Remember, our MPs are there to represent us and to question those in government as to where our money goes. Will the conservatives make a difference to the distribution of DFID monies? I won't hold my breath.

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Subrosa's Super Seven blogs

Adam Smith Institute - Spending on Scotland

All Seeing Eye - Paying to March?

Clairwil - All Hail Lubna ‘whip me if you dare’ Hussein

Daniel1979 - Female Genital Mutilation

The Daily Rant - Choosing Independence

The Red Rag - On devolution it’s further development or end

Visions of Johanna - Keep your friends close and your enemies closer (new Scottish blog)

Chips and Cheese to:

Key Bored Warrior - Black Farce

The Lone Voice - Peter Davies, Mayor of Doncaster

underdogs bite upwards - NHS Soul Doctors

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Afghanistan - Gordon Brown at the IISS

Gordon Brown's speech to validate having our troops in Afghanistan.

"A new crucible of terrorism has therefore emerged."

Courtesy of The Daily Politics

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Gordon Brown - The Sick Man of Europe?

I can't let this post from Anna Raccoon go unnoticed by some of the blogosphere. As Anna says she cannot name names, but it certainly fits in with my thoughts and perhaps many others. She is one of the writers on Old Holborn's blog who has my admiration.

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For My Irish Friends

My thanks to ScunnertNation

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Iain MacWhirter on Afghanistan

For those of my readers who have never heard of Iain MacWhirter, he is one of Scotland's top freelance journalists. He is also Rector of Edinburgh University.

Today he has a meritorious post about Afghanistan on his blog. It can be read it here.

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Eric Joyce MP Resigns as PPS

It is widely reported in the MSM today that Eric Joyce, MP for Falkirk, has resigned his position as PPS to the Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth. His letter of resignation can be read here.

In my humble opinion Mr Joyce should have resigned the post some weeks ago when he initially spoke up about the war in Afghanistan, but better late than never. Was it the death this week of two soldiers belonging to one of his old regiments that forced his decision? No, it appears he told Bob Ainsworth some weeks ago he intended to resign the post.

Mr Ainsworth's response to the resignation is a disgrace from a discredited defence secretary:

"Eric Joyce is, of course, entitled to his opinion and whilst we thank him for his service as a junior parliamentary aide, it is vital that we have a leadership team that is fully committed to our mission in Afghanistan. The picture he paints is not one that I nor many people within the MoD recognise, whether military or civilian.

"Everyone in defence, and the wider government, is fully committed to ensuring that our forces succeed in the operations on which they are engaged in Afghanistan, and that they have the necessary equipment and support to do the job. Our mission in Afghanistan is vital to our national security. We will not walk away from that responsibility."

Mr Joyce left the army under a cloud after writing a series of articles criticising the army. Why he rejoined after leaving the Black Watch to gain a university degree in Religious Studies, is anyone's guess, as he should have realised by then he could not change army culture overnight. I agree the army has what could be called an 'old fashioned' or non-pc culture at times but it is not going to be swept away overnight or even over a generation because is what has made our military one of the best in the world and it still works today.

What has forced his hand now? Does he realise he has little chance of being re-elected in Falkirk at the next general election?

Who knows. He may have restricted himself from employment as an RO (retired officer) because of the stooshie surrounding his discharge from the army, but being an ex-MP will open doors for him. I'd start planning now Mr Joyce, it's not long until 2010.

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FMQs Thursday 3 September 2009

My satellite reception has been affected all day with the never ceasing torrential rain which has been causing flooding throughout Scotland, but I did manage to hear some of FMQs on radio and have just viewed it on iPlayer.

I won't analysis it party by party and most readers will already have watched the programme by this time of night, but I would like to mention Annabel Goldie's question.

"... or was it involved in dubious deals and nudge winks diplomacy. Can I ask the First Minister, in all his dealing with Arab States, seeking money for his Scottish Futures Trust, did the issue of Mr Al-Megrahi's release ever come into play or was it raised in any form?"

Then she continued to mention 'suspicious facts' concerning correspondence with Arab States and the Qatari government.

The FM's response was firm and positive - "All documents have been published" and "Any correspondent who mentioned Al-Megrahi was given exactly the same answer - the Justice Minister was dealing with the issue."

Ms Goldie's question was quite sinister. She implied that deals were done during trade visits to Arab States and in particular Qatar. As Alex Salmond replied she ought to read the correspondence again and stop inserting nonsense between the lines.

A small matter - when did the opposition parties start calling the Scottish government the 'Salmond Government'? Was the last government the 'McConnell government'? No. I wish the opposition would stop this behaviour, it degrades the standing of our Parliament.

Tavish Scott, (nice tie today Tavish), wanted help for the victims' families and asked how the First Minister could help. Alex Salmond reported he is in talks with the Scottish Criminal Revenue Commission which is responsible for publishing the material and he will continue to ask if further documents can be published if they would be helpful to people, over and above the publications of 2007.

In response to Margo MacDonald and her request for a Scottish inquiry to be instigated, the FM stated an inquiry is beyond the jurisdiction of Scottish Courts or Scottish inquiries but if any legitimate international authority does launch an inquiry, the Scottish government would fully co-operate.

All in all a fiesty half hour today. This is not the end of the Megrahi case by any means as I think some of the opposition parties will continue to imply the documents are full of ambiguities.

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An MP Speaks Out

Courtesy of ConservativeHome

David Davies is conservative MP for Monmouth and a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee. Finally an MP has spoken out about the disgraceful attitude of our politicians towards our war dead.

Part of his article reads:

Ministers should be present at as many funerals of service personnel as possible. Currently it is their policy to attend none. That is reprehensible.

The MoD claim, ludicrously, that attending funerals would give publicity to the terrorist cause. Nonsense. The funerals are widely publicised in any event. The ones I have been to have all been attended by the Lord Lieutenant – the Queen's representative - and the appearance of a Minister would be unlikely to make them any more noticeable to members of the Taliban hiding out in the Hindu Kush.

The reluctance of Ministers to pay tribute to servicemen who have lost their lives in Afghanistan is in marked contrast to the honour rightly paid to PC Stephen Carroll who was gunned down by the Continuity IRA earlier this year. His funeral was attended by numerous politicians from Northern Ireland as well as the Secretary of State Shaun Woodward.

Will Westminster politicians take note? I doubt it. Our military don't matter to them as none has a close family member serving. If they did then I'm sure much more thought would be put into decisions to send our military to wars. It's far more important for Westminster to be friends with the US rather than look after our own people and interests.

I disagree with government ministers attending funerals, unless the family request it, but representation should be made at Brize Norton where our fallen return home.

What makes me think none has the stomach to appear?

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garydunionMargo MacDonald on top form: "I can't see why Alex Johnstone's persisting with... ach, no, maybe I can."about 2 hours ago from web

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IRRV

The IRRV is holding a two day conference at the luxurious Crieff Hydro Hotel in Perthshire. Why is this of interest and importance to Scotland?

The IRRV is the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation and it will be looking into the main options for local taxation reform. It is the UK's leading professional body in the field of local authority revenues.

All Scotland's political parties have clarified their positions.

The SNP recently announced that its plans to introduce a local income tax to replace the council tax will be postponed until after the 2011 elections.

The Scottish Labour Party said it is committed to a reformed property-based tax.

The Scottish libdems support a local income tax, with local authorities being given the power to vary the rate locally.

The Scottish tories want a reform of council tax.

A spokesman for the IRRV said that the Institute regards the time as 'being right' for it to take a leading part in the debate about what local taxation system would best serve the needs of Scotland.

The inquiry will look into council tax valuation, council tax administration and council tax benefit administration.

"It is vitally important that any system properly takes into account the ability to pay," said Brian Jeffrey, IRRV Scottish Association president.

"We have an opportunity to be bold and innovative and to tailor a local taxation system that suits the needs of the Scottish people, without sacrificing the financial stability of local authority services. The IRRV's committee of inquiry will explore all key options for buoyant sources of local funding and will consider what the best local taxation options are for Scotland."

The result of this inquiry will affect all of us.

Source: Courier

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Magrahi Release Debate - A Few Links

Rather than write an assessment of yesterday's Megrahi release debate in the Scottish Parliament, I thought it may be helpful to some readers if I posted a few links which I found interesting.

Robbie Dunwoodie - The Megrahi Dossier - Why he was set free)

Magnus Linklater - Salmond loses the vote, but not necessarily the argument

Caron's Musings - A Morning at the Pantomime

Andrew Sparrow - Holyrood debates Megrahi release - live

Independent - Scottish Government loses Lockerbie vote

Daily Telegraph - Scottish Parliament overwhelmingly rejects Lockerbie bomber release

RTE - Regret over 'inappropriate' Megrahi return

Wall Street Journal - UK Denies a Role in Lockerbie Release

Chicago Tribune - Britain's role questioned

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The Diageo Business

As some workers looked on from the public gallery today, John Swinney updated the Scottish Parliament on the campaign to try to save the jobs of 700 Diageo workers. A further 200 workers may lose their jobs at the Glasgow distillery. Drinks giant Diageo announced at the start of July that it wants to shut the bottling plant in Kilmarnock but create 400 jobs at the packaging plant in Leven, where there would be an £86m expansion programme.

Mr Swinney also estimated that the cost to the public sector for every job lost may be as much as £20,000 a year.

"Nine hundred job losses in the west of Scotland, particularly in the current economic climate, represent a body blow, not only to the individuals likely to be affected, but to the wider community and local economies."

He said the fact that Diageo had not approached either the Scottish Government or Scottish Enterprise before it made its announcement is a "matter of real regret."

Alternative proposals were agreed last week by a task force which has brought together trade unions, local authorities, Scottish Enterprise and politicians. If adopted, the proposals may see production continue in the Glasgow distillery, together with a new plant created in Kilmarnock.

Where does this leave Fife? Central Fife MSP Tricia Marwick has warned that she will not accept anything that threatens the long-term future of Diageo's operations in her constituency as the row continues.

Mrs Marwick said "I will not accept any proposals which could affect the long-term future of Diageo's bottling plant in Leven or the distillery at Cameronbridge. My first duty is to the people who elected me to put their interests first and that is what I intend to do."

She added, "In my view a new bottling plant in Kilmarnock threatens the long-term future of Leven."

I'm sure we all understand the dilemma here but how much more interference will Diageo take before they throw up their hands and say, "Enough"?

One solution already muted is that Diageo could turn Kilmarnock into a Johnnie Walker Heritage Centre which could employ many of those whose jobs would go. People come from all over the world to visit whisky distilleries and with Johnnie Walker being a top seller there is no doubt it would quickly attract visitors.

As for Tricia Marwick, I applaud her stance. She ignored calls at the weekend to boycott the Diageo sponsored Johnnie Walker golf tournament at Gleneagles and attended to give her support.

Businesses will be watching this matter carefully. Our politicians can't afford to mishandle it and be more of a hinderance than a help.

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Trump's Tortuous Tactics

Donald Trump, after receiving permission from the Scottish government to go ahead with his golf course complex in Aberdeenshire, gave Susan Munro his personal assurances that he did not need her land.

"The last thing Mr Trump said to me was Susan, I don't need your house, I don't need your land, I have plenty, we'll be good neighbours'. It's been my home for almost 30 years, but the council will just give in to Trump.

"This is only the start. Aberdeenshire has made a big mistake letting them in because nobody is going to benefit at the end of the day except Trump. It's our heritage, a protected bit of land."

Ms Munro has lived at Leyton Cottage for the past 28 years and now Formartine Area Committee has agreed the magnate will be allowed to expand the development to include five 'parcels' of land the tycoon is yet to acquire. The Committee voted nine to two in favour of recommendations to grant planning permission.

Of the five areas of land, situated in and around the site of the two proposed golf courses, four are privately owned by locals and a car park is owned by Aberdeenshire Council. Despite not having included them in the original planning outline, Trump International Golf Links Scotland (TIGLS) now insists they are a 'must-have' in order to create a 'world-class destination'.

Donald Trump Jnr and project director George Sorial insisted the organisation would continue to negotiate with the affected landowners and were hopeful a resolution could be met before moving to compulsory purchase orders.

The four home owners intend to challenge the current applications in court.

Why Formartine Area Committee voted in favour of the planning permission I have no idea. What I do know is that Donald Trump and his band of merry men are bullies. When the Trump project was first given the go-ahead by John Swinney, folk I know who live in the area told me Trump would want more and more land. I didn't believe them. I do now.

This project is becoming more and more distasteful with every day that passes.

Source: Herald

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Poll Result

37% In Favour

9% Can Take It or Leave It

46% Against

8% haven't seen it

Far more people than I ever imagined voted - making a grand total of 186. Quite a close poll don't you think? Maybe Scotland is ready for more contemporary buildings.

May I thank everyone who participated and/or gave their opinion in comments. I'm sure many of us were interested in individual perceptions of the building.

While I'm on the subject of thanks, I would like to say how much I appreciate the continued support of all my followers and readers. You contribute so much with your excellent comments and debate.

I also owe a debt of gratitude to my eagle-eyed readers who email me links to stories knowing I may well have missed them.

To each and every one of you my sincere thanks.

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Handfasting

A Dundee bride chose to follow her legal wedding service with a less orthodox marriage ceremony.

The second ceremony was an ancient Celtic handfasting ritual, in which their hands were tied together to symbolise their union.

Kevin and Gail Griffiths decided they wanted something special for their wedding day and this was something Gail, who is originally from Dundee, wanted to do.

The ceremony would traditionally bind the couple together for a year and a day, to allow them to decide whether they wished to spend their lives together. After that time they could either walk away or have it blessed and stay married.

Handfasting is a ceremony not a service but was still legally accepted in Scotland until 1940. This style of ceremony was recognised by clans as a formal union and is the origin for the phrase 'tying the knot'.

Some years ago I attended a wedding which included a handfasting ceremony and it was very moving. The couple both had strong clan ties and the ceremony was performed by the groom's clan chief. In the film Braveheart didn't William Wallace enact his own handfasting?

Source: Courier

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Ireland and the Lisbon Treaty

Courtesy of ScunnertNation

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Megrahi Decision

The decision to release Al Megrahi on compassionate grounds continues to create a furore in the MSM. Today a former diplomat with close business links to the Gadaffi regime has said that the Scottish and UK governments may have done "some kind of deal" with Libya to release the Lockerbie bomber.

Oliver Miles (pictured above), a former UK ambassador to Libya, said that there was "something fishy" in the coincidence that Abdul Baset Ali al-Megrahi's lawyers filed his application to the Scottish court to drop his appeal on 12 August, the same day that the BBC broke the story of his imminent release. "I cannot know what exactly happened but I believe that the UK and Scottish government wanted the appeal to be dropped and somehow it was dropped," said Mr Miles. Mr Miles doesn't appear to be saying anything of substance which makes me wonder if he why the Times bothered to quote him. Maybe he has a book in the offing.

The Scotsman is reporting Whitehall is prepared to publish, later today, 'all relevant' correspondence with the Scottish government in regard to the release of Al Megrahi. More background papers are also due to be published by the Scottish government, before tomorrow's debate on the issue. Let's hope the redacting is not excessive.

I must draw your attention to this excellent post by Calum Cashley. Calum has taken a serious interest in this subject and explains the reasons why Kenny MacAskill's meeting with Megrahi was legal as well as being right.

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Afghanistan Toll Rises to 210

The Ministry of Defence announced the deaths, in Afghanistan, of two soldiers from the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal REgiment of Scotland yesterday.

This takes the total number of deaths of UK service personnel since operations began in 2001 to 210.

The two were killed in an explosion while on a foot patrol north of Lashkar Gah District, southern Helmand on Monday morning.

This occurred on the day the US General Stanley McChrystal reported the situation as "serious" but that success was achievable through a revised strategy, commitment and resolve. Meanwhile Gordon Brown insisted we were making good progress in the war in Afghanistan and there were no serious problems. Does the man never listen to what he's told?

May I ask you to spend a few minutes reading the latest post from Michael Yon. He is with our troops in Afghanistan and his comprehensive reporting, accompanied by his exceptional photography, show the hellish conditions and situations in which our soldiers work. (Thanks to fitaloon for the link.)

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