The road to holyrood
Report of our Journey to the Scottish Parliament
It has been a long road, but finally we arrived at Holyrood on the
20th November, after a campaign which involved a team effort from
you, the members. Through raising the awareness for the campaign we
received 2234 signatures from Scottish postal codes on our petition
and many good comments and statements of support for the need for
facilities.
Our young members Kaley McLean, Marc Sinet, Claire Komar, Andrew
Waddell, Nicole Moran and Ryan McDonald attended over the three
days, and played a very important role in manning the Exhibition
“The Solution is here in Scotland” promoting their passion as riders
for their hobby/sport to Ministers and MSPs.
A petition has been lodged by Bob Reid, on behalf of Scottish Auto
Cycle Union and North Lanarkshire Scramble and Quad Bike Club,
calling for the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government
to review planning and environmental regulations to allow for the
provision of safe local and national off road motorcycle facilities
this includes a Centre of Excellence in North Lanarkshire, as a way
of tackling anti-social behaviour, promoting youth citizenship and
improving health. The petition will come before the Petition
Committee on the 15th of January to which we may be asked to give
evidence and asked questions from Committee members. This committee
will decide if the request within our Petition should be referred to
the Scottish Government to be considered.
We have also been instructed by the First Minister to have a meeting
with his Minister for Communities and Sport, Stewart Maxwell to
discuss the topic. It is worthy of note that our petition is
attempting to resolve issues with the current planning legislation,
and seek a national review in the need for facilities throughout
Scotland with a Centre of Excellence in North Lanarkshire
We
were pleased to present Karen Whitefield MSP with a NLSQBC Honorary
Membership for her support to young riders and sponsoring the club
at Holyrood
The Youth Council also sent a letter seeking support from the
Scottish Youth Parliament.
At North Lanarkshire local level, I would like to thank all of our
members who attended their local Community Planning Consultation to
promote the need for facilities. These meetings were held throughout
North Lanarkshire, along with Youth Council members who also
attended a Young People’s meeting with the Planners concerning Open
Spaces in North Lanarkshire.
It is through members being pro active, along with the club working
with Communities, Council, Police and other agencies helping to
resolve local illegal biking problems
The need to address illegal biking is through being able to create
facilities. That is what is paramount, “facilities are the main
missing link”
I was pleased on behalf of SACU to launch at Holyrood their National
Leisure and Recreation Rider Licence which will be introduced as
soon as we know what outcome and support may come from the Scottish
Government. Thanks to all who assisted , signed the petition and all
members involved.
The club would like to thank you all.
We are jointly, with North Lanarkshire Council, NLSQBC - SACU and
the National Steering Group, intending to host a National Conference
in 2008
