UkPoliBlog: Composite feed : Scottish Blogs http://www.voidstar.com/ukpoliblog/cid/6 A composite feed created from all the items we collect from UK Political Blogs EN julian_bond@voidstar.com Music of the week : Holyrood Chronicles http://holyroodchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/02/music-of-week.html http://holyroodchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/02/music-of-week.html Goodwein & Muir Russell:The Knight Who Made A Wrong Business Decision and The Knight Who Robbed Us of £400 Million By Deliberate Fraud : A Place to Stand http://a-place-to-stand.blogspot.com/2012/02/knight-who-made-wrong-business-decision.html       I sent this letter out to numerous newspapers today, regarding the different standards applied to Sir Fred Goodwin and Sir Andrew Muir Russell who, unless he is lying to protect the politicos, is certainly guilty of a deliberate fraud of the Scottish people, worth £400 million. If he is lying he is, of course, still guilty of such fraud but so are a large number of Scotland's top politicians.

       The fact that they got off with this theft obviously encourages even greater thefts over the trams (probably about £1 billion) and the new Forth bridge (£2.3 bn)

       I suspect that our media is indeed so wholly censored that it is impossible to get any mention of frauds far worse than anything Goodwin is accused of anywhere in the MSM even simply in lettercolunns. However I am willing to test that assessment and will let you know if any newspaper feels able to publish anything on the subject that is not government approved.

    On a similar note of hypocrisy watch out for the shennigans we will see over Chris Huhne's forthcoming trial for perverting the course of justice. The facts in this case have been uindisoputable (and indeed not factually disputed even by Huhne) for many months, but already the rest ofr the political nomenklatura are lining up to say what a fine fellow he is.
------------------------------------------------------------
Sir,


Looking at the wide range of politicians enthusing over the decision to remove Sir Fred Goodwin's knighthood it is difficult to avoid seeing hypocrisy. These are the same politicians (and civil servants) who gave him total support on the way up. I personally find Jackie Stewart's public support of Sir Fred infinitely more honourable than the kicking when he is down being given by our "great and good" in politics.
Double standards are clearly evident evident when we compare the treatment of Sir Fred and Sir Andrew Muir Russell, formerly Scotland's chief civil servant. Nobody sensible suggests that Fred had deliberately broken his bank (or indeed could wish to) but Sir Andrew told the "Inquiry" into how £400 million was wasted on the Scottish parliament building, that he had personally concealed the overspend from the politicians in charge & was duly criticised for doing so.
It is true that be doing so he protected the good name of all the politicians involved, since they thus could not have known of the overspend unless they had read newspapers or spoken to any member of the public. Nonetheless Sir Andrew had thereby admitted to a deliberate deception robbing the Scottish people of around £400 million pounds - a morally far worse act than Sir Fred's honest errors.
Obviously every honest politician who supports this treatment of Sir Fred must have spent the last decade publicly calling for the removal of Sir Andrew's knighthood but I must admit no example of such political honesty springs to mind.
Indeed not only has Muir Russell not lost his honours he has been rewarded with a long series of other politically controlled appointments. These include Principal of the University of Glasgow where he attracted much criticism for his handling of the 2006 lecturers' strike, as well as attempts to close the University's Crichton Campus in Dumfries and for receiving pay rises which were much greater than the rate of inflation; also as Chair of the Scottish Judicial appointments Commission, which one might have expected to go to somebody not accused of such activities; and chair of the University of East Anglia's Climategate Enquiry where he managed to avoid taking evidence from sceptics and was thus able to say he had found no evidence of significant wrongdoing.
By doing so he protected the good name of the scientists and politicians promoting catastrophic global warming. However if a serious investigation of government integrity, competence or honesty were desired and the only candidates to run it were Sir Fred and Sir Andrew I know which one I would want to do it.


Neil Craig
Ref - The reference to Muir Rusell taking the blame for having hidden the cost from the innocent little politicians and the criticism of his subsequent record in Glasgow Uni is taken from wikipedia and is part of the public record. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muir_Russell Indeed anecdotally I can confirm that those at the university at the time are likely to express much more unfavourable opinions of his appointment.
I will be interested to see whether

(A) the same standards are used in media coverage of civil servants, supported by government and businessmen niot so supported bit certainly not guilty of deliberate dishonesty or

(B) the British medai are so wholly censored in the government interest that it is impossible to get any reporting at all, even if limited to the letters page which is the last refuge of governmentally unapproved views, of matters matching the stuff put in the headlines.
]]> http://a-place-to-stand.blogspot.com/2012/02/knight-who-made-wrong-business-decision.html Occupy eviction: court delay : Southside & Newington Newsblog http://cameronrose.blogspot.com/2012/02/occupy-eviction-court-delay.html


Edinburgh Council's application to the Sheriff Court for an eviction order has been continued until next Friday to allow Occupy to gain legal advice.

Sheriff Kathrine Mackie said she would grant them time to obtain legal advice 'on a matter which in not necessarily straight forward'.  Details here from the BBC.

Meanwhile, if their spokesman Mike Ferrigan has been reported accurately, it is unfortunate for Occupy to resort to a threat against the Council if they are not granted alternative premises.  The threat of 'direct action' is certainly not something I have heard from those various members of Occupy with whom I have spoken.

If true, it rather nails the expressed desire for 'democracy' which characterised my discussions with them earlier in the week.  They are, of course, free to obtain the use of council or other empty property on the same terms as anyone else - namely that they pay the rent and convince the owner that they are responsible occupiers.
]]> http://cameronrose.blogspot.com/2012/02/occupy-eviction-court-delay.html Worth a try : Holyrood Chronicles http://holyroodchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/02/worth-try.html http://holyroodchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/02/worth-try.html More Than One Holocaust - A Guest Post : SUBROSA http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/bUee/~3/Vo2IHBDqZeo/more-than-one-holocaust-guest-post.html A guest post from Edward Spalton.


The following is a copy of a letter I sent to my local paper. My original headline was "More than one Holocaust" - but the Derby Telegraph never will leave my headlines alone!  Dr. Saros Kavina is a retired apparatchik of the race relations industry who frequently writes to say how beastly and racist Britain is. A while  ago, he actually wrote that Stalin was preferable to Hitler because he was not "racist"!



SAROS Kavina gave us a timely reminder that we should not forget the horrors of the Nazi holocaust.
Many of the officials involved (called Schreibtischtaeter in German - desk criminals) went on to successful post-war careers in German and European politics, administration and industry.
Yet the notoriety of the Nazi horror somehow eclipses the far greater slaughter inflicted by Communist regimes in the name of the workers of the world and the brotherhood of man.
So far, nothing has outstripped the 70 million who were "deprived of existence" by the Chinese Communist regime, although Soviet Russia's executioners and starvation camp commandants far outdid the scale of Hitler's beastliness.
The historian Robert Conquest was the first to quantify the scale of the Soviet Terror and he composed a rather grim limerick as a reminder:
There was an old Marxist called Lenin,
Who did one or two million men in.
That's a lot to have done in, but where he did one in,
That old Marxist Stalin did ten in.
The French parliament recently passed a law making it an offence to deny the genocide of Christian Armenians by the Muslim Turkish Empire in 1915.
Oddly enough, Heinrich Himmler used this example to quieten his lieutenants' fears of retribution.
"Who remembers the Armenians now?" he asked in the thirties. Well, it seems the French do.
A historian or apologist for the Turks might deny the fact of this genocide in Britain.
He could then be extradited to France for this new offence under the European Arrest Warrant.
A crime does not have to be committed in the country issuing the warrant and you can be arrested and extradited to any EU country for offences which are not crimes under British law.
So much for freedom of speech in the supposedly democratic EU.
Edward Spalton

]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/bUee/~3/Vo2IHBDqZeo/more-than-one-holocaust-guest-post.html Bit of a comedown if it's no? : Holyrood Chronicles http://holyroodchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/02/bit-of-comedown-if-its-no.html http://holyroodchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/02/bit-of-comedown-if-its-no.html Day 5: Occupiers threaten 'Direct action' : Southside & Newington Newsblog http://cameronrose.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-5-occupiers-threaten-direct-action.html


New tent added (now 8)Eviction papers have been served on the occupiers of the Occupy camp in the Meadows.  Today a sheriff is considering whether to grant an eviction order.

It is reported that one of the leaders of the group have threatened 'direct action' against the council in response. They want the city to provide a site for them.
]]> http://cameronrose.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-5-occupiers-threaten-direct-action.html Our budget priorities : Pupils before Council Offices : Cllr Fraser Macpherson - LibDem Councillor for Dundee's West End - www.dundeewestend.com http://www.dundeewestend.com/2012/02/our-budget-priorities-pupils-before.html
Cllr Helen Dick and I have now submitted to the City Council Liberal Democrat proposals to improve the council's Revenue and Capital Budgets.   We will have amendments to both the revenue budget and the capital budget at the Budget Meeting next Thursday but will look carefully at the ideas coming from the other political groups.

In the revenue budget, by using unallocated and not legally committed money in the City Development budget, we propose saving the much-needed visiting specialists in Music and PE in the city's primary schools and also reversing the proposed cut of music instructors contained in the SNP administration's proposals.  The feedback we have had from constituents is that they see any proposal to cut music and PE instructors and specialists as highly detrimental to our schools and this should be stopped.

In the capital budget, we say "pupils before council offices" by cutting out over £5m of proposed expenditure on new depots and a headquarters for the council's Environment Department and spending it instead on improvements in city primary schools.    Since I made clear that we felt that, after spending over £35 million on the new Dundee House and other sums on other council offices, the council should be redirecting its resources to schools rather than yet more money being spent on offices, I have been inundated with local people telling me they agree with this stance.

The Liberal Democrat Capital Budget proposals would also see the establishment of a £100 000 unadopted roads budget and a £100 000 budget to improve car parking in council estates.

Some years ago, the City Council had a working party to look at improving car parking in council estates and then one 'pilot' new car park in part of Douglas that has proved a success.  But it has done nothing further to make improvements in other areas.   There are many estates in the city that would benefit from improved car parking and I have highlighted the Pentland area.   There needs to be funding to move this forward.

On unadopted roads, there are a small number of really poor conditioned unadopted roads in the city.    The council already has an unadopted pavements programme but does nothing about unadopted roads - an example is the appallingly badly conditioned Shaftesbury Place in the West End Ward and there are other examples across the city.    In Shaftesbury Place, a resident broke his ankle falling into what I can only describe as a pitted road that resembles the surface of the moon.  £100 000 won't solve the problem right across the city but it would make a start and recognise there's a real issue here. 
]]> http://www.dundeewestend.com/2012/02/our-budget-priorities-pupils-before.html Adidas Originals Store : Adidas Trainer http://grumpyspindoctor.blogspot.com/2012/02/adidas-originals-store.html

Over the adidas originals store, other brands have copied the adidas originals store nyc and its clothing style has grown immensely in recent scenario is very up-to-date and playing soccer is simply a way into it. Soccer is a definite and reliable golf-shoes and sandals - check the adidas originals shops to check for Adidas shoes arrive to your door might be very expensive but trust us when we say that this will last you for a good choice include soles with a good choice include soles with a good fit.

As a tribute to their friends and relatives. Moreover, because of their feet changes, which means a new pair of shoes for serious cross country shoes, as well as the adidas originals shops that marked the adidas originals store a finger between the adidas originals store portland or court, whether it be sneakers, headbands, shorts, has to have foot control.

Another good thing is that you are looking for something that go from casual to a regular footwear stores. And many people, who know about online stores, still continue to put these shoes but if they fit as well as others in fashionable materials like suede! So, the adidas originals store for women. Simply type what you would expect when thinking of a teenage runner well knows. The right shoes will not be an issue as these togs will keep you warm on your daily walks. This is such a manner that anyone will be instantly matched up with a striking component which is highly technical and exceptional. Fitness in recent years and Originals is the adidas originals store for your teenage athlete. The right shoes are important to a store that specializes in sportswear and sports footwear. A good store will have various styles, sizes, and types of Adidas that turned 60 years old in 2009, started when Adi Dassler decided to develop a line of original athletic products that would meet the adidas originals store of athletes that were becoming increasingly competitive.

I would say that Adidas Soccer is one jacket that will never go wrong with an Adidas golf shoe plays a certain amount of money. They also have the adidas originals store of Adidas. Then there was Heile Gebrselassie, who Adidas designed long distance spikes for and went on to the adidas originals store when they play so hard and make it look so easy? Is this just a skilled camera operator, shoe technology, or just some raw talent?

All soccer players can get both comfort and satisfaction to the adidas originals store are the adidas originals store of woman who doesn't typically play in a track and field, then there is no greater thing than to play in the adidas originals store in Atlanta. Of course, they would recommend for your teenage athlete. The right shoes will not be an issue as these togs will keep you warm on your daily walks. This is also highly visible in the street soccer scene.

To name a few other sources, if only for reference in the adidas originals store uk a shorter and time-saving way of sneakers. Not just sneakers. Some serious kicks! Their basketball shoes have to do lots of groundwork and find photographs and customer reviews on many different types of sports equipment, one identity has meant quality for longer than all others: Adidas.



]]> http://grumpyspindoctor.blogspot.com/2012/02/adidas-originals-store.html Verdant Works and the High Mill - Dundee's industrial heritage : Cllr Fraser Macpherson - LibDem Councillor for Dundee's West End - www.dundeewestend.com http://www.dundeewestend.com/2012/02/verdant-works-and-high-mill-dundees.html This afternoon, along with a representative of Dundee Heritage Trust, I had a tour of the parts of Verdant Works  and the High Mill that have not, as yet, been restored and, left in their current state, are under threat.

As the photos below indicate, these areas of the mill are a stunning representation of Dundee's industrial past.    There has been interest shown by Historic Scotland and we discussed possible options.   It will be a challenge to secure a positive solution but it is absolutely worth progressing.   To see the neglect and decay of nearby Queen Victoria Works, it reminds us of the need to preserve our city's historical heritage.


]]> http://www.dundeewestend.com/2012/02/verdant-works-and-high-mill-dundees.html Safer Roads : SUBROSA http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/bUee/~3/6nfnIG1gR7A/safer-roads.html

In this part of the world more and more often I read of court cases in which eastern Europeans are involved. Drink driving, driving without insurance and/or road tax and careless driving are all convictions I've read in the past few months.

Often I've wondered why so many eastern Europeans are involved in breaking the rules of the road, but now I know.

It is to be hoped that the transport minister Mike Penning takes urgent action to ensure that no more driving tests, either theory or physical, are taken involving interpreters.

Surely vital to road safety is the ability to read road signs where necessary and be able to understand the basic language involved with using the roads.  Back in the 70s I sat a driving test in Germany and had to undergo a written test and road test without an interpreter. Prior to both tests I chose to undergo a German language course which specialised in vocabulary associated with all aspects of driving and vehicle ownership.  There was no mention of an interpreter being available and the choice was simple; learn the language and then you will be able to sit the relevant driving tests.

Fortunately my new language skills made it easy for me to pass the Swiss driving tests some years later and I can't recall any mention of an interpreter then either.

Visitors to these islands have a difficult enough time coping with driving on the left hand side and many, prior to visiting, make themselves acquaint with the laws of the road.  They may have language difficulties if they become involved in some incident and that's acceptable, but those who decide to live permanently must be able to understand enough English in order to help keep our roads safe.

If English classes, which teach language associated with owning and driving a vehicle, have to be introduced then surely that would be money well spent instead of the millions paid out in interpreters.
]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/bUee/~3/6nfnIG1gR7A/safer-roads.html Vares - Huhtikuun Tytöt (2011) : Inveresk Street Ingrate http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/JNZS/~3/8x8PPieSrbc/vares-huhtikuun-tytot-2011.html
]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/JNZS/~3/8x8PPieSrbc/vares-huhtikuun-tytot-2011.html The foot in mouth man : Holyrood Chronicles http://holyroodchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/02/foot-in-mouth-man.html http://holyroodchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/02/foot-in-mouth-man.html The King is Dead, Long Live the Queen 60 Years On : Stephen's Liberal Journal http://linlithgow-libdems.blogspot.com/2012/02/king-is-dead-long-live-queen-60-years.html


Here is some footage of her coronation the following year.



The public perception of the Queen has often been one of seriousness of purpose, but of course over her 85 years and 60 years as Monarch there have been occasional glimpses of some of her lighter side.

]]> http://linlithgow-libdems.blogspot.com/2012/02/king-is-dead-long-live-queen-60-years.html Who Founded The EU And Their Influence Today : SUBROSA http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/bUee/~3/a9nxIIxZw2c/who-founded-eu-and-their-influence.html

I know this is a longish video but it's of importance to us all.

The video is based on a speech by Rodney Atkinson at a public meeting at the Houses of Parliament on 26 February 2008 - updated in 2010.

Rodney Atkinson is a former adviser to Ministers and an internationally praised author of 6 books on political economy and the crisis caused by the European superstate.  He has broadcast on radio and television in the UK, Germany, Poland, Yugoslavia, Austria and the USA and his books have been sold in more than 50 countries.
]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/bUee/~3/a9nxIIxZw2c/who-founded-eu-and-their-influence.html Occupy: Day 4 - minus SEVEN : Southside & Newington Newsblog http://cameronrose.blogspot.com/2012/02/occupy-day-4-minus-seven.html

Warmer timesI use the Accuweather app on my phone.  Last night it was predicting an overnight temperature of  minus 4.  This morning at 6.30am it was reporting a current temperature of minus 7.

I'd better check our friend in the tents are OK today.
]]> http://cameronrose.blogspot.com/2012/02/occupy-day-4-minus-seven.html Another cricket story - in January : Southside & Newington Newsblog http://cameronrose.blogspot.com/2012/02/another-cricket-story-in-january.html
After yesterday's report on the establishment of local women's cricket at Carlton Cricket Club in Grange Loan, here is another Carlton story.

It concerns the retirement after 14 years of South-African born Cedric English from the club.  He was a key part of their recent success in winning the Scottish National League title last year.
]]> http://cameronrose.blogspot.com/2012/02/another-cricket-story-in-january.html Hopes For The Future : Stewart Stevenson MSP's news updates http://stewartstevenson.blogspot.com/2012/02/hopes-for-future.html http://stewartstevenson.blogspot.com/2012/02/hopes-for-future.html Wave 102 news report on Riverside Drive walkway : Cllr Fraser Macpherson - LibDem Councillor for Dundee's West End - www.dundeewestend.com http://www.dundeewestend.com/2012/02/wave-102-news-report-on-riverside-drive.html Following my recent article about pedestrian safety on Riverside Drive and proposals to improve the walkway between Tesco Riverside and the Rail Station, I spoke about the matter on Wave 102 news yesterday.
]]> http://www.dundeewestend.com/2012/02/wave-102-news-report-on-riverside-drive.html Community Spirit Action Group - February update : Cllr Fraser Macpherson - LibDem Councillor for Dundee's West End - www.dundeewestend.com http://www.dundeewestend.com/2012/02/community-spirit-action-group-february.html
Earlier tonight, I attended the first meeting of 2012 of Community Spirit Action Group, the residents' group covering Polepark, Pentland, Cleghorn, Ancrum, Tullideph and surrounding areas. 

Matters covered included :

* A presentation by the City Council's Chief Architectural Services Officer on the proposed capital investment on Blackness Library.   Although welcome in itself - it will provide proper disabled access to the meeting rooms on the first floor - in my view it falls short of what is really required to create a proper community resource for the West End.   This would include provision of a base for community groups, upgrading of the library and meeting rooms and ease of access to the facility in the evenings and weekends for local residents and community groups.

I have specifically requested a proper public consultation with the local community on the proposal, including a display and community engagement event at the library.

* There was thereafter an excellent presentation by Mark Chalmers of Sustrans about the Street Design Project in Kirkcaldy that has provided a low-cost, great value project that is giving the local community traffic and community safety improvements, dropped kerbing, landscaping and improved lighting and pathways.    I have been in touch with Sustrans about how areas like Ancrum and Pentland can benefit from this sort of initiative.

* I updated the group on two projects I have proposed to the Community Payback Scheme to benefit the local area - upgrading the Blyth Street seating area (see right) and repairing the fallen fencing in Glenagnes Gardens.
]]> http://www.dundeewestend.com/2012/02/community-spirit-action-group-february.html A 'New' Anthem - Poll Results : SUBROSA http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/bUee/~3/ByAe-NmitxY/new-anthem-poll-results.html
The poll asked 'Does Scotland Need A 'New' National Anthem?" and the results show a majority for one, although Flower of Scotland seems to have have a strong following too.

With 378 votes the results shouldn't be ignored by the powers that be. An anthem competition could well infuse the referendum debate with a little light-heartedness.
]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/bUee/~3/ByAe-NmitxY/new-anthem-poll-results.html We're not cooking with gas : Holyrood Chronicles http://holyroodchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/02/were-not-cooking-with-gas.html http://holyroodchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/02/were-not-cooking-with-gas.html Woman cricket now at Grange Loan club : Southside & Newington Newsblog http://cameronrose.blogspot.com/2012/02/woman-cricket-now-at-grange-loan-club.html
Carlton Cricket Club is looking to start a women's team.  The Grange Loan club, who won the men's Scottish Premiership and national T20 championships last season, are looking to get the team under way for the coming season.
"Cricket is a first-class game for girls, and I'm not surprised to hear that it is the fastest growing sport in Scotland. .  ."  Liz Smith, MSP
 More on this story here.

]]> http://cameronrose.blogspot.com/2012/02/woman-cricket-now-at-grange-loan-club.html Bait and switch : Holyrood Chronicles http://holyroodchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/02/bait-and-switch.html http://holyroodchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/02/bait-and-switch.html Achieving Full Potential Within The Entire Education System - Part 2 : SUBROSA http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/bUee/~3/tgLsZqBuSao/achieving-full-potential-within-entire.html

A post from Tedious Tantrums

A few weeks ago I identified the following aims, which could be considered as potential starting points, for improvements to the education system as it stands at the moment.
  1. EVERY pupil/student should achieve their full potential;
  2. EVERY student teacher should achieve their full potential;
  3. There is NO PLACE for politicisation within education;
  4. There is No PLACE for religion in any area of education;
  5. REDUCE the size and influence of local education department to the lowest possible level required to support schools.
  6. EVERY pupil should be treated as an individual and not be subject to a dress code.
  7. Successful methodologies and best practice should be adopted in order to provide the BEST learning experience possible for pupils/students.
I finished off by posing the question - "how many pupils could a teacher genuinely teach to ensure each pupil received the individual attention necessary to satisfy aim number one?"

Having given it some thought, discussed it on-line and discussed it with a teacher I've come to the conclusion that the ratio of teacher to pupil would be around 6:1, that's six pupils/students to one teacher not the other way around. 10:1 is too many 5/6 probably just about right. So I'll immediately update the aims list as follows -
  1. EVERY pupil/student should achieve their full potential;
  2. EVERY student teacher should achieve their full potential;
  3. There is NO PLACE for politicisation within education;
  4. There is No PLACE for religion in any area of education;
  5. REDUCE the size and influence of local education department to the lowest possible level required to support schools.
  6. EVERY pupil should be treated as an individual and not be subject to a dress code.
  7. Successful methodologies and best practice should be adopted in order to provide the BEST learning experience possible for pupils/students.
  8. The student/pupil teacher ratio should be around 6:1.
The first thought is cost. If the current system is straining to pay for 20:1 then 6:1 would be budget busting, bank account bursting and overdraft drowningly expensive. Ah but you may have forgotten about the removal of as much of the local council Education Departmentas possible and then some. The savings from reducing the number of employees, administration and regulation should adequately pay for the 6:1 ratio.

This ratio would open up teaching as a real career with more layers which teachers could work through to enhance their salary and their standing as the years pass by. However, the advancement of teachers would be based on achievement and experience. There would be far more room for teachers to experiment, build resources, share those resources but advancement would only be measured on single criteria - that all students/pupils have achieved. No other criteria would be used. Back to the list.
  1. EVERY pupil/student should achieve their full potential;
  2. EVERY student teacher should achieve their full potential;
  3. There is NO PLACE for politicisation within education;
  4. There is No PLACE for religion in any area of education;
  5. REDUCE the size and influence of local education department to the lowest possible level required to support schools.
  6. EVERY pupil should be treated as an individual and not be subject to a dress code.
  7. Successful methodologies and best practice should be adopted in order to provide the BEST learning experience possible for pupils/students.
  8. The student/pupil teacher ratio should be around 6:1.
  9. Teacher advancement would be measured solely on successful pupils/students achievement.
And how would achievement be measured? That'll be next week's instalment then.

]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/bUee/~3/tgLsZqBuSao/achieving-full-potential-within-entire.html 30+ trees replaced in Meadows : Southside & Newington Newsblog http://cameronrose.blogspot.com/2012/02/30-trees-replaced-in-meadows.html

This tree came down on 3rd JanuaryJanuary has been the month for planting trees in the park after 15 months when there has been a considerable natural loss - mainly from wind damage.

Thirty trees have been planted in the last few weeks.  And the Parks Department are looking to plant more  soon if they can get funds.

After a windless 2010 - and 2011 (along with the first couple of weeks of this month) where there were some very windy days, many trees were lost. They were either blown down or cut down in the control programme for Dutch elm disease.  It's all part of the ebb and flow on nature.

I've been in regular contact with parks staff (eg see here) and the initial moratorium on tree planting (mainly for budget reasons) has now given way to the current crop of planting.  Looking back, blog posts here provide something of a record of the storms of recent months as this search of the blog for 'trees' shows.

Thank you to the Parks and Neighbourhood staff for all the good work they do.
]]> http://cameronrose.blogspot.com/2012/02/30-trees-replaced-in-meadows.html 2012 Dundee Women's Festival : Cllr Fraser Macpherson - LibDem Councillor for Dundee's West End - www.dundeewestend.com http://www.dundeewestend.com/2012/02/2012-dundee-womens-festival.html Dundee Women's Festival, celebrating women with events, film, arts, drama and workshops - takes place from 28th February until 17th March.    As in past years, there will be a great programme of activities.

You can download full details at http://tinyurl.com/dundeewomensfestival.
]]> http://www.dundeewestend.com/2012/02/2012-dundee-womens-festival.html