MUSSELBURGH POLLUTION AIRED IN SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

Musselburgh's air pollution problem has been raised in the Scottish Parliament by the co-convener of the Scottish Green Party.

Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow, used a debate on air pollution to highlight the work carried out by East Lothian Greens who last year revealed the seriousness of the Honest Toun's situation.

East Lothian Council has since had to declare Musselburgh town centre the county's first Air Quality Management Area in light of samples showing levels of toxic exhaust fumes breaching World Health Organisation guidelines.

Speaking in the debate Mr Harvie said:

"In East Lothian, my colleagues in the local Scottish Green Party branch have been campaigning on high street air pollution. They used freedom of information requests, which resulted in the revelation that the local council had been sitting on a report on the issues for a year. Since the report’s release, there has at least been the declaration of a management area and there have been the beginnings of a recognition that action is needed."

East Lothian Greens campaigner Jason Rose said:

"Successive administrations of East Lothian Council have ignored this issue and even now there's no sense of urgency. There is no time limit set on the council to come forward with a plan of action, so we could be waiting many months or even years before we see any actual action.

"At the very least we should be getting a survey to identify the cause of Musselburgh's chronic traffic congestion and pressing bus operators to prioritise low-emissions vehicles on routes through the town."

EAST LOTHIAN GREENS AIM TO GROW

Members of the East Lothian branch of the Scottish Green party are pledging to step up their campaigning in the county following a successful Annual General Meeting in North Berwick.

Over the past year East Lothian Greens have highlighted a range of local issues relating to the economy, public health and democracy. These include revealing the extent of air pollution in Musselburgh, calling for local communities to have a say in the decision to replace the Cockenzie power station, and backing local residents who opposed the Dunbar incinerator development.

Party members have also been involved in local campaigning for a Yes vote in the Scottish independence referendum in September.

The branch will continue to be co-convened by Susan Moffat and Eurig Scandrett, both from North Berwick.

Newsletters highlighting the work of East Lothian Greens are due to be distributed to households in several parts of the county in the coming weeks.

Co-convener Susan Moffat (right) said:

“We look forward to building on the work we’ve done over the past year. With the opportunity to help elect Scotland’s first Green MEP in May, and help secure a Yes vote for independence in September, it’s going to be a busy year ahead.

“We have recently welcomed some new members and would encourage anyone interested in supporting our work to get in touch.”

East Lothian Green News

Hot off the press! The first edition of East Lothian Green News.

If you'd like to help us deliver it please get in touch. Email info@elothiangreens.org or DM us on Twitter @elothiangreens.

Appearing through letterboxes soon!

Fracking Update

So, a few weeks back we issued a challenge to local politicians on the hot topic of fracking.

Scottish Greens want a ban on drilling for shale gas given we already have more fossil fuels than we can safely burn if we're serious about limiting climate change, and then there are the risks to the local environment.

SNP MSP for Musselburgh Colin Beattie appears to have reservations about fracking, although his party leader has described it as an undoubted opportunity.

Labour's Fiona O'Donnell and Iain Gray are quoted in this article in the Courier. Ms O'Donnell says we need to examine fracking's potential; Mr Gray says it shouldn't be ruled out, and says we "need" fossil fuels for some time to come. Useful to know. We can add those comments to his existing support for another nuclear power plant in the county.

And Libdem Jim Hume (MSP for South Scotland in case you're wondering) gives a long answer involving renewables but doesn't really answer the question which was about a ban on fracking. Perhaps he forgot that at his party conference in Glasgow last autumn the Libdems came out in favour of fracking, as well as new nuclear plants.

So, it's looking pretty clear. If you want a firm focus on energy efficiency and clean power elect some Greens; if you fancy the folly of fracking in your neighbourhood, take your pick of the other parties!

AGM

Our AGM takes place on 4 March in Musselburgh. We have lots to talk about with plenty of plans for the year ahead.

Members should have email notification.

If not, please email info@elothiangreens.org for details.

And we're always keen to welcome new members on board so if you feel like joining us sign up here: http://www.scottishgreens.org.uk/join-donate/ and drop us a wee email.

EAST LOTHIAN GREENS CHALLENGE ON FRACKING

East Lothian Greens are challenging the county's politicians to state whether they support a ban on fracking, after the First Minister failed to rule out allowing the controversial process.

East Lothian is included in a map recently produced by the UK Government suggesting areas for shale gas exploration by hydraulic fracturing, otherwise known as fracking.

In the Scottish Parliament last week Patrick Harvie MSP, Co-convener of the Scottish Greens, said there can be no safe buffer zone for such developments and that they have no place in Scotland.

The First Minister described shale gas as providing "undoubted opportunities". This appears at odds with SNP MSP for Musselburgh Colin Beattie who has said he has "deep concerns and worry" over such exploration.

East Lothian Greens co-convener Susan Moffat said:

"Fracking poses unnecessary risks for East Lothian communities. It won’t deliver long-term jobs and won't bring down energy bills.

"The SNP's failure to rule out the development of another form of fossil fuel undermines our opportunity for low carbon industries and sustainable jobs. I think people in East Lothian will want to know where the county's politicians stand on this important issue.

"Climate scientists and financial experts are already telling us we have access to more fossil fuels than we can safely burn if we're serious about limiting climate change, so fracking for gas is the last thing we need."

At their party conference last October Scottish Greens agreed a call for a moratorium on so-called unconventional gas developments. By contrast a month earlier Libdems agreed to support fracking.


Official Report from First Minister's Questions

Scottish Green Party condemns Scottish Government for opening the door to unconventional gas developments such as fracking, October 2013

Libdems back fracking, September 2013

EAST LOTHIAN TRUST FUNDS SUPPORTING TAX DODGERS AND POLLUTERS

East Lothian Greens are raising concerns after discovering 48 county trust funds are benefiting global corporations accused of dodging taxes and polluting the environment.

Using a Freedom of Information request East Lothian Greens obtained a list of the trust funds, of which East Lothian Council is the majority or sole trustee. They include personal bequests and parish funds.

Accounts recently published by the council reveal that the trust funds hold £2.8million in shares in companies including:

- Shell, accused of hundreds of oil pipeline leaks in Africa, under investigation for alleged price-fixing, and preparing to drill in the fragile environment of the Arctic.
- HSBC, under investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority amid concerns of mis-selling.
- JP Morgan, the USA's biggest bank which recently agreed to pay regulators $13billion to avoid being taken to court over risky mortgage deals.
- And Vodafone, which has paid no corporation tax in the UK for the last two years.

Eurig Scandrett, co-convener of East Lothian Greens, said:

"I'm sure many people in East Lothian will be shocked by this discovery. You have to wonder why these investments weren't questioned before, either by officials or councillors.

"These funds were created to benefit local communities but it would appear they are also delivering a bonus for some dubious multinationals. Now that we have exposed what's going on I hope East Lothian can join the global trend for considering the ethics of financial investments."

More details...

Page 107 of East Lothian Council statement of accounts 2012/13 shows the shares held by the trusts.

£99,000 in UK Treasury
£87,000 in Shell
£77,000 in HSBC
£98,000 in JP Morgan
£82,000 in UBS
£78,000 in Vodafone
£67,000 in Threadneedle
£2.2million in other stocks, shares and cash



FoI request reveals the 48 Trusts are:
Bankton (Prestonpans) Bequest
Bankton(Tranent) Bequest
Belhaven Bequest
Helen Bridges Bequest (North Berwick)
Mrs Bridges Bequest (Musselburgh)
Brown Bequest
Mrs M. Brown's Legacy
Dr Bruce's Fund
Brunton Bequest
Caplan Charity
Thomas Carse Fund
Clark-Campbell Bequest
Coronation Fund
W.S. Davidson Trust
Jessie Dickson Mackay Fund
Dirleton Parish Fund (also known as Lady Hamilton Bequest)
Dunbar Memorial Trust
James Easton Bequest
Gourlay Trust
John Gray Trust
Guildry Fund
Guns Green
Haddington Combined Trust
Hamilton (Innerwick) Bequest
Hamilton (Pencaitland) Bequest
Hamilton (Stenton) Bequest
James Hislop Legacy
Humbie Parish Fund
John Hume Fund
Jimmy Harrison Fund
Lewisvale Park Trust
James McKelvie Bequest
Christina Milne Bequest
Lady Milne Memorial Fund
Museum Purchases Fund
Midlothian Education Trust
Agnes Neillan Bequest
New Hall Fund
Oldhamstocks Parish Fund
Richardson Bequest
Sailors Park Trust
T & AR Taylor Trust
Frank Tindall Trust
Wrights & Masons Trust
Yester Parish Fund
Yester Precious Lands
Burial Grounds Funds
Inveresk Churchyard Funds

When asked if East Lothian Council had concerns about investments in large companies, the council replied:
"The Trusts (sic) investments are managed on behalf of East Lothian Council by external investment managers. They have not raised any issues with us."