September Newsletter

Throughout Summer Recess, I have visited businesses, charities and held my Summer Surgery Tour. I have spoken to people across Aberdeen from Torry to Milltimber about a wide variety of issues affecting them, their families, and their communities.

One subject that continued to be brought up by constituents during my Summer Surgery Tour was the 2019 Loan Charge. A policy which I have continually opposed and worked cross-party to make your voices heard.

Firstly, I would like to welcome the new announcement from the Government that they will be holding an independent review of the policy. However, I am disappointed that there will not be an immediate suspension of the Loan Charge, so I will continue to raise questions of HMRC and Treasury Ministers on behalf of my constituents. To find out more about the review of the Loan Charge, visit the Government website.

Nevertheless, this is a victory, an independent review that we’ve long been calling for will happen. Therefore, I encourage all of those who have been affected by the Loan Charge and have been victims of this policy to continue to get in touch with me so I can make your voices heard.

If there is anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to get in touch by calling 01224 592229 or emailing [email protected] .

All the best,

Ross Thomson MP

For more information, please visit my website, follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, email me at [email protected] or call me at 01224 592229 to arrange a meeting at my new office at 192 Holbun Street, AB10 6DA.

Ross Hands Loan Charge Petition to Prime Minister and Chancellor
Ross handed in the Loan Charge petition to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and the Chancellor, Sajid Javid. The petition gathered 8,294 signatures calling for a review of the 2019 Loan Charge and for it to be suspended. Read more...

Ross Meets with New Chief Inspector David Howieson
Ross met with the new Chief Inspector of the North East Division of Police Scotland David Howieson to talk about local issues and priorities in Aberdeen. Read more...

Ross Visits Simeon Care for the Elderly
Aberdeen South MP Ross Thomson has seen first-hand the importance of international volunteers at the Simeon Care for the Elderly in his constituency. Ross also met the group of international volunteers working at the care home from as far afield as Ghana, Columbia, Japan, Germany, the United States and Kenya.Read more...

Ross Visits Nolan Seafoods
Ross said, "It was great to visit the Nolan Seafoods facility in West Tullos. They export globally and are a local success story now employing over 700 people." Read more...

Ross Meets with Aberdeen City Youth Council About Accessible Toilets
Ross met with Aberdeen City Youth Council to discuss their campaign "Bog Standards - Free to Pee". The Youth Council said, "A very successful meeting with Ross supporting our call for more accessible toilets across Aberdeen."
Read more...

Ross Visits the Aberdeen Synagogue
Aberdeen Synagogue host a series of social, cultural and religious events throughout the year.
Read more...

Ross Goes on Patrol with Aberdeen Police
Ross said, "I’m grateful to the local officers in Aberdeen who let me spend the evening on patrol. It was an eye-opener in many ways. One of the biggest take-aways was that the police often deal with people with mental health problems – simply because there is no-one else available." Read more...

Ross Completes His Summer Surgery Tour
Ross completed my summer surgery tour at Central Library which has spanned across the constituency covering Garthdee, Mannofield, Peterculter, Queen's Cross, Cults, Ferryhill, Bieldside, Cove, Torry, Tullos and Altens.

Ross Visits Greyhope Bay
Ross backed the initiative to create a new visitor centre at Torry Battery. The ‘Dolphins at the Battery’ initiative would provide a viewing platform giving 360degree views around Aberdeen harbour for dolphin watching, along with historic exhibits, a café and visitor space. Read more...

Parliamentary Pub of the Year Competition

As part of the Parliamentary Pub of the Year award I am running a constituency wide poll throughout September to find the best pub in Aberdeen South. The winner of the poll will then receive my nomination to the nationwide competition.

You can vote by following this link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZN97X3F

The competition will run until Monday 23rd September and the criteria are listed below:

Offers a range of beers and a food menu including (where possible) classic British pub food;
Has been nominated for or won an industry award for the pub or an aspect of your business relevant to visitors (beer range, warm welcome, food offer, beer garden, customer service) including local, regional or national tourist awards, local newspaper awards, CAMRA awards, Loo Of the Year, Michelin Star or Good Food Guide entries;
The warmest of welcomes throughout the Year – from great signage, effective marketing, ongoing calendar of events.
Has helped put their community/village/town/city on the map – as participant in pub walks, ale trails, tourist guides
Has a range of beer
Has a range of food
Music
Sports
Community contribution

Support and Donate

There are many fantastic local charities and organisations who require your much valued support. Three organisations Ross has visited recently that he'd like to draw your attention to.

Rising Stars

Rising Stars (RS) in Aberdeen is a weekly group aimed at vulnerable, socially isolated parents who are struggling to bond with their pre-school children.

They aim to reduce isolation, enable social interaction and enhance parenting skills. Common themes affecting the families they support are: domestic violence, young parents who need parenting support, postnatal depression, loneliness, isolation and families suffering economic disadvantage.

RS runs for 42 weeks over the year. Each session lasts around 2.5 hours. Access to the group is by referral; a Co-ordinator assesses the suitability of all families.

They aim to provide a safe and nurturing environment to encourage participation, learning and development. Staff facilitate a variety of activities including arts & crafts, music, story time, games and puzzles.and give us the flexibility to care for a further 20 people.

To learn more about Rising Stars and how you can support their Aviva Community Fund by voting for them, please click here to support.

Dee View Court Capital Appeal

As Scotland’s only purpose-built specialist neurological care centre, demand for a place at Dee View Court is high, and there is a waiting list of 15 people that never gets any shorter. With places rarely becoming available and demand continuing to grow across the country, they desperately need to expand.

To reach more people, they need to raise £3.9 million to extend Dee View Court, to build new specially adapted rooms and apartments, and give them the flexibility to care for a further 20 people.

It’s a big project, and one they cannot do alone. You can help them realise their vision, and give more people in your community the care and support they need and deserve.

To learn more about Dee View Court and how you can support their fundraising appeal, please email the fundraising team at [email protected] or call 01224 245 920.
Click here to support.

Gordon Highlanders Museum

This is the 20th Anniversary of the re-opening of The Gordon Highlanders Museum. It’s been a tremendous success. Visit Scotland grade the Museum as the only 5* Attraction in Aberdeen.

However, the Museum now needs help to cope with the slowdown in Aberdeen’s economy. Without assistance, all that this fantastic place has achieved, will be in jeopardy.

They are aiming to raise £100,000 over the next 3 years and are looking for any donation no matter how small. Click here to support.

Radio 31

Radio 31 was initially instituted as a platform to share the gospel of Christ through the airwaves for The Fountain of Love Church, a local parish in Aberdeen. The primary goal is to share a word of encouragement with someone who needs it and when they need it most.

The wider community has informed its growth and expansion to morph into a community based radio station, which would enjoy the participation of the members of local parishes, and the wider community.

Radio 31 are committed to bringing you a 24/7 transmission; courtesy of their team of creative and resourceful presenters who are primarily volunteers. These include sessions of life-transforming messages by established men and women of God, knowledge sharing sessions by seasoned experts on health, relationships, career and daily-living, and non-stop contemporary Christian music.

Click here to support.

TLC Foodbank

Ross met with the TLC Foodbank team at Inchgarth Community Centre over Summer Recess.

TLC operate under the Trussell Trust and run on a voucher system by partnering with various statutory, charitable and health bodies around the city who issue these.

They're also running the TLC Befrieding Project which seeks to meet the needs of the elderly in our community. It is common knowledge that the elderly in our community can at times experience a greater level of loneliness & Isolation.

TLC is working with Aberdeen City Council, Alzheimer Scotland and ACVO to pilot a befriending scheme working with the elderly in carehomes and sheltered housing complex's to combat loneliness & isolation.

Click here to support.

Copyright © 2019 Ross Thomson, All rights reserved.

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