I am delighted that plans to turn Dunfermline's former Fire Station into an arts 
centre are progressing well.
The proposals, which you can read more about on the Fire Station Creative Group website, aim to turn the Carnegie Drive building into arts centre featuring gallery space, studio space for up and coming local artists as well as a teaching space to allow classes to be offered.
It's had backing from a wide range of supporters including new Fife Provost, Jim Leishman as well as celebrities including Barbara Dickson and Ian Rankin.
There is detailed coverage in this week's Dunfermline Press too.
In Rural Affairs and the Environment Question Time, I asked the Cabinet Secretary what steps the Scottish Government is taking to tackle animal cruelty. Currently, there can be a lack of consistency in the sentencing for those convicted of animal cruelty offences and I called on the minister to engage with the SSPCA to help tackle this.
You can read the full question and answer on the Scottish Parliament website.
Former workers at Simclar's Dunfermline site have been s 
uccessful in their case for unfair dismissal following a ruling at an employment tribunal this week.
Community trade union took the case on behalf of over 100 union members and acheived awards for unfair dismissal, full unpaid notice, redundancy pay as well as holiday pay for twelve of the workers. One member received an award for dismissal for trade union activities.
I was pleased to have been able to support the Union and its members by highlighting this case and welcome the news of their tribunal success.
Community Union have more information about the case here.
Next week is the SPCA's Rehoming Week people are encouraged to consider gving an abandoned, unwanted or neglected pet a loving home. 
To highlight this issue and the campaign in the parliament, I tabled a motion to gather support across parties.
Here is motion 'Welcoming a Pet in rehoming Week':
"That the Parliament supports the work of the Scottish SPCA; welcomes its Rehoming Week, taking place from 19 to 25 March 2012, which appeals to Scots to consider giving a rescue pet a second chance by offering a loving home; celebrates that, in 2011, the charity found new homes for nearly 6,500 animals from its animal rescue and rehoming centres across Scotland, ranging from dogs, cats and rabbits to other pets such as terrapins, bearded dragons, horses and cockerels; considers that, while taking on an animal is a great responsibility, there are many benefits to rehoming unwanted, abandoned or neglected animals, and encourages people across Scotland who may be interested in giving a needy pet a home to visit one of the Scottish SPCA’s centres to meet the animals for themselves."
If you would like more information or to find out where your nearest rehoming centre is just visit the SPCA's website here.
Last week I was delighted to visit Broomhill Community Garden in Burntisland to learn about this brilliant local garden and about the work of Trellis in Scotland.
Trellis is a Scottish charity that supports, encourages and develops the use of gardening and growing to improve health, wellbeing and opportunities for all.
The garden was fantastic and I would urge interested constituents to go to the Trellis Scotland website to find out more and get involved.
I conduct roving surgeries on Mondays or can meet by appointment. I'm always keen to hear from the people I represent.
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