THIS week marked the first meeting of the Esk River Improvement Group (ERIG), which is a platform that I have created with several other stakeholders in order to provide a cohesive and robust approach to cleaning the River Esk.

For too long now, the river has been a point of concern for many of my constituents, and I wanted to start a forum where it would bring together those who are working to clean the river, as well as those from the community with an interest in the river, so that we could all work together to find a resolution.

In my view, it is important that we look at the cleanliness of the river as a whole, tackling the issues from the sewage spillages and the coal mine discharge in Midlothian, right down to the poor water quality at Fisherrow.

The meeting was productive and I am looking forward to seeing progress on this matter. If you’d like to be kept in the loop with what ERIG are doing, please contact me at colin.beattie.msp@parliament.scot and I can add you to our mailing list.

I would like to wish all those returning to school this week all the best in the academic year. We should all be especially grateful to the teachers who have made this possible and are working in unprecedented times, overcoming new challenges, in order to ensure that our children receive their education in a safe environment. I know that many may have anxieties about their return to school; however, the Scottish Government is closely monitoring matters to ensure that our children and communities are kept safe.

August 15 will mark the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, where Japan surrendered in the Second World War, bringing an end to the war. We pay tribute to all those who lost their lives and remember those who fought to protect the peace which we have today. There are many online commemorations marking VJ Day, and I hope that my constituents can get involved in marking this important occasion.