There’s a distictly Drylaw flavour to next week’s Inverleith Neighbourhood Network meeting.
Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre will be giving a presentation to the meeting in a ‘Getting To Know You’ session and Easter Drylaw Park has also been tabled as an agenda item.
The meeting, which will take place online using TEAMS, will be held on Monday 6th December from 6 – 7.30pm.
The Scottish Youth Parliament election results 2021 were announced on Monday 22 November. Eleven new Members of the SYP will now represent young people in Edinburgh.
Ten of those elected are from state schools in the city, seven are young women and three are from a Black and Minority Ethnic background.
One remaining seat, in Northern and Leith, will be contested in the new year.
Edinburgh registered the highest number of expressions of interest in Scotland from potential candidates and fielded the most candidates (26) of any local authority.
We also achieved the highest voter turnout in Edinburgh since 2015, despite many of the usual campaigning activities being curtailed because of the pandemic.
Councillor Ellie Bird, Young People’s Champion, said: “I want to commend the astonishing achievements and contributions of all 26 candidates that stood across Edinburgh in the Scottish Youth Parliament election, and warmly welcome the eleven new MSYPs into our city’s elected member family.
“The success of this year’s election is a testament to the commitment and passion of everyone involved in prioritising the voice of young people, at a time when it’s never been more important.
“Due to the restricted access to schools, youth clubs and community centres, candidates have had to rely on their own ingenuity, creativity and sheer dogged persistence to get their message, and their vote, out.
“The determination that these young people have demonstrated in standing up for what they believe in by putting themselves forward for election and to be accountable to their electorate, especially during such a challenging period for young people, is nothing short of inspirational.
“I know they all have a lot to offer their communities and the causes they care about most, and I can’t wait to see what they do next and look forward to working with Edinburgh’s newest group of elected representatives to place young people at the heart of policy and decision making.”
For more information about the election and the successful candidates, please see @edinburghMSYPs
The programme for Holyrood’s Opening Ceremony, taking place on Saturday (2nd October), has been announced.
The event will formally mark the beginning of the sixth session of the Parliament, with Her Majesty The Queen addressing the Debating Chamber, accompanied by Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay.
The Royal Conservatoire Brass will perform Fanfare for the Opening of Parliament 2021 composed by John Wallace CBE and conducted by John Logan as The Queen enters the Chamber.
The Scottish Parliament’s Mace, followed by the Officers of Arms, The Crown of Scotland borne by the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon, escorted by the Lord Lyon King of Arms and the Captain-General will process into the Chamber.
The event, which will be broadcast live, will begin with opening remarks from the Presiding Officer, Alison Johnstone MSP, followed by an address by Her Majesty The Queen.
Music will then be performed from Orin Simpson on the flute and Seoras Chlad on the guitar from the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music. Followed by a song from Musicians in Exile, Always on the Move.
The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, will then have an opportunity to address the Chamber.
Following this Ae Fond Kiss by Robert Burns and Kirn Street by Michael Biggins will be performed by Michael Biggins, BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2021.
The newly appointed Scots Makar Kathleen Jamie will then perform a specially commissioned piece.
The song, We Hold The Future will be performed by the National Youth Choir of Scotland.
For the departure of The Queen, Farewell to the Creeks will be performed by the Scottish Parliament’s Piper Stuart McMillan MSP from the Members’ Garden.
The event will be streamed live on the Scottish Parliament’s Facebook channel and on our SPTV channel.
The live broadcast will begin from 10.30am on Saturday 2 October.
Nominations close at midnight for the 2021 LGIU Scotland & CCLA Cllr Awards
Nominations close at midnight for the only national awards ceremony celebrating the vital work of individual councillors across Scotland.
Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) Scotland and CCLA are proud to once again host the 4th annual Cllr Awards, honouring the achievements of councillors that so often go unrecognised.
This year’s award categories celebrate the essential and varied work of councillors and include the coveted Community Champion, Leader of the Year and New Councillor of the Year awards, alongside a new Resilience and Recovery category for 2021.
Nominations can be made by anyone who would like to recognise a councillor doing outstanding work for their community. They close at midnight on Friday 24 September with the shortlist unveiled at the end of October.
The winners will be decided by a panel of judges composed of senior councillors and officers as well as leading stakeholders from across the sector. They will be revealed at this year’s ceremony taking place on Wednesday, 24 November. Due to the ongoing Covid related restrictions, it will be held as a hybrid event with virtual link ups to a Glasgow venue.
This year’s awards are made possible thanks to the generous support of founding partners, CCLA.
Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive of LGIU Scotland, said: “Local government supports all of us, each and every day. On every street, in every town, up and down the country, it is the vital work of councillors that keeps things moving.
“Now is the time for us to support our local heroes by nominating those councillors who have stepped up to the plate during extraordinary circumstances to deliver for their communities.
“We welcome contributions from any member of the public as well as other councillors, officers and leaders. We look forward to once again receiving the highest calibre of nominations and showcasing the essential work of councillors in November.”
MSPs on the Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee are to examine all areas of the Scottish Government’s criminal justice budget in the coming weeks, and consider whether the current funding patterns are sustainable, effective and achieving good outcomes.
Ahead of making recommendations to the Scottish Government on how it spends money on justice services, the Committee is looking to hear opinions on funding for bodies such as prisons, courts, police, fire and rescue, victim support and community justice initiatives.
It will also consider whether funding is in place to support the sector to recover from Covid, and whether any of the changes brought in to help cope with the pandemic may lead to longer term savings, if those were desirable and made permanent.
Speaking as the call for views was launched, Criminal Justice Committee Convener, Audrey Nicoll MSP, said:“Criminal Justice services play a crucial role in keeping Scotland safe, supporting complainers and victims of crime, working to rehabilitate offenders, and diverting people who are at risk of doing wrong.
“Our Committee wants to take a wide look at the funding for these services – public and voluntary – and examine whether what we have in place supports the justice system to do what we ask of it.
“It goes without saying that we will need to consider the impact of Covid-19 on the justice sector’s budgets.
“We asked a great deal of those working on the frontline and administering justice throughout the pandemic.
“And while there may be savings from some of the new ways of working, overall, the sector will need a lot of help to recover from the pandemic – for instance, to deal with the huge backlog of trials.”
• Whether the Scottish Government is providing enough budget for the criminal justice sector to recover from COVID-19?
• What the cost will be of making permanent some of the temporary changes brought in because of the pandemic (if these are to become permanent)?
• Whether organisations in the criminal justice sector have enough budget and staff to be able to cope with a return to pre-pandemic levels of working (e.g. expected growth in the number of court trials)?
• Whether there have been any savings and efficiencies because of the different way of working during the pandemic, what these savings have been used for elsewhere, and could they be kept once the pandemic is over?
• Where are the opportunities for future reform and savings?
The budget provided for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS)
• Whether the Scottish Government is providing enough budget for the work expected of the COPFS?
• What is the expected impact of the budget of the COPFS from the recent cases of malicious prosecution?
Prisons, prison reform and secure care
• Whether the Scottish Government is providing enough budget for the work expected of the Scottish Prison Service?
• Whether enough money has been allocated for the future modernisation of the prison estate beyond the work currently underway at HMP Glasgow and HMP Cornton Vale?
• Whether the current funding model for secure care in Scotland needs reformed?
Police and fire and rescue
• Whether the Scottish Government is providing enough budget for Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service?
• In particular, is there enough budget to modernise the services, their buildings, vehicles and equipment etc?
The support for victims of crime
• Whether the Scottish Government is providing enough budget to enable organisations to support victims of crime?
Legal aid
• Whether the Scottish Government is providing enough budget to enable people to access justice through the support provided by legal aid in criminal cases?
• Whether further budget and reforms are necessary to tackle the problem of accessing legal aid in remote and rural areas of Scotland?
• Whether the Scottish Government is providing enough budget to attract people to work for organisations providing services funded by legal aid (e.g. defence solicitors)?
The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government
• What money will be required to finance the different criminal justice policies set out in the new Programme for Government and whether any new and extra finance has been allocated for the various initiatives?
The Edinburgh Asociation of Community Councils (EACC) meets online tonight at 7pm.
Up for discussion is the Edinburgh Partnership’s draft Community Council Reform Implementation Plan (below)
In an email to community councils before the meeting EACC Chair Stve Kerr said: “I attach a draft implementation table which includes issues that have been covered in the initial discussion between the EACC Steering Group and senior City of Edinburgh Council officers.
“The list is not exhaustive, and I would welcome your thoughts on whether the areas covered are appropriate and additional issues that you wish to see addressed.
“I hope that as many of you as possible can participate in the discussion to ensure that the views of all 44-member Community Councils are represented.”
1. Steve Kerr, Chair of EACC, will give an update on the Edinburgh Partnership Improvement Plan’s Community Council Reform Programme.
2. Daisy Narayanan, Senior Manager, Place Making and Mobility for the City of Edinburgh Council, will introduce her new job, with a remit that includes ‘20-minute neighbourhoods’, City Centre Transformation, City Mobility Plan, and the Low Emission Zone (LEZ).
3. An LEZ team member will introduce the project and the current consultation which lasts until 20 September (to be confirmed).
4. Discussion about the National Care Service.
5. Any other business.
This meeting is open to the public, but priority will be given to questions from community councillors. The meeting will be recorded.
Please note that by joining the meeting you are giving your consent for the meeting to be recorded.
Drylaw Telford Community Council meets tomorrow evening following the summer recess.
As well as the usual agenda items, topical issues include the state of Drylaw Shopping Centre, an update on Drylaw House and Easter Drylaw Park issues.
The meeting will be held on Zoom and starts at 7pm.
For details on how you can participate please email DTCC secretary Pam Higgins, pamhigginsdtcc@gmail.com
Shared programme agreed to ‘build a greener, fairer, independent Scotland’
The Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party Parliamentary Group have agreed to work together over the next five years to build a green economic recovery from COVID, respond to the climate emergency and create a fairer country.
A shared draft policy programme – the Bute House Agreement – has been agreed. It focuses on areas of mutual interest to improve the way Scotland is governed and create a stable platform to meet the challenges Scotland faces.
It details collaboration on the climate emergency, economic recovery, child poverty, the natural environment, energy and the constitution. It includes commitments to:
hold a referendum on Scottish independence after the COVID pandemic has passed, within the current parliamentary session
increase investment in active travel and public transport, including a Fair Fares review to provide a realistic and affordable alternative to car use
a strengthened framework of support for the marine renewables and offshore wind sectors
take forward a ten-year £500 million Just Transition Fund for the North East and Moray
significantly increase the level of the Scottish Child Payment, in order to maximise the impact on child poverty, with the full £20 payment being achieved within the lifetime of the Parliament
designate at least one new National Park by the end of this parliamentary session
enhance marine environmental protection
implement an effective national system of rent controls, enhance tenants’ rights and deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032
invest at least £1.8 billion over this parliamentary session in energy efficiency and renewable heating
establish two new Scottish Government overseas offices in Warsaw and Copenhagen to promote Scotland’s interests in central Europe and the Nordic countries
Alongside the draft policy programme, the draft co-operation agreement sets out the way in which the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party will work together. This will include the nomination of two Green MSPs to be Scottish Government Ministers.
The cooperation agreement also lists a number of areas that are outwith the scope of the agreement, where both sides have agreed to differ.
The draft agreements will now be considered by the respective political parties involved and Ministers will provide an update to Parliament following recess.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Government has reached a ground-breaking agreement with the Scottish Green Party that meets the challenges and opportunities of our time.
“The challenges we face have rarely been greater – the climate emergency, recovery from a global pandemic and an assault by the UK government on the powers of our Parliament.
“Today’s politics can too often feel small – polarised, divided and incapable of meeting the moment – and this agreement is intended to change that in Scotland. It is about doing politics and governance better to find the solutions needed to solve the problems confronting the world today.
“The spirit of co-operation and consensus-building is very much in keeping with the founding principles of our Scottish Parliament. We do not agree on everything but we are coming out of our comfort zones to focus on what we do agree on.
“The agreement delivers bold policy action on pressing issues. A commitment to more affordable housing, a better deal for tenants and action to tackle poverty and inequality. Steps to accelerate our transition to net zero – more support for active travel, transformation of home energy and a ten year transition fund for the North East of Scotland. A focus on green jobs and fair work – and a sustainable recovery from COVID.
“We also reaffirm in this Agreement our shared commitment to securing independence for Scotland, and to giving people the right to choose our country’s future through a referendum.
“It recognises that business as usual is not good enough – we need boldness, courage and a will to do things differently. That is what we offer.”
Green Party co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “This is a historic moment, which could not come at a more important time.
“We must build a fairer and compassionate country and we must do everything in our power to tackle the escalating climate and nature emergencies to deliver a just transition for all. That is what this deal will do.
“Fundamentally this is a new approach to politics. We agree on some things and disagree on others – those distinctive voices can and will remain.”
Green Party co-leader Lorna Slater said: “The stakes could not be higher – with the COP26 climate conference coming to Glasgow, Scotland is in a position show real leadership on climate. But this deal is about people as well as the planet.
“Together, we would deliver a new deal for tenants, giving tenants more rights and introducing rent controls to help tackle Scotland’s housing crisis, create a new National Park, and much more.
“That’s why we are pledging to work together to build a greener, fairer and independent Scotland.”
The announcement has not been met with universal joy, oddly enough …
Largest opposition party the Scottish Conservatives say the deal is a ‘declaration of war on working Scots.’
“The SNP and Green coalition is anti-jobs and anti-business. They will push for indyref2 while starting a war on working Scotland. The @ScotTories will stand up for workers against this nationalist coalition of chaos.”
The STUC was quick to respond:
Responding to the power-sharing partnership announcement, GMB General Secretary Gary Smith said: “In the election the Greens said they wanted carers to be paid a £15 minimum, and with the consultation under way on the National Care Service, tens of thousands of staff undervalued on £9.50 an hour will expect Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie to deliver on their promises.
“They also campaigned on a platform to deliver a 12.5 per cent pay rise for nurses, the 4 per cent increase implemented didn’t come close to closing the massive pay restoration” gap after years of cuts, and in 2022 our NHS staff will expect better.
“And workers across our energy sector will be looking on with real concern, they will be seeking assurances that this deal will not be a one-way ticket to the dole queue – it’s as simple as that.”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: “This shouldn’t come as a surprise. It confirms a long-held suspicion that the Scottish Greens are just a branch office of the SNP.”
