Saturday (29 July) saw Spartans FC 1st Team unveil its new kit, which proudly shows the clubs support for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), during the first game of the season against Hawick Royal Albert. Continue reading Spartans show support by sporting new CHAS kit
Early Years Practitioner at Stepping Stones
Please see below an advert for our Scotland Committee Recruitment Open Days being held on 4thSeptember in Dundee and 6th September in Glasgow. Information is also available on our website:
We will have vacancies on our Scotland Committee in November and intend to advertise these vacancies in September. However, in advance of applying for the role of Scotland Committee Member, we would welcome you and your stakeholders to come along to our Open Days to ask any questions about the Scotland Committee and how it works and have the opportunity to speak with our Commissioner, Lesley Sawers and Scotland Committee members, Lorraine Barrie and Clare MacGillivray.
Further details are in the advert: 
Homes and businesses from all parts of the UK are set to benefit from universal high speed broadband, Culture Secretary Karen Bradley has announced. Continue reading Broadband for all
Unite Scotland has repeated it’s call for the devolution of employment law. The appeal follows Wednesday’s decision by the Supreme Court that the UK government was wrong to raise employment tribunal fees. Continue reading Fair’s fair: Unite calls for devolution of employment law
Neighbourhood Partnership meetings are taking place in August
With the ongoing rollout of new Localities community planning structures across the city, the future of Neighbourhood Partnerships has been in some doubt but they are back for now – at least until a suitable replacement can be agreed.
Neighbourhood Partnership meetings are open to the public, so take the opportunity to hear discussions and decisions about Local Community Grant Fund applications, North West Locality Improvement Planning, participate in the popular ‘question time’ session and more.
There are four Neighbourhood Partnerships within the new North West Locality and each of these will meet in August. Dates are:
Forth Neighbourhood Partnership
Tuesday 15 August at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, 6.30-8.30pm
Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership
Monday 21 August at Stockbridge Library, 6.30-8.30pm.
Almond Neighbourhood Partnership
Wed 23 August at Rosebery Hall, South Queensferry, 6.30-8.30pm.
Western Neighbourhood Partnership
Thursday 31 August Drumbrae Hub, 6.30-8.30pm.
Full agendas for all meetings will be available here
Visitors to Edinburgh’s Central Library will be able to sample a special selection of Nordic noir, as well as sci-fi, history and poetry, thanks to a delivery by the Finnish Institute in London. Continue reading Library receives special consignment of Scandinavian stories
A man has been convicted for the murder of his friend in Edinburgh’s New Town. Kieran Davies, aged 28, was found guilty of murdering 32-year-old Ashley Hawkins at Edinburgh High Court on Thursday and will be sentenced on 24 August. Continue reading Man convicted for Scotland Street murder
Your View at the Forth Rail Bridge
Thousands of people may have been unsuccessful in the new Queensberry Crossing Experience ballot, but Barnardo’s Scotland is offering an equally exclusive experience promising spectacular views of all three bridges and beyond. Continue reading Childrens’s charity offers exclusive Forth Bridge experience
Letting agents have six months to meet requirements of statutory code
Letting agents have six months to prepare for compliance with a new, statutory Code of Practice, set to improve standards and empower customers. Housing Minister Kevin Stewart is writing to all commercial letting agents to highlight the changes and their responsibilities, and the need to comply by January 31 2018.
The code sets out standards that must be met in how letting agents deliver services. It includes specific requirements on how clients’ money should be handled. It also makes it compulsory to have Client Money Protection and Professional Indemnity Insurance.
Landlords and tenants can use the code to challenge poor practice and, if necessary, enforce it through the new First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber). Letting agents will be required to join the Scottish Government’s mandatory register of letting agents, and key individuals in agencies must meet a minimum level of training.
Mr Stewart said: “We are committed to ensuring the highest quality private rented sector, which empowers tenants. Our framework for regulation, and the need for the sector to meet key standards and expectations through the code, is an important step in achieving our ambitions.
“Many letting agents already do a great deal to continuously improve standards and inspire confidence amongst landlords and tenants. The introduction of the code means a level playing field for all and ensures clarity on rights, responsibilities and expectations.
“For many people private renting provides a place to call home, and they deserve the necessary standards and protections to find and keep that home. With six months until the code comes into force letting agents must take steps now to be ready for these new ways of working.”
The Scottish Government has developed a guide for those undertaking letting agency work to assist them in meeting the requirements for registration. It is available at:
https://www.mygov.scot/letting-agent-registration/
Continue reading Tenants and landlords to benefit from new regulations
