Day: January 28, 2021

Creative Scotland: Latest round of Open Fund awards announced

104 projects are sharing in over £1.7m of National Lottery and Scottish Government funding through Creative Scotland in the latest round of Open Fund awards. 

These funds are supporting creative people, projects and organisations across Scotland to adapt and respond to the current changing circumstances brought about by COVID-19 and helping to sustain creative development at this challenging time.   

With the live music scene paused due to lockdown restrictions, Glasgow-based music platform Tenement TV has received £14,954 to create TTV COLLECTIVE; an online space to support and showcase emerging Scottish musicians. Allowing artists to create new recorded live experiences for music fans, the project will provide a paid platform for musicians in the absence of live gigs and concerts. 

Chae Houston, Director, Tenement TV said: “After almost a year without live music, TTV are delighted to launch this brand-new project which will allow artists in Scotland to collaborate and create, in line with current guidelines.  

“We’ve curated a fresh live recorded content programme featuring new combinations and collaborations from up-and-coming Scottish musical talent across the country and we cannot wait to share it with our audience.” 

The Scottish BAME Writers Network has received £49,837 for its 2021 programme, ‘Staying Connected’. Founded in 2018 to engage, validate and connect Black writers and writers of colour, the network advocates for inclusive publishing and promotes diverse voices within Scotland’s literary sector.  

The ‘Staying Connected’ programme will sustain community connection at a time when many are living in isolation, and create paid opportunities for BAME voices across publishing, mentoring and editorial roles. 

Jeda Pearl Lewis, Co-Director, Scottish BAME Writers Network said: “This year we plan to provide writing workshops, paid work, submission opportunities and writer development initiatives for our community and integrate more accessibility into our programming. Taking a nuanced, inclusive and intersectional approach to our work will continue to be at the heart of our organisation.” 

Community art project Fun A Day Dundee has also received £6,963 to help children, hobbyists and ‘non-artists’ to get creative by making art or doing something fun every day throughout the month of January. This free initiative will culminate in an online group exhibition, showcasing work by participants of all ages and abilities. 

Samantha Sherriff, Co-ordinator, Fun A Day Dundee said: “By supporting artists and non-artists, we hope to encourage new patterns and habits of playful making that will improve mental health, grow small businesses and support artistic development.  

“We welcome all skills and art mediums, and it’s a delight to see this wide variety of artists and makers encouraging each other, as well as sharing ideas and techniques.” 

Other initiatives supported by the latest round of Open Fund awards include William Letford’s Unexpected Poetry project, which will bring poetry installations to the streets of Stirling, and writer Elspeth Lewis’s memoir ‘The Sun on My Skin’, which aims to explore nature writing through the lens of disability and identity. 

Joan Parr, Arts and Engagement Director, Creative Scotland said: “As we begin 2021, the Open Fund continues to support Scotland’s arts and creative community to adapt and respond to the current changing circumstances brought about as a result of Covid-19.  

“From championing Scottish BAME writers to reimagining live music for digital audiences, these projects are testament to the determination, resilience and imagination of creative individuals and organisations in the face of extremely challenging circumstances. 

“Thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players, who raise £30 million for good causes across the UK every week, and funding from the Scottish Government, these awards are helping to sustain the great value that creativity brings to our lives.” 

A full list of recipients of Open Fund awards is available on the Creative Scotland website.   

The fund has no deadlines, and full eligibility criteria and application guidance can be found on the Creative Scotland website.  

Scottish Hockey launches BRAVE Performance Blueprint

Scottish Hockey has launched the BRAVE Performance Blueprint. The document is designed to clearly set out a distinct Scottish playing philosophy and principles – and further develop a culture of excellence for hockey in Scotland that is based on our values and characteristics.

BRAVE will build on the good work already being done across the country to support hockey athletes. The aim is to bring consistent international success for Scotland – playing in FIH World Cups; competing for medals at Commonwealth Games; senior and junior teams regularly competing amongst the top six in Europe; and a high representation of Scottish athletes in GB programmes.

In the drive to deliver sustainable success on the world stage, four elements have been identified that are key to the success of the blueprint. These relate directly to our characteristics and culture as a nation, the style of hockey we wish to play, how we optimise athlete development, and our priorities for delivering quality coaching to support our best athletes.

Scottish Hockey’s Head of Performance, Andy Tennant, said, “There’s clearly a lot of good work already happening across Scotland, so the idea is to build on this and align our system to create an identity for ourselves as a high performing performance hockey nation.

“In consultation with our national high performance and pathway coaches, we have identified a distinctly Scottish style, and our vision is very much about being the best we can be – and a good “us” rather than a poor imitation of someone else. Ultimately, we want Scotland teams to play a dynamic attacking style of hockey built on efficient defence.

“So BRAVE helps define who we are; how we want to play; how we best develop talent, and what our key coaching priorities are. If we can align all these key elements, it will give us the best chance to be successful on the world stage.”

Using BRAVE as a mnemonic, the blueprint has identified five key characteristics in players that will help deliver consistent and sustainable success on the world stage.

These are Bold; Relentless; Accountable; Versatile; Excellent decision making.

Andy Tennant explained, “Generally in performance sport as coaches we tend to be relatively strong on the X’s and O’s of the game and have traditionally focussed on technical and tactical elements.

“More recently with the support of sports science and technology, we have also found physical skills much easier to measure. But for us the biggest gains to be made are in developing psychological characteristics and promoting positive performance behaviours that help develop excellence in our players.

“We’ve captured this in a simple memorable and distinctly Scottish mnemonic, BRAVE, and we’re looking for our players to display five key characteristics – bold, in terms of the way they approach the game in a fearless and positive way; relentless in their pursuit of excellence; accountable to themselves, teammates and the way we want to play hockey; versatile, so they’re able to adapt and play in a number of different ways; and we also need excellent decision makers – having good technical and physical skills is important but they are worthless unless backed up by good decisions.

“We want to build a system that helps players be those five things.”

The BRAVE blueprint also recognises the principles included within the GB Hockey Talent Development Framework, which was developed in partnership with the two other home nations.

While the BRAVE characteristics are articulated to recognise our priorities as a nation, they are inherently similar to those articulated within the GB Framework. We are committed to Scotland remaining aligned with the GB Hockey performance system, while still producing athletes with distinctly Scottish characteristics. Ultimately, we believe this will help us develop successful Scotland teams and GB athletes with medal winning potential.

The BRAVE Performance Blueprint has been designed to be a living breathing document that will continue to evolve and develop over time as the game at international level requires and coaches across Scotland can help contribute to this.

Andy Tennant added, “BRAVE is not about being prescriptive – there’s a philosophy and a number of key principles in the blueprint, but it’s about principles not prescription.

“Coaches need to be given the freedom to put their own stamp on things, and the last thing we’re looking to do is stifle creativity for our coaches or our players. We want to build a system that’s free and flexible enough for people to explore what’s within it and to develop a culture of continuous improvement.

“This isn’t about us telling anyone how they should coach, it’s about us identifying the things that are most important and discussing how we can do these things better collectively. We have dozens of high-quality coaches working along the pathway so it’s about engaging all of those who want be involved in this process, having strong coaching conversations and collectively moving the game forward.”

Scottish Hockey’s performance team, including its high performance coaches and pathway coaches, have all engaged with the BRAVE development process in a collective effort, and now it’s time for coaches across the country to get involved and have their say.

Early green light for city centre cyclists

The council has installed new advanced green lights for cyclists in the city centre to help improve cycle safety around tram tracks.

The lights, which have been introduced at a number of locations around Princes Street, St Andrew Square and the West End, give cyclists more space and time at key junctions.

This is the latest in a series of measures to improve safety for people cycling near the city centre tram route over recent years. These include red-surfaced cycle lanes at key points to make it easier to cross the tram tracks, more advance stop boxes and additional warning signs for drivers and cyclists.

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “Cycle safety is of utmost importance to us, and in recent years we have worked to introduce several changes to help protect cyclists travelling near the tram tracks.

“By introducing early release green lights for cyclists we are giving anyone travelling by bike more space at a number of busy junctions around the city centre.”

Drivers are being advised to look out for the early release green lights for cyclists. Drivers must wait for their own green light and are encouraged to give people cycling a lot of extra space around tram tracks.

The council has recently introduced several measures to create safer spaces for walking and cycling in the city centre as part of the Spaces for People programme.

Amongst these are temporary segregated cycle lanes between Forrest Road and the Mound, the closure of Waverley Bridge to motor traffic at the junction with Princes Street and widened pavements on East Princes Street and South St David Street.

Advanced green lights for people cycling have been installed on specific approach arms at the following junctions:

  • North St Andrew Street / St Andrew Square
  • South St Andrew Street / St Andrew Square
  • Princes Street / The Mound
  • Princes Street / Frederick Street
  • Princes Street / Lothian Road
  • Shandwick Place / Princes Street
  • Atholl Place / Manor Place
  • West Maitland Street / Palmerston Place
  • Dalry Road / Haymarket Junction

Find out more about tram safety on the Council website.

LifeCare doubles the distribution of vital meals on wheels service

LifeCare Edinburgh, the older people’s support charity, is today announcing it is extending its ‘meals on wheels’ service launched last year as increased support for the elderly through the crisis. 

The charity set up the new service in September thanks to securing significant funding from Barclays 100×100 UK COVID-19 Community Relief Fund. 

The hot food delivery programme has rapidly become an integral part of the charity’s service plan supporting those most in need through the pandemic. In just over three months, LifeCare has provided over 2,000 fresh and nutritious two-course meals delivered safely, hot and ready to eat. 

Meals are prepared in the charity’s community café on Cheyne Street in Stockbridge and delivered by their Help at Home service. 

Meal deliveries have been hailed as ‘lifesaving’ by those accessing the service.  In particular, the programme is proving to be a huge help for those struggling with mobility issues which may be worsening through the crisis as people remain in the home.

Others lack the energy to cater for themselves, for those who live alone it is something to look forward to, and it provides comfort and assurance for friends and family members who live elsewhere and are unable to visit to care for their loved ones. 

An additional benefit is that delivering the meals to those most vulnerable acts as an important regular ‘check-in’ service where the trained team can safely make sure that the individual is coping OK and assess/refer any new needs.

Damian McGown CEO of LifeCare, (above) said: “We are hugely proud of our vital new meals on wheels service which has already provided positive, practical support to over 100 local older people who are truly suffering through this difficult time. 

“The colder, darker months have always been a challenge for older people, but this is a winter like no other.  The elderly have been disproportionately affected by the virus and as restrictions increase once again those in our communities remain very worried, fearful, often lonely and chronically isolated.  Family and friends can no longer visit, activities are cancelled, and day services closed.  The most vulnerable are shielding once again.

“We are therefore announcing that, thanks to the support from Barclays, LifeCare will be extending our meals on wheels service to offer double the existing support – we are now able to reach 200 local older people most in need. 

“Those eligible will receive a fresh, nutritious two-course meal delivered hot and ready to eat.  Please contact us if you or someone you know could benefit from LifeCare’s free meals on wheels service.”

Scott Stewart, Head of Barclays Scotland, said: “LifeCare is playing a vital role in this crisis.  The charity has amplified its offering to elderly people with the donation provided by Barclays and we are delighted to support their work.”

Meals are delivered at lunchtime and there is a choice of two main courses each day with one choice always being vegetarian. All special dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for. 

If you, or someone you know, would like to benefit from the meals on wheels service please call 0131 343 0940 to discuss.  

For more information visit https://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/

Council looks to balance the books

City councillors will next week consider a report outlining proposals for a balanced overall budget for 2021/22 as uncertainty persists around future changes and financial pressures brought about by the ongoing Covid19 crisis.

The report was published yesterday, a day ahead of today’s planned announcement by the Scottish Government of the 2021/22 Local Government Financial Settlement. 

Financial flexibilities already agreed with the Scottish Government have contributed to the balanced budget position for 2021/22, with an acknowledgement that more fundamental service reform, improvement and prioritisation will be required in future years.

At their meeting on 2 February the Finance and Resources Committee will also consider the Council’s new three-year Business Plan, titled ‘Our Future Council, Our Future City‘, which brings together the Council’s strategic priorities in a single plan responding to the need for change and seeks to shape a fair and green post-pandemic recovery for the Capital over the years ahead.

The Business Plan aims to deliver a sustainable, fair and thriving future for Edinburgh, responding directly to the aspirations tens of thousands of residents have shared for their home city as part of the 2050 Edinburgh City Vision process and guided by the Council’s three key priorities of tackling poverty and inequality, boosting sustainability and enhancing wellbeing.

As well as reporting a balanced budget position for 2021/22, the Revenue Budget report sets out a budget framework for the following four years.

During this time, due to a combination of rising demand, inflationary pressures, legislative reform and a level of funding that is not expected to keep pace, the Council will be required to save more than £100m whilst maintaining an appropriate level of reserves.

Difficult decisions on where to prioritise investment will therefore be unavoidable. 

Finance and Resources Convener Councillor Rob Munn said: “Like all Scottish local authorities, we find ourselves in a difficult situation, both in terms of how long Covid restrictions will be in place and what further pressures the pandemic will place on our budgets in the months to come. We’ve already faced budget pressures of around £85m through increased expenditure and lost income.

“That’s why it’s entirely pragmatic to set a balanced one-year budget for the next financial year while preparing for broader reforms from 2022 onwards.

“Our recent Best Value audit by the Accounts Commission found that we’re managing our finances well but recommended that we set out longer-term financial plans and that we pull together our ambitious strategies into a single plan.

“Both the Business Plan and the five-year budget framework we’re proposing respond directly to this recommendation and, taken together, they will help us reprioritise and, where required, redesign services to address budget gaps and progress our core priorities over the coming years.”

Vice Convener Councillor Joan Griffiths said: “In setting out a balanced budget position for 2021/22, I am particularly pleased to note that, through careful financial management, we’re able to sustain vital frontline services; the services our communities have so depended upon during the incredibly difficult and challenging situation we’ve all faced since the pandemic began. 

“We remain fully committed to our established priorities of tackling poverty and inequality, boosting sustainability and promoting wellbeing – all of which were set based on direct public feedback on what is most important to the people of Edinburgh.

There’s no doubt some very challenging times lie ahead but we’re determined to maintain our focus on investing in attractive, safe and sustainable places to live, building thousands more affordable homes and high-quality modern schools and early years settings to give our children the best possible start in life. The residents of Edinburgh deserve nothing less.”

The Business Plan sets out three core priorities for the city:

(i) ending poverty and preventing adverse outcomes such as homelessness and unemployment;
(ii) becoming a net-zero city; and
(iii) ensuring wellbeing and equalities are enhanced for all.

These will be aligned with the priorities set out in the Edinburgh Partnership Community Plan which were developed based on feedback from communities.

The priorities, shared by all members of the Edinburgh Partnership, are to ensure all citizens have: 

  • Enough money to live on
  • Access to work, learning and training
  • A good place to live.

An update to the budget proposals will be reported to councillors once the implications for Edinburgh of the Scottish Government’s LGFS are known. 

Fundraisers encouraged to put their best foot forward as Walk for Autism launches annual campaign

Thousands of people across the UK and Ireland will walk 10,000 steps a day for eight days starting this March, raising vital funds for people with autism and their families as part of the fourth annual Walk for Autism campaign.

Registrations are now officially open, giving everyone time to fundraise ahead of the walk which will begin on March 26 ending on World Autism Awareness Day on 2nd April.

Despite a challenging year in 2020 with a number of Covid related restrictions in place, the charity initiative raised over £90,000, which supported hundreds of individuals and funded more than 20 projects that improve quality of life, promote physical activity and help autistic adults and children learn and develop every single day.

Fundraising Manager at Autism Initiatives Group, Liz Oakley said: “Typically we would encourage our walkers to become part of a community that would meet up and take on the challenge together. Although last year this wasn’t possible, we were blown away by the comradery that we saw among participants on a virtual level.

“This inspirational team spirit is something that we are passionate about bringing into our 2021 campaign and we want to reassure people that they can still take part safely in line with the current lockdown measures.

“Although the challenge can be done solo, anywhere at any time within those eight days, it’s the message behind it that links us all and has the power to create lasting bonds and ultimately make a real difference to autistic people alongside their families and support networks.

“Now in its fourth year, we’re encouraging people to sign up to Walk for Autism and support us in raising funds that will help us to change lives one step at a time. Autism affects more than 700,000 people in the UK and Ireland and it’s so important that we help as many of those people as we can through the projects undertaken by Autism Initiatives.

“As we all continue to adjust to a ‘new normal’, the change is especially difficult for people with autism and for their families to comprehend and manage. With that in mind, we hope that by collectively taking part in Walk for Autism we can contribute to something positive among the disruption and help to secure support where it’s needed.”

The team are encouraging walkers to raise £10 a day across the eight-day challenge although greater donations will really help to make a difference.

Once registered, walkers will be able to set up their own unique fundraising page and connect with others online via a dedicated Facebook group. After an initial donation, participants will receive their very own Walk for Autism t-shirt.

Liz added: “This campaign is especially important to us as we have seen first-hand how much it can improve people’s lives. It’s also an opportunity for us to don our trainers and get outdoors.

“The last year has been tough for everyone and walking has been proven to help with mental wellbeing – just another positive reason to get involved. As we face the prospect of continued lockdown restrictions in the months ahead, we hope that this challenge will keep people motivated to put their physical and mental health first, whether that’s by stepping outside for fresh air or simply using it to help build a routine that adds some structure to our day-to-day lives.

“Walkers can complete their steps at any time and in whatever way suits them, whether it’s walking the dog or stepping on the treadmill. Participants can use their walking time to reflect, de-stress or to catch up with friends and loved ones via call or video chat.

“It’s important to remember that each and every step counts so even if you can’t get out and about, steps around the garden or even around your home will all contribute. You can track your steps easily using a pedometer or smart phone apps to make sure you’re hitting your target. The concept is simple, but the rewards are huge.”

Walk for Autism is a fundraising campaign led by charity Autism Initiatives Group (registered charity number 1170634) who have been working to improve the lives of autistic people and their families across the UK and Ireland for almost 50 years.

For more information or to sign up visit www.walkforautism.co.uk

Morrisons announce more support for food banks

Morrisons has announced it will set aside a further £5 million of food supplies to help keep the nation’s food banks stocked up this year.

Last year, Morrisons led the charge to restock Britain’s food banks, who found themselves struggling with unprecedented demand for their services. Through Morrisons network of Community Champions, £10 million of stock was delivered direct to food banks across the UK.

As the UK’s largest fresh foodmaker, Morrisons ran its bakery, egg and fruit & veg packing site for an extra hour every day to make, prepare and pack food required to restock the food banks – with over 2 million eggs and over 300,000 loaves of bread distributed through Morrisons own manufacturing sites.

Morrisons also focused on the essential products food banks were calling out for supplying 1 million packets of pasta, 1.5 million litres of long life milk and over 800,000 tins of beans to those in need. Other treats to help bring joy to families included 1 million Easter Eggs and 50,000 packs of McVities Victoria Biscuits through an innovative buy one, donate one campaign in November.

Food was then distributed locally through Morrisons network of local heroes – the community champions – who work closely with food banks on the ground to ensure they’re getting the vital stock that they need.

Food banks continue to play a vital role in the pandemic for many of the most vulnerable people in communities, with research by the Trussell Trust forecasting a 61% increase in food parcels needed across its UK Network this winter – and six emergency food parcels given out every minute. 

The £5 million donation by Morrisons will continue to distribute food to those most in need this year.

Morrisons Chief Executive, David Potts said: “As food banks continue to face the extremely challenging times they find themselves in, it is only right that we continue to play our full part at Morrisons in feeding the nation.

“As a business our priority remains to be kind and support those in society who find themselves struggling through this very difficult time; all of us working together means no-one need be left behind”.

Morrisons customers have also played their part throughout the pandemic, contributing over £180,000 to the Trussell Trust through Morrisons.com and donating hundreds of thousands of products in store through the Morrisons Pick Up Packs.

A scheme where customers can select a small paper bag filled with a number of items needed specifically by their local food bank labelled with a price at the front of store, pay for the items and drop off their bag on their way out. 

Call for Scottish budget to address mental health pandemic for children and young people

A coalition of leading independent and third sector children and young people’s service providers has called on the Scottish Government to deliver a “budget for mental health” this afternoon.

The call from campaign group, the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), comes in advance of today’s Scottish Budget and Children’s Mental Health Week (1st-7th February). It comes amid growing concerns over a potential lost generation of vulnerable children and young people, whose mental health is being impacted by the pandemic. 

The SCSC has urged greatly increased investment in services for children and young people to tackle a current mental health pandemic and called for a national crusade to address this.

COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on young people’s mental health and wellbeing, with the recent Prince’s Trust long-running annual survey of young people’s happiness and confidence returned the worst findings in its 12-year history. It found that more than a quarter (26 per cent) say that they feel unable to cope with life since the start of the pandemic.

In addition, half of the young people interviewed said that their mental health has worsened, with more than half (56 per cent) said they always or often felt anxious. 1

Even prior to the pandemic cases of poor mental health were at unprecedented levels, representing one of the greatest health challenges of our time, and there is a growing number of vulnerable children who cannot access services. With a new lockdown and a return to home schooling, even some children who would not have accessed children’s mental health services normally will need support this year.

However, just over 50p in every £100 of the NHS budget is being spent on specialist child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). A frighteningly low figure despite the fact that mental health services are literally creaking at the seams due to greatly increasing demand. 

Research indicates that 10 per cent of children and young people (aged five to 16) has a clinically diagnosable mental health problem (around three in every classroom) – however, it should be noted that these figures are some years out of date and it is widely believed that numbers have increased and will increase further given the impacts of COVID-19.

Recent statistics however point to the fact that only one health board in Scotland is treating children and young people within an 18-week waiting time and more than 1,000 have been waiting over a year to be treated.

The SCSC has also called for greatly increased investment in services and for a renewed focus on prevention and early intervention. This includes on-demand counselling services in GP surgeries and greater community support generally, reducing the need for referral to under-pressure specialist CAMHS. 

A spokesperson for the SCSC said: “Our children are remarkably resilient, but the statistics on the mental health of our young people does create a compelling case for a national crusade to address what is a mental health pandemic representing one of the greatest public health challenges of our time.

“We are urging the Scottish Government to make the forthcoming budget a budget for mental health for our children and young people. Unless the government takes urgent action to improve access to services, this young generation will be destined for a future of mental ill health, with a resultant societal impact. 

“There must be significantly increased investment in and greater collaboration between the public, private and third sectors to deliver adequate mental health support. We must also use this as an opportunity to radically transform our mental health services, both for now and for the future, refocusing on prevention and early intervention.

“This mental health crisis is one we can address, but it will require a similar energy, drive and commitment to that which was demonstrated for COVID-19 if we are to achieve this and prevent this generation of young people giving up on their futures – and themselves.”

£25 million for regeneration projects

Go-ahead for Granton Station and Nourishing Leith Hubs

More than £25 million is going to disadvantaged and remote communities around Scotland to support regeneration and employment projects. Two Edinburgh projects, Granton Station Enterprise Hub (above) and Nourishing Leith Hub, will receive funding of over £2.2 million.

The money from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) will go to 26 projects all over Scotland to tackle inequalities and deliver inclusive growth.  

Over 400 business and organisations will benefit from the projects which will support or create more than 1220 jobs as well as thousands of training places by refurbishing and bringing back into use 26 empty buildings to provide space for community enterprises.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “Together with COSLA we have invested almost £200 million through this fund since 2014 in support of locally-led regeneration projects which help to build the resilience and wellbeing of communities. I am pleased that a further 26 projects will benefit from the fund as we look to a period of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have had to lead our lives locally, pulling together more as communities, to see off the many challenges arising from coronavirus. This latest round of investment into local projects continues our ongoing support for vibrant and accessible town centres and communities.”

Earth in Common (formerly Leith Crops in Pots) were delighted to hear that their funding application has been successful at last. The Leith initiaitve recieves £944,744.

A spokesperson for the community project said: “Our team are over the moon with this news today! After many years and huge effort we finally done it. Our pixies went on one small outing today and look what they managed to achieve. Must have been all that fairy dust. They ‘Saved the PAV’!”

COSLA’s Environment and Economy spokesperson Councillor Steven Heddle said: “This work has never been more important as we look to rebuild from the devastating impact of COVID-19. Recovery from the virus must be fair to our communities and promote inclusivity, growth and wellbeing.

“The innovative projects announced today can empower our communities to deliver better places to live and work.”

While many of the awards are for projects based in urban areas, there’s funding for initiatives in some far-flung communities too

Among the projects being funded this year is The Old Clyne School Redevelopment Project in Brora, Highland. It will redevelop a derelict C-listed building to become a community-owned museum and heritage centre, and to be a base for the Clyne Heritage Society.

Dr Nick Lindsay, Chairman of the Clyne Heritage Society said: “This is the best news that we could have hoped for, in what has been a very difficult year. This should unlock the final ‘brick-in-the-wall’ funds from other funding partners, so we can deliver this major development for Brora.

“We can now fulfil our dreams by regenerating the Old Clyne School into a must-visit destination, transforming a current eyesore into a welcome attraction for the whole community and future generations.”

Tougher border controls … but not tough enough, says First Minister

The UK government has announced further action for outbound and inbound passengers to minimise travel across international borders and reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission – but Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the measures just don’t go far enough.

While the focus is on protecting the UK’s world-leading vaccination programme, this action will reduce the risk of a new variant of the virus being transmitted from someone coming into the UK.

The measures announced today include:

For those wishing to travel out of the UK

  • Declaring reason for travel: anyone who does not have a valid reason for travel will be directed to return home and may face a fine. The reason for travel will be checked.
  • Increased police enforcement: there will be an increased police presence at ports and airports, fining those in breach of the stay at home regulations. Anyone without valid reason for travel will be directed to return home and may face a fine.
  • Reviewing travel exemptions: the list of travel exemptions will be urgently reviewed so that only the most important and exceptional reasons are included.

For those seeking to enter the UK

  • Managed isolation in hotels: this will be for those arriving from countries where we have imposed international travel bans and who cannot be refused entry. They will be required to isolate for ten days without exception and more details will be provided in due course.
  • Police checks: police are carrying out more physical checks at addresses to make sure people are self-isolating.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “There are still too many people coming in and out of our country each day. The rules are clear – people should be staying at home unless they have a valid reason to leave. Going on holiday is not a valid reason.

“As we have done throughout this global health emergency, we will continue to take all steps necessary to protect the public and help prevent the spread of the virus.”

These new measures are on top of the restrictions already in place, all of which help reduce the risk of importing a new variant.

  • Refusing entry: we will continue to refuse entry to non-UK residents from red list countries which are already subject to a UK travel ban.
  • Entering the UK: passengers arriving in the UK need to provide evidence of a negative pre-departure Covid test. There is also the requirement for people arriving from abroad to self-isolate on arrival, and the requirement to complete a passenger locator form, with fines for those who fail to comply.
  • Detecting new variants: we will help other countries to access to the UK’s world-leading gene sequencing capabilities to help with early identification of any new and dangerous variants of the virus.

All measures will be kept under review and further action will be taken to protect the public if needed.

Pre-empting the Westminster announcement, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told yesterday’s media briefing that she feared the UK Government’s plans don’t go far enough and that Scotland may introduce tougher measures.

Miss Sturgeon said: “Now, the second point I want to cover today relates to travel, since there is a lot of speculation about a UK Government that will be made later on this today. So I want to reiterate some of the points the Deputy First Minister made to parliament yesterday that some of you may have heard.

“Travel restrictions will be very vitally important in the coming months. Travel restrictions will be a key way in which we help to stop new cases and in particular, new variants of this virus being imported into Scotland.

“As we found out to our cost over the summer, the virus travels when people travel – and there will be a need for restrictions even after vaccination is much more widespread.

“And indeed at a time when there is rightly a focus on lessons learned, that we should be learning from earlier stages of the pandemic, this is one that I would highlight that we should have perhaps done more of at an earlier stage to restrict travel across our borders.

“We have been in discussions with the UK Government for some time about improving border controls. In those discussions, we have raise the issue of Quarantine Hotels, where people who are returning to the UK can self-isolate.

“The Scottish Government believes that a comprehensive system of supervised quarantine is required for this next stage of the pandemic, to mitigate against the risk of new cases and new variants being imported into the country.

“I’ve just taken part in a 4 Nations call and I’ve been briefed on what the Prime Minister is likely to announce later on. I’m not going to preempt his announcement. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to do so but clearly there is speculation in newspapers.

“But I think I do have a duty at this point to say that I am concerned that the proposal does not go far enough and I’ve made that point very strongly in the 4 Nations discussions that we’ve just had today.

“So while the Scottish Government will initially emulate the UK Government’s steps on enhancing quarantine arrangements, we will be seeking urgently to persuade them to go much further and indeed to move to a comprehensive system of supervised quarantine.

“Given the obvious practical issues involved, we are very clear that our preference is to have consistent quarantine rules across the UK. But if there is no agreement to go further on a 4 Nations basis, we will be considering going further ourselves and we will set out any such additional measures next week.

“I know that talk of travel restrictions is tough to hear, for everybody, but particularly tough for many businesses and so we’re also asking the UK Government to work with us to provide additional support for the aviation sector, which is of course directly affected by further restrictions.   

“Fundamentally, though, we believe that tougher travel restrictions – however unwelcome they are for all of us – are essential to managing the risk posed by new variants, and to new cases coming into Scotland.

“And, as I said, I think that they will become increasingly important, as case levels in Scotland, we hope, continue to fall and that makes it all the more important that we do everything that we can to protect against the risks of reimportation.

 “As I said, we are likely to set out further steps next week but for now, let me reiterate that no one should be travelling overseas right now unless for absolutely essential purposes.“