Day: June 19, 2021

Letters: Children need our support, says NSPCC Scotland

Dear Editor,

Since April last year, our trained Childline counsellors have delivered more than 73,000 counselling sessions with young people who were struggling with their mental and emotional health. And more than 5,000 of these counselling sessions were with children aged 11 or under, an increase of nearly a third when compared to the year before.

However, as a charity that receives 90% of our income from the public, we know this is something we have not achieved alone, and we are hugely grateful for the dedication and commitment of our supporters, which allow us to continue this work.

One way that the public can support us is through the People’s Postcode Lottery, and since 2018, players have provided crucial funding to the sum of almost £6 million to the NSPCC to help the charity keep children safe and well.

The funds have been used to support our vital services across Scotland. This includes our schools service programme, helping primary school children speak out and stay safe from abuse, and our service centre in Govan, Glasgow, providing therapeutic services to families. And, of course, Childline, which provides free and confidential counselling to children and young people in need of support.

Childline is a lifeline for many children and over the past year thousands of young people have needed it more than ever due to the challenges they have faced during the pandemic. Local lockdowns, school closures, isolation and the impact of being separated from family and friends led many children to get in touch with the service over the phone or online.

The money raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery has been invaluable in helping our frontline staff be here for children during their darkest hours.

Moving forward, as lockdown restrictions continue to ease, it remains vital that children and young people know where they can access help and support.

We can only make a difference for children together, and we simply couldn’t continue to run services like Childline without the public’s support.

To find out more about how you could help us be there for children through fundraising, get in touch at ScotlandFundraisingTeam@nspcc.org.uk

Paul Cockram,

Head of Fundraising for NSPCC Scotland

Updates to The Highway Code will make roads even safer

Highways England has drafted updated guidance for The Highway Code with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to help road users better understand how motorways and high-speed roads operate.

More than 3,200 people and organisations responded to a consultation on the guidance, with their comments directly leading to it being amended and improved. The amendments are expected to become part of The Highway Code later this year.

The update will include:

  • clearer advice on where to stop in an emergency
  • the importance of not driving in a lane closed by a Red X
  • the use of variable speed limits to manage congestion
  • updated guidance on key factors that contribute to safety-related incidents, including driving while tired, unroadworthy vehicles, safe towing, tailgating and driving in roadworks

Jeremy Phillips, Highways England’s Head of Road Safety, said: “The updates to The Highway Code will help everyone who uses our busiest roads.

“Thanks to the input from road users, we have been able to produce clearer guidance on how to use our motorways and major A-roads which will make journeys even safer.

“The new edition of The Highway Code can give everyone on our roads the confidence that they have the knowledge and skills to safely get from A to B.”

Among the updates to The Highway Code are clearer advice on how and where to stop in an emergency, including the importance of not driving in a lane that has been closed with a Red X sign displayed and, for the first time, emergency area signage. It includes the “Go left” messaging used in Highways England’s recent £5m advertising campaign to help people know what to do in the event of a breakdown.

There is new guidance on the use of variable speed limits to manage congestion and information on how safety cameras are used to ensure compliance with speed limits and lanes closed with a Red X, including the hard shoulder.

The improved guidance also addresses key factors that contribute to safety-related incidents, including driving while tired, unroadworthy vehicles, safe towing, tailgating and driving through roadworks.

In total, 33 existing rules will be amended and two new rules will be introduced. There will also be a number of amendments made to the additional information within The Highway Code and its annexes.

Highways England has provided the amendments to The Highway Code as part of its commitment to provide clearer information for road users to further improve safety across England’s major routes.

It is vital that all road users are aware of The Highway Code, are considerate to other road users and understand their responsibility for their own safety and that of others.

View the results of the consultation.

Highways England has also launched a campaign to help road users to understand what to do in an emergency on a motorway or high-speed road.

For more information, visit the campaign webpage.

‘Transformational’ early learning and childcare expansion

More children receiving 1,140 funded hours

More than seven out of ten children in Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) are now receiving the full 1,140 funded hours.

The number of children has risen by 10,510 since February – an increase from 65% to 72%.

The latest data from the Improvement Service shows that at the end of April 2021, 118,068 children were accessing funded ELC. Of these, 102,410 children (87%) were accessing more than the statutory entitlement of 600 hours, and 84,606 children (72%) were accessing 1,140 hours.

Children’s Minister Clare Haughey said: “These figures show we are well on the way to offering all eligible children 1,140 hours of funded ELC from August 2021 –  a transformational policy that will benefit families across Scotland.

“Despite the pandemic having an impact on the construction of ELC facilities and recruitment plans across the country, local authorities have continued to make good progress in expansion plans. 

“At the centre of these plans is the drive to improve children’s outcomes and help close the poverty-related attainment gap, to improve the health and wellbeing of children and parents, and to support parents into work, study or training. I’d like to thank local authorities and all those who are continuing to work at pace to meet our target.”

Councillor Stephen McCabe, COSLA Children and Young People spokesperson, said:  “I welcome the progress that has been made towards the implementation of the 1,140 hours ELC expansion by August. This report shows that significant progress has been made by councils despite the continued challenges of the pandemic, including the national lockdown.

“We know that the additional hours will be transformational with children provided with more time to play and learn, while parents and carers will have more opportunities to work, study or volunteer. We are pleased we are on track for delivery later this year”.

Funded early learning and childcare (ELC) is available to all three and four year olds and eligible two year olds. From August 2021, the entitlement will increase to 1,140 hours a year (30 hours a week if taken term time).

The expansion of funded ELC, originally intended for August 2020, was paused in April 2020 to give local authorities the flexibility to focus on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Early Learning and Childcare Expansion Delivery Progress Report, May 2021 (improvementservice.org.uk)

UK Government’s response fails to address ‘very pressing issue’ of food insecurity

Westminster’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has published the Government’s response to its second Covid-19 and Food Supply report.

Despite repeated recommendations made in the report to address high levels of food insecurity, the Committee express disappointment in the Government’s ‘lacklustre’ response.

The report, published in April, scrutinised food supply and food security in the UK in the six months following the publication of the Committee’s original Covid-19 and Food Supply report in July 2020.

Despite now being urged twice by the Committee to appoint a new Minster for Food Security and consult on a national ‘right to food’ in England, the Government’s response fails to commit to either.

With many in the UK currently experiencing food insecurity as a result of the covid-19 pandemic, the cross-party Committee had urged the Government to work cross-departmentally, conducting an annual food security report and ensuring that everyone, and especially the most vulnerable, have access to enough affordable nutritious food.

Neil Parish MP, Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, said: “In April, we urged the Government to maintain the momentum gained during the covid crisis to keep society’s most vulnerable people fed.

“Despite our Committee making clear recommendations, the Government’s response is lacklustre, kicking the can down the road on long-term actions which would tackle the very pressing issue of food insecurity.

“A great deal of expectation now rests on Henry Dimbleby’s National Food Strategy – something my Committee will be keeping a close eye on. We hope he will be more ambitious and that the Government will finally recognises the seriousness- and urgency- of the matter.”

Edinburgh street lighting contract puts communities at the forefront

Amey’s Edinburgh Street Lighting team have been working with the City of Edinburgh Council to upgrade over 64,000 LED streetlights since the contract went live in 2018 with works creating 20-year savings in excess of £54million. But it’s the difference the team is making to local communities that is a light bulb moment.

Through the unique way the contract was modelled the teams have undertaking over 35 community activities, each benefiting from time devoted to social value – enabling the team to give back to local people and communities.

The upgrading and maintenance programme began in June 2018 and has involved more than 55,000 street lightings, approximately 1,600 street lighting column replacements and various auxiliary electrical elements throughout the streets of Edinburgh in Scotland.

In addition to installing the most up-to-date LED technology, the team has also installed a dynamic street lighting control management system that allows for centralised, more efficient management of the lighting, reducing the need for people to report faults as these are now being automatically picked up.  These maintenance repair works has helped the city to reduce CO2 emissions in compliance with SEEP (Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme).

However, the unique way the contract was modelled has meant that the street lighting team have been directly involved in helping local communities and initiatives through putting social value at the forefront during the tendering stages of contract development.

Social value on Edinburgh Street Lighting contract is measured by a points-based system. Amey committed to achieving 720 community benefit points throughout the duration of the three-year contract, which is due to end this year, and has to date surpassed expectations by achieving 1,764 points. 

Points are obtained through Amey’s street lighting team being involved in local events and participating in community projects.

Some of the activities the team have been involved with include attending careers fair, Christmas gift collections, foodbank collections to upgrading a play area for children with both physical and mental disabilities to assisting painting a homeless shelter and upgrading the lighting at a neighbourhood centre and at a Scout hall.

During COVID, involvement in social value programmes weren’t put on hold either, the team adapted to the challenge and hosted virtual quizzes to raise money for prostate cancer and were involved in local foodbank collections for example.

A Spokesperson for the City of Edinburgh Council said: “Community Benefits are at the heart of this Contract and are measured in Community Benefits Points.

“Amey have taken this role seriously and have actively participated in events, carrying out improvement works in community setting and have received much praise from those whom they have helped. Currently, Amey have secured approximately 50 per cent more points than they are contractually obliged to.”

Nick Powell Account Director for Amey’s Street Lighting business said: “Working in collaboration with the City of Edinburgh Council has been the key to the success of this contract partnership which started in June 2018.

“Fully immersing ourselves in community life has enabled us to deliver a successful community programme which has seen the team volunteer their time at community days, career fairs Christmas gift and foodbank collections as well as upgrading a play area for children with both physical and mental disabilities – activities our team are proud to have been involved with. Due to the way the contract was set up – it’s given our teams the opportunity to be fully immersed within the communities that we serve.”

Amey recognises the opportunity to have a positive impact on the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the communities in which it operates. It has recently released it’s 2020 Social Value Plan which outlines its achievements in this space to date and ambitions for the years ahead.

For more information about Amey’s commitment to social value visit:

www.amey.co.uk/social-value

Public to be given a say on new development at Sheriffhall South

Buccleuch Property is to bring forward proposals for the construction of an employment development with ancillary uses on land at Sheriffhall South, Gilmerton Road/Melville Gate, Dalkeith, Midlothian. The development will extend to over 10,000 square metres and will create approximately 300 jobs.

The developer has formally submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) to Midlothian Council, informing that it intends to submit a planning application for the development following a minimum 12-week community consultation period.

The Scottish Government has suspended in-person public consultation events due to COVID-19.

Full details about the proposals will be made available to the public at 9 am on Tuesday 22nd June on the dedicated project website: www.sheriffhallsouth.com

An online consultation event will take place between 3pm and 7pm on Tuesday 22nd June. Interested parties can join the online event by visiting the project website during those hours at which time consultants will be available to answer any questions and receive feedback through a two-way chat system.

Feedback can also be submitted via the website following the online event, and information will be made available in paper format if requested.

Any representations or suggestions for changes to the proposals shared during the online event will be included in a Pre-Application Consultation report to accompany future applications. 

Please note, comments made to the prospective applicant do not constitute representations to the Planning Authority. A further opportunity to make representations to Midlothian Council will be available following formal submission of the planning application.

If you are unable to access the exhibition boards on the day of the event, please contact Orbit Communications at hello@sheriffhallsouth.com or on 0131 202 3259 or at 4 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JE and we can arrange for them to reach you in an alternative manner.

A spokesperson at Buccleuch Property said: “We’re delighted to be giving the public the chance to have a say on our development proposals at Sheriffhall South. This exciting employment development provides the community with high-quality new business space and ancillary services.

“We are consulting extensively to ensure that that the public have an opportunity to input their views and shape our proposals. We encourage the community to attend and ask any questions they may have.”

Veteran Dad shares words of wisdom ahead of Father’s Day

Residents at a care home have been sharing their favourite memories and most important piece of advice in advance of Father’s Day.

89-year-old Matthew Dunnigan, who resides at Cramond Residence in Edinburgh, has shared the advice he would like to pass to future generations of fathers is to treasure all of the time you have with your children and show them as much warmth, care and love as possible.

Matthew also shared one of the biggest perks of fatherhood is being able to socialise with his two children as they got older, adding: “When they were young, I was always Dad but when they grew up, I became a friend too, and that was very special”

Cramond Residence, where Matthew is currently a resident, will be putting on a dedicated Father’s Day spread, with tea, cakes and sandwiches, to help residents celebrate the special day in style, despite restrictions.

Over 190,000 disabled people in Scotland are eligible for worry-free motoring

The Motability Scheme looks to increase awareness in the county as it pilots its first ever national campaign

Everyday activities like going to the supermarket, visiting friends or popping out for a change of scenery can often require a car and 191,860 people with disabilities in Scotland could benefit from the everyday freedom offered by leasing a vehicle on the Motability Scheme.

In response to this, the Motability Scheme has launched its first ever national television advert alongside a print, digital and PR campaign. This ‘Everyday Freedom’ campaign aims to boost awareness and understanding of the Scheme amongst those who are eligible to join and their families.

The Motability Scheme has spent over 40 years supporting people to maintain their independence by providing affordable, reliable cars to those with disabilities. In Scotland, 64,431 people are already enjoying the benefits of a worry-free lease package through the Motability Scheme.

After a successful regional pilot, the national pilot sees the Motability Scheme’s television advert run across ITV, Channel 4 and selected Sky channels for around three months and can be viewed here.

This is being supported by radio, print, digital and PR activity with a range of related content on social channels.

https://youtu.be/AAQg-OXej1E

Delia Ray, head of marketing for Motability Operations, which operates the Scheme under contract to Motability, a national disability charity, said: “We are proud to be providing worry-free mobility to over 630,000 customers across the UK. However, we know that over a million more people with qualifying allowances could also benefit from the Scheme, but many are unaware of how it could help them. This includes the 190,000 eligible people in Scotland.

“This campaign therefore aims to showcase what the Scheme offers to many more people with disabilities, and their families and carers, encouraging them to find out more. And television, with its powerful impact and potential to reach many thousands of viewers, is at the heart of this. 

“When customers talk about the impact of the Scheme, they frequently use words such as independence and freedom. It is this essence that has inspired our Everyday Freedom campaign, and we’re excited to be sharing it with more people this spring.”

Through the Motability Scheme, recipients of the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment, Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance, War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or Armed Forces Independence Payment can choose to exchange their weekly allowance to lease a new vehicle. 

Leasing a car, scooter or powered wheelchair through the Motability Scheme is simple and affordable. The three-year vehicle lease package includes insurance for up to three named drivers, RAC breakdown assistance, vehicle servicing and maintenance, as well as tyre and windscreen repair and replacement.

Motability Operations, the company which operates the Scheme under contract to Motability, the Charity, offers affordable, convenient, worry-free motoring to over 630,000 disabled customers and their families.

It has built a strong reputation, achieving high standards for customer service and engagement, and provides cars, powered wheelchairs and scooters that lead the way in value-for-money, effectiveness and reliability. It pays no shareholder dividends, meaning that all profits are reinvested for the benefit of people with disabilities.

Please visit motability.co.uk for more information or call 0800 953 7000.

City council agrees programme of improvements for green spaces

Plans for how over £4m will be invested in parks, green spaces and cemeteries in a programme of priority works being rolled out across 2021 and 2022 have been approved by councillors.

The Parks and Greenspace Investment report follows the allocation of additional capital budget earlier this year and provides updates on projects either planned, already under way or already completed. The approved report also outlines how funds will be prioritised to make key improvements across the city.

Parks, green space and cemetery structures across the city are being surveyed to ensure that the investment is allocated where need is greatest and to ensure that features remain safe.

As well as hearing about completed and ongoing projects, councillors gave approval to progress works that have been identified as priority rated category 1 urgent (within one year) and priority category 2 (essential within one to two years). The works include making improvements to walls, fences, gates, paths, roads, drainage, bridges and tunnels.

Culture and Communities Convener Councillor Donald Wilson said: “In Edinburgh we’re fortunate to have nearly 200 parks, including 34 with green flag status, recreational green spaces and cemeteries to visit across the city and we want to make sure that they all remain accessible, safe, sustainable and of course open to the public for generations to come.

“Through this capital investment programme we will be able to make immediate and important improvements to the places most in need. Funding will be used to help with landslips, mend walls and fences and improve accessibility.

“I’m delighted that we are able to progress with this work and following further detailed surveys will aim to ensure the spread of investment across the city.

Culture and Communities Vice Convener Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan said: “We’ve seen over the past year just how important our parks and greenspaces continue to be and it’s so important that we invest in them – for us, now and for future generations.

“We want to make sure Edinburgh remains the beautiful green city that it is and this commitment will bring those most in need of urgent investment back to looking their best. I’m excited that work can get under way and these surveys give us a plan for the next stages, which will help keep us focused as we make improvements throughout the city.”

Progress on the programme of improvements will be reported to the Culture and Communities Committee in its regular business bulletin.

Vaccination programme: First doses now booked in for all adults

All adults in Scotland will have been booked in for their first coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine appointment by the end of next week (27 June), five weeks ahead of the target of 31 July.

Letters are currently going out to those 18-29 year olds who didn’t sign up to the self-registration portal and anyone who hasn’t yet received their blue envelope can see the time of their vaccination online through a new appointment checker.   

The new system allows people to see their appointment details in the system, and enables them to reschedule if the timing or location is unsuitable.

In addition, from Monday 21 June all NHS boards will be routinely scheduling second doses eight weeks after the first to help combat the emergence of the Delta variant.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “I am delighted that we are on the brink of reaching the major milestone of having scheduled first doses for all adults, five weeks ahead of schedule.

“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in the vaccination programme and all those wo have taken up their offer of a vaccine for their part in this remarkable achievement which has been accomplished in just over six months since the roll-out began.

“Anyone who hasn’t received a letter by next week can visit the appointment checker at NHS Inform. The system lets you rebook if the timing or location is not suitable which will be a useful tool for students and anyone who has recently moved house.

“Additional capacity has been secured by NHS Boards to bring forward of all second doses from 12 to 8 weeks which is important given the emergence of the Delta strain as we know greater protection is provided after the second dose.

“Again, I want to stress how important it is that everyone takes up their offer of a vaccine when they get it. The emergence of the Delta variant shows we cannot be complacent, and the vaccination programme – along with restrictions and testing – offers protection to you, your loved ones and your community.”

Appointment checker