Day: May 12, 2023

Charities Bill passes first stage

Measures will increase transparency and maintain public trust

Proposed legislation to update and strengthen charity law has passed its first parliamentary stage.

MSPs have voted to support the general principles of the Charities (Regulation and Administration) Bill which improves accountability and transparency of charities and increases the powers of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).

Welcoming Parliament’s unanimous support at Stage 1 of the Bill, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Our focus is to ensure the best possible conditions for the sector, which plays a vital role in our society, to thrive.

“Current charity law is now over 17 years old and the sector has changed significantly in that time. That is why we want to strengthen, modernise and improve charity regulation to ensure it meets the needs of charities.

“Scottish charities have a combined income of £14 billion each year so it’s crucial the way they are regulated remains fit for purpose.

“Charities are widely supported by the public. Trust in them and what they deliver is high, and we want to keep it that way.”

The Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Bill is a 2022-23 Programme for Government commitment.

Provisions in the Bill include:

  • updating the criteria for the automatic disqualification of charity trustees and extending it to individuals with specific senior management positions in charities
  • removal from the Scottish Charity Register of unresponsive charities that fail to submit statements of account.
  • a requirement for all charities in the Scottish Charity Register to have and retain a connection to Scotland.
  • a requirement on OSCR to publish the statements of account for all charities in the Scottish Charity Register.
  • requirements on OSCR to include charity trustee names in the Scottish Charity Register, to keep an internal schedule of charity trustees’ details and to create a publicly searchable record of charity trustees removed by the courts.

The Scottish Government consulted on proposals put forward by OSCR in 2019 and consulted again on a number of specific reforms in 2021 and found a majority of support for the changes.

Tomorrow at the Community Festival: Children’s stories with Citizen writers

ELEVEN members of Edinburgh International Book Festival’s Citizen writer’s group will be sharing their work with North Edinburgh’s children at tomorrow’s Community Festival.

The selection box of stories and poems have a food theme and will appeal to grown-ups and well as primary school children.

You’ll find us in West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre from 2 – 3pm.

Come and join Olivia, Dave F, Julia, Jeff, Marjory, Evelyn, Jane, Maureen, Nandini, Carmen and me … There may even be sweeties … !

Making Britain Work for Scotland?

OUR Scottish Future is to stage a major rally next month to make the case for a plan that makes Britain work for Scotland.

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford and Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester are confirmed as speakers at the event to be held on June 1st in Edinburgh.

They will be joined by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and comedian and actor Arabella Weir to set out the case for radical reform to political institutions across the UK.

Mr Brown said yesterday that the vision of a new UK can unite people in Scotland and across Britain who are looking for a better future.

Our Scottish Future was formed three years ago to make the case for Scottish devolution and for reform of the UK.

Last year, the Brown Commission published its report on the UK’s Future, proposing major reforms to Westminster, a replacement of the House of Lords, and further devolution across the UK.

The June 1st rally will aim to bring together supporters from across the UK to show the united demands for change both in Scotland and outside it.

Gordon Brown said: “There are many things we are divided about as a country, whether it’s over culture, the constitution, or on the economy. But we can all unite around a mission to change the UK and tackle the great challenges of the 21s century: poverty, inequality, climate change, and sustained economic growth.

“In our politics, people are looking for a hopeful message which shows how Scotland and the UK can work together.”

Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales and Leader of Welsh Labour, said: “The current union of the United Kingdom isn’t working for people in any part of this country we are proud to call home.

“We need a new, strengthened union, which guarantees that no one will find themselves unable to eat or relying on a food bank; facing old age or illness at the margins of society. A union which offers strong devolution for all parts of the UK; a union where all four nations are treated as equals.

“In Gordon’s report we have a blueprint for real and lasting change to transform our country for the better.”

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said: “Just like Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the North of England has suffered from an over-concentration of political and economic power in the South East of the UK.

“This is changing with the devolution of power out of Westminster but in our experience it works best when it goes deep. Places in all parts of the UK should have the ability to build a better future from the bottom up and collaborate with neighbours.

“The creation of Mayoral Combined Authorities in England is enabling places like Greater Manchester to begin to chart our own destiny.  But whilst devolution needs to spread throughout England, it’s also important that powers are devolved out of Holyrood and into local areas. 

“Gordon has set out a route map for the empowerment of communities and the strengthening of the bonds between all the regions and nations of the United Kingdom.”

The event will take place at Central Hall in Edinburgh, at 730pm on June 1st.

Attendees must register their intention to come and can do so here:

Making Britain Work For Scotland, Thu 1 Jun 2023 at 19:30 | Eventbrite

New national park(s) for Scotland

Call for expressions of interest from local areas

Communities across Scotland are being asked to consider whether their local area could be designated as the country’s newest national park.

Individuals, groups or organisations considering making a proposal can now register early interest. 

Nominations will officially open later this year, once the appraisal framework has been finalised. The government has committed to designating at least one new national park in Scotland by Spring 2026. 

Visiting Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Lorna Slater said: “I look forward to engaging with communities and learning more about their proposals, and I encourage everyone to get involved as we move closer to naming Scotland’s next national park.

“Our existing national parks play an important role in tackling the biodiversity and climate crises, whilst also supporting local communities, businesses and visitors.

“Last year we consulted widely on the future of national parks in Scotland, and there was broad support for our commitment to create at least one new park by 2026.”

Chief Executive of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority Gordon Watson said: “National Parks have a vital role to play in securing a more sustainable future for Scotland. They are unique places where we can maximise the benefits that can be provided for nature, climate and people.

“Scotland has set ambitious targets to reach Net Zero and to restore biodiversity by 2045.

“If we are to reach those targets, urgent, bold action is required and Scotland’s existing – and any new – National Parks can make a substantial contribution. 

“Through scaling up our efforts to lock-in carbon in the landscape, restore nature at scale and enable a greener low-emission economy, we can, together, help Scotland make significant progress towards these commitments.”

Registers of interest should be submitted by email to: NationalParks@gov.scot 

A draft appraisal framework with broad selection criteria for new national parks has also been published for consultation. 

The Scottish Government is already aware of several communities or groups that are interested in putting their area forward for national park status. Our appraisal framework will help to ensure the nomination process is fair, transparent and inclusive.

Registration opened yesterday (Thursday 11 May 2023). There is no requirement to register interest in order to submit a nomination. Nor does registration commit a group or organisation to submitting a nomination. 

Registration will allow the Scottish Government to update interested parties with any important information, key dates and communications throughout the process.

Police seek witnesses to serious crash on Ferry Road

Road Policing officers in Edinburgh are appealing for information and witnesses following a serious crash on Ferry Road involving a car and a motorbike.

The incident, involving a silver Hyundai Ioniq and a purple Suzuki GSR, took place at the junction with Muirhouse Green, around 8.40pm on Wednesday, 10 May, 2023. 

As a result of the incident the 32-year-old male rider was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where his condition is described as critical. 

The male driver of the car and a male passenger were also taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment. The other two passengers were checked over at the scene. 

The road was closed for around five hours to allow investigations to be carried out and re-opened around 1.30am.

Sergeant Stephen Quinn from Edinburgh Road Policing said: “We are appealing for anyone who was in the area around this time and who witnessed the crash or the vehicles involved to contact us. 

“We are particularly keen to hear from the occupants of a grey SUV which was on the road around the time and who may be able to assist us.

“I would also ask anyone who was on the road at the time and who may have dash cam footage which could assist us to get in touch.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 3943 of 10 May, 2023.