Month: November 2024

Forth Awards honours local heroes alongside celebrity names in star-studded ceremony

LOCAL HEROES AWARDED ALONGSIDE CALLUM BEATTIE, HUE AND CRY, NATASHA HAMILTON, HEAVEN 17 AND MORE 

The Forth Awards, presented by OT, have once again crowned the very best of Edinburgh and the East – with local heroes celebrated alongside huge names from the entertainment world including Callum Beattie, Hue and Cry, Susie McCabe and more. 

A sold out Usher Hall enjoyed surprise performances from the cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Scottish singing star Nathan Evans, 80s icons Heaven 17, Atomic Kitten’s Natasha Hamilton and more, as well as a charity auction raising money for Forth 1’s Cash for Kids.  

Forth 1 presenters including Boogie and Arlene, Garry Spence and more handed out awards to celebrities and local heroes alike, with 10 awards in total handed out across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk. 

The afternoon kicked off with an electrifying performance from homegrown hero, Edinburgh singer Callum Beattie, who picked up the Forth Best Artist Award before entertaining the crowd with his huge hit ‘Salamander Street’. 

Having previously won a ‘One to Watch’ award at the Forth Award’s years previously, Callum said, “I’m really fortunate that I’ve had the country behind me selling out concerts.”

One of Scotland’s most beloved comedians, Susie McCabe collected the Forth Fringe Award whilst Scottish pop duo Hue and Cry took home the Recognition Award. The band got the crowd dancing and singing along as they played 80s hits ‘Labour of Love’ and ‘Looking for Linda’. 

One of the most emotional moments of the event, The Forth Local Hero Award went to Steven MacLellan, a Baberton local who rescued his neighbours from a tragic gas explosion in December last year.

Having formerly served in the Army Reserves, Steven’s quick thinking and bravery helped ensure two neighbours were pulled from the rubble. Picking up his award after receiving a standing ovation, 

Steven said “I feel very privileged – I didn’t expect this. I’m quite humbled by the fact that the local community nominated me for it. My wife told me that one of the neighbours had nominated me for this. I’m really honoured to get this. Just chuffed.”

Scottish singer songwriter Nathan Evans, whose astronomical rise to fame saw him reach global audiences with his now-famed sea shanties on TikTok, took to the stage to perform before The Forth Best Workplace Award went to Murrayside Care Home in Corstorphine, which provides high-quality care for residents including dementia and short-term respite care.

Care Home Manager Suzanne Welsh collected the award after receiving hundreds of nominations from staff and residents, saying: “This is amazing but my staff are amazing so that makes it!

“You treat your staff well and they treat the residents well – it really means a lot.”

16 year old Lewis Gourlay from Dunbar collected the Forth Cash for Kids Award, as he progressed from a beginner to a volunteer at The Wave Project, a surf therapy programme which aims to improve children’s mental health and wellbeing.

Edinburgh favourite Camera Obscura was named best Visitor Attraction, whilst Queensferry High School teacher Mr Rory Swann was named Best Teacher (BELOW).

Dunfermline’s Jack ‘O’ Bryan’s took home Best Restaurant with Jack and Bryan Coghill saying: “Absolutely unreal. There’s no words. The public has voted us here and we can’t believe it.

“We’ve been to a few awards this year and we finally got one. And it’s for Dunfermline.

“It’s not Edinburgh and it’s not Glasgow but we’ve done it for Dunfermline!”

Atomic Kitten’s Natasha Hamilton performed the band’s biggest hits ‘Whole Again’ and ‘Right Now’ with the Forth Awards rounded off by performances from the voice of dance act The Time Frequency, Mary Kiani, plus vocalists Amanda Wilson and Katherine Ellis, before a show-stopping performance from 80s synth-pop heroes Heaven 17. The duo played a rousing rendition of their smash hit ‘Temptation’ before closing out the 19th edition of the Forth Awards. 

Recognising everything from small acts of kindness from teachers and care workers, to achievements in the world of entertainment, The Forth Awards were once again a celebration of inspiring stories from Forth 1’s local heroes and performances to remember. 

Richie Jeffrey, Head of Events said: “The Forth Awards are always a really special afternoon as we celebrate local listeners who go over and above for their communities.

“Today was no exception as our sold out crowd in the Usher Hall enjoyed non-stop entertainment, music and comedy, as well as inspiring stories from our worthy winners.

“Forth 1 are delighted to be able to shine a spotlight on these people and recognise them as pillars of our local community, and we’d like to thank today’s audience for supporting the event year after year!”

£10 million project confirmed to modernise Edinburgh primary school

£10 million project confirmed to modernise Edinburgh primary school

Brunstane Primary School in Edinburgh is to benefit from a £10 million investment to retrofit its campus and become one of the greenest schools in the capital.

GRAHAM has been appointed as lead contractor by City of Edinburgh Council and commenced works in October 2024, with completion expected in winter 2025.

Consisting of a three-storey tower with 12 classrooms and a single storey southern block with eight classrooms, an administration office, amenity space and infant block, improvements will enable the building to be carbon neutral in operation.

This includes much-needed repair works, new cladding on the external walls and roof, replacement of existing windows and curtain walling, and floor finishes and redecoration across the full building. Accessibility to the building will also be improved with the removal of existing steps and the introduction of new ramps to certain areas around the school.

An air source heat pump and electric heating system will replace the existing gas network, whilst installation of photovoltaic panels on the roof of the tower block will boost the school’s sustainability credentials. Importantly, this aligns with the City of Edinburgh Council’s ambition to become a net zero city by 2030.

Serving the communities of Brunstane and Portobello, the primary school has a current roll of 263 and provides early learning and childcare for up to 96 children.  The school will remain operational throughout the construction period, with temporary classrooms installed on site, to ensure education is uninterrupted.

Gary Holmes, regional managing director at GRAHAM Building North, said: “The significant investment made by City of Edinburgh Council to modernise Brunstane Primary School will create a vibrant and inspiring education centre.

“GRAHAM has a proven track record of delivering best-in-class education facilities across Scotland and we’re proud to play a role in helping shape Edinburgh’s next generation of school environments which prioritise accessibility and sustainability.”

Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener for the City of Edinburgh Councill, said: “We have over 100 schools supporting thousands of pupils and we’re making every effort to make sure they are as welcoming, accessible, and sustainable as possible.

“Our £10 million investment in Brunstane Primary is a perfect example of this work, with energy efficiency improvements and repairs planned for the whole building.

“We have ambitious net zero aims as a city and this extends to upgrades to our schools, many of which are aging. I’m excited to see the difference this retrofitting roll out will make.”

PIC: Artist impression of completed Brunstane Primary School, courtesy of Architype

All women lineup sweeps the board at the Scotland’s annual Cllr Awards

EDINBURGH LEAVES CITY CHAMBERS EVENT EMPTY-HANDED

The winners of the only national awards to celebrate the vital work of councillors across Scotland were revealed last night at the 2024 LGIU and CCLA Cllr Awards.

Winners were announced at a ceremony at Edinburgh’s City Chambers, showcasing the best of local government.

Top prize of the evening, Leader of the Year, went to Cllr Emma Macdonald, Leader of Shetland Islands Council.

Cllr Annette Christie of Glasgow City Council was this year’s Innovator of the Year and Cllr Katie Pragnell from East Renfrewshire Council walked away with Young Councillor of the Year. Another East Renfrewshire councillor, Cllr Betty Cunningham was crowned Lifetime Legend and the coveted Community Champion award went to Glasgow City Council’s Cllr Elaine McSporran.

The five categories reflect the varied contributions made by a wide range of councillors, and winners were chosen from more than 100 nominations. All too often the work of councillors can go unrecognised and the purpose of the Cllr Awards is to champion what councillors do for their local communities. 

Winners were chosen by a judging panel comprised of senior councillors and leading stakeholders from across the sector. These important Awards – a staple in the local government calendar –  are made possible thanks to the generous support of founding partners CCLA.

Read more about the winners here.

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) said: “Councillors across Scotland do incredible work day in and day out to support their communities, make local areas better places to live, and ensure the voices of residents are heard across council decision making.

“At LGIU, we are determined to celebrate these remarkable achievements, which genuinely improve residents’ lives and the well-being of our communities. I want to congratulate all of our very worthy Cllr Awards winners this evening.

“Their dedication and service represent the very best of local government.”  

Kelly Watson, Head of Public Sector Relationships, CCLA said: “Local councillors are at the heart of communities and nights like this are an opportunity to showcase the contributions and real world impact made by those unsung heroes striving for a better world. The work undertaken by councillors positively impacts people’s lives in countless ways. 

“As councils are facing unprecedented challenging times, these Awards remind us of how important and vital the work of local councillors and councils is.”

Festive Spotlight for Edinburgh Designers

Nearly 80 independent designers will descend on National Galleries Scotland: National in Edinburgh this month for a showcase of creative talent.

Following the success of their August markets, Tea Green Events are returning to the beautiful venue on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 November 2024 (10am to 5pm).

The Edinburgh event will be attended by almost 30 Edinburgh-based makers including a number of graduates of Edinburgh College of Art.

Free to enter, the event marks a fitting end to the Scottish company’s record-breaking year of markets to celebrate its 10th anniversary. 

Founder, Dundee jeweller Joanne MacFadyen commented, “There is nowhere more magical than Edinburgh at Christmas and we’re absolutely thrilled to be part of the city’s offering this year, a place to buy so many beautiful, locally made products.

“Whether you’re looking for a hand-knitted jumper, bag, ceramics, jewellery or illustrations, it’s all here and all made in Scotland, much in Edinburgh itself.  It’s extra special to be working within such a stunning and important location which adds so much to the experience we’re creating together.”

One of the designers preparing to showcase her work is award-winning French author and illustrator, Marie-Alice Harel of Maharel.

Based in Edinburgh, Marie-Alice designs and illustrates books for readers of all ages. Her work, mostly traditional (watercolour, pencils and ink) is regularly exhibited in galleries in the UK, the USA and France. She also teaches Book Illustration and makes artist books, ceramics and textile pieces when time allows.

Marie-Alice, who will be selling books, prints, stationery and greetings cards, said: “Art galleries are so needed, allowing people and artists like me to get close and personal with the original artworks under their roofs.

“The art that inspired me as an artist/illustrator is from the past, so museums and galleries are the way I can experience them in person. Each artist is at the end of a long line of creatives and makers, building on a heritage of skills, ideas and techniques that, purposefully or unconsciously, both nourish and push their practice further.

“There is, however, a wide divide in perception between today’s practitioners and the masters of yesterday. It’s good to see efforts to bridge that gap, with the National Galleries hosting Tea Green events and their beautiful selection of makers.

“Each creative person is at the end of one of these invisible lines, each at their own scale and in their own discipline, so it makes a lot of sense to welcome them under the same roof. You will be able to meet them this November, next to their respected predecessors (who are no doubt cheering them on silently from the museum’s walls). Some of today’s artists will grace those same walls someday.

“You might want to buy a print, a greeting card or some other carefully crafted item (a life’s work really) while they’re still alive.”

Marie-Alice’s work will beautifully complement the brand new exhibition on show at the galleries. Dürer to Van Dyck: Drawings from Chatsworth House is a spectacular group of some 50 Flemish, Dutch, Early Netherlandish, and German drawings and watercolours, spanning from about 1500 to 1700 and exhibited in Scotland for the first time.

Marie-Alice will be joined by fellow illustrator Susie Wright, who graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2003.

Susie, also based in Edinburgh, added, “I’ve been inspired by the artworks and spaces in the National Galleries since I was a student and made my very first screen print after a research trip drawing in and around the galleries.

“Edinburgh is also a continued source of inspiration, I love how the changing light throughout the year highlights different details and views as I walk around the city. The Tea Green markets have allowed me to meet like-minded makers and wonderfully supportive customers, which in turn has created a really lovely creative community.”

Isabella Miller, Director of Audience at National Galleries of Scotland said, ‘We are so delighted to welcome Tea Green’s winter market and all of the amazing independent designers to the National.

“We are thrilled that we can offer the beautiful surroundings of the National gallery to showcase the talents of these incredible creatives and support Scottish businesses. With the market on at the same time as our spectacular exhibition, Dürer to Van Dyck : Drawings from Chatsworth House, visitors will have the unique opportunity to discover historical drawings in the Royal Scottish Academy and then pop through to the National to explore the current works of the illustrators on offer at the event. 

“We hope this will offer something a little different for our visitors to enjoy and that people can browse the stalls then explore the art. There will be something for everyone to discover during a day out at the National.”

Before the year is out, Tea Green Events markets will also be held at V&A Dundee (Friday 29 November to Sunday 1 December),   Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow (Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December) and Bowhouse in Fife (Friday 13 to Sunday 15 December 2024).

For more information about Tea Green Markets and the programme of events, visit https://www.teagreen.co.uk/

Author Visit to Muirhouse Library

SARA SHERIDAN: 2nd December from 6 – 7.30pm

We’re so excited to announce this! On the 2nd of December, we will be hosting hit author Sara Sheridan at Muirhouse Library!

Join us to hear from Sara about her novels, an opportunity to ask her some questions, and to eat a mince pie (or two…). Tickets are totally free, but booking is essential.

To book, please speak to us at the front desk, or give us a call on 0131 529 5651.

We will take your name and a contact telephone number, and your postcode, as for the first week we are giving priority booking to people who live in EH4 or EH5.

On Wednesday 20th November we will open out the booking to everyone.

Scotland’s most advanced skin cancer clinic launches on Granton Waterfront

LEADING experts in dermatology and plastic surgery have joined forces to create a skin cancer facility for patients seeking rapid and expert treatment. 

Waterfront Private Hospital in Edinburgh has officially launched Scotland’s most advanced and efficient skin cancer clinic, enabling rapid access consultations, one-stop biopsies and direct access to definitive surgical treatments – all under one roof.

Led by Dr Ben Aldridge, the UK’s only dual-qualified Consultant in both Dermatology and Plastic Surgery, the service is supported by Dr Kazem Nassar, an esteemed NHS Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon.

After graduating in 2002 from University of Edinburgh Medical School, Dr Aldridge has gone on to become a preeminent skin cancer expert. He completed multiple skin focused advanced training fellowships including at the UK’s National Skin Hospital.

He has a PhD in skin lesion diagnostics, publishing extensively in this subject along with co-authoring national skin cancer guidelines and is also Chairman of South East Scotland’s Melanoma Multidisciplinary team.

He said: “Our dual approach means we can combine dermatology and plastic surgery expertise in one consultation, saving patients multiple visits.

“Our focus is not just on removing patients’ skin cancer effectively but also ensuring the best cosmetic results for each individual, with a bespoke approach that draws on our extensive aesthetic surgical training.

“Many skin cancers are on the head and neck, requiring reconstruction due to limited spare tissue, which we handle expertly using advanced plastic surgery techniques and cosmetic surgical principles.

“We’re confident in saying we provide the fastest and most efficient private skin cancer service in Scotland and our goal is to be the definitive place for private skin cancer treatment, making a tangible difference to patients’ lives.”

NHS waiting lists have expanded significantly since the pandemic, with patients often waiting up to 12 months or more for non-high risk dermatological assessments.

Waterfront Private Hospital is stepping in to help address this crisis, removing many of the steps typically required in the process.

Even within an urgent skin cancer pathway both NHS and Private patients can expect multiple different and separate steps; starting with a GP referral, often followed by dermatology consultations, diagnostic biopsies, plastics surgery consultations, before final definitive treatment.

With the NHS under increasing strain, Waterfront Private Hospital provides a streamlined alternative, easing the pressure on public health services while delivering state-of-the-art care.

Patients can expect a premium healthcare experience, where the hospital’s boutique aesthetic is paired with cutting-edge medical expertise. The hospital is known for its highly personalised care, ensuring each patient receives attentive follow-up from their surgical team.

Opened in recent months, Waterfront Private Hospital in Granton, Edinburgh, is a family-owned institution founded by the renowned Dr Omar Quaba and his father, Dr Awf Quaba. The Quaba surname is among the most recognised in UK cosmetic surgery.

To find out more about skin cancer treatments at Waterfront Private Hospital, please visit: https://www.waterfronthospital.co.uk/treatments/skin-surgery/skin-cancer

Granton Gasholder: Latest stage of refurbishment completed

The scaffolding has been removed from the iconic Granton Gasholder as works to refurbish the structure now known as ‘Gas Holder 1’ are complete.

The public park being created within the gasholder frame is also on track to be finished by the end of the year.  

The work, part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s £1.3bn regeneration of the wider area, has been carried out by McLaughlin & Harvey using £16.4m from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund. In addition, the Scottish Government provided £1.2m for a new high quality park as part of their Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme. 

The new green space will have multi-sensory play zones, a dedicated area for permanent and temporary public art, a relaxation space, outdoor trails and tracks for exercise as well as a large outdoor area for sports, markets, seasonal events, community use, festivals, performance arts, exhibitions and play. Work is also being carried out to plant trees, shrubs and wildflowers improving biodiversity and local habitat in the area. 

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “It’s exciting to see the iconic structure free from scaffolding. It has been part of Edinburgh’s skyline for over 120 years so its restoration at the centre of our £1.3bn regeneration of the area is a spectacular focal point.

“We previously shared the dramatic footage of the original bell within the structure being ripped apart by machinery. It marked a historic moment as the park is being transformed to serve a completely different purpose for the local community who will be able to enjoy arts, sports and culture there for years to come.  

“Work on the park within the structure continues and I’m looking forward to seeing ‘Gas Holder 1’ open to great fanfare in the coming months.”

Graham Brown, Senior Contracts Manager from McLaughlin & Harvey said: “Taking down the last section of scaffolding marks an important milestone in this complex project.

“We had to design and engineer a scaffolding structure that was robust, safe and able to bear the wind loading. It gave us the platform to blast off existing paintwork before carrying out thousands of individual steel repairs on the frame to ensure it is structurally sound.

“We finished off the frame with four new coats of paint, the majority of which was applied by hand. It’s been a pleasure working with the City of Edinburgh Council and our supply chain to give a new lease of life to this historical landmark and contribute to the regeneration of the area.

“We’re looking forward to handing it over and seeing the local community benefitting from it for years to come.”

Fascinating gasholder facts

  • Over 100K rivets holding the structure together.
  • Total cost of original construction £18,968.
  • Was opened in 1901, making it 122 years old.
  • It’s since been painted 72 times, with four new coats applied during the project.
  • 26 columns in total with a height of 44m. Each column is 9.3m apart.
  • Granton was one of 12 gas storage tanks for the greater Edinburgh area. These 12 tanks had a combined capacity of 175,000 cubic meters of storage. At the time they were in operation the demand was around 28,000 cubic meters an hour (at its peak).
  • The lowest tier was erected with the use of a steam locomotive crane.

Further information on Granton Waterfront regeneration 

The £1.3bn regeneration project at Granton Waterfront is using brownfield land to build a new sustainable 20-minute neighbourhood which is well linked to surrounding communities and is somewhere residents will be proud to live. Tenants recently started moving into the first completed development of environmentally friendly affordable homes, with thousands more planned for the area.

Active travel routes are now open and restoration of the former Granton Station building and public square is now complete with Wasps operating the building as a creative industries shared work space.

Alongside this, The Pitt will begin operating out of the recently renovated 20 West Shore Road early in 2025.

Bullying in Schools: New guidance

New guidance focuses on ‘prevention, response and inclusivity’

The Scottish Government has published new guidance to support schools and organisations working with children and young people to develop comprehensive anti-bullying policies and improve behaviour and relationships.

‘Respect for all’ includes updates for staff on how to deal with specific incidents of bullying, including online bullying. The guidance sets out that online bullying should be seen as related to where the bullying occurs, rather than as a different behaviour type – and that online bullying must be responded to with the same level of seriousness as any other form of bullying.

It also highlights the responsibility of schools and organisations to support the wellbeing of children and young people, even when there is not a responsibility to investigate the incident itself.

The definition of bullying on which the guidance is focused has also been strengthened following feedback from children and young people, parents and practitioners. This has a renewed focus on the emotional, social and physical impacts caused by bullying, recognising that not all bullying is an intentional act and that it does not need to be repeated for it to have an impact.

The guidance has been published as Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth visited Cowie Primary School, in Stirling, to learn more about its inclusive approach to tackling bullying during Anti-Bullying Week 2024.  

All local authorities, schools and organisations that work with children and young people will now be tasked with developing and implementing anti-bullying policies in line with Respect for All.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “Bullying of any kind is never acceptable and can have a lasting impact on a child or young person’s life. It is vital that incidents of bullying, both online and offline, are addressed promptly and robustly. 

“The Scottish Government has worked with schools, organisations and local authorities to introduce a range of measures over the last year to improve behaviour and relationships in schools.

“I am pleased to build on this work with the launch of Respect for All, which focuses on prevention, response and inclusivity. It reflects the pressures facing young people, including the increase in social media use, and we expect all stakeholders in Scotland delivering services for children and young people to develop and implement an anti-bullying policy in line with the new guidance.”

Lorraine Glass, Director of respectme, said: “”respectme welcomes the publication of this vital guidance, perfectly timed to coincide with Anti-Bullying Week 2024.  We look forward to working with colleagues across Scotland to further embed the policy and practice necessary for the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. 

“This week, over 700 schools from every Scottish local authority area have engaged with our annual campaign on what ‘respect’ means to them.  It’s been a phenomenal response and a testament to the commitment and energy of teachers, parents and youth workers to bring safety and happiness to young lives.”

Respect for All has been developed in conjunction with Scotland’s national anti-bullying service, respectme, local authorities, teaching unions, children’s organisations and a parents’ representative.

respect-national-approach-anti-bullying-scotlands-children-young-peopleDownload

Four more arrests following Bonfire Night disorder in Edinburgh

Four more people have been arrested following disorder in Edinburgh during Bonfire Night.

A full criminal investigation into the incidents that arose during the evening of 5 November began the following day and as a result of these inquiries three further individuals were charged in connection with the disturbances on Calder Road that saw fireworks and projectiles thrown at the public, police officers and various busses.

A 16-year-old male was charged on Tuesday, 12 November, while two 17-year-old males were charged on Wednesday, 13 November.

All three will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, 3 December.

A 15-year-old male was also arrested on Wednesday following incidents that took place on Captain’s Road, where projectiles were thrown at Public Order Officers. He will appear in court on an undertaking at a later date.

To date, 13 people have been charged, five homes searched, and two vehicles seized following the offences that took place between Halloween and Bonfire Night.

Further arrests are expected as inquiries continue.

Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, said: “We want the arrests made so far to provide reassurance to our communities that we are committed to bringing all those responsible for the crimes that took place to justice.

“Equally, they should serve as a very real reminder to everyone who was involved that we are actively pursuing them, and they can expect a visit from us imminently.

“We still have lots of excellent CCTV footage and other evidence gathered on Halloween and Bonfire Night to go through and we are confident this will help us identify and charge more offenders in due course.

“Members of the public who have video or photographic evidence can still submit it to https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT24S16-PO1.”

Rent controls welcomed, but more clarity needed

The introduction of rent controls has received support from the majority of the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee.

The Housing (Scotland) Bill aims to improve housing outcomes for people who live in private rented accommodation and ensure a fair balance between protection for tenants and the rights of landlords. It comes as the Scottish Government and an increasing number of councils have declared housing emergencies.

In its report, the majority of the Committee welcomes the ambition in the provisions to re-balance the private rental sector and improve affordability for tenants. However, despite recent announcements from the Scottish Government about how the rent cap would operate in practice, the Committee has called for further clarity noting that continued uncertainty could impact investment within the sector, in turn impacting on choice and affordability for tenants.

The report also recognises that, in isolation, the Bill in itself is not the answer to the housing emergency, which has been caused by a range of factors, including the shortage of affordable and social housing, increased rents in the private sector, high inflation, freeze of housing allowance rates, labour shortages linked to Brexit, and cuts in Scotland’s capital funding settlement from the UK Government.

However, the Bill does have a role to play in better balancing tenants’ rights with landlords’ needs.

Speaking as the report launched yesterday, Committee Convener Ariane Burgess MSP said: “We are currently in the midst of a housing emergency and this Bill is an important part of the solution to address that by redressing the imbalance in the relationship between tenants and landlords.

“For rent controls to be effective, however, there is a need for certainty for both tenants and landlords about measures within the Bill and how the proposals will work. It’s disappointing that it was only last week that the Housing Minister made an announcement about how rent controls might work.

“The Bill before us does not provide detail on many aspects of how the legislation will operate, and with consultation on some aspects of the Bill continuing until 2025, there will be little room for parliamentary scrutiny in an area which is critical to get right for the long-term sustainability of the private rental sector.”

https://twitter.com/i/status/1857000722153214066

The Bill also puts in place requirements for the collection of data from private landlords in order to make a case for the creation of local rent control area . But with the onus on local authorities to collect and monitor the data, the Committee is concerned that there is a lack of resource to deliver that requirement which could hinder the effective use of rent control areas.

The Convener continued: “For rent controls to work, there must be accurate data but the Bill before us has no clear plans for robust data collection. This is why our report recommends that there is a national approach to data collection to help assess rental markets.

“We would also like to see the onus put on landlords by creating a requirement for them to routinely provide data rather than only respond to requests from local authorities.”

The Committee also welcomed measures within the Bill which support tenants’ rights to personalise their homes and their right to own pets.

It also makes recommendations for there to be more support for tenants in exercising their rights, and for landlords too to help them better understand their duties, saying that legislation is not enough on its own to achieve the necessary balance between tenants and landlords’ rights.