17/05/2025 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

A ‘catalogue of failures’ led to issues at Scotland’s water watchdog

A ‘catalogue of failures’ led to the inappropriate and unacceptable use of public money at the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS), according to a new report issued today.

The report, published by the Scottish Parliament’s Public Audit Committee, follows the Committee’s consideration of the Auditor General for Scotland’s (AGS) 2022/23 and 2023/24 audits of WICS.

The Committee highlighted ‘inappropriate and unacceptable’ spending on training courses for senior staff, benefits to the workforce and, hospitality.

The report found that the Board of WICS failed in its responsibilities which led to a lack of financial control. This meant that decisions taken did not always provide value for money to the public purse. With WICS also showing a failure to follow even its own rules.

In considering the issues raised by the AGS’ reports, the Committee heard evidence from both WICS and the Scottish Government in their role as sponsoring the work of WICS

The Committee’s new report highlights that there were also significant weaknesses and failings in the Scottish Government’s approach, with a complete failure by the Government to challenge the culture at WICS, which led to an unacceptable use of public funds. This raised serious concerns for the Committee.

The Committee has now called on the Scottish Government to review its systems for identifying concerns with public bodies to ensure any issues are caught at an early stage.

Speaking as the report launched, Committee Convener Richard Leonard MSP said: “Some of the evidence we have heard about the arrangements in place at WICS was simply extraordinary.

“That the body, charged with promoting long term value from Scottish Water to its customers, itself failed to live up to the standards required of a public body left the Committee with deep concerns.

“But the Committee is clear that there also appears to have been a serious lack of oversight from the Scottish Government. This failure from those who are meant to be safeguarding the public purse is simply unacceptable.”

In its report, the Committee notes that there have been widespread Board and management departures from WICS, and indeed from the Scottish Government, since the audit reports were published.

Whilst the Committee recognises the changes which have been made at WICS, it has called on the current Board to undergo refresher training on their roles and responsibilities to ensure that the failure of responsibilities does not happen again.

The Convener continued: “We have heard about significant changes within WICS and the organisation’s commitment to improve the governance arrangements. These are clearly welcome. But we want to see concrete evidence of these changes to ensure that the unacceptable culture that was in place has truly gone.”

North Edinburgh Community Festival: Photo Competition

BEST PHOTO COMPETITION!

WIN A £100 FOOD VOUCHER! Whoever takes the best photo at the festival tomorrow can be in for a chance to win! All you have to do is:

– Take your best photo of/at the festival!

– Post to instagram

– Tag us @northedinfest

– Use hashtag #NECF25

The winner will be announced here on 24/05! Best of luck to everyone entering!

GRETNA 110: The Royal Scots Regimental community outreach exhibition

The Royal Scots Regimental Museum will host its annual week-long community outreach exhibition, this year entitled GRETNA 110, at Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh EH6 8RG between 1000 – 1630 from Monday 19 to Saturday 24 May 2025.

GRETNA 110 commemorates the 110th anniversary of Britain’s worst rail disaster at Quintinshill, near Gretna, on 22 May 1915. The exhibition raises awareness of the 227 people killed in the crash, including the 216 Royal Scots officers and soldiers of the 1^st/7^th (Leith) Battalion who were on the first leg of their journey to fight at Gallipoli, and the impact it had on Leith and the wider Lothians community.

The exhibition, being staged at what was the Battalion’s Drill Hall in 1915, will be officially opened at 10:00, Monday 19 May, by Scottish Veterans Commissioner, Susie Hamilton, and Depute Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Councillor Lezley Cameron. There will be a media preview immediately prior to the opening, between 09:30 – 10:00.

The terrible disaster left an indelible scar on the close-knit Leith and Musselburgh communities, with several families losing both fathers and sons. Many of the dead were taken to a temporary mortuary that had been established in the Battalion’s Drill Hall on Dalmeny Street before the majority were buried in the nearby Rosebank Cemetery, Pilrig Street.

A Memorial Service will take place at the cemetery on 24 May. A separate Service will take place at Gretna on the anniversary of the crash.

The GRETNA 110 exhibition includes:

· A short film, ‘Leith’s Darkest Dawn’, explaining the Crash and the aftermath, including a 1983 interview with a survivor and two direct descendants

· Displays, including artefacts recovered from the crash (a molten riﬂe and bugle) and a paper knife made from the wood of one of the carriages

· A dedicated Research Room with access to The Royal Scots records with genealogy and medals experts

· Moving illustrated stories from some of the soldiers involved and their families

· The important role played by the people of Gretna and Carlise after the Crash

· Long lasting sporting connections including football, boxing and swimming

· Leith Academy’s GRETNA 110 researched creative exhibits display

Brigadier George Lowder MBE, Chair The Royal Scots Trust said: “We should never forget those who lost their lives, and the impact on their families, who were at the beginning of their journey to ﬁght for their country”

Robin Bell: “My father Ian was a platoon commander, of 45 men.

“He survived the Crash, but at the sad roll call afterwards only four of his platoon answered their names.”

Susie Hamilton, Scottish Veterans Commissioner, said: “This exhibition, commemorating the country’s worst-ever rail disaster 110 years ago, honours the young men who lost their lives while on their way to serve their country.

“It speaks to the heartbreak endured by local families and preserves the memory of a deeply poignant chapter in our nation’s history – one that must never be forgotten.”

Supporting climate education and engagement

First Minister announces funding at award winning Eco-School

First Minister John Swinney has announced new funding to support groups and schools across Scotland to learn more about climate change and nature loss, and take climate action where they can.

The Scottish Government supports the Eco-Schools programme to help embed climate environmental and outdoor learning as a meaningful part of daily learning and teaching. The programme is set to benefit from £425,000 funding in 2025-26.

The Government is also investing a further £275,000 in the Climate Engagement Fund to support grassroots organisations to champion their own local initiatives and build understanding of climate change – such as workshops, podcasts and festivals.

First Minister John Swinney announced the funding ahead of a visit to the Royal School of Dunkeld to mark the celebration of their 11^th consistent Eco-Schools Green Flag Award.

The First Minister said: “Children and young people have been leading the charge for urgent action to address climate change and nature loss. That is right, since they will be the ones who will face the greatest impacts of climate change over their lifetimes.

“However, the responsibility to become climate resilient and reduce emissions cannot just be up to the next generation. This Government has committed to Scotland reaching net-zero by 2045 – five years ahead of the rest of the UK – and we are introducing bold measures, like ending peak rail fares for good, to reduce our emissions. I am proud that we are also pushing forward with embedding climate education in our schools.

“The Scottish Government has supported the Eco-Schools Scotland programme for over two decades, and pupils and teachers at the Royal School of Dunkeld have collectively achieved a remarkable feat. Over 800 schools in Scotland now have a Green Flag and I hope that others will be inspired to follow suit.

“It is vital that everyone in our society understands the positive opportunities of climate action, and how that can improve their own lives. The Climate Engagement Fund will help to increase awareness and empower people of all ages to take action in their local communities in the best way they can.”

CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful Barry Fisher commented: “We are delighted to once again to receive funding from the Scottish Government to support our Climate Action Schools Programme, ensuring that our fantastic work with local authorities, schools, educators, and children and young people across Scotland grows and develops further, and helps to deliver our national ambitions on Target 2030 and public engagement on climate change.

“This year we mark 30 years of environmental education in schools through the international Eco-Schools Programme and we’ve been visiting schools across the country to celebrate their participation and success in its activities over the years, highlighting just how important the framework has been, and will continue to be, for Scotland’s young people.”

Eco-schools is an international programme that gives pupils the opportunity to tackle issues like climate change and to consider environmental changes that they can make in their school to make it more sustainable.

In Scotland, Eco-Schools is delivered by Keep Scotland Beautiful as part of the Climate Action Schools framework. Eco-Schools was launched in the UK, Denmark and Germany in 1994 with Scotland awarding the first Green Flag in 1995.

Keep Scotland Beautiful – Climate Action Schools

Climate Engagement Fund – gov.scot