The Scottish Police Authority has approved plans to dispose of three police stations following public consultation.
At the SPA Resources Committee held on Wednesday, 13 March, 2024, Balerno in Edinburgh, Seaton in Aberdeen and Carluke in South Lanarkshire were all formally declared as surplus.
Police Scotland announced on 14 December 2023 proposals to close police stations across the country as part of their estate transformation strategy.
Public consultation was launched both at a local level and nationally through an online Engagement Hub, with consultations on individual properties taking place at different times. The consultations on the properties in Balerno, Seaton and Carluke all closed on Sunday, 18 February, 2024.
Balerno, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, has historically been underutilised and has not been used as an operational response station for many years. Officers deploy from Wester Hailes which is less than five miles away and has the nearest public counter.
Carluke was last fully utilised as an operational station three years ago, due to extensive water damage. Local community officers have been deploying from Lanark police station just over five miles away. Lanark is the main response hub for the area and nearest public counter. Officers have continued to effectively serve the area from Lanark with no detriment to the level of policing service delivery to the community of Carluke.
Seaton is leased space within Seaton Primary School. The station was last in operational use in response to the Covid pandemic in 2020/21. Since then, policing services in Aberdeen have been realigned and the property has not been used as an operational station for over two years. Officers previously based at this location relocated to other city stations, such as Tillydrone, which is less than two miles away.
Comments received from the public on all three properties recognised that the stations are not currently used and there was agreement that there is limited use of the buildings as a local safe place. One theme that emerged was the sentiment that local police sites represent policing and infer feelings of safety within the community.
All three properties were considered surplus to requirements by local Divisional Commanders and the SPA Resources committee approved them being declared surplus, with a view to being disposed of.
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said : “Police Scotland inherited a very large and ageing estate, much of which was not fit for purpose, with high maintenance costs and environmental inefficiencies.
“Although we have rationalised and reduced the number of our properties over the last ten years, in some cases we are still maintaining multiple buildings just a few miles apart.
“Also, with advances in digital technology and our fleet, officers are no longer tied to working from police buildings and much of their time is spent out in communities dealing with calls and helping the public.
“All buildings incur running costs and ongoing repairs and maintenance. Retaining vacant and underutilised buildings, such as these three properties, is not good use of public funds.
“I realise that that for some, the presence of a police building can bring reassurance and confidence to their local area.
“I can assure the public that our officers will continue to be active, visible and accessible in these communities. Disposing of a vacant building does not mean there will be a withdrawl of service to that area.
“Those local communities will continue to receive the same high level of service from our officers.”
The outcomes of the consultations for Seaton, Balerno and Carluke have been published and can be found on the Engagement Hub.
A loving dad has given his son an amazing second chance by donating his kidney to save him from an incurable disease.
James MacDonald, 57, gave his son the gift of life after Craig, 28, developed chronic kidney failure.
The disease had reduced Craig’s kidney function by a staggering 92% and his mum, dad, older sister and several extended family members stepped forward to save him from a future on dialysis.
James emerged as the most compatible match and the pair, from Livingston, West Lothian, underwent the lifesaving transplant operation at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in February last year.
Now in time to celebrate World Kidney Day, Craig has made a full recovery, returned to work with his dad and the golfing buddies are closer than ever before.
James, a Manufacturer at a packaging company, said: “Craig and I are really close. We have worked together for many years, and I just wanted to give Craig his life back.
“I didn’t think twice about it and I think any father would want to do that for their child.”
Craig added: “I’m so thankful to my family, to my dad and to the transplant team for saving my life. The transplant experience has brought me and my dad even closer together.”
Craig’s journey with kidney issues began in childhood, but it wasn’t until a family holiday in 2021 that his symptoms became clearer. His mum noticed his ankles were swollen and insisted he see a doctor.
After visiting his GP, Craig was swiftly admitted to St John’s Hospital in Livingston with extremely high blood pressure as he was at risk of having a stroke.
Craig went on to be diagnosed with IgA nephropathyin November 2021 and was put on dialysis in October 2022. He said: “It was really scary being admitted to hospital so quickly and then being told that my kidney function was declining rapidly. I didn’t feel unwell which made it even more disconcerting.
“I felt way too young for this to happen and there was so much more I wanted to achieve in my life.”
James was identified as the optimal donor and in 2023, Craig and his dad underwent the lifesaving kidney transplant.
Craig’s mother, Carol, said: “I felt so helpless having my husband and my son in surgery. I was pacing up and down the hospital corridors just waiting to hear whether they were both okay.”
The operation was a success and within days, the transplant began making a visible difference to Craig.
James said: “He looked significantly healthier after the surgery – his face just lit up. “Before the operation, his kidneys were functioning at 8% and after one day post-surgery, his kidneys were up at 21%, it was amazing.
“Seeing him healthy and happy was the greatest reward any father could ask for.”
Since the operation, Craig has returned to work with his dad at the packaging company the pair go golfing regularly.
Craig said: “I’m now able to do what I want and I can finally lead a normal life. I’m just back from a golfing holiday with my dad and the experience has ignited an excitement within me for exploring the world more.
“I’ve been given a second chance and I want to enjoy every minute.”
Nina Kunkel-Howden, Live Donor Transplant Coordinator, NHS Lothian, said: “Craig’s journey is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of living kidney donation. Living donors really do change lives.
The Government is unable to provide any compelling examples of what Levelling Up funding has delivered so far. In a report published today, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) warns that councils have been able to spend just a fraction of the Government’s promised Levelling Up funding, with only just over 10% of the funds provided to reduce inequality under the Levelling Up agenda actually spent and making a difference on the ground.
The PAC’s report finds that, of £10.47bn in total funding from central government, which must be spent between 2020-21 and 2025-26, local authorities have been able to spend only £1.24bn from the Government’s three funds as of Sept 2023.
Furthermore, only £3.7bn had been given to local authorities out of the total allocation by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) by December 2023.
In evidence to the PAC, DLUHC cited project-specific issues and the impact of the pandemic and inflation for a lower-than-anticipated level of spending to date. The PAC is calling for six-monthly updates from DLUHC, both on the amount of money released to and spent by councils, and on the progress of projects themselves.
The report finds that more impactful bids to funding lost out due to optimism bias in favour of so-called ‘shovel-ready’ projects. Yet, the report raises concerns that not enough was done by DLUHC to understand the readiness of schemes and the challenges facing local authorities before funds were awarded.
This also means that DLUHC has had to extend the deadline for successful bidders for earlier funds to spend their money.
Round 1 of Levelling Up Funding was awarded to ‘shovel-ready’ projects that were supposed to be completed and delivering for local people by March 2024 – but 60 out of 71 of these projects have had to extend to 2024-25, with further delays in other schemes likely.
The PAC’s inquiry also found a worrying lack of transparency in DLUHC’s approach to awarding funds, with rules for accessing funding changing while bids were still being assessed, which was also not communicated in advance to councils.
55 local authorities therefore bid under changed rules with no chance of being successful in Round 2, with an average bid for grants like Levelling Up costing around £30k.
This approach wasted scarce public resources, and the report calls on DLUHC to set out the principles it will apply and the decision-making process for awarding future Levelling Up funds.
Dame Meg Hillier MP, Chair of the Committee, said: “The levels of delay that our report finds in one of Government’s flagship policy platforms is absolutely astonishing.
“The vast majority of Levelling Up projects that were successful in early rounds of funding are now being delivered late, with further delays likely baked in. DLUHC appears to have been blinded by optimism in funding projects that were clearly anything but ‘shovel-ready’, at the expense of projects that could have made a real difference.
“We are further concerned, and surprised given the generational ambition of this agenda, that there appears to be no plan to evaluate success in the long-term.
“Our Committee is here to scrutinise value for money in the delivery of Government policy. But in the case of Levelling Up, our report finds that the Government is struggling to even get the money out of the door to begin with.
“Government has not helped the situation by changing the rules for funding mid-process, wasting time and money and hindering transparency.
“We will now be seeking to keep a close eye on DLUHC’s progress in unclogging the funding system. Citizens deserve to begin to see the results of delivery on the ground.”
Granton Waterfront is delighted to be working with the Edinburgh Science Festival to bring the free ‘Consumed’ Exhibition to Granton Station Square from 15th-19th March.
Consumed is an interactive exhibition that shows us how small changes make a big difference. Visit the repurposed shipping containers filled with fun games and hands-on displays for little ones and the whole family to enjoy!
Learn how what we eat, what we wear, and how we live can impact the world. Little changes in our daily habits can make a big difference for our climate. Find out how you can make positive changes that are easy on your wallet and great for the planet.
Don’t miss out on the free drop-in LEGO® Build the Change workshops on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th March between 10am and 5pm.
Join a team of builders to learn about real-world challenges and create your own brilliant solutions in this workshop exploring the circular economy.
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups in Edinburgh and the Lothians to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.
Committed to bringing a smile to its local communities, Dobbies is inviting anyonewho has a community space that needs gardening knowledge and inspiration – indoors or outdoors – to get in touch, with applications now open.
Dobbies’ colleagues are passionate about gardens and plants, championing garden living all year round to create experiences that bring people and communities together.
The Stockbridge little dobbies and Edinburgh store will select a project to support from the nominations that are made. The winning groups will receive products, tools and plants to help bring their community space to life during a personal-shopper session with a dedicated Dobbies’ colleague. In addition to this, there will be volunteer hours allocated to help bring the project to fruition.
Successful applicants will receive support over the year to keep their indoor or outdoor space blooming.
Nick Anderson, Dobbies’ Operations Director, is looking forward to hearing from groups across the country. He said: “There are so many brilliant community groups near our Stockbridge little dobbies and Edinburgh store – from schools and nurseries, to In Bloom Groups and charities, and even local sports teams.
“Our store colleagues are ready to take on a fresh challenge for this year and we want to hear from groups in Edinburgh and the Lothians who would benefit from our support.
“If anyone knows of a community group that has a garden living project in need of our help, please encourage them to enter.”
Applications are now open and taking part couldn’t be easier. Those entering must be located within 20 miles of Dobbies’ Edinburgh store or five miles of the Stockbridge little dobbies store. For more information about how to get involved in Dobbies Community Gardens, visit Dobbies Community Gardens
Nominated projects will be invited along to the Edinburgh store for the free Grow How session on Saturday 4 May, 10.30am, and the winner will be announced. The Stockbridge little dobbies store doesn’t hold a free Grow How session, the winner will be contacted separately.
The winning team for each store will meet a colleague that will support them throughout the project.
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK
Healthy Heart Tip: Importance of sleep
Insomnia, or difficulties in sleeping, can be linked to high blood pressure and heart disease. Studies found that poor sleepers have a 39% higher risk of cardiovascular disease mortality, and seven to nine hours of sleep per night is optimal for a healthy heart.
Poor sleep can lead to unhealthy habits such as being less motivated to be physically active and making unhealthy food choices. Both can cause obesity and high blood pressure, two risk factors for heart diseases.
Here are some tips on how to get a better night’s sleep:
Reduce your screen time
For at least one hour before bed, you should avoid using electronic devices such as phones, tablets and computers.
These all give off blue light which reduces your melatonin production and prevents you from falling asleep. Instead, you could try reading a book, listening to a podcast or meditating.
Follow a routine
By following a routine, it improves your sleep hygiene. Your routine should begin with a set time to start winding down and relaxing.
Going to bed and waking up should be done at the same time every day, including weekends for optimal sleep quality.
Change your sleep environment
Many people find it easier to fall asleep if their environment is right, for most this means dark, quiet and cool.
This varies for every person, you may prefer to listen to white noise or gentle music to help you to fall asleep instead.
Diet and exercise
It is beneficial to avoid eating large meals close to bedtime with most studies recommending that you shouldn’t go to bed for three hours after your evening meal.
Drinking caffeine in the morning is unlikely to impact our sleep. However, with caffeine staying in the bloodstream for hours after consumption, you may find it beneficial to avoid drinking it after lunch. Swapping to caffeine-free alternatives might help.
Partaking in physical activity can help with sleep by increasing melatonin production. Try to avoid being too energetic for up to 90 minutes before bed as this can hinder our sleep.
Scottish charity Art in Healthcare has appointed renowned artist Juliana Capes to run its Caring Spaces project, an innovative initiative which supports unpaid carers.
Juliana, a multi-disciplinary visual artist and filmmaker, has recently shown her work at the Edinburgh Art Festival, Alchemy Film Festival and CCA, Glasgow.
In this new role, she will lead the latest series of monthly online sessions which provide participants with some respite from their day-to-day caring responsibilities by offering them a safe and relaxed space to learn about and develop their passion for art while building peer support.
Along with her strong artistic pedigree, Juliana brings direct experience to the role as a parent carer of two children with intellectual disabilities.
Caring Space is an innovative project which AiH has developed over several years with VOCAL (Voice of Carers across Lothian). This existing programme, delivered in Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Leith and online, brings carers together through monthly online art sessions and in-person visits to galleries.
Commenting on the new position, Juliana said: “It’s great to be appointed as the Caring Spaces artist for this latest project where I am connecting with other carers and support organisations.
“I’m delighted to bring my own experiences, both as an artist and as a parent carer of two children with additional support needs, to help the participants maximise the wonderful experience this programme has to offer.”
Jeanne Marie Lee, Carer Training Officer, VOCAL Edinburgh said: “Caring Spaces is one of our most popular courses.
“Our carers love the opportunity to get creative with new materials and techniques. With that in mind, it is incredibly exciting to have Juliana joining us in this programme to inspire and delight the group with her ideas.”
Iona McCann, Associate Director (Communities), Art in Healthcare said: “We are really excited to work with Juliana and see what she brings to the Caring Spaces programme.
“Working with someone with lived experience of caring was incredibly important to us as she has a deep understanding of the challenges unpaid carers face. As an organisation, we also want to learn on how we can best support unpaid carers within our team.”
Bringing empty homes back into use to increase housing stock
The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership will receive £423,000 of funding to continue its work of increasing the supply of homes by bringing empty properties back into use in 2024-25.
The Partnership works with local authorities and private homeowners to provide advice and support to help bring empty homes back into use. Since 2010, more than 9,000 homes have been brought back into active use through this successful project.
Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “Bringing empty homes back into use is one of the most cost-effective ways of increasing housing stock. However, we know the reasons why homes become, and stay empty, are complex and building relationships with owners is often key to unlocking them.
“That’s why I’m pleased to announce further funding for the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership to continue this important work.
“I want to see local authorities engaging with the Partnership to explore all options to bring more homes back into use. This is essential if we are to address issues such as homelessness and the transition to net zero. In turn this supports the Scottish Government in its aims to provide warm, safe and secure housing for those in need.”
Shelter Scotland Director Alison Watson said: “We are delighted the Scottish Government has agreed to fund the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership for a further 12 months.
“Over the past year, as well as continuing to support the network of empty homes officers across Scotland, the Partnership has supported several ground breaking projects with third sector organisations and produced our strategic empty homes framework.
“The funding will allow us to continue with this work and encourage more local authorities to see empty homes as something that can make a real contribution to providing the affordable housing Scotland needs.
“We thank the Scottish Government for their continued support.”
Following a review of the application, assessment, and contractual agreement regarding the project Rein, Creative Scotland has made the decision to withdraw support for this project and will be seeking recovery of funding paid in respect of this award to date.
What has emerged in the latest phase of the project represents a breach of the conditions of funding award, as the nature of the project has changed.
The central role that ‘non-simulated’ (i.e real) sex acts now play in the project, marks a significant change to the nature of the work presented in the original application which was assessed for funding. This significant change to the nature of the work has been evidenced in the most recent announcement on the project’s website, without the agreement of Creative Scotland.
Creative Scotland makes in the region of 2,000 funding awards each year. We support artists and projects across all art-forms, some of which are challenging in content, and push creative and social boundaries.
However, Creative Scotland has important responsibilities to the public for the appropriate use of public funding, and, as recipients of that public funding, award recipients also have legal responsibilities as reflected in their funding contract.
The project was awarded £84,555 through the Open Fund for Individuals on 29 January 2024 following an application, assessment, and panel decision process.
Creative Scotland’s contract for the Open Fund states that:
No changes may be made to a project without Creative Scotland’s prior written permission
Award recipients must start, complete and carry out the project as set out in their application. If the project is varied or the timeline does not meet the dates set out in the application, or as agreed between Creative Scotland and the award recipient in writing, Creative Scotland reserves the right to withdraw the offer of funding, and;
Should an award recipient wish to issue a press release or make any public announcements regarding their or Creative Scotland’s involvement in the project, the award recipient must seek Creative Scotland’s prior written approval.
The above conditions apply to all recipients of funding through our Open Fund. Failure by an award recipient to comply with the conditions of the funding award entitles Creative Scotland to require repayment of any funding received by that recipient.
Creative Scotlandis the public body that supports culture and creativity across all parts of Scotland, distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery.
Definition of extremism updated to respond to increased extremist threat since October 7 terror attacks in Israel
Definition of extremism updated to respond to increased extremist threat since October 7 terror attacks in Israel
New engagement principles published to ensure government does not legitimise extremist groups
Follows Prime Minister’s commitment to stamp out extremism to ensure we keep our citizens safe and our country secure
An updated, more focused definition designed to help tackle the ever-evolving threat of extremism in the UK has been published by the government today.
The updated and more precise definition of extremism will be used by government departments and officials alongside a set of engagement principles, to ensure they are not inadvertently providing a platform, funding or legitimacy to groups or individuals who attempt to advance extremist ideologies that negate our fundamental rights and freedoms and overturn the UK’s system of liberal parliamentary democracy. This definition is not statutory and has no effect on the existing criminal law – it applies to the operations of Government itself.
Since the 7 October Hamas terror attacks in Israel concerns have been raised about the wide-ranging risk of radicalisation. On hate crime, since 7 October the Community Security Trust recorded 4,103 antisemitic incidents in the UK in 2023, an increase of 147% compared to 2022, and Tell MAMA recorded a 335% increase in anti-Muslim hate cases in the last four months.
As the Prime Minister said recently, this kind of behaviour and intimidation is unacceptable, does not reflect the values of the United Kingdom and must be resisted at all times.
The new definition and engagement principles will make sure those who promote extreme ideologies or spread hate in their communities are not legitimised through their interactions with government. Following publication, the Government will undertake a robust process to assess groups for extremism against the definition, which will then inform decisions around government engagement and funding.
It is the first in a series of steps to promote social cohesion, democratic resilience, and to counter extremism and religious hatred.
Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: “The United Kingdom is a success story – a multi-national, multi-ethnic, multi-faith democracy. It is stronger because of its diversity.
“But our democracy and our values of inclusivity and tolerance are under challenge from extremists. In order to protect our democratic values, it is important both to reinforce what we have in common and to be clear and precise in identifying the dangers posed by extremism.
“The pervasiveness of extremist ideologies has become increasingly clear in the aftermath of the 7 October attacks and poses a real risk to the security of our citizens and our democracy.
“This is the work of Extreme Right-Wing and Islamist extremists who are seeking to separate Muslims from the rest of society and create division within Muslim communities.
£They seek to radicalise individuals, deny people their full rights, suppress freedom of expression, incite hatred, and undermine our democratic institutions.
“Today’s measures will ensure that government does not inadvertently provide a platform to those setting out to subvert democracy and deny other people’s fundamental rights. This is the first in a series of measures to tackle extremism and protect our democracy.”
The new definition provides a stricter characterisation that government can use to make sure that extremist organisations and individuals are not being legitimised or given a platform through their interactions with government.
It reads:
Extremism is the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance, that aims to:
negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others; or
undermine, overturn or replace the UK’s system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights; or
intentionally create a permissive environment for others to achieve the results in (1) or (2).
The new definition is narrower and more precise than the 2011 Prevent definition, which did not provide the detail we now need to assess and identify extremism. This new definition helps clearly articulate how extremism is evidenced through the public behaviour of extremists that advance their violent, hateful or intolerant aims.
It draws on the work of Dame Sara Khan and Sir Mark Rowley’s 2021 ‘Operating with Impunity Report’ and addresses key recommendations from the 2023 Independent Review of Prevent.
The definition is clear that extremism involves advancing or promoting an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance, a high bar that only captures the most concerning of activities. It is not about silencing those with private and peaceful beliefs – not will it affect free speech, which will always be protected.
It does not create new powers, it instead helps the government and our partners better to identify extremist organisations, individuals and behaviours.
Alongside the new definition, the government is also publishing a set of engagement principles which are designed to help officials to engage more widely whilst mitigating the risk of undertaking engagement that undermines government’s core aims to:
Maintain public confidence in government;
Uphold democratic values; and
Protect the rights and freedoms of others.
UK Ministerial departments will be expected to consider the engagement standards when deciding whether to move forward with engagement with groups that meet the new definition.
This will ensure the government does not meet, fund or provide a platform to extremist groups or individuals. It will also apply to the honours system and due diligence for public appointments.
Non-central government institutions, such as arms-length bodies, higher education institutions and independent organisations including the police and CPS, will not be obliged to adopt the definition or apply the engagement principles initially.
To ensure that government has the tools it needs to effectively counter extremism, a new counter-extremism centre of excellence has been established in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
This unit will provide leadership for the cross-government counter-extremism community, ensure consistent application of the definition and engagement standards, and take the lead on producing strategic assessments of extremism.
This team will draw on the expertise of the Commission for Countering Extremism as well as counter extremism policy fellows – some of the country’s foremost counter-extremism experts – will join the centre of excellence to ensure the very best academic insight is shaping our approach.
Lord Walney, Independent Adviser on Political Violence and Disruption, said: “The threat to Britain from extremists includes those who may not use violence directly yet target our core values, so it is welcome that this updated definition includes those who seek to undermine or replace liberal democracy.
“Greater clarity in defining extremism can underpin a concerted approach across civil society to protect our country.”
Professor Ian Acheson, Senior Advisor, Counter Extremism Project said: “These are necessary next steps to confront and deter those who advocate for violent extremism.
“Hateful anti-British ideas that undermine our democracy creating intimidation and fear need ideologues to drive them. It is intolerable that the state underwrites people and organisations poisoning community life in one of the most successful multi-ethnic countries in the world.”
