If you choose to return by hand or by post please ensure you allow sufficient time for the nomination form to be received before the deadline at 4pm on Thursday 27 February 2025.
Example completed nomination forms are attached to this email. All sections that must be completed are highlighted in yellow.
Attached is a breakdown of every valid nomination received for each individual Community Council as of 20 February 2025.
For each individual Community Council, you will also note the column with the minimum number of nominations required to establish the Community Council. We have highlighted in green the Community Councils that have already met the minimum elected members threshold.
Nomination form – further clarification
We being persons residing in and appearing on the electoral register for the area of’ – ‘area’ means the community council area that you are being nominated for. Please ensure that you include the correct name of the Community Council and not the constituency or ward information. You can check the name of your community council on our website.
An individual can be both a single proposer and a single seconder, e.g. They could propose Individual A and second Individual B. They cannot propose or second any other individuals.
A nominees family member (e.g. Wife, husband, brother etc.) can propose or second them in compliance with the point above.
Please only submit 1 nomination form via 1 method of submission e.g. via email OR by hand OR by post. Please do not send multiple copies of nomination forms to the Governance Team as this creates additional administrative pressures. The quickest method to return completed nomination forms is by email to the Governance Team at community.councils@edinburgh.gov.uk
Since nominations opened we have received a number of nominations which have been assessed as not valid. All candidates have been provided with advice on how to rectify and re-submit by the closing date of 4pm on Thursday 27 February 2025.
Common ‘not valid’ reasons
Below are common reasons why nomination forms have been assessed as not valid
The nomination form does not detail the name of the Community Council area that the candidate has been nominated for.
The nomination form has not been signed in ink by the proposer, seconder and candidate.
The nomination form has not been dated by the proposer, seconder and candidate.
Photo of nomination form and signatures must be legible.
Below are common reasons why Local Interest Group nomination forms have been assessed as not valid
The LIG nomination form has not been signed in ink by the President/Chairperson and Secretary/Treasurer.
A copy of the LIGs constitution has not been supplied.
The LIG nomination does not include the name(s) of the Community Council.
If you need any assistance with completing a nomination form then please do not hesitate to contact us at community.councils@edinburgh.gov.uk
People in Scotland are being asked to choose which three quotes, from some of the nation’s most well-known poets, should feature on the Scottish Parliament’s Canongate Wall, to commemorate the building’s 20th year.
Liz Lochhead, Jackie Kay and Kathleen Jamie, who have all held the role of Scots Makar or National Poet of Scotland, have two quotes from their work for people to choose between. Each Makar’s quote which receives the most public votes will then be featured on a new letter-cut stone on the Wall.
Designed by artist Soraya Smithson with architects EMBT, the Canongate Wall, which is on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, was partly conceived of as a tribute to the design ideas of Enric Miralles. Soraya’s designs also incorporated the idea to feature quotations from Scottish writers and thinkers as well as popular proverbs and poems, letter-cut into stones sourced from across Scotland. These new additions will take the total number of quotations from 26 to 29 and there is currently only one woman writer represented – Mary Brooksbank.
Presiding Officer Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP said:“The Canongate Wall is a piece of living public sculpture which celebrates different parts of Scotland – our people, our land and our rich cultural heritage.
“It is both a celebration and reminder of the powerful words of some of Scotland’s most talented writers, thinkers and poets.
“It’s an honour to have the words of these three incredible women writers carved onto our building as a permanent reminder of their contribution to public life in Scotland.
“As always, when it comes to the Scottish Parliament, I strongly encourage people to vote!”
People can make their selection on our website and via our social media channels using www.parliament.scot/canongate.
The winning options will then be sent to Perthshire-based stone carver Gillian Forbes, who will carry out the letter-cutting process assisted by Cameron Wallace. The new quotations will be unveiled later in the year.
Liz Lochhead, Makar from 2011 to 2016, said:“I can’t believe it, my words are going to be, not graffiti on a wall, but in stone on the wall of the Parliament.
“It is something that has meant a great deal to me in my lifetime, that we have a Parliament in Scotland.
“Speaking poetry out loud is very important to me and if someone stands outside the wall of the Parliament and mouths these words out loud to themselves, that’s a great thing to feel that I’ve been the innocent originator of these things.”
Jackie Kay, Makar from 2016 to 2021, said:“It’s a huge honour and so extraordinary to be carved into stone.
“It’s so strange to think of your words surviving you – but in a sense, that’s every writer’s dream.”
Kathleen Jamie, Makar from 2021 to 2024, said:“The fact that words of mine will be joining those that are already there and adding to this wreathing of poetry around the Parliament building, that wall of truth, that wall of integrity that surrounds us here.
“That words of mine, whichever are chosen, will be inscribed there also. That’s okay, I can go out with that!”
The quotations that will form part of the public vote are as follows:
Liz Lochhead
Option 1
this our one small country… our one, wondrous, spinning, dear green place. What shall we build of it, together in this our one small time and space? – from Grace, A Handsel, New & Collected Poems, 2012
Option 2
Love surprises us. It’s like when sunlight flings A sudden shaft that lights up glamourous the rain Across a Glasgow street – from Epithalamium, A Handsel, New & Collected Poems
Jackie Kay
Option 1
The dead don’t go till you do, loved ones. The dead are still here, holding our hands. – from Darling, the title poem in Darling: New & Selected Poems, 2007
Option 2
Where do you come from? ‘Here,’ I said, ‘Here. These parts.’ – from In my country, Darling: New & Selected Poems, 2007
Kathleen Jamie
Option 1
Be brave: by the weird-song in the dark you’ll find your way. – from The Storm, The Bonniest Companie, 2015
Option 2
And the wild ways we think we walk Just bring us here again. – from The Tradition, The Bonniest Companie, 2015
A brief history of the Canongate Wall
The Canongate Wall was designed by artist Soraya Smithson, working with architects EMBT. The wall contains a range of Scottish stones, letter-cut by Gillian Forbes and Martin Reilly, with a variety of quotations. The design pays tribute to the creative ideas and imagination of the Scottish Parliament’s lead architect, Enric Miralles.
At the lower end of the wall is a townscape based around sketches by Miralles of Edinburgh’s Old Town, as viewed from the Balmoral Hotel.
The 26 quotations, of relevance to Scotland and the Parliament, range from well-loved pieces of poetry to proverbs and psalms. There are quotations in English, Gaelic and Scots and many of Scotland’s leading writers are represented.
The original 24 quotations were chosen from a selection of material made available to an Art Steering Group, including previous MSPs – Jamie Stone, Kenneth Macintosh and Michael Russell. The material considered included submissions from members of the public.
To mark the tenth anniversary of the Scottish Parliament and ten years of devolution, the SPCB agreed that two new quotations should be added to the Canongate Wall.
Public suggestions were invited via the Parliament website and via postcards distributed to book festivals and libraries across Scotland, and almost 300 suggestions were received.
A panel of MSPs and external experts met to consider these suggestions.
The panel selected two new quotations, one by Mary Brooksbank, the first woman to be represented on the Wall, and Norman MacCaig, bringing the total number of quotations to 26.
We need home-made savoury/sweet bakes & soup for our BHSA fundraising community Chess Cafe next Saturday 1 March
Our popular café provides refreshments for the young competitors taking part the Lothian Junior Chess Championships & their families. We only had one donation last time which sold out in minutes! Homebakes really boost our profits
NB: NO NUTS please – this includes nut oils, nut flours, nut butters & nut milks. Soup must be vegan. Anything suitable for those with allergens or on special diets is very welcome.
Donations can be dropped off in the Hub from 8:30am on Saturday morning.
All money raised by the event goes back into school via our charity funds.
BHSA have recently funded:
A pop up sensory den for the Wellbeing Hub
Young Carer’s Wellbeing Gardening Project
refreshments & decorations for the S6 Winter Ball
site licence renewals for Modern Languages digital resources
& 10 chess sets & boards for House Chess
BHSA is YOUR school charity Every pupil at Broughton High benefits from our funding during their time at school, making us a worthy cause to support & get involved with!
Major award for team offering transformative model for care closer to home
A DIGITAL team improving the health and wellbeing of adults across Scotland has been recognised at a major awards ceremony for technology in health and care.
Blackwood Homes and Care has won the Technology Enabled Independent Living category at the prestigious Holyrood Digital Health and Care Awards.
Its 24/7 digital responder service, which supports more than 200 adults – many with disabilities and mental health challenges – allows users to manage their care remotely. This reduces the need for scheduled in-person visits by providing flexible, on-demand support at the touch of a button.
Underpinning the service is Blackwood’s CleverCogs digital system, a tablet device that ensures customers receive timely assistance, whether for medication reminders, NHS virtual GP access, wellbeing check-ins, or emergency support. The CleverCogs system provides a central hub for care management, communication, health monitoring, and home automation, enhancing accessibility and digital inclusion.
Jason MacGilp, Chief Executive Officer at Blackwood Homes and Care, said:“From the ongoing design right through to support our 24/7 digital responder service is a huge team effort.
“This award is a testament to that and our shared desire to improve the lives of people throughout the country.”
Since launching as a pilot in 2016, the 24/7 responder service has grown significantly providing 3,500 hours of digital care across six supported living services to more than 350 customers each week. The innovation ensures an emergency response within 20 minutes, delivered by locally based SSSC registered staff.
Diane Allan, Head of Care at Blackwood Homes and Care added: “It’s wonderful to receive this award and highlight the fantastic work of our 24/7 responder team.
“Most importantly for us is that we see the impact the team has on our customer base on a daily basis. I look forward to working with the team to grow and evolve the service, helping individuals across Scotland to live their lives to the full.”
The service’s impact has been life-changing for customers. Individuals who previously relied heavily on emergency services now have instant access to dedicated support, reducing unnecessary interventions and improving their overall wellbeing.
One Blackwood staff member highlighted the transformative impact by saying: “Technology-enabled care is not about gadgets—it’s about improving lives. Our customers feel more secure, more independent, and more connected, knowing support is available at any time.”
The organisation’s approach aligns with Scotland’s Digital Health and Care Strategy, demonstrating how technology can revolutionise care provision and support individuals to live independently in their own homes.
With its award-winning digital care model, Blackwood is setting the benchmark for technology-enabled independent living in Scotland’s housing and care sectors.
For more information about Blackwood Homes and Care, visit:
Commission to consider improvements to deal with offending behaviour
A new independent Commission has been established to review sentencing and penal policy and identify the most effective ways to address offending behaviour to help reduce crime and lower the number of victims.
The Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission will be chaired by Martyn Evans, former Chair of the Scottish Police Authority, supported by five expert commissioners. The Commission will examine how imprisonment and community-based interventions are currently used in Scotland.
The independent Commission will, as part of its work, engage with victims and others with experience of the justice system, and make detailed recommendations for improvements in how offending behaviour can be dealt with effectively and proportionately.
Initially focusing on community sentencing, bail and remand, and release from custody, the Commission will be able to consider other areas it deems necessary. A final report and recommendations are to be presented to the Scottish Government before the end of the year.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “I am grateful to Martyn Evans and the Commissioners, who will bring their considerable knowledge and experience to bear in taking on this vital task.
“Prison will always be necessary for those who pose the greatest risk of harm, and protecting victims and the public is my absolute priority.
“However, evidence shows that short prison sentences are often not the best way to reduce reoffending, with those released from short custodial sentences reconvicted nearly twice as often as those sentenced to a community payback order. While crime is at one of its lowest levels in 50 years, we all want to keep crime down and communities safe, and effective rehabilitation to reduce reoffending is a key part of that.
“So we need careful consideration of the best balance between imprisonment and community justice, while protecting the public. The Commission will examine how and when custodial sentences and community interventions are used, how effective these are, and what more can be done to reduce reoffending. I look forward to their report.”
Mr Evans said: “I am honoured to be appointed by the Scottish Government to chair the Commission on Sentencing and Penal Policy.
“Scotland’s criminal justice system faces significant challenges. This Commission will take a thorough and independent look at how sentencing policy aligns with Scotland’s ambition for a modern, proportionate, and rehabilitative justice system. We will engage widely, listen carefully, and base our recommendations on the best available evidence and insights.
“I look forward to working with colleagues across the justice sector, victims and their families, and communities across Scotland to develop proposals that serve the public interest and contribute to a safer and more just society.”
A high-profile community meeting hosted by Scottish Parliament Member for the Lothian Region, Foysol Choudhury has reignited long-standing calls for a dedicated Muslim cemetery in Lothian, as the community faces an alarming shortage of burial spaces.
For years, Edinburgh’s Muslim population has struggled with limited burial provisions, creating distress due to the religious obligation for swift burials. Despite ongoing discussions, existing spaces are rapidly depleting—only 80 plots remain at Ratho Cemetery, with 200 allocated in Midlothian.
Future developments, like Craigmillar Castle Park Cemetery, remain uncertain, leaving families in limbo. Despite progress, the number of dedicated burial sites remains insufficient to meet the needs of the growing Muslim population.
At the meeting, policymakers, community leaders, and stakeholders stressed the urgent need for a long-term solution, calling for a dedicated, faith-based, and not-for-profit Muslim cemetery, similar to London’s Garden of Peace.
In response, over the past several years, Choudhury has been actively engaging with Edinburgh Council’s Heritage Team, Bereavement Services, and planning departments to identify viable sites, including Mortonhall House and Prestonpans, though no final decisions have been made.
This meeting provided an update on ongoing efforts and offered a platform for community voices to be heard.
Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “The current situation is unsustainable. Our community needs a permanent burial solution that respects Islamic traditions and provides dignity for generations to come.”
Attendees urged swift collaboration between government officials and local authorities to secure land and establish a sustainable cemetery that will serve the community for the next 100 years.
Mr Choudhury emphasised this sentiment, summarising: “Community leaders, policymakers, and officials must collaborate to secure land for a permanent Muslim cemetery that can serve future generations.”
The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) Presidential Initiative, headed up by President George Lyon, Vice Presidents; Margo McGill Scott, Andrew Malcolm, Rob Wainwright, Lord George Robertson and Chaplain Isabell Montgomerie, have announced a spectacular lineup of silent and live auction prizes ahead of their much-anticipated charity dinner to be held on the 21st March in the impressive Donald Malcolm Heritage Centre in Linwood.
The event will raise vital funds that will be divided between RHASS partner charities; the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs’ (SAYFC) Big Build, the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET), RSABI, and Farmstrong Scotland.
This year’s Presidential Team, representing Strathclyde, has curated a unique selection of over 75 auction prizes designed to appeal to a wide audience, from luxury seekers to sports enthusiasts and those in the agricultural community.
Among the standout prizes are:
Luxury experiences: An exclusive helicopter ride, a four-ball at Gleneagles, a three ball at Turnberry with afternoon tea, overnight accommodation and a luxury car to drive there, and various luxury breaks across Scotland.
Exclusive sports memorabilia: Signed football and rugby tops from Celtic, Rangers, and Glasgow Warriors – a must-have for passionate fans.
Agricultural prizes: A vintage plough, straws of sexed semen from Worldwide Sires, and 18 doses of private semen from some of the most sought-after Texel rams in the UK and Texel embryos from Hugh Blackwood & Son.
Whisky collectors’ dream: A Johnnie Walker Blue Label 200th Anniversary Cask Strength 60.5 abv NV with a baccarat glass decanter, stopper and booklet and leather presentation case, and cask of Kilchoman whisky.
George Lyon, RHASS President, said: “The Strathclyde Presidential Team has worked hard to bring together an incredible range of auction prizes that reflect the best of Scotland’s heritage, sport, and agriculture.
“I would like to personally thank our sponsors who have given so generously to the auction. We encourage everyone to head to the online auction site to place their bids and support our chosen charities, which carry out so much valuable work in our rural communities.”
Ewan Andrew President, Diageo Supply Chain & Procurement, one of the auction’s generous donors, also shared their excitement: “We are immensely proud to support the RHASS Presidential Initiative and its efforts to raise vital funds for such impactful charities.
“At Diageo, we are proud to support the communities in which we operate. This event not only showcases Scotland’s rich heritage and agricultural excellence but also highlights the importance of collaboration and community spirit.
“We are thrilled to contribute with our unique auction prize and look forward to seeing the positive difference this initiative will make.”
The silent auction opened for bids yesterday (Friday 21 February), allowing participants the opportunity to secure these exclusive prizes while supporting various excellent causes.
Bids will be placed confidentially via an online platform. At the close of the auction, the highest bid for each item will win, and the successful bidders will be notified.
Bidding will close at 11pm on 21 March 2025.
Bids for the live auction prizes can also be placed online and they will be used as the starting bid on the night.
The charity dinner, one of four high-profile events hosted by the Strathclyde Presidential Team, will be a key highlight in their year-long initiative, which will culminate at the 2025 Royal Highland Show.
The major sponsors of the dinner are Diageo, Dunbia Highland Meats, Parks Motor Group, Malcolm Group, and Loch Fyne. There are still a few tickets available for the dinner.
Throughout their tenure, the team has used its year as a platform to showcase how agriculture is leading the way in developing new solutions to support Scotland’s journey to net zero.
Around 11,000 Scottish homes and businesses to gain access to lightning-fast broadband
First Project Gigabit contract signed to bring fastest broadband networks on the market to rural Scotland
Around 11,000 homes and businesses in the Scottish Borders and East Lothian will be the first to benefit from the Scotland-wide rollout, with further contracts planned for other parts of Scotland this year
Supports UK Government plans to raise living standards and grow the economy across the country, including in isolated rural areas, as part of the Plan for Change
Around 11,000 Scottish homes and businesses will gain access to lightning-fast broadband, as joint efforts by the UK and Scottish governments to supercharge internet access in rural areas across the nation get underway and power the UK Government’s Plan for Change.
Rural areas in the Scottish Borders and East Lothian will benefit from gigabit-capable internet upgrades, allowing residents to fulfil day-to-day tasks, from rapid access to health advice through remote hospital consultations to interviewing for jobs and working more flexibly.
The upgrades will benefit some of the most remote areas of Scotland and the UK, including Athelstaneford and Innerwick in East Lothian and St Abbs, Broughton and Ettrickbridge in the Scottish Borders.
These areas will be among the first in Scotland to benefit from a £26 million contract awarded under Project Gigabit – the UK Government-funded rollout to areas unlikely to receive upgrades through commercial plans due to their challenging location. The contract was awarded to independent Scottish provider GoFibre by the Scottish Government.
UK Government Minister for Telecoms and Data Chris Bryant said: “As technological advancements race ahead and revolutionise our day-to-day lives, we cannot afford to leave anyone behind.
“It is fantastic to see this UK Government-funded gigabit investment being delivered in Scotland for the first time, not only bringing thousands of people the fastest broadband networks on the market and levelling the playing field but also helping us realise our mission to boost economic growth and improve living standards across the whole country, under the PM’s Plan for Change.”
Scottish Government Business Minister Richard Lochhead said: “Reliable internet connectivity is a vital part of everyday life – allowing people to work flexibly, engage in education and stay connected with loved ones.
“The Scottish Government has successfully implemented digital infrastructure programmes across Scotland to increase broadband speeds and help grow the economy.
“Expanding upon the achievements of the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband and Reaching 100% programmes, we will deliver Project Gigabit in Scotland to provide resilient connections that meet the needs of people and businesses now and into the future.”
One of Scotland’s leading amateur rugby clubs, Melrose Rugby Club, based in the Scottish Borders, has previously been connected to full fibre network by provider GoFibre.
Having reliable and fast connection meant the club could stream across the world their annual tournament, the Melrose Sevens.
The event, which is held every April in Melrose, is the oldest rugby sevens competition in the world and is watched by tens of thousands of fans across the globe, with teams coming from as far afield as Japan, Hong Kong, Uruguay and South Africa.
Malcolm Changleng, Melrose Rugby Club Director, said: “Getting full fibre connection has been a game changer for our club.
“As well as the 10,000 fans attending the event on the day of the tournament, we got about 60,000 people watching games on YouTube and other online platforms, which is why it’s so important to have good WiFi.
“It’s not just rugby fans watching, but people that have left the Borders to go all over the world. Lots of families from the Borders connect back to the area through the Melrose Rugby Sevens, and we’re proud that we allow people to get a little taste of the Borders on an annual basis.”
This weekend, rugby fans in Melrose will be able to support their national team in the Six Nations, with the club streaming Scotland taking on England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Local restaurant The Hoebridge is set to grow as a business thanks to the programme – contributing to plans to kickstart economic growth. Kyle Tidd, Co-Owner of The Hoebridge said:“This investment in faster broadband would improve our operations.
“It would enable us to streamline our ordering, payment and online booking systems, enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction.”
Now the £26 million contract is signed, detailed planning and surveying work will begin immediately with the first connections expected in the Autumn.
Further contracts to be signed this year will see faster broadband delivered to tens of thousands more premises across Scotland, including Aberdeenshire and the Morayshire Coast, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Orkney and Shetland.
For households, gigabit-capable broadband delivers faster speeds and fewer dropouts, providing a gateway to remote working and online education. Unlike traditional copper-based networks, gigabit connections won’t slow down at peak times, meaning no more battling for bandwidth with neighbours.
Gigabit networks can easily handle over a hundred devices all at once with no buffering, meaning the whole family can seamlessly surf, stream and download at the same time.
Project Gigabit will support the UK Government’s plans to kickstart economic growth, creating and supporting thousands of high-paid, high-skilled jobs, empowering industries of all kinds to innovate and increasing productivity by taking up digital technology.
It will also ensure people can access vital services they need now and, in the future, from giving patients improved access to healthcare through virtual appointments and remote health monitoring to helping pensioners combat loneliness by catching up with loved ones over higher quality video calls.
Scotland Office Minister, Kirsty McNeill, said: “This landmark contract marks a crucial step forward in our mission to end digital inequality across Scotland. By bringing the fastest possible broadband to our rural communities, we’re not just laying cables – we’re opening up new opportunities for local businesses, improving access to education and healthcare.
“The UK Government, through our Plan for Change, is working to ensure Scotland’s rural communities can benefit from the digital economy and economic growth is seen across the country.”
Neil Conaghan, CEO of GoFibre, said: “As a Scottish company, born in the Borders, GoFibre is proud to be named as the delivery partner for the first Project Gigabit contract in Scotland, bringing transformative full fibre connectivity to thousands more homes and businesses across the region.
“This contract award marks a step-change in our ambition and footprint as a major Scottish telecommunications company.
“We have a sterling track record of connecting communities across Scotland to our ultra-fast broadband network. Delivering this project will build on our successful delivery of Project Gigabit contracts in North Northumberland and Teesdale where we are delivering much-needed broadband in rural areas, ahead of schedule.
“We will bring all that expertise and GoFibre experience to this essential project for people in the Borders and East Lothian.”
Raneem’s Law has launched to embed the first domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms across five forces and ensure victims receive specialist support
Delivering on a UK Labour manifesto commitment, Raneem’s Law has been launched to embed the first domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms across five forces to ensure that victims of domestic abuse receive more specialist support.
West Midlands, Northumbria, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Humberside Police are all pioneering this new approach to improve the police response to victims of domestic abuse.
This is part of the government’s mission – underpinned by their Plan for Change – to better protect victims, pursue perpetrators and halve violence against women and girls in a decade.
These domestic abuse specialists will ensure that calls for help are properly assessed, managed and responded to. Specifically, their duties can include:
providing advice to officers responding to incidents on the ground
reviewing incoming domestic abuse cases and their risk assessments
listening in to live calls and providing feedback to call handlers on victim engagement
facilitating training sessions on domestic abuse for force control room staff
ensuring victims are referred to specialist support services
using expertise and understanding to manually check over the decisions made by 999 call handlers and identifying any missed opportunities to safeguard victims
supporting the use of innovative technology such as responding to victims via videocall
The UK government will work closely with these first forces to gain insight and understanding into how this new approach is working, to inform a national roll-out across all 43 forces and new statutory guidance for Raneem’s Law as soon as possible.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Every 30 seconds, someone calls the police about domestic abuse – over 100 people every hour seeking urgent help.
“That’s why we are determined to overhaul the police emergency response to domestic abuse, making sure that victims get the specialist support and protection they need. That must be Raneem and Khaola’s legacy.
“West Midlands has been determined to learn the lessons from the way Raneem and her mother were so badly failed and it is welcome that they, Bedfordshire, Humberside, Northumbria and Northamptonshire are all pioneering this ambitious approach to deliver the best possible response to victims at the worst time of their lives.
“We need to change the future for others, where we couldn’t for Raneem, as part of our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.”
For too long, crimes disproportionately impacting women and girls have not been met with the specialist response they require.
Domestic abuse affects more than 2 million people every year, with the police receiving a call about it every 30 seconds on average. Yet only 1 in 5 victims are estimated to report incidents to the police.
Raneem’s Law was established in memory of Raneem Oudeh and her mother Khaola Saleem, who were murdered by Raneem’s ex-husband in August 2018.
There were 13 reports made to the police about concerns for Raneem’s safety, but no arrests were made. On the night she was killed, she rang 999 four times but the police did not respond in time.
To deliver a step-change in approach to tackling this appalling crime, the government will provide £2.2 million to fund the first stages of Raneem’s Law over the next financial year.
Nour Norris, lead campaigner, aunt and sister of Raneem Oudeh and Khaola Saleem, said: “Raneem called for help, and today, the system finally answered.
I can’t express enough how deeply emotional and significant this moment is. After six relentless years of campaigning for justice, I am returning to the force that failed my sister, Khaola, and my niece, Raneem.
“West Midlands Police had the chance to save them. Raneem called 999, desperate for help, but the system did not listen. It did not act. And because of that failure, we lost them.
“I refuse to point fingers or place blame. I believed in change, and I believed in people wanting that to happen. Working alongside the government and the police, especially West Midlands Police has been a journey of change. Raneem’s Law is now being implemented, and with it, a fundamental shift in how victims of domestic abuse are supported.
“Raneem deserved the help she needed, my sister, Khaola, who broke my heart because she was caught in all of this, deserved to live around her children. This is not just about saving lives; it is also about ensuring that victims who survive have the chance to truly live, free from fear and harm. They deserve safety, dignity, and a future.
“This moment proves that change only happens when we refuse to accept failure. We cannot wait for another tragedy. We must build the safeguards that should have been there all along. And while nothing will bring Khaola and Raneem back, their voices, struggles, and sacrifices have led to a law that will save lives. Their legacy will live forever.
“Because the scale of violence against women and girls is a national emergency, earlier this month we announced a new intelligence-led national policing centre for England and Wales. Backed by £13 million, the centre will bring together around 100 officers to focus on tackling crimes such as domestic abuse, stalking, rape and sexual offences and ensure that victims are protected.”
Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls Jess Phillips said: “Raneem’s death showed us the devastating cost of missed opportunities.
“Behind every 999 call is someone’s daughter, mother, sister or friend in fear. That’s why getting the response right the first time, every time, is absolutely crucial. Embedding specialism and expertise into 999 control rooms will ensure that when victims make that brave call for help, they get the expert response they need.
“Working alongside Nour has shown me the true meaning of courage and determination. Her fight for Raneem’s Law, to change things for victims of domestic abuse before it is too late, will save lives. We are determined to halve violence against women and girls in a decade and won’t stop until every victim, up and down the country, gets the protection they deserve.
“Under our Plan for Change, we are taking the serious action needed to drive change across the country. Launching Raneem’s Law is another part of our effort to ensure that government and law enforcement can effectively tackle these unacceptable crimes.”
National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Domestic Abuse, Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe, said: “When a victim reports domestic abuse, they must have confidence that they will be protected from harm, which is why it’s so important that we get our response right from the moment we are called.
“Forces work hard every day to ensure victims receive the right response and support, and embedding expertise and victim advocacy at the earliest opportunity is vital.
“It’s important that we are both evidence and victim-led in our approach, and I would like to thank the victims and survivors, families and support organisations that continue to work with us to improve policing’s response to domestic abuse.”
NO NUTS please – this includes nut oils, nut flours, nut butters & nut milks. Soup must be vegan. Anything suitable for those with allergens or on special diets is very welcome.
Every pupil at Broughton High benefits from our funding during their time at school, making us a worthy cause to support & get involved with! 
