The Edinburgh Partnership is conducting a review of how it supports and works with third sector organisations in Edinburgh.
The review into the relationship between the public sector and third sector in Edinburgh seeks to improve funding certainty in future years. This includes how grant funding and commissioning is delivered, how third sector organisations monitor and report on their work, and what in-kind support is provided.
Third sector organisations of all types – voluntary, social enterprises and charities – are being asked to share their views through the City of Edinburgh Council’s Consultation Hub survey or by attending a workshop.
The results will be reported to the Policy and Sustainability Committee in August.
Council Leader and Chair of the Edinburgh Partnership, Jane Meagher, said: “The third sector provides vital support to local communities, with many giving direct support to the most vulnerable in our city.
“We know that they, like the Council, are under significant financial pressure and that there needs to be longer-term change in how they are supported by us and our partners.
“We want to hear about how we can make it simpler, provide more stability, and work better together to help vulnerable people. You can share your views through the council’s consultation hub webpage, or by attending one of the workshops.”
Workshops run from Monday 19 May until Thursday 5 June. Details are available on the Consultation Hub and booking is required.
As part of the city’s commitment to help the sector, the council has dedicated £3.5m this year to help organisations impacted by unexpected loss of grant funding or reduced commissioning.
REFORM UK’s Sarah Pochin won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election by just SIX votes following a knife-edge recount this morning.
Former Conservative councillor Sarah Pochin overturned a 14,696 Labour majority to take the Cheshire seat for Reform UK, originally called the Brexit Party when it was founded in 2018.
Reform UK now has five MPs and the party has made sweeping gains across England in the council elections, winning more seats than any other party in results declared so far.
The Runcorn by-election was called following the conviction of former Labour MP Mike Amesbury, who was captured on film assaulting a constituent.
Civic, faith, trade unions and political leaders commit to action
Scotland’s democracy is at its best when our communities come together.
The values our Parliament was built upon – wisdom, compassion, justice and integrity – are under threat, but they are worth fighting for and that’s exactly what I’ll do. pic.twitter.com/a1BdUiadkI
Civic, faith, trade union and political leaders have committed to taking action to safeguard Scotland’s democracy and tackle people’s feeling of being unheard and disempowered.
At a gathering of representatives from across society, the First Minister described the pledge as demonstrating a ‘strength of unity’ which reflects the democratic values felt by communities across the country.
Today’s event saw more than 50 leaders meet in Glasgow to assess the robustness of Scotland’s democratic system. Across the day, there were focused discussions, moderated by civic leaders, on four key themes which are contributing to a breakdown in democratic trust, including:
combating inequality and discrimination
tackling disinformation and ensuring a trusted media environment
enhancing trust in politics and boosting the accountability of political leaders and democratic institutions
strengthening vigilance to electoral interference and encouraging more active democratic participation
Following discussions, participants considered a mission statement that seeks to provide a framework that can underpin specific actions and solutions to help tackle some of the issues identified.
The statement reads:
STRENGTHENING AND PROTECTING DEMOCRACY IN SCOTLAND
Today, we reaffirm our commitment to safeguard Scotland’s democracy.
We recognise many people in our country feel distant from politics or failed by society. They feel unheard and disempowered.
We recognise also that much of our public discourse has become polarised and soured.
Our starting point has been a recognition of that reality and, alongside this, a recognition also that the solutions, which will be manifold and complex, require a collective response.
We have a shared responsibility to map a way forward for Scotland, which is why we are committed to working together to ensure that our democratic structures evolve to meet our democratic ideals and are both trusted and robust.
There are certain fundamental principles and values that are already part of our understanding of Scottish democracy, rooted in the creation of the Scottish Parliament, that we believe should shape and guide our work.
These are:
Participation and openness
The sharing of power
Accountability
Equal opportunity
We stand together on these principles and values, recognising that they offer both a foundation on which to build and markers to guide this next stage of our nation’s democratic journey.
I pledge my support.
“By reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding democracy in Scotland, we have demonstrated a strength of unity which will guide us in our actions.”
Speaking after the event, First Minister John Swinney said: “Our discussion was incredibly powerful and equally inspiring.
“I am grateful to the many representatives from across Scottish society who shared their honest reflections on the challenges we face, alongside their absolute determination to work together to ensure we stand up for the values and principles we hold so dear.
“Today’s event is a pivotal moment for Scotland as we demonstrate our shared commitment to democracy but to make that a reality, we must now work at pace to ensure targeted action delivers results.
“By coming together, we have started that process, with all participants committed to developing actions that can address some of the root causes of the challenges facing our country. I pledge my government’s absolute support for that work, to ensure we leave no stone unturned in identifying solutions and empowering the disempowered who so often feel left behind.
“We can only protect the rights of each citizen, if we protect, strengthen and renew our democratic values. By reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding democracy in Scotland, we have demonstrated a strength of unity which will guide us in our actions.”
Following the gathering, political and civic leaders taking part in the press conference pledged their support for the statement. They are:
Anas Sarwar MSP – Leader, Scottish Labour
Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP – Leader, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Patrick Harvie MSP – Co-Convenor, Scottish Green Party
Lorna Slater MSP – Co-Convenor, Scottish Green Party Leader
Ash Regan MSP – Alba parliamentary leader
Roz Foyer – General Secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress
Sara Thiam – Chief Executive of Prosper
All delegates attending the gathering have been invited to take the statement to their organisation to seek agreement for pledging their support. Work will now be developed in partnership with participants to ensure actions are agreed and taken forward.
First Minister John Swinney will convene a meeting to examine the resilience of Scotland’s democracy.
Political, faith and community leaders will be brought together to assess the robustness of Scotland’s democratic system by examining root causes that might undermine shared values – now and in the future.
The gathering will be held on Wednesday (23 April) when the First Minister hopes to find agreement on a set of principles that can strengthen and protect the country’s democratic foundations.
The discussion will be centred on four key themes, each moderated by a civic leader:
Combating inequality and discrimination.
Tackling disinformation and ensuring a trusted media environment.
Enhancing trust in politics and boosting the accountability of political leaders and democratic institutions.
Strengthening vigilance to electoral interference and encouraging more active democratic participation.
The First Minister said: “Government has a clear role to play in protecting the health of our democracy.
“Across the world, we can see democratic systems under pressure, with fundamental principles being challenged and, in some cases, actively undermined. Scotland is not immune, so we must ensure we are prepared.
“As First Minister, I want to bring people together to help shape our response to these threats, and make sure we work together to protect and strengthen the democratic values that underpin who we are as Scots.
“Bringing together political, faith and community leaders will enable a discussion about key issues such as tackling misinformation, strengthening trust in politics, combating electoral interference, and ensuring Scotland’s democracy delivers equality.
“It will provide the initial foundation that will ensure Scotland has united leadership on values and principles that can help guide us in this age of uncertainty.”
The Conservatives say they will not be attending the session, saying the meeting is nothing more than a talking shop. Reform UK, who do not currently have any Holyrood MSPs, have not been invited to participate in the discussion.
Deputy First Minister urges UK Government to restore Scottish Parliament’s full powers
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has urged the UK Government to “restore the democratic voice of the Scottish Parliament” by repealing the Internal Market Act and providing full restoration of powers that were removed by the previous UK administration.
A Scottish Government Position Paper on the Internal Market Act 2020 published today says the Act should be repealed and replaced with a system built around the Common Frameworks approach and agreed by all devolved administrations and the UK Government.
Two votes in the Scottish Parliament, in October 2023 and February 2025, have called for the full restoration of the powers of the Scottish Parliament but have been ignored.
The new paper comes as the consultation period for the UK Government’s statutory review of the Internal Market Act concludes. The UK Government specifically ruled out repealing the Act before its consultation began.
Ms Forbes said: “The Scottish Government’s position is clear, we must see the full restoration of the powers of the Scottish Parliament. The Internal Market Act should be repealed and the UK Government must work with the devolved governments to deliver an agreed and workable alternative.
“The Act was imposed by the previous UK Government without the consent of any devolved legislature. It remains the single greatest impediment to more effective and respectful intergovernmental relations.
“Neither the Scottish Parliament nor any of the other devolved legislatures gave their consent to the Act. It has introduced radical uncertainty as to the effect of devolved laws, effectively introducing a far-reaching and unpredictable new constraint on the powers of the Scottish Parliament.
“It also provides UK Ministers with an open-ended power effectively to nullify laws passed by a democratically elected – and accountable – legislature.
“It is deeply regrettable that the UK Government explicitly ruled out repealing the Internal Market Act before it began the review process and consultation but this new paper offers them an opportunity to work with the Scottish Government to restore the democratic voice of the Scottish Parliament.”
The city council’s Governance Team has announced that the date for the second call for nominations for community councils who received insufficient elected member nominations has been amended.
Nominations will now open on 27 March 2025 and will close at 4pm on 17 April 2025. This is to avoid the nomination period being open over 2 public holidays and to ensure officers are available to support candidates with any enquiries.
The formal notice will be published on the Council’s website in due course.
The 8 community councils who did not receive sufficient valid nominations to establish were:
• Craigmillar
• Davidson’s Mains and Silverknowes
• Firrhill
• Hutchison / Chesser
• Muirhouse/ Salvesen
• Old Town
• Portobello
• West Pilton/ West Granton.
The new dates have been updated on our CC webpages.
Conference to look at the importance of women in politics
The Scottish Parliament will host the 11th Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians conference for the British Islands and Mediterranean Region.
The event, held from March 16-18, is titled ‘A parliament for all: the importance of women in politics’ and brings together elected female representatives, officials, campaigners and academics.
Delegates will discuss how Parliaments can become more inclusive, the barriers women face to entering and staying in politics and what more can be done to increase the number of women in politics. They will consider how best to implement recommendations from gender sensitive audit reports and how gender equality networks, working groups and caucuses can be used to influence positive change.
MSPs taking part include Acting Chair of the CWP BIMR Steering Committee, Sarah Boyack MSP; Roz McCall MSP, Member of the CWP BIMR Steering Committee; Michelle Thomson MSP; and Natalie Don MSP, Minister for Children and Young People.
Other speakers include the Swedish Parliament’s First Deputy Speaker, Kenneth G Forslund; Hon. Devina Sammut Hili, Parliament of Malta; Deputy Mary Le Hegarat, States Assembly, Jersey; Hon Joelle Ladislaus MP, Gibraltar Parliament; Savia Orphanidou MP, House of Representatives, Cyprus; Sioned Williams MS, Member of the Senedd Cymru.
Meryl Kenny, Professor of Gender and Politics at the University of Edinburgh and Talat Yaqoob, writer and campaigner and Co-founder of Women 50:50, are also speaking.
Delegates will be joined by young women from across the region discussing what more can be done to encourage young women to go into politics.
The Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament said:“I care passionately about equal representation and participation in politics and it’s a privilege to host this conference.
“The conference brings together parliamentarians and experts to discuss what more can be done to make our politics more inclusive, and to celebrate the role of women in the political sphere.
“It’s clear that many barriers still exist which can limit equal participation in politics. This conference aims to discuss what more can be done to encourage women to get involved in politics and stay involved.
“I’m excited to welcome brilliant politicians, officials and thinkers from across the British Islands and Mediterranean Region, each with their own unique perspective on how we can make our Parliaments truly representative of the communities we serve.”
Research published today (Monday 10 March) by the Electoral Commission reveals that nearly three quarters of young people in Scotland (73%) think children and young people should learn more about politics in school or college.Young people are most interested in learning more about political parties and the difference voting makes.
The research, which surveyed 11 to 25-year-olds from across the UK, also found that 81% of young people in Scotland who live in homes where politics is discussed weekly or more often, say they are confident about voting compared to only 30% of young people living in homes where politics is never discussed.
More positively, young people who responded to the survey said that hearing about politics at school or college is, along with at home, the most trusted source of information – more so that TV or social media.
The Electoral Commission is calling for all young people in Scotland to have the opportunity to learn about democracy in school, with better support for educators to deliver engaging and effective lessons.
With the voting age being 16 in Scotland at Scottish Parliament and council elections, it is more important than ever to ensure young people understand our democracy and how they can play an active role in it.
Andy O’Neill, Head of the Electoral Commission in Scotland, said: “Young people should feel empowered to take part in our democracy, yet too many in Scotland feel disconnected from politics and uncertain about how decisions that affect them locally are made.
“It is crucial young people are equipped with the knowledge and confidence they need to engage with democracy and cast their vote.
“The Electoral Commission is expanding its work with schools and youth groups across Scotland to support democratic education, but meaningful change also requires updates to the curriculum and dedicated time for teachers to deliver democratic education in schools, ensuring all young people understand and participate in democracy.
“We will continue to work with the Scottish Government to encourage this positive change.”
The findings are being launched to mark the start of Welcome to Your Vote Week, the Electoral Commission’s annual campaign celebrating democracy and promoting further democratic education.
This year’s theme, ‘Get Informed and Get Involved,’ encourages young people to access accurate information on democracy and elections, helping them take the first steps to engage locally.”
The Declaration of Results includes the names of all successful elected members who will be duly elected to community councils when the new term commences from 28 March 2025.
An update which includes details on the number of valid nominations received for each community council and the number of valid Local Interest Group nominations can be found below.
When nominations closed, 39 community councils received sufficient valid nominations to establish.
Insufficient nominations were received to establish 8 community councils:
Craigmillar
Davidson’s Mains and Silverknowes
Firrhill
Hutchison / Chesser
Muirhouse/ Salvesen
Old Town
Portobello
West Pilton/ West Granton
A second call for nominations will be issued for the 8 community councils who did not achieve sufficient nominations to establish. Nominations will open on 31 March 2025 and will close at 4pm on 21 April 2025.
The city council’s webpages will be updated in due course with further information.
