The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) represents Scotland’s young people.
Democratically elected members listen to and recognise the issues that are most important to young people, ensuring that their voices are heard by decision-makers. All young people aged between 14 and 25 years old can stand for election to the SYP.
Following on from last year’s successful SYP elections in Edinburgh, one seat remains unfilled in Northern and Leith. SYP rules state that the vacancy should be filled.
Where a seat is vacant, it can be filled through existing youth structures.
We are therefore asking young people involved in pupil/student councils or other youth structures such as participation groups in youth work agencies if they are interested in becoming a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Northern and Leith.
Interested young people must live, study (i.e. go to school or college) or work in the constituency.
New Carnegie UK report: GDWe: A spotlight on democratic wellbeing
Carnegie UK has published a new report GDWe: A spotlight on democratic wellbeing, research andpolling which shows that democratic wellbeing in England is under severe threat.
This research was conducted by YouGov polling between 12th – 13th December 2021, which coincided with a heightened focus on levels of trust in government. The results are stark:
● 2 in 5 people in England (41%) now say that democracy is not working. People see the biggest current threat to our democracy as a loss of trust (32%) followed by corruption (16%).
● 76% of the public in England don’t trust MPs, while 73% don’t trust the UK Government.
This report builds on Carnegie UK’s work on Gross Domestic Wellbeing (GDWe) – a holistic alternative to GDP as a measure of collective wellbeing. We use data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) Wellbeing Dashboard to calculate GDWe.
However this national wellbeing dataset underrepresents the importance of democratic wellbeing, with only 2 indicators out of 41 measuring this aspect of our lives.
At Carnegie UK, when we talk about democratic wellbeing we are referring to the extent to which we all – collectively – have a voice in decisions that affect us. Wellbeing cannot be ‘done to’ people, it has to be done by and with them.
Yet, in order for people to feel positive about participating in democratic processes and decision making, it is essential to have public trust in government at all levels.
GDWe: A spotlight on democratic wellbeingfound that in addition to a loss of trust there are also issues with current levels of participation in decision-making; misinformation, and misalignment with commonly held public values.
Other aspects that help make up democratic wellbeing, such as involvement in public participation and citizen engagement, are also poorly measured in the UK.
This report calls on government to invest in democratic wellbeing by increasing participatory democracy and improving transparency, as well as focusing on measures of national success in keeping with people’s priorities, rather than relying solely on economic measures.
The full report is available here and you can add to the debate on Twitter using the hashtag #GDWe
With the role of the Councillor changing dramatically over the last few years, the time is right to review the job – and its pay, COSLA said this week.
COSLA President Councillor Alison Evison says there has to be a ‘realistic’ review of remuneration for the role, and called for the Scottish Government to look at Councillors’ salaries.
The current offering of £18,604 per year simply ‘does not cut the mustard,’ said Councillor Evison, especially given Councillors work on average, 38.5 hours per week according to our research.
COSLA is now calling for Councillors to be paid the Real Living Wage, as a minimum.
“In less than five months, on May 5, Scotland once again goes to the polls to elect the representatives who are the closest to their communities – their local Councillors.
“The Survey we are releasing today is a pivotal opportunity to think about the kind of modern Councillor we want, and about the changes that we need to make to attract candidates who could make a real difference to communities across the country.
“Together with my elected member colleagues, I already passionately believe in local democracy as a real positive force for good within our communities – that is why we stand for election. However to meet the next challenge we need realistic and proper remuneration that better reflects the role of a modern day Councillor.
“All of us within Scottish Local Government want to harness the power of a more locally democratic way of doing things, to enable a more diverse range of voices at the decision-making table, and to overhaul participation in council policy-making across the country – but people need to be properly remunerated to make this rhetoric a reality.”
Councillor Evison continued: “The current salary for a councillor is £18,604 and that quite frankly does not cut the mustard.
“A survey undertaken by COSLA as part of removing barriers to elected office work clearly shows that councillors from all political parties and none feel that the time has arrived for this new, radical and bold approach to Councillors’ remuneration as part of a wider package of action to increase Councillor diversity and address financial barriers to elected office for underrepresented groups.
“We are excited about what can be achieved, but we know that to attract a more diverse range of people to the role of the modern Councillor simply will not happen without a commitment from Scottish Government to look at Councillor remuneration.
“We are not asking for anything too bold, our starting point is that as a minimum, Councillors should be paid the Real Living Wage for hours worked.
“There would rightly be uproar if Councils did not pay their employees the Real Living Wage – therefore why not Councillors, who according to our survey findings work 38.5 hours per week?
“The Real Living Wage would still only put Councillors in the same bracket as the Care/Retail and Hospitality Sectors.”
The next meeting of the EDINBURGH ASSOCIATION of COMMUNITY COUNCILS will be an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on Thursday 20 January at 7pm to update the EACC Constitution.
Other items include on the agenda include best practice for community council treasurers and police reports at CC meetings.
A landmark agreement setting out how the UK and devolved governments will work closely together to deliver for people across the whole of the United Kingdom has been published.
Landmark agreement on how UK government and devolved governments will continue to work together has been reached
New ways of working agreed by the UK government, Northern Ireland Executive, Scottish Government and Welsh Government
Reaffirmed principles agreed by all includes mutual respect, maintaining trust and positive working
Agreement formalises a PM led council, overseeing strengthened working
A landmark agreement setting out how the UK and devolved governments will work closely together to deliver for people across the whole of the United Kingdom was published yesterday (13 January 2022).
The statement was completely overhadowed by the ongoing brouhaha over the Prime Minister’s attendance at lockdown Downing Street parties (or work events!) At time of writing Boris Johnson’s political future remains very much in the balance.
The Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Review sets out new structures as to how the UK government, Northern Ireland Executive, Scottish Government and Welsh Government will work to deliver for people across the UK – based upon on the existing values of mutual respect, maintaining trust and positive working.
The new system will be a three-tiered structure and will formalise a new council, chaired by the Prime Minister, made up of Heads of the Devolved Governments.
The Prime Minister-led council and Ministerial groups will oversee and strengthen relations between all of the UK’s governments. They will discuss issues that affect people across the UK, particularly where they cut across reserved and devolved policy – or are of shared responsibility.
Strong working and close co-operation has been vital in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including coordinating the response to new variants and the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. Other examples of joined-up work include investment through Growth Deals and the Afghanistan resettlement programme.
The new structures will be supported by an independent secretariat made up of civil servants seconded from all four governments and will serve the UK government and devolved governments equally.
BeleagueredPrime Minister Boris Johnson said: “When team UK pulls together in common cause, spirit and endeavour we will always be at our very best.
“We’ve shown time and time again the combined strength we have in facing off the shared challenges before us, while also seizing the opportunities ahead for the benefit of the whole United Kingdom.
“Today’s announcements build upon that strength as we all continue to work together to deliver for the British people.”
Minister for Intergovernmental Relations Michael Gove said: “Devolution has empowered communities and resulted in huge benefits across the United Kingdom.
“Today’s landmark agreement will build on the incredible amount of collaboration already taking place between the UK government and the devolved administrations.
“By working together even more effectively, we can better overcome the challenges we face, create greater opportunities and improve people’s lives for the better.”
The new structures are based on a three tier levels for ministerial engagement – alongside a new mechanism for avoiding, escalating and resolving disputes; supported by joint or independent secretariats and based upon consensus.
Sitting below the Prime Minister-chaired council, the second tier will consist of two Interministerial Standing Committees, one chaired by the Minister for Intergovernmental Relations and one on finance.
There will also be the option of time limited committees agreed by consensus to deal with specific issues as required.
The third tier will be made up of Interministerial Groups (IMG) led by individual departments, which will cover a wide range of policy issues within a given minister’s or department’s portfolio.
These will include regular meetings between devolved and UK government ministers on issues such as Health, Transport and Education.
The new structures and processes announced yesterday are underpinned by a reaffirmed set of principles for collaborative working. These are:
Maintaining positive and constructive relations, based on mutual respect for the responsibilities of the governments and their shared role in governance of the UK
Building and maintaining trust, based on effective communication
Sharing information and respecting confidentiality
Promoting understanding of, and accountability for, their intergovernmental activity
Resolving disputes according to a clear and agreed process
The new structures create a ‘more equal, transparent and accountable system to support collaboration and information sharing between the UK government and the devolved governments and continue to deliver for citizens across the UK‘.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “Scotland has two governments, and people want to see them continue to work together to tackle covid and drive our recovery.
“Throughout the pandemic, the Scottish and UK governments have worked closely together, to keep people safe, protect public services, and support businesses and jobs in Scotland.
“This important agreement will build on that and help strengthen cooperation further – as we work together to deliver the priorities of people in Scotland on jobs, prosperity and economic recovery.
“It also reflects the increased powers of the Scottish Parliament since 2016 and the UK’s vote to leave the EU.”
Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said: “People in Wales want to see politicians working together to defeat the pandemic and focus on our recovery and throughout the past two years the UK government has worked with the Welsh Government more closely and productively than ever.
“This agreement will strengthen these relationships still further as we work together to deliver the priorities of the people of Wales like jobs, prosperity and economic recovery.”
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis said: “Today’s agreement will enhance the positive working relationship between the UK government and the Northern Ireland Executive, to the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland.
“By ensuring that we work together in the best way possible, we will build on the fantastic collaboration which has stood us in good stead as we continue to deliver together for local people.”
So the PM will chair the new council with devolved governments – but will Boris Johnson still be that Prime Minister, or is the party over? The picture may perhaps become clearer early next week.
Following a full meeting of Council Leaders yesterday (Friday) COSLA said it cannot accept the essential services provided by Scottish Local Government being once again overlooked by the Scottish Government in yesterday’s budget announcement.
COSLA described the budget as a bad deal for communities and warned that serious financial challenges in key service areas lay ahead for Scotland’s Councils.
Speaking this afternoon COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson Councillor Gail Macgregor said: “My initial feeling is one of real disappointment for our communities. Once again Local Government has been treated as the poor relation of the public sector.
“This settlement represents £100m cut to our core Settlement, before any other pressures such as National Insurance costs, pay or inflation are taken into account.
“We wanted a Budget for Local Government that enables people to Live Well Locally – what we have is a budget that barely allows Local Government to survive.
“We are left in a position where we do not have adequate funding to provide our range of essential services and support recovery from COVID.
“Many essential services provided by Scottish Local Government are in a fairly precarious position as a result of cuts to Councils’ core budgets and direction on spend towards Scottish Government priorities over the last few years.”
Councillor Macgregor continued: “In terms of Council Tax- whilst we welcome the removal of the cap and the recognition that this is a local tax that should be decided locally – we cannot put the burden of a poor settlement onto hard pressed families. That is simply not fair.“
Council Leaders were unanimous today that we need to work together, with one Local Government voice, to raise our concerns at the highest level of Scottish Government.
COSLA President Councillor Alison Evison said that it was beyond frustrating that Local Government’s ambition to enable people to Live Well Locally has been totally disregarded.
Councillor Evison added: “Whichever way you look at it, the reality of the situation is that yet again the essential services Councils deliver have been overlooked by the Scottish Government. There is no recognition that these very services are the bedrock for additional policies and priorities which the Scottish Government wants councils to provide.
“It is beyond frustrating that the importance of Local Government’s role in enabling Communities to Live Well Locally across Scotland, has not been reflected in the Budget announcement.
“The Scottish Government has to realise that cuts to our core budget hit the most vulnerable in our communities the hardest and are damaging to our workforce. That is why Council Leaders were unanimous today that we must fight for a fairer settlement.
“The consequences of us not doing this would be disastrous for our communities and workforce.
“It adds insult to injury the fact that the NHS in Scotland has been compensated for the increase in their National Insurance costs whilst we haven’t. So unlike Councils in England who have also been compensated for these our costs will once again have to be taken from frontline services.”
The Scottish Government’s record on climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic will be under the spotlight when the Scottish Parliament’s Committee Conveners meet later this month to quiz the First Minister.
For the first time in Session 6, the Conveners Group will hold a public evidence session with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP. The session will take place on 15 December.
The session, which will last almost two hours, will also see the First Minister take questions on the Scottish Government’s budget.
Speaking ahead of the session, Deputy Presiding Officer and Chair of the Conveners Group Liam McArthur MSP said:“The Scottish Parliament’s Committees play a crucial role in our democracy by scrutinising the Scottish Government and making sure those in charge of running the country are being held to account.
“This session will allow Conveners collectively to raise cross cutting matters of real concern such as climate change and the COVID 19 pandemic with Nicola Sturgeon. As such it is a welcome addition to the various ways in which the Parliament carries out its role.
“I expect there will be robust questioning and some spirited debate. As the new chair of Convener’s Group I’m looking forward to it immensely.”
A real terms reduction in Local Government funding in recent years must be halted to prevent Scotland’s communities and businesses suffering the effects of further cutbacks, COSLA has said.
This year’s Scottish Budget – to be announced next week on December 9 – should also recognise Local Government’s unique role in economic transformation, and must enable meaningful reinvestment in the services that underpin the economy.
Councils have significant spending power and the potential to build local wealth. Every pound spent in a local area – on pay, goods and services, and on capital projects – stays in and strengthens the local economy that enables people to ‘Live Well, Locally’.
COSLA also warns that without adequate funding for Local Government to support economic transformation, issues such as unemployment and child poverty will continue to rise, hitting communities hard and costing the whole system more in the long run.
COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Gail Macgregor, said: “The economic challenges faced across Scotland require a new response – one that is in tune with the needs of local areas and resourced sustainably.
“The Scottish Budget on December 9 presents a perfect opportunity to reset Scottish public spending in a way that empowers councils to achieve their ambition for our communities, creating jobs and sharing prosperity.
“Scotland’s Councils have invaluable local intelligence with local businesses, colleges and universities, about key sectors, local labour markets, and skills/training needs that should be valued and fully utilised to allow our communities to thrive and enable people to ’Live Well Locally’.
“As well as the many great examples we have in our Lobbying document, take somewhere like Dundee where as part of the major development to their waterfront that includes the prestigious V&A Museum, Dundee City Council has used its influence to encourage payment of the living wage by partners and private sector business including its contractors.
“In addition, units that have been created for let are being leased to businesses that are committed to providing the living wage delivering positive and sustainable developments to the local economy.”
COSLA Vice President Councillor Graham Houston added: “Only Councils have the vital local connections across the services that underpin economic transformation we require post-COVID.
“Take something like housing for example – a basic human right. It is not just about throwing up new homes – it’s about building them in a way which helps transform our communities, in a way which is affordable, and in a way which supports our commitments to tackle climate change and to community wealth building.
“There has to be that connectivity that only Local Government can provide. Councils make and shape the places we live in and love and with proper funding form Government would be the real enablers in allowing people to ‘Live Well, Locally.’”
Councillor Alison Evison, COSLA President concluded: “One of the reasons our communities are suffering is that recent years have seen a real terms reduction in Local Government funding overall, so Councils have had to prioritise protected areas like social work and education, over economic development, roads and transport.
“But these are the essential service areas that are critical in attracting investment, developing businesses, and creating jobs – this can create the conditions to lift families out of poverty.
“That is why this year’s Scottish Budget must recognise Local Government’s unique role in economic transformation, and must enable meaningful reinvestment in the services that underpin the economy.”
There’s a distictly Drylaw flavour to next week’s Inverleith Neighbourhood Network meeting.
Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre will be giving a presentation to the meeting in a ‘Getting To Know You’ session and Easter Drylaw Park has also been tabled as an agenda item.
The meeting, which will take place online using TEAMS, will be held on Monday 6th December from 6 – 7.30pm.
The Scottish Youth Parliament election results 2021 were announced on Monday 22 November. Eleven new Members of the SYP will now represent young people in Edinburgh.
Ten of those elected are from state schools in the city, seven are young women and three are from a Black and Minority Ethnic background.
One remaining seat, in Northern and Leith, will be contested in the new year.
Edinburgh registered the highest number of expressions of interest in Scotland from potential candidates and fielded the most candidates (26) of any local authority.
We also achieved the highest voter turnout in Edinburgh since 2015, despite many of the usual campaigning activities being curtailed because of the pandemic.
Councillor Ellie Bird, Young People’s Champion, said: “I want to commend the astonishing achievements and contributions of all 26 candidates that stood across Edinburgh in the Scottish Youth Parliament election, and warmly welcome the eleven new MSYPs into our city’s elected member family.
“The success of this year’s election is a testament to the commitment and passion of everyone involved in prioritising the voice of young people, at a time when it’s never been more important.
“Due to the restricted access to schools, youth clubs and community centres, candidates have had to rely on their own ingenuity, creativity and sheer dogged persistence to get their message, and their vote, out.
“The determination that these young people have demonstrated in standing up for what they believe in by putting themselves forward for election and to be accountable to their electorate, especially during such a challenging period for young people, is nothing short of inspirational.
“I know they all have a lot to offer their communities and the causes they care about most, and I can’t wait to see what they do next and look forward to working with Edinburgh’s newest group of elected representatives to place young people at the heart of policy and decision making.”
For more information about the election and the successful candidates, please see @edinburghMSYPs
