Campaigning organisation Compass is calling for a Citizen’s Assembly to extricate the country from a mess politicians seem incapable of resolving: Continue reading Brexit: Call for Citizens’ Assembly
Tag: democracy
Planning battle lost but the fight goes on
The Scottish Greens have hit out at the SNP for blocking a bid to give communities the same right as developers to appeal planning decisions. Continue reading Planning battle lost but the fight goes on
Local democracy report embarrasses Scotland, says Wightman
Scottish ministers must respond to an embarrassing report that claims that Scotland is the ‘least locally democratic country in Europe’ by devolving new powers to councils, says a Green MSP.
Andy Wightman, the Scottish Greens’ local government spokesperson, says his party supports the Common Weal report’s recommendation for a new tier of councils in Scotland, insisting that two, and in many cases three tiers, are typical in other European countries.
Mr Wightman, a Green MSP for Lothian, said: “This report (see below) adds to the wealth of evidence highlighting the poor state of local democracy in Scotland. Its findings are welcome and while many will perceive its recommendation to create another tier of local democracy in Scotland to be radical, having just a single tier of councils goes against the norm across much of Europe.
“Scotland’s status as the ‘least locally democratic country in Europe’ is not one to be proud of, in fact it’s embarrassing. Ministers at Holyrood can however revive local democracy by devolving more powers to councils and require them to include local communities in decision making.
“Local government needs substantial and far-reaching reform to make it more local and more democratic and we’ll continue to honour our manifesto commitment to challenge ministers on their slow progress.”
NW Locality Committee to meet on 14th November
The next meeting of the North West Locality Committee will take place on Wednesday 14th November from 6.30 – 8.30pm in the Dean of Guilds Room, City Chambers. The meeting is open to the public. Continue reading NW Locality Committee to meet on 14th November
Support your local councillor!
Nominations now open to “showcase the best of local government”
Residents in Scotland are encouraged to nominate their local councillor for an award at the Local Government Information Unit’s (LGiU) first Scottish Councillor Achievement Awards. Continue reading Support your local councillor!
Event: Participatory Budgeting & Open Government
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First ever First Minister’s Question Time for children and young people announced
In a landmark participation project, children and young people will have the opportunity to scrutinise the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, as First Minister’s Question Time is taken out of Holyrood and across Scotland. Continue reading First ever First Minister’s Question Time for children and young people announced
Government launches consultation to protect political debate
The government is highlighting the seriousness of the threat of intimidation of candidates and campaigners to the integrity of public life and the electoral process …
The UK Government has launched a consultation for a new electoral offence which aims to crack down on threats and abuse towards those standing for election. Continue reading Government launches consultation to protect political debate
Democracy Matters: sign up for discussion event
Working together, Community Development Alliance Scotland, The Scottish Community Development Centre and the Poverty Alliance invite you to discuss the next phase of the Local Governance Review and share your ideas about how local democracy could change.
Join us for the morning, chat to us over lunch and learn how you can help others have their voice and make a difference.
- The Studio, 67 Hope Street , Glasgow
- 10 am til 2pm
- 9th August 2018
Register here >>
Democracy Matters
The Scottish Government has launched the next phase of its Local Governance Review, inviting people to join a conversation called ‘Democracy Matters’.
The campaign asks five key questions about how decisions should be made at a more local level. It asks whether communities, of place or identity, should have more control of decisions and what those might be. It also asks how this should look and what new or existing decision-making processes could be used.
The Local Governance Review was launched earlier in the year aims to find out what changes are needed to encourage a more local, participatory and inclusive democracy in Scotland.
A short animation summaries the review and the five questions being asked:
“In modern Scotland power must work in a way that involves and benefits everyone. To get this right, we will review how responsibilities and resources can be shared across national and local government in a way that delivers the greatest benefit to Scotland’s different places. However, the starting point must be with our citizens and the power and potential within our communities themselves.”
The review encourages people to hold conversations in their communities to discuss Democracy Matters and includes a community engagement fund where groups can apply for £100 – £300 to help make conversations happen. They have also published guidance about how the discussion might work and how it could be facilitated.
The review of local governance was set out in the Scottish Government’s 2017-18 programme for government and will be part of the forthcoming Local Democracy Bill
You can download the report and view more information on the Scottish Government website here.
Register for the event here >>
Half a welcome for Mr President?
DONALD Trump’s Scotland visit may be marked with protests, but nearly half (49%) of Scots say they would not back a ban on him coming as it would be against the principles of free speech. Continue reading Half a welcome for Mr President?