People from across Scotland are being invited to the Scottish Parliament’s first Summit to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Holyrood.
Taking place on Saturday 25 November and in partnership with the Cross-Party Group on Disability it will be held just ahead of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (Saturday 3 December). It is hoped it will bring hundreds of people together both in Edinburgh and online.
The event will recognise and value the role disabled people play in our society whilst also focusing on some of the barriers that continue to exist.
It will feature a number of speakers including Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE, a renowned athlete and a multi-gold medal winner in Paralympic sport and Jim Elder-Woodward OBE, a disabled activist and prominent campaigner for equality and human rights.
The Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer, the Rt. Hon Alison Johnstone MSP who will chair the Summit said: “The Scottish Parliament is here for everyone across Scotland, but we know that for some people there are barriers that can make it harder to access and get involved in the work we do.
“This Summit is an opportunity for us to come together, share experiences and learn from each other. It also provides a platform to discuss what can be done to help more people overcome barriers that still exist.”
Jeremy Balfour MSP, Convener of the Cross-Party Group on Disability said: “‘I am very excited about this event. It is the first the Scottish Parliament has held this type of event for the disabled community.
“I hope it will be a positive opportunity for individuals to learn and celebrate together”.
Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP, Deputy Convener of the Cross-Party Group on Disability said: “Too often disabled people are shut out of decisions that affect them. There should be nothing about us, without us and so I’m excited we’re opening the Parliament to bring disabled people from across Scotland, right into the room where it happens.
“The Scottish Parliament is everyone’s Parliament and I can’t wait to look across the chamber for the first time and see all the glorious diversity and talent of the disabled people of Scotland looking back at us. It really will be a moment for celebration and I’m proud that we’re able to do it”.
To register your interest in attending in person or online, please go to:
Unleashing the Power of the People: Holyrood Committee urges bold moves to enhance public participation
A Holyrood Committee which has been considering how the public engages with the Scottish Parliament has published a new report which makes a series of recommendations on removing barriers to participation, embedding deliberative democracy and establishing regular ‘Citizen’s Panels’ to support the scrutiny work of the Parliament.
The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee (CPPPC) undertook a year-long inquiry into Public Participation, recognising that the views of some groups and marginalised communities across Scotland weren’t being heard enough in the Parliament.
The inquiry focussed on what more could be done to bring the Parliament closer to the people and how to improve wider public participation in parliamentary scrutiny.
To assist the inquiry, the Committee established its own “Citizens’ Panel” – a group of 19 people from across Scotland who were asked: “How can the Scottish Parliament ensure that diverse voices and communities from all parts of Scotland influence our work?”
The Panel met over two weekends in late 2022 and made 17 recommendations which were published in the Committee’s interim report.
Following this, the Committee concluded that the Parliament should use Citizens’ Panels more regularly to help committees with scrutiny work as they give the public a greater voice and can help achieve consensus on difficult issues.
The Committee has recommended that the Parliament should hold two further Citizens’ Panel pilots this session, one undertaking post-legislative scrutiny and the other looking at a live political issue.
Following these panels, the Committee will then review how well they worked before seeking to suggest a more permanent model that the Parliament can adopt after the 2026 election.
The Committee recommends that, each time a Panel is set up to help a committee with an inquiry as recommended, the subsequent report should be debated in the Parliament Chamber, with Panel members invited to watch from the public gallery.
As well as considering how future Citizens’ Panels might work, the Committee has considered other ways that people can find out what the Parliament is doing, and how to get involved. Some of the ideas it looked at came from the recommendations made by its own Citizens’ Panel.
The Committee agreed with the need to reduce the barriers to public participation with the Parliament and supported additional recommendations including:
paying people back if they have to take time off work or pay for childcare to engage
translating information into other languages, or making it easier to read
making it easier for people to engage in the evenings or at weekends, or by using online tools
considering a review of citizenship education in schools
Throughout the inquiry, the CPPPC examined various mechanisms for citizen engagement and looked at how “Citizens’ Assemblies” at varying levels of government were being implemented and operated in other European countries including Belgium, France and Ireland.
Committee members also considered suggestions for broader Parliamentary reform put forward by the Panel including changes to the Code of Conduct for MSPs, an evaluation of the Presiding Officer’s authority to ensure Ministers give adequate responses to questions, and the possibility of dedicating weekly parliamentary time for the public questioning of Ministers.
Commenting, Convener of the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee, Jackson Carlaw MSP said: “Over the course of the past year, we’ve heard time and time again that the Parliament doesn’t hear enough from some groups and communities across Scotland. This report is therefore a significant milestone in our pursuit of a more inclusive parliamentary process.
“The recommendations, particularly the introduction of increasingly regular Citizens’ Panels and the embedding of deliberative democracy in the work of the Parliament, underscore our commitment to amplifying diverse voices.
“This report sets a strong foundation for a more participatory and collaborative democracy in Scotland, and we hope it will be welcomed by the Citizens’ Panel that was integral to its development, as well as Parliamentary colleagues from across the political spectrum.”
Citizens’ Panel member, Jaya Rao, from the North East said:“Participating in the Citizens’ Panel and visiting the Scottish Parliament was a truly enlightening experience.
“Interacting with diverse individuals and witnessing the democratic process first-hand has deepened my appreciation for our shared commitment to a better future for Scotland.”
Citizens’ Panel member, John Sultman, from Glasgow added:“This experience has shown me how much difference turning up and speaking up can make.”
Citizens’ Panel member Alan Currie, from Glasgow. said:“Our seventeen recommendations were taken seriously by MSPs and the Committee, due to the facilitators, experts and presentations, which enabled us to learn more about not just the Parliament, but the concept of deliberative democracy, improving parliaments ability to reach and engage the public.”
The full report and recommendations can be found on the Scottish Parliament website.
Alongside this the report is being published in a longer version and a summary version, in multiple languages, in BSL and Easy Read, reflecting the range of groups who engaged in the inquiry and demonstrating the importance of making the Parliament’s work accessible to all.
Second phase of Democracy Matters ‘national conversation’
People across Scotland are being asked to suggest ways of increasing local control over decision-making.
The second phase of the Democracy Matters national conversation will give people the opportunity to come together in their communities to imagine how new and inclusive democratic processes can best help their town, village or neighbourhood.
Community groups can guide local discussions by using the consultation document which covers a variety of themes including powers, representation, accountability and participation. People previously said it was crucial to get these things right. Funding is available to help with the costs of hosting events.
To mark the start of the second phase, Community Wealth Minister Tom Arthur and Local Government Empowerment Minister Joe FitzPatrick visited the Linlithgow Community Development Trust.
Mr Arthur said: “The Scottish Government is encouraging people across the country to come together and talk about local involvement in our democratic processes. We believe more decisions should be taken locally to better reflect the aspirations of our diverse communities.
“More than 4,000 people took part in the first phase of Democracy Matters. By providing financial support, we hope to make local conversations during the second phase as welcoming as possible. We want to hear even more voices as we work together to improve the way democracy works for our local communities.”
COSLA President Shona Morrison said: “COSLA welcomes the launch of the second phase of Democracy Matters; it marks a renewed resolve to put local people and communities at the centre of local decision-making.
“By drawing on the experiences gained by local communities during and since the Covid-19 pandemic we hope to secure a clear, updated understanding of how new models of local democracy can transform the lives of people in communities across Scotland.
“I would encourage everyone to contribute to the conversations which will be taking place across Scotland during the next few months as we ask what models of democratic framework would work best for them.”
Electoral Reform Society Scotland Director Willie Sullivan said: “Communities are made and good places to live are created when people work with each other to run their city, island, town or village. Scotland is the sum of these places, and our democracy depends on how well we run them together.
“In that light, it’s very important to restart Democracy Matters to ask local communities what sort of local democratic framework might make this possible.”
Rural and island communities will have a chance to have their voices heard in local and national decision-making as a result of Scottish Government funding.
Around £80,000 will help to deliver the next Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament – a grassroots democratic assembly – which will take place in the autumn.
The Scottish Government has supported voluntary organisation Scottish Rural Action (SRA) to set up four Scottish Rural Parliaments since 2014. The event is supported by a partnership of over 40 organisations, coordinated by SRA and the Scottish Islands Federation, and more than 400 people have taken part in each event.
The outcomes of discussions from the next Parliament will be presented to the Scottish Government, and will be considered as part of work to develop the Rural Delivery Plan and review the National Islands Plan. They will also be showcased at the European Rural Parliamentin September 2024, maintaining Scotland’s deep connection with institutions, networks and organisations in Europe.
Speaking at the Nevis Centre in Fort William, where the Rural and Islands Parliament will be convened, First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “When I became First Minister, I promised to lead Scotland in the interests of all of our people – and to listen and work with anyone and everyone who shares my vision of a fairer Scotland.
“I believe, therefore, that it is vital that rural and island communities and businesses have a say in decisions that affect them. The Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament – the only rural parliament in the UK – provides an important opportunity for people who work and live in these areas to have their voices heard.
“The discussions and views aired will help to inform Scottish Government policy-making. Indeed, discussions at previous Rural Parliaments helped to shape the concept of 20-minute neighbourhoods within the National Planning Framework.
“The most recent Scottish Rural Parliament in 2021 hosted a democratic assembly of over 600 participants from across rural Scotland. I would encourage anyone with an interest to sign up for this year’s event and to make what I am sure will be very valuable contributions to the discussions on the future of Scotland’s rural and island communities.”
Chair of Scottish Rural Action Theona Morrison said: “Rural and island places make up 98% of our country’s landmass. They are the locus of our natural assets, of our capacity to produce food and generate energy, and of a rich, enterprising, cultural and linguistic tapestry. We have an opportunity now to shine a light on the solutions that rural and islands communities offer to global challenges, including climate change.
“We look forward to sharing these solutions with the First Minister after the November event, and to working with the Scottish Government to build the resilience and sustainability of our rural and island places from the Borders and Lothians, to Shetland; and to make these solutions a reality.”
The Scottish Ministerial Code has been updated to further strengthen transparency and propriety.
Updates to the Code include:
New text reflecting the updates to the procedure for handling complaints by civil servants about the behaviour of a Minister or former Minister, making clear that for future complaints certain information about concluded cases will be made public, including the Minister’s name, the nature of the complaint and the outcome of the complaint, even after a Minister has left office, and setting out the obligation on Ministers to cooperate with the procedure.
The introduction of an annual review of Ministers’ private interests, and proactive publication of these interests on an annual basis, to enhance integrity and transparency around actual or perceived conflicts of interest. In addition, new text has been introduced to provide additional clarity for Ministers on managing overlaps between their Ministerial responsibilities and constituency interests.
General updates on provisions for maternity leave and to reflect the introduction of the Bute House Agreement, as well as minor amends to take account of digital developments, new published strategies and changes in Ministerial titles and responsibilities.
The First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “This new edition of the Ministerial Code sets the highest standards of propriety and transparency for Government Ministers.All Scottish Ministers, including myself, are bound by its terms and are committed to uphold the Principles of Public life, ensuring integrity, accountability and honesty at every level of leadership.
“Scottish Ministers are committed to building a better future for the people of Scotland while facing the profound challenges of our time. This will mean taking some tough decisions to ensure that we support those in greatest need, and it is vital that we are guided in this mission by a clear set of principles.”
Right to healthcare, strikes and an adequate standard of living proposed
A written constitution developed by the people in Scotland and their elected Parliament would help a newly independent Scotland take on the challenges of the future, according to First Minister Humza Yousaf.
Speaking ahead of the launch of the latest ‘Building a New Scotland’ prospectus paper detailing the plans, the First Minister said the drafting of a new constitution would enable people in Scotland to shape the new country.
The Scottish Government favours a constitution which would include:
recognition of the NHS in Scotland, giving the right to access a system of health care, available free at the point of need
stronger protections for human rights and equality, including upholding and fulfilling the right to an adequate standard of living as defined by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
the right for workers to take industrial action
a constitutional ban on nuclear weapons being based in Scotland
The fourth paper in the ‘Building a New Scotland’ series will set out more details on the proposals and the evidence that informs them.
First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “Our proposals would provide an opportunity for people in Scotland to shape the newly independent country and create a permanent, modern, written constitution to describe the type of country Scotland would be and how it would be governed.
“Successive UK Governments have taken Scotland in the wrong direction and with independence we would radically shift where power lies and put it back in the hands of the people who live in Scotland.
“The constitution would set out how democracy, rights and equality would be at the heart of everything we do as an independent nation.
It will see the introduction of a constitutional right to heath care available at the point of need, a right to an adequate standard of living as defined by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and protection for workers to take industrial action. And, what we will not see under these proposals, are nuclear weapons on the Clyde. This proposed constitution would ban nuclear weapons from an Independent Scotland.
“With rights in Scotland under threat as never before, because of the actions of the UK Government, and the Scottish Parliament being undermined, independence has never been more urgent or essential.”
The previous three papers have set out evidence showing independent countries comparable to Scotland are wealthier and fairer than the UK; how Scottish democracy can be renewed with independence; and the macroeconomic framework, including currency arrangements, for an independent Scotland.
Are you 25 or under and passionate about issues such as climate change, equality, poverty and your community? Or do you know someone who is? If so, then you might be interested in the forthcoming elections for the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP).
The SYP represents Scotland’s young people and democratically elected members listen to and recognise the issues that are most important to young people, making sure their voices are heard by decision-makers. It is a highly rewarding role that requires passion, determination and, perhaps most importantly, commitment.
All young people aged between 14 and 25 can stand for election and anyone aged between 12 to 25 is eligible to vote.
This year’s elections will be held in November and applications are open until 31 July.
Before then, interested young people can find out more and begin the application process on the SYP website which is open until 31 July.
Information sessions will be held and there is support available from the SYP and from Edinburgh’s Youth Work Team.
Beau Johnston, Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Edinburgh Central, said: “I felt so well supported and was pushed out of my comfort zone constantly – but in the best possible way.
“My confidence has improved, and I have learnt many new skills. I feel grateful to have met so many inspirational people throughout this process, and to have worked with them on issues that I am so passionate about.”
Cllr Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener, for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for young people to join the Scottish Youth Parliament and make their voices heard.
“The Parliament has a proud history of delivering youth led campaigns that deliver meaningful change and have led to many improvements to the lives of young people not just here in Edinburgh but across Scotland. I would encourage anyone interested to apply and see if you can really make a difference.”
The Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee is holding a session on community councils to coincide with the 50th anniversary of their establishment in Scotland, with two panels of witnesses scheduled to give evidence.
As part of the first panel the Committee will hear from Jackie Weaver who rose to fame after a video of her managing a virtual meeting of Handforth Parish Council went viral in 2021.
The Committee has invited Jackie Weaver to share her insights and experiences in local governance and management, particularly in relation to supporting parish councils.
The Committee will also hear from a panel of community councillors representing Edinburgh, Shetland, Aberdeenshire, West Lothian, Moray, Clackmannanshire and Cambuslang in South Lanarkshire who will provide evidence in a roundtable format.
The session is part of the Committee’s ongoing work looking at the Scottish Government’s Local Governance Review which aims to reform the way that Scotland is governed to give greater control to communities.
Ariane Burgess MSP – Green
Commenting ahead of the meeting, Committee Convener, Ariane Burgess MSP said: “Fifty years on from the establishment of Community Councils, it’s important that we recognise and celebrate the contributions that individuals and groups involved make to their communities.
“We also hope this session can contribute towards shaping the Scottish Government’s Local Governance Review, ensuring communities continued to be empowered and supported to do so in the decades ahead.
“The Committee are looking forward to welcoming Jackie Weaver and Community Councillors from all over Scotland to share their experiences of community involvement in decision making, and their views on how this can be improved.”
YESTERDAY the Boundary Commission for Scotland released its proposals to redraw the boundaries of Scottish Parliamentary constituencies (writes Edinburgh Western MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton).
As Scotland changes, this review is mandated of the commission, so that population growth in some areas and decline in others is reflected in how areas are represented in the Scottish Parliament.
The proposals for West Edinburgh redraw our constituency entirely, with the communities of Kirkliston, South Queensferry, Cramond, Cammo, Barnton, Davidson’s Mains and Muirhouse all removed from Edinburgh Western Constituency and combined with the towns of Linlithgow, Broxburn and Uphall to create the new constituency of Edinburgh Forth and Linlithgow.
Corstorphine, East Craigs, Craigmount and Drylaw and Blackhall will remain in Edinburgh Western and the seat will expand East to include Inverleith, Stockbridge, Murrayfield and Ravelston. Part of South Gyle will now move to Edinburgh Pentlands.
The Commission has now embarked on a 4 week consultation of the proposals. I’m keen to reflect the views of my constituents as best I can so please let me know what you think in the comment thread below (Mr Cole-Hamilton was posting this information on local community council Facebook pages).
As I’m posting across 12 groups, I won’t be able to respond to comments, I’m afraid but I will take note of them all.
Additionally, please make your views known to the Commission directly through their consultation website:
