Tag: local government

Victory! Strikes on hold as union members consider improved offer

GMB Scotland, Unison and Unite trade unions have suspended next week’s strikes after receiving an improved pay offer from local government umbrella organisation Cosla.

The unions are recommending their members accept the new deal.

Responding to the revised offer for local government pay, and following a meeting of GMB Scotland’s local government committee, GMB Scotland Senior Organiser for Public Services Keir Greenaway said: “GMB has been very clear that more must be done for the lowest paid in local government and this latest offer delivers a significant amount of consolidated money for these workers, including the frontline refuse and schools’ staff that everyone depends on.

“It’s not a perfect offer but it is the view of GMB Scotland’s local government committee that it’s worthy of members consultation and their acceptance, but ultimately our members whose campaigning and strike actions have improved these terms will have the final say.

“In the meantime, we have agreed to suspend all planned strike action so this consultation process can take place and our GMB organisers and workplace reps will be visiting as many workplaces as possible to engage our members on this.

“Most importantly, we want to pay tribute to our members. Strike action is not easy, it requires sacrifice and solidarity to deliver outcomes that make work better, and they have fought long and hard for an improved offer to help confront this cost-of-living crisis.” 

After days of intense negotiations with the First Minster, the Deputy First Minister, Scottish Government and COSLA. UNISON has now secured an improved offer from COSLA that they will put to their members with a recommendation to accept.

The offer consists of:
• An increase of £2000 for those earning up to £20,500
• An increase of £1925 for those earning between £20,500 to £39,000
• A 5% increase for those earning between £39,000 to £60,000
• A maximum increase of £3k for those earning above £60,000
• The removal of SSSC fees where application (social care registration fees)
• 1 extra days annual leave
• All increases based on a 36hr week calculator

Three UNISON sticking points were overcome late last night with the First Minister. The first is that the pay envelope has been increased to £600m, second that the pay increases will be fully consolidated from the date of implementation and the calculations will be based on 36-hour week (rather 37hr wk).

In March council workers were offered a paltry 2%. In July they were offered 3.5%. And now, through the strength of UNISON’s collective industrial muscle and members willingness to stand up to their employers we have now achieved a total increase to the pay bill of 7.5%, with 8 in 10 UNISON workers getting increases of between 5 – 10 %.

Johanna Baxter, UNISON head of local government said: “This offer is a victory for UNISON members. It has taken 8 months and the industrial might of UNISON members in schools and early years and waste and recycling workers to drag £600m out of Scottish government and COSLA and into the pockets hardworking people.

“COSLA originally offered 2%, then 3.5%, then 5% – we now we have £600m on the table, which is a 7.5% increase to the total pay bill and 87% of our council workers will receive fully consolidated increases between 5% to 10%.

“UNISON want to get this money into the pockets of council workers now while we continue the campaign to support people through the cost of living crisis,

“It is only through the collective action of our members in school and early years staff threatening strike action and our waste and recycling workers taking action that we have forced these extra funds out of government and the employer.

“Our member’s message was clear and unequivocal – UNISON’s local government members are no longer prepared to be treated as the poor relations of the public sector. They will stand up, speak up and organise to win change together. There is always more to do but this is a welcome step in the right direction.”

Mark Ferguson, chair of UNISON Scotland local government committee said: “Do not underestimate the scale of the achievement for UNISON members. We have won significant increases from where we started 8 month ago. We have had to drag the employer to the table to even talk to us.

“This will go someway to help them through the cost of living crisis but by no means is the fight over. UNISON will now continue its campaign to improve pay and conditions for all workers in local government.”

Unite the union can confirm that following talks involving the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, COSLA and the trade unions, a new ‘credible’ pay offer has been formally put on the table.

Unite can confirm that the substance of the new offer has led to a recommendation by its local government committee to accept.

Strikes scheduled to take place in waste and education services from 6 to 13 September are now suspended. Unite will hold a consultative ballot of its local government membership on the offer which it aims to complete by 22 September.

Unite can confirm a flat rate fully consolidated offer of £2,000 for those earning up to £20,500. This is the equivalent to an increase of around 10 – 11 per cent for the lowest paid who are estimated to be around 18 per cent of the total workforce. The offer is consolidated into overtime, allowances and pensions.

It further includes a £1,925 flat rate offer which is fully consolidated for those earning between £20,500 and up to £39,000. This is the equivalent to an increase of 8 per cent for those earning around £24,000. The offer would also be backdated to April.

Unite estimates that trade union negotiators have been able to secure around an extra £460m for local government since the dispute in waste services began in Edinburgh on 18 August.

Wendy Dunsmore, Unite’s lead negotiator for local government, welcomed the new offer, she said: “After the latest round of intensive talks a new credible offer has finally been put on the table by COSLA. Unite wants to acknowledge the First Minister’s direct involvement as a primary reason for the breakthrough.

“The offer on the table is fully consolidated and as such there will be more cash in the pot going forward for local government workers. It provides a degree of security for the lowest paid with a flat rate offer of £2000 which is an uplift worth around 10-11 per cent.

“We now have a credible offer which our local government representatives can recommend to the membership for acceptance.” 

It is reported that more than half of Scotland’s 250,000 council workers are earning less than £25,000 a year for a 37-hour week.

COSLA has said it was delighted to get to a point in this year’s pay negotiations whereby a fresh pay offer has been put to the Trade Unions.

Commenting yesterday [Friday 2nd September 2022] following a meeting of Council Leaders, Councillor Katie Hagmann, COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson, said:  “Firstly I would like to thank all our Trade Union colleagues for the constructive discussions.

“The revised offer made shows that Scotland’s Council Leaders have listened to the concerns of our workforce and have responded positively.

“Council Leaders have said consistently throughout these negotiations that we very much value and are grateful to the Local Government Workforce.

“We have sent letters to our union colleagues following today’s meeting and hope that this enables strike action to be suspended and allows our workforce to get back to doing what they do best, delivering high quality essential services for the people within our communities right across Scotland.”

Commenting on the new pay offer for local government workers from COSLA, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said: “Unions work. This offer could not have been possible without the solidarity of our collective movement. As it should be, it’s now up to the members whether to accept this proposal.

“We’re facing the gravest cost of living emergency seen for generations. When there is the political will to do so, instigated by Scotland’s workers and with the assistance of political leaders, the Scottish Government can indeed intervene to help those most in need.

“Other workers across public services will welcome this precedent as they too seek pay justice in the face of the cost-of-living crisis. We intended to make this loud and clear at our cost of living pay march outside the Scottish Parliament this Thursday, September 8th.”

The City of Edinburgh Council has updated its advice to residents following this afternoon’s announcement that industrial action is to be paused.

Strike action was due to restart in Edinburgh on Tuesday but, following the latest offer from COSLA, Unite and GMB trade unions have agreed to suspend the action while they conduct a consultative ballot of their members.

The Council has updated its recovery plan to take account of this and residents are being advised that kerbside collections (grey and green wheelie bins, plus food waste) will resume as normal from next week.

This excludes garden waste and blue box glass collections, which will restart from 13 September. As previously communicated, garden waste customers will be compensated for any missed collections resulting from strike action.

Any residents who were due a collection on Thursday 1 or Friday 2 September whose bins haven’t yet been emptied are being advised to leave them out for collection – they’ll be emptied as soon as possible.

Street cleaning teams, meanwhile, continue to make good progress with the city-wide clean-up, focusing their efforts on high-footfall areas and working closely with waste collection teams to clear excess litter around bins.

Full details of the recovery plan and the latest guidance have been published on the Council website: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/binstrike

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “Clearly, I’m pleased that next week’s strike action has been suspended while union members consider this latest offer – and I’m cautiously optimistic that they’ll follow their unions’ recommendation and accept.

“This dispute has already dragged on way too long and the Scottish Government and COSLA leadership would do well to reflect on this going forward.

“I know this will come as a relief to residents and businesses across Edinburgh who’ve had to endure a difficult few weeks for our Capital city – but I hope, like me, they’ll agree it’s been worth it to secure a fair deal for our hard working colleagues.

(NOTE – Cammy Day voted to offer those ‘hard working colleagues’ just 3.5%!)

“Our teams have put in an incredible shift since returning to work on Tuesday – collecting an eye-watering 3,500 tonnes of waste in the process and underlining their immense value to our city and its reputation.

“The clean-up will continue in the coming days and most kerbside collections will resume as normal from next Tuesday. Unfortunately, for this to happen, we do still need to divert some resources away from garden waste and glass collections, but I’m pleased they’ll be able to resume from the following week.

“I appreciate that this has been, and continues to be, an extremely challenging period for us all and I would like to thank our residents, businesses and visitors for their continued patience and understanding.”

NO DEAL: Unions reject new Cosla offer that’s ‘as good as it gets’

MORE BINS MISERY LOOMS AS FURTHER STRIKES PLANNED

COSLA last night expressed its disappointment with the Local Government Trade Unions reaction to ‘one of the best pay deals for their workforce in decades’.

The offer, negotiated on behalf of Scotland’s 32 councils, is an overall package worth half a billion pounds, giving 5% to all staff plus an additional cost of living payment to our lowest paid employees. Based on a 37-hour week no member of staff will get less than an additional £1925 and for those earning under £20,500 at least a £2,000 pay increase – for this year and also next year.

This has been designed to address the concerns and firm view of Trade Unions that the lowest paid must be protected during this crisis and demonstrates Local Government’s commitment to not leave anyone behind.  

Councils continue to strive to lead the way in pushing up minimum rates of pay and as well as this are including an extra days annual leave this year.

Councillor Katie Hagmann COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson said: “Council Leaders have said consistently throughout these negotiations that we absolutely value and are grateful to all of our local government workforce.

“It is perhaps only when waste starts piling up and there is the prospect of further disruption to life with school closures that others see the hidden value local government services deliver each and every day of the year in our towns, villages and cities.

“It is for this reason that we as employers have done everything possible to put the best offer we can to our workforce.  But we are now at the absolute extremes of affordability and this is already an offer which is stretching our already stretched finances like never before.

“This year’s offer is significantly better and different to previous offers and would have helped to support our Council workforces across the country at this difficult time.

“That support is crucial at any time but particularly now, during the cost of living crisis the country is facing.  This is why we are so disappointed with the response to it from our Trade Union colleagues.

“Given our commitment as Employers to get to this point, we are disappointed that Trade Unions will not suspend planned strike action whilst they put this offer to members to allow workers to get back to doing what they do best, delivering high quality, essential services right across Scotland.

“My final point to the Trade Union colleagues is that we have done everything we possibly can to get to this stage and that this offer – which is still on the table – is as good as it gets.”

UNISON responded: ‘Strikes to continue – We will recommend UNISON council members vote to reject the latest LG pay offer in a digital consultative ballot in the coming days.’

GMB Scotland and Unite, the two other unions locked in the local government dispute, also rejected the latest pay offer. GMB says the council pay offer feathers nests of service directors over frontline staff.

GMB Scotland Senior Organiser for Public Services Keir Greenaway said: “A flat rate award is a key demand from unions to ensure more consolidated money goes into the pockets of frontline workers and not the highest paid in our councils. COSLA knew this but instead tabled this offer as an across-the-board percentage rise that only feathers the nests of service directors.

“This was unacceptable to our local government committee members. It’s not credible that in the grip of the biggest cost-of-living crisis in forty years, and with inflation and energy bills soaring, a head of service gets four times the consolidated increase than a bin collector, cleaner or carer.

“That’s why we have written to COSLA again this evening urging them to return to talks as soon as possible and to negotiate a new offer based on a flat rate increase. If they don’t do this, then when our committee reconvenes tomorrow, we will outline our plans to fully consult GMB members.”

The big clean up begins in Edinburgh this morning – but unless a pay deal can be thrashed out we could be facing another round of industrial action in Auld Reekie as earky as next week.

UNITE members rallied outside the City Chambers yesterday to mark the end of the first wave of strikes – but made clear this dispute is far from over.

A Unite spokesperson said: “Unless they get an offer Local Authority workers deserve, Edinburgh will be joined by 19 other Councils to take further action from September 6th.”

Local Government strikes: COSLA tables improved offer

Local government umbrella organisation Cosla has tabled an improved offer in a bid to end planned industrial action bu council workers.

COSLA Resources spokesperson Councillor Katie Hagmann said yesterday: “Following Leader’s Special meeting today they have mandated me to move forward with our trade union partners on the basis ofan offer that raises the overall value to 5% and in addition raises the Scottish Local Government Living Wage to £10.50.

“In doing so, Leaders have reaffirmed the need for a discussion with Scottish Government on how they can support Councils by providing flexibilities and long term funding support.

“This will limit the risk to public services and the impact on communities”.

Local Government trade unions will now take the improved offer to their members, but with inflation currently running at 10.1% it’s far from certain that the offer will be enough to end the ongoing strike here in Edinburgh and industrial action set to take place across Scotland next week.

The Bank of England has warned that inflation will exceed 11% this year and could go even higher.

Strike action began in Edinburgh on Thursday when GMB Scotland and Unite the union members employed by The City of Edinburgh Council took the first of 11 days of strike action.

A GMB spokesperson said: “Waste will pile up during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. We make no apologies for this. Political leaders are to blame, and if they want to stop these strikes then our members need a pay offer that confronts this cost-of-living crisis.

“Our members won’t accept working poverty as an inevitability. They’re standing together and fighting for the pay rise they deserve.”

UNISON: Council strikes go ahead following ‘derisory’ pay offer

UNISON, the largest union in local government, met yesterday to discuss COSLA’s latest 3.5% pay offer. The union unanimously agreed to reject this revised offer outright and voted overwhelmingly to continue with their strike plans in councils across Scotland.

UNISON rejected the offer as it has not sufficiently improved, falls far short of the Joint Trade Union’s claim (submitted in January) and falls far short of the current rate of inflation, which continues to rise.

The union also made the point that the offer falls far short of the offer made to council workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who have been offered a £1925 flat rate uplift, which equates to a 10.5% increase for those on the lowest wages.

Johanna Baxter, UNISON head of local government said: “This is another derisory pay offer. We are in a ridiculous position of both our employers and the Scottish Government agreeing this 3.5% pay offer is not nearly enough, but both are at logger heads about who should pay for it.

“Meanwhile council workers – over half earn less than £25k per year – are worrying about paying the bills. Inflation is predicted to rise to 13.5% and our members are offered a real-terms pay cut which will plunge more of them into debt.

“We have written to COSLA to tell them the strike continues in waste and recycling and we will confirm dates for strike action in schools and early years in the coming days.”

The City of Edinburgh Council has tweeted: ‘We’re expecting significant disruption to bin collections and street cleaning services due to strike action from Thursday 18 – Tuesday 30 August.

Find the latest updates and information on how this will affect you & what to do on our website http://edinburgh.gov.uk/binstrike

Local government workers vote for strikes across Scotland

Thousands of council workers across Scotland have voted to take industrial action which will disrupt schools, early years centres, nurseries and waste and recycling centres across Scotland.

In the largest strike ballot amongst council workers in over a decade, UNISON members in all councils across Scotland overwhelmingly voted to reject the COSLA final pay offer of 2% with nine local authority branches exceeding the required 50% turnout threshold required by the Trade Union Act.

Johanna Baxter, UNISON head of local government said: “COSLA leaders meet on Friday and must put an improved offer on the table if we are to avoid large-scale disruption to council services across Scotland.

“Council workers south of the border yesterday were offered a flat rate uplift of £1925, which for those on the lowest pay equates to a 10.5% increase. You have to wonder why council workers north of the border have only been offered a measly 2% increase when the cost of living continues to spiral. UNISON have been calling for a flat rate payment to help those on lower incomes. Most council workers earn less than £25k per year.

“It is clear now that local government workers have had enough and are prepared to strike in the coming weeks unless we see a sensible offer, from COSLA, on the table on Friday.

“This is the largest strike ballot by local government workers in over a decade and the first-time workers across Scotland have voted to take strike action in these numbers. It really shouldn’t take this for them to receive the recognition, respect and reward that they deserve.”

COSLA elects new leadership team

Councillor Shona Morrison (Moray, Council) has been elected as the 16th President of COSLA following a meeting of the full Convention in Edinburgh yesterday.

Councillor Steven Heddle (Orkney Islands Council) was appointed Vice-President at the same meeting.

Commenting following the meeting COSLA’s new President Councillor Morrison said: “I am honoured to be elected President of COSLA and excited to take on this opportunity in one of the top political jobs in Scotland.

“I look forward to continuing the progress which has already been made on a cross party basis over the last five-year term.

“I am clear about the pressures faced by Local Government and the challenges and opportunities ahead. This is an important job and a challenge I will relish and give my all to. I am a politician and a member of a political party, however my focus in this role will be on the ‘Team Local Government’.

“Working with the Vice President and the Spokespeople at COSLA, I’m confident we will deliver on our key priorities as we work together to be the voice for local Councils and champion the essential services they continue to provide under increasingly challenging circumstances.

“I would like to congratulate Cllr Heddle on their election as Vice-President and also pay tribute to the sterling work done by my predecessor Councillor Alison Evison and Vice President Councillor Graham Houston.”

COSLA’s new Vice President Councillor Heddle said:  “I am delighted to be elected to the position of COSLA Vice President. It is a wonderful opportunity and a role that I am honoured to take on, on behalf of the whole of Local Government.”

Following the announcement of Councillor Shona Morrison, Moray Council as the new COSLA President and Councillor Steven Heddle, Orkney Islands Council as the new COSLA Vice- President, the five Spokespersons have also been announced today (Friday), covering key policy areas.

This means that the full COSLA Political Team is as follows:

  • President – Cllr Shona Morrison, Moray Council.
  • Vice-President – Cllr Steven Heddle, Orkney Islands Council.
  • Resources Spokesperson – Cllr Katie Hagmann, Dumfries and Galloway Council).
  • Health and Social Care Spokesperson – Cllr Paul Kelly, North Lanarkshire Council.
  • Community Wellbeing Spokesperson – Cllr Maureen Chalmers, South Lanarkshire Council.
  • Environment and Economy Spokesperson – Cllr Gail Macgregor, Dumfries and Galloway Council.
  • Children and Young People Spokesperson – Cllr Tony Buchanan, East Renfrewshire Council.

Deal done: Tories welcomed aboard as part of capital’s new administration

SNP VOWS TO HOLD ‘RIGHT WING COALITION’ TO ACCOUNT

Edinburgh’s Labour Group has formed an administration to lead the City of Edinburgh Council following a controversial deal with the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

Detailed discussions have been ongoing across political groups since the Local Government Elections on 5 May and, following a vote at today’s Council meeting, Labour councillors will convene the Council’s six executive committees.

Cllr Cammy Day has become Leader of the Council with Cllr Mandy Watt appointed as Depute Leader. 

Cllr Robert Aldridge had earlier been appointed as Lord Provost, taking the chair for the first time, with members of the Liberal Democrat and Conservative groups appointed as Conveners and Vice Conveners of quasi-judicial committees, including the Licensing and Development Management Sub-Committees.

The full list of appointments is below. 

The convener of the Governance, Risk and Best Value committee will be decided at the next Council meeting on 30 June.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: I’m delighted and extremely honoured that we’ve reached agreement to lead the City of Edinburgh Council today.

“We’re committed to addressing the issues that matter the most to the people of Edinburgh, making the case for the funding we deserve as a Capital City and protecting our front-line services; taking forward the work of the Poverty Commission to tackle the cost of living crisis, promoting fair work and ensuring our children and young people get the best possible start in life.

“We’ll continue to focus on the fight against climate change and our ambitious target of being net zero by 2030, boosting our affordable house-building programme, taking Trams to Newhaven and delivering the pioneering regeneration of the Granton Waterfront and north Edinburgh.

“I’m confident our collaborative approach will lead to far more consensual and co-operative decision-making and I look forward to working closely across all parties, delivering positive changes and policies for the good of our great Capital City and its residents.”

The Lib-Dems, who doubled their number of councillors at this month’s election, justified their reasons for voting as they did:

Chief Executive, Andrew Kerr, said: I would like to congratulate Councillor Day and the Labour Group on forming an administration today.

“I look forward to working with all councillors over the next five years to deliver the best possible services for the people of Edinburgh.”

The full list of appointments is

Leader of the Council – Cllr Cammy Day (Lab)
Depute Leader of the Council – Cllr Mandy Watt (Lab)
Lord Provost – Cllr Robert Aldridge (Lib Dem)
Depute Lord Provost – Cllr Lezley Marion Cameron (Lab)
Convener of Culture and Communities – Cllr Val Walker (Lab)
Convener of Transport and Environment – Cllr Scott Arthur (Lab)
Convener of Housing and Economy – Cllr Jane Meagher (Lab)
Convener of Education, Children and Families – Cllr Joan Griffiths (Lab)
Convener of Finance and Resources – Cllr Mandy Watt (Lab)
Licensing Board Convener – Cllr Louise Young (Lib Dem)
Licensing Board Vice Convener – Cllr Jason Rust (Cons)
Convener of Government, Risk and Best Value – to be decided 30 June 
Planning Committee Convener – Cllr James Dalgleish (Lab)
Regulatory Committee Convener – Cllr Neil Ross (Lib Dem)
Convener or Vice-Convener of Integration Joint Board – Cllr Tim Pogson (Lab)
Development Sub Committee Convenor – Cllr Hal Osler (Lib Dem)
Licensing Sub Committee Convenor – Cllr Joanna Mowat (Cons)

The SNP has run the city with Labour as a ‘Capital Coalition’ for ten years, and the SNP was the biggest party once again following this month’s election.

Capital Coalition III was very much on the cards until Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar announced that there would be no coalition deals with the SNP or the … em, Tories!

Former council leader Adam McVey said: “The Lab/Tory/Lib coalition is held together by nothing more a burning hatred of the SNP & a carve up of jobs.

“We will keep our focus on delivering the change needed for Edinburgh & will hold this right-wing coalition to account.”

Green Group Co-convener Cllr Claire Miller said: “We are disappointed not to have passed our proposal for a council which would have delivered on the climate emergency and the cost of living crisis.

“However Greens will continue to work constructively in the council, as we have always done.”

SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY PAYMENTS

Lord Provost – Robert Aldridge (Liberal) – £44.039.

Deputy Provost – Lezley Cameron (Labour) – £29,360

Council Leader – Cammy Day (Labour) – £58,719

Deputy Leader – Mandy Watt (Labour) – £44,039 *

Transport and Environment – Scott Arthur (Labour) – £36,669 *

Education. Children and Families – Joan Griffiths (Labour) – £36,669

Housing and Economy – Jane Meagher (Labour) – £36,699 *

Culture and Communities – Val Walker (Labour) – £36,699 *

Planning – James Dalgliesh (Labour) – £36,699 *

Integration Joint Board – Tim Podgson (Labour) – £36,699 *

Licensing Board – Louise Young (Liberal) – £36,699

Regulatory Committee – Neil Ross (Liberal) – £36,699 *

Development Sub Cttee – Hal Osler (Liberal) – £36,699

Licensing Sub Cttee – Jo Mowat (Conservative) – £36,699

Licensing Sub Convenor – Jason Rust (Conservative) – £26,360

(*) denotes new councillor

Scottish Conservative council election manifesto pledge to increase the discount for single person households

Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, has claimed that almost 160,000 people across Edinburgh and the Lothian’s would benefit from increasing the council tax discount for single occupancy households, from 25% to 35%.

Figures obtained by SPICe, the Scottish Parliament research department, show that there are currently 159,490 households across Edinburgh and the Lothian’s who receive the single occupancy household discount. Of which 98,000 are in Edinburgh, 17,218 in East Lothian, 13,967 in Midlothian and 30,305 in West Lothian.

A central Scottish Conservative council election manifesto pledge is to increase the discount for single person households from 25% to 35%.

The average property in local authorities across Scotland is band D. This means that the average single person household in Edinburgh would save an additional £138 per year, in West Lothian £131 per year, in Midlothian £144 per year and East Lothian £134 per year.

The total saving for single occupancy households in Edinburgh would be approximately £13,524,000 in West Lothian £3,969,955 in Midlothian £2,011,248 and in East Lothian £2,307,212. Across all four local authorities the savings for single household properties would be £21,812,415.

Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “Increased council tax and the rise in the cost of living, all hit single person households the hardest, with more and more people struggling to get by.

“The Scottish Conservatives have committed to and will continue to push for single occupancy households to receive 35% council tax discount, a 10% increase from the current discount of 25%.

“Across Edinburgh and the Lothian’s this would benefit almost 160,000 people, alleviating some of the pressure from council tax hikes.

“Single parents, young professionals and elderly people living alone would all benefit from an increase to the single occupancy household discount.”

Tables for tax bands in each local authority and savings per tax band:

Edinburgh

BandCouncil TaxSaving
A£919.17£92
B£1,072.36£107
C£1,225.56£123
D£1,378.75£138
E£1,811.52£181
F£2,240.47£224
G£2,700.05£270
H£3,377.94£338

98,000 x 138 = £13,524,000

Council candidates unite to support #PoppyPromise

Council candidates across the political spectrum are being asked to sign a pledge to support veterans, military personnel, and their families in their communities.

More than 80 politicians have already signed the #PoppyPromise, a commitment to ensure that current and former servicemen and women are not disadvantaged when accessing local services.

Poppyscotland is urging voters to ask the local candidates in their council area to support the five-point plan in the Scottish Local Elections next week (MAY 5th).

The charity is concerned that many members of the Armed Forces community are struggling when it comes to accessing housing, transport, education, and benefits, due to the unique nature of their military service.

Scottish veterans often face health problems, with a large number affected by long-term illness, disability, or mental health issues. Research suggests that veterans experiencing homelessness are more likely to have multiple, complex problems, while Scottish Government data shows they are more likely to have experienced rough sleeping.

Children from military families can also face challenges such as disrupted education if they move between schools.

David Dickie, who served in Iraq with the Royal Highland Fusiliers, found himself homeless more than a decade after he was discharged. He had been living with his sister in Inverness, but lost his home and his job after her sudden death.

After returning to Kilmarnock, he submitted a homeless application to East Ayrshire Council, but was concerned about staying in a hostel since he suffers from PTSD and finds it difficult being around people he does not know.

Thanks to Poppyscotland’s advocacy, Mr Dickie was offered temporary housing in a one-bedroom flat and was supported to apply for benefits. He now lives in a council house in Kilmarnock and has returned to work as rope access safety supervisor.

Mr Dickie said: “It can be hard when you come out the Army, and a lot of people find it difficult to settle into civilian life. Councils need to be more aware of some of the issues affecting veterans.”

Mark Collins, Interim Chief Executive of Poppyscotland, said: “Our servicemen and women make extraordinary sacrifices, but we know there are some who struggle to return to civilian life. Many military families also find themselves at a disadvantage due to the unique nature of their careers.

“Local councils play a huge role in helping serving personnel, veterans, and their families, who rely on public services such as housing, education, transport, social care, and benefits. But some members of our Armed Forces community, such as Mr Dickie, can still find it difficult to access these due to a lack of understanding of their specific needs.

“We believe no one should be disadvantaged after serving their country. With just a few days left before we go to the polls, we’re encouraging voters to ask their local candidates to sign our #PoppyPromise. This demonstrates their commitment to listen to the voices of the Armed Forces community and ensure they are treated fairly when it comes to delivering local services.

“We hope that candidates seeking office will take this opportunity to recognise the service of our Armed Forces community by promising to act decisively to help them lead healthy, successful, and fulfilling lives if elected.”

Find out more and see which council candidates have signed the #PoppyPromise at www.poppyscotland.org.uk/about-us/campaigns-advocacy-policy/poppy-promise

Children’s coalition warns new councils of a ‘lost generation’

An alliance of leading children’s service providers has warned that Scotland faces a potential “lost generation” of children and young people with additional support needs (ASN), heightened by the Covid-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis.

In its Manifesto for the council elections, the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), which campaigns to improve services for vulnerable children and young people, has called on incoming town hall administrations to put their needs at the very heart of future policy commitments.

Proposals include a plea for the increased funding of services for children and young people with ASN and care experience, better training of those working in this field, substantially increased investment in mental health services, for an elected councillor to be appointed as ‘mental health champion’ and for greater investment in programmes that support those with ASN and care experience into training and employment.

ASN provision in Scotland is under severe pressure due to increasing demand, against a backdrop of staff shortages and inadequate services. These have been exacerbated by the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw many of those with ASN miss out on the care and support they needed, as well as increasing mental health problems and the ‘cost of living crisis’.

The SCSC has called on incoming council administrations to renew their focus on services for children and young people with ASN, such as those with dyslexia, autism, mental health problems and are care experienced, and work with the Scottish Government to increase resourcing of these.

It notes that 232,753 children and young people in Scotland’s publicly funded primary, secondary and special schools are classed as having ASN, amounting to just under a third (33.0 per cent) of pupils. This represents an almost doubling (97.2 per cent) increase in the number of those identified with ASN since 2012.[1]

However, the provision of services has not kept pace with this demand. Since 2012, for example, the number of specialist ASN teachers in council primary, secondary and special schools has fallen by 503, from 3,389 to 2,886 (full-time equivalents), equating to a cut of 14.8%. [2]

The SCSC has called for increased resourcing and staffing to deliver a greater provision of those such ASN teachers and pupil support assistants, as well as educational psychologists, mental health professionals and other support services, supporting the closure of the educational attainment gap.

Key recommendations include:

  • Increased resourcing and staffing: There must be greatly increased resourced and staffing to support those with ASN and care experience. Councils must work with the Scottish Government to ensure the delivery of these.
  • Better training: There must be better training of teachers, social workers, health professionals and other practitioners, including continuing professional development, so that they can adequately identify and support children and young people with ASN.

·         Supporting mental health and wellbeing: Services must have the resources to identify children and young people with mental health problems, helping them get early support. There must be substantially increased investment in community level support, ensuring waiting times for child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) are drastically reduced.

·         School-based counsellors: All schools must also have access to a qualified and appropriately experienced counsellor, providing support to troubled and/or distressed children and young people, including those with mental health difficulties.

·         Introducing a local health champion: Councils should elect one member as champion for mental health. Once a councillor becomes a champion, their role will then include raising awareness of mental health problems in the development of council policies and strategies and in public forums, leading discussions on mental health with NHS organisations in their local area, and speaking with schools, businesses and community groups about mental health.

  • Right to independent advocacy: Care experienced children and young people must have access to independent professional advocacy, ensuring that they make informed decisions on matters which affect their lives, and this must be made statutory.

·         Implement The Promise: Ensure that councils work the Scottish Government to deliver on The Promise, which came out of Care Review, ensuring that children and young people who are or become care experienced are loved and supported to fulfil their potential.

·         Training and employment opportunities: there must be greater investment in training and employment programmes by councils to benefit those with ASN and care experience.

  • Increased specialist provision for children and young people: The educational needs of some children and young people with complex or specific needs, are often better met in specialist settings. The number of special school/unit places available, on a wider geographic basis, and these places may be provided by the local authority or independent sector.
  • Greater partnership working: There must be greater partnership working and integration between the public sector and private and third sector service providers, so that the needs of the child or young person can be properly supported in the most appropriate setting.

A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “The Covid-19 pandemic and ‘cost of living crisis’ are having a devastating impact on the lives of many of our children and young people, exacerbating already existing staff shortages and inadequate services.

“That is why it is essential that incoming council administrations put services that benefit the lives of our children and young people at the very heart of policy commitments.

“We are conscious that councils are facing an incredibly challenging financial environment, but they play a critical role in supporting those children and young people with ASN, or we are in danger of facing a ‘lost generation’ of vulnerable children and young people.

“If Scotland is to be one of the best places in the world for vulnerable children and young people to grow up in, we would urge our councils to work with closely the Scottish Government and other agencies, across the public, private and third sectors, to ensure that we can turn this vision into a reality.”