Tag: public service

Scotland’s Ministerial Code updated

Changes to improve transparency

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.”

2023 edition of the Ministerial Code.

Ministerial Complaints procedure.

The first annual review of Minister’s private interests will publish early in the next parliamentary session.

Keeping People Safe: Chief Constable welcomes new probationary constables to Police Scotland

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone welcomed 297 new probationary Constables to Police Scotland and thanked them for their commitment to public service during an oath of office ceremony at Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan yesterday.

The recruits made the Police Constable’s declaration to faithfully discharge their duties with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality, and promised to uphold fundamental human rights under the authority of Justice of the Peace, Dr Vicki Nash.

Chief Constable Livingstone said: “Our officers come from the diverse communities we serve and from who draw our legitimacy. What unites us in Police Scotland are our values and a shared mission to keep people safe.

“As Chief Constable, I welcome our new Constables and thank them for stepping forward to make what is a significant commitment to public service and to underline the values and behaviours they must uphold and promote.

“Policing is a demanding but rewarding vocation. The oath of office ceremony is an important opportunity to emphasise that Constables who discharge their duties in accordance with our values and their oath have my support as Chief Constable, and the support of the Police Service of Scotland.”

The intake, made up of 56% male recruits and 44% female, ranges in age from 19 to 52, with the majority falling in the 25 – 34 years age bracket.

Of the intake, 10% identified as being from a minority ethnic group, totalling 29 officers, and languages spoken fluently by recruits include Polish, Romanian, Norwegian, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Persian and Chinese Mandarin.

Six of the recruits were previously serving Special Constables with Police Scotland, two were members of Police Staff, and 17 of the new constables have previous military service.

Chief Constable Livingstone said: “Recruiting officers who share our values and reflect and represent all our communities is vital to maintain and enhance our crucial bond of trust with the public we serve.

“We have a positive moral and legal duty to improve the lives of our fellow citizens. This includes being representative of the communities we serve, making us accessible and approachable. The increasing diversity of our recruits continues to help our organisation to do this.”

The new recruits will undertake 12 weeks of initial training before joining colleagues serving communities across Scotland during a two-year probationary period.

The Chief Constable spoke earlier this year of the measures taken in response to the COVID pandemic as well as the need to provide effective policing during the COP26 climate change summit. This included amending intakes and initial training, meaning overall officer numbers were lower than would otherwise be the case.

Nominations now open for Councillor Awards

  • Who is the best councillor in your area?
  • Nominations now open for the 2021 LGIU Scotland & CCLA Cllr Awards

The only national awards ceremony celebrating the vital work of individual councillors across Scotland has opened its call for nominations.

The Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) Scotland and CCLA are proud to officially launch the 4th annual Cllr Awards, honouring the achievements of councillors that so often go unrecognised.

This year’s award categories celebrate the essential and varied work of councillors and include the coveted Community Champion, Leader of the Year and New Councillor of the Year awards, alongside a new Resilience and Recovery category for 2021.

Nominations can be made by anyone who would like to recognise a councillor doing outstanding work for their community. They are open until Friday, 24 September with the shortlist unveiled at the end of October.

The winners will be decided by a panel of judges composed of senior councillors and officers as well as leading stakeholders from across the sector. They will be revealed at this year’s ceremony taking place on Wednesday, 24 November. Due to the ongoing Covid-related restrictions, it will be held as a hybrid event with virtual link ups to a Glasgow venue.

This year’s Awards are made possible thanks to the generous support of founding partners, CCLA.

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive of LGIU Scotland, said: “Local government supports all of us, each and every day. On every street, in every town, up and down the country, it is the vital work of councillors that keeps things moving.

“Now is the time for us to support our local heroes by nominating those councillors who have stepped up to the plate during extraordinary circumstances to deliver for their communities.

“As we officially open nominations for Cllr Awards 2021, we welcome contributions from any member of the public as well as other councillors, officers and leaders. We look forward to once again receiving the highest calibre of nominations and showcasing the essential work of councillors in November.”

Chief Constable welcomes new officers to Police Scotland

Female officers have accounted for almost half of the latest intake of probationary constables to join Police Scotland – and of the 179 officers who were welcomed into the policing family yesterday by Chief Constable Iain Livingstone, 82 of them were women.

A total of 12 per cent of the new intake are from ethnic minority backgrounds.

The new recruits took their Oath of Office at a ceremony at Police Scotland’s Headquarters at Tulliallan Castle in Fife as the Chief Constable welcomed them into policing and a career dedicated to public service.

The Chief Constable said: “The Oath of Office marks the point at which our newest recruits are sworn into Police Scotland as Constables, embarking on their careers in public service.

“Although we have much still to do, this particular intake of new Constables reflects the progress Police Scotland has made in our drive to increase recruitment from under-represented groups.

“Policing in Scotland takes its authority and legitimacy from the people of Scotland and I remain committed to doing everything I can to ensure the service represents and reflects the communities we serve.”

A significant number of the recruits are graduates with degrees in disciplines including Law, Criminology, Psychology, Robotics and Cybertronics, Forensic Anthropology and Applied Pharmacology. The intake also includes six former Special Constables, a fraud advisor, civil servant, footballer and a civil engineer. 

Visit Police Scotland’s website for more information on a career in policing: 

https://www.scotland.police.uk

First Minister celebrates acts of heroism at Bravery Awards

More than 50 emergency service workers and members of the public have been presented with Brave@Heart Awards recognising acts of bravery and heroism.

Police, fire and ambulance staff and other emergency responders were invited to nominate for the annual awards. Continue reading First Minister celebrates acts of heroism at Bravery Awards

Nominations now open to celebrate the achievements of local councillors

The Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) and CCLA are proud to launch the second annual Councillor Awards: showcasing the best of local government for the second year running. Continue reading Nominations now open to celebrate the achievements of local councillors