A 28% funding increase will help deliver at least 50,000 affordable homes over this Parliament, as announced in the Draft Budget by Finance Secretary Derek Mackay. Communities Secretary Angela Constance said that, while the target is challenging, the government has shown that it can deliver. Continue reading Building a fairer Scotland?
Local MSP Ben Macpherson has welcomed latest figures on teacher numbers. Continue reading Macpherson hails government’s commitment to Edinburgh schools
Innovation and economic growth will be the focus of this week’s budget, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told business leaders at a conference in Edinburgh yesterday. Continue reading First Minister: Budget will focus on innovation and growth
The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People has yet again been delayed till Autumn 2018. The project, which was originally meant to open in the winter 2012, was delayed until Autumn 2017, further delayed to Spring 2018 and is now to expected to open in Autumn 2018. Continue reading Another New Sick Kids opening delay “unacceptable” says Tory MSP
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has said his priority is to build Scotland’s future as he prepares to present his second Draft Budget to Parliament on Thursday. Councils across the country are braced for further cuts and it’s a ‘make or break’ Budget for local services. Continue reading A make or break Budget for local services
Plans to introduce a modern system of registration and licensing for animal sanctuaries and rehoming activities have been unveiled. Ministers are now consulting on a commitment, made in the Programme for Government, which is designed to ensure the highest possible standards of welfare for rescued animals.
The consultation considers the need for registration and licensing of premises depending on the number of animals kept, how this may work for larger organisations with multiple premises, and whether to allow independent accreditation of applicants to reduce the burden on local authority inspectors.
It was launched by Roseanna Cunningham, the Cabinet Secretary with responsibility for animal welfare, during a visit to Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home. She said: “Scotland’s animal rehoming centres and sanctuaries perform a vitally important job and standards of welfare are generally high. But we know that isolated problems persist and there is legitimate public concern about this important issue .
“It is also vital that those rehoming a pet can be confident they are adopting from a reputable rescue centre. That is why we plan to introduce a straightforward licensing system, which will deal effectively with cases where animal welfare is not being sufficiently protected, while not being overly burdensome for those already doing a good job.
“I would encourage everyone with an interest in animal welfare to respond to this consultation by the end of February and help shape our plans on this important issue.”
The Registration and Licensing of Animal Sanctuaries and Rehoming Activities in Scotland consultation runs for 12 weeks and closes on 4 March 2018.
Communities to have their say on how more decisions can be taken at a local level
The Scottish Government and COSLA have jointly launched a Local Governance Review, which will make sure local communities have more say about how public services in their area are run. The review will involve hearing from communities all across the country to get a clear understanding of the type of changes that are needed, and how these can be made to happen. Continue reading Local Governance Review to ‘strengthen local decision-making’
Young people will lead an in-depth, 15-month study into child and adolescent mental health services to recommend improvements to Ministers. Mental Health Minister Maureen Watt has announced £95,000 to establish the Youth Commission on Mental Health Services – a partnership between the Scottish Government, Young Scot and the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH). Continue reading Young people to take the lead in mental health study
Parenting support charity Dads Rock has been awarded £50,000 to secure its future, Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced last night.
The Edinburgh-based organisation has had to scale back services following a number of unsuccessful funding applications. Now, Dads Rock will receive £35,000 from the Scottish Government, which will enable the reinstatement of all playgroups, antenatal classes and work with young fathers.
In addition, the organisation will receive a further £15,000 to evaluate the benefits of its work, which will help it apply for funding in future.
Mr Swinney said: “I hugely value the important support Dads Rock provides to parents, particularly fathers, and I was very concerned to hear it was in jeopardy because of a funding shortfall. I am pleased that this £50,000 will enable services to resume, as well as helping to secure the long-term future of the organisation.”
