Scottish Government – Page 409 – The NEN

PEPping up digital inclusion

Digital participation to tackle inequality and boost online access

A new strategy outlining how digital technology can be used to tackle inequalities and benefit communities across the country was launched by Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop at PEP in West Pilton Park yesterday afternoon.

The National Digital Participation Framework for Local Action maps out how helping people to get online and become confident users of the internet can open up new possibilities in healthcare, education and economic development. It also details how anyone can access support and training on digital skills at home, at work and in communities.

The strategy was launched as Ms Hyslop visited Pilton Equalities Project (PEP), where she met staff, volunteers and members of the local community. PEP provides a range of services for older and other vulnerable adults in North Edinburgh, including computer classes, which encourage independence and reduce isolation.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said: “Digital technology is transforming our society and changing the way we live – how we buy goods and services, how we build and maintain friendships and how we communicate with people and organisations in our local communities and across the world.

“The Scottish Government is determined Scotland is seen as a world-leading digital nation by 2020. We want everyone to be able to reap the social, cultural and economic benefits the internet can bring.

“While good progress is being made with the delivery of digital infrastructure, more needs to be done to enable people to become active digital citizens and share in the benefits the internet can bring.

“The Pilton Equalities Partnership is an excellent example of an organisation that supports people who are digitally excluded. The Scottish Government, through our Digital Participation Strategy, intends to support similar organisations who wish to make a positive contribution to increasing digital participation.”

Jean Gallagher, who attends computer classes at PEP, said: “I was delighted when a friend advised me that there was a place nearby that had a computer class for the elderly and, although I was a bit apprehensive, I decided that If I was to understand about the technology of today’s world I had to take the plunge.

“As a complete novice seven years ago, not even knowing how to turn on a computer, I can now do most of my shopping online, I do the family banking online, keep in touch with friends and family abroad via Skype and those nearer hand via social networking.

“I feel there is no way that at 81 years old would I be able to keep up with the modern way of living if it had not been for the staff at the PEP centre. I owe my new way of life to them and will be eternally grateful.”

Chris Yiu, Director of Digital Participation at SCVO said: “Everybody should have an opportunity to benefit from the internet, regardless of background or circumstances. Three in ten people in Scotland still lack the basic skills needed to get things done online. If we are serious about being a world-leading digital nation then the time has come to close this divide.

“SCVO welcomes the publication of the Digital Participation Strategy, and is delighted to play a leading role in this important agenda. By working across the public, private and third sectors to coordinate and scale up digital participation projects, together we will make a real and lasting difference to people and communities across Scotland.”

PEP manager Helen Tait said: “PEP provide the facilities, training and on-going digital support to enable older and less able people within our community to take advantage of the social and economic benefits of digital technology. Much of the focus is directed to understanding and using general web-browsing, email, social media, online shopping, and public services. It also creates the opportunity to increase socialisation through peer support. We also ensure that users are aware of, and know how to handle, the security issues that associate with online services.”

No joke as litter louts are hit by higher fines

People dropping litter or flytipping in Scotland risk being hit with higher financial penalties from today (1 April).

The rise in Fixed Penalty Notices will see those caught littering face an £80 penalty; while those flytipping could be £200 worse off. The move follows a public consultation, which supported tougher penalties for anyone who doesn’t bin their waste or damages our environment by flytipping.

The penalty increase comes ahead of the Scottish Government’s National Litter Strategy – the first since devolution, which will be published later this year alongside the Scottish Marine Litter Strategy.

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “Scotland’s natural environment is one of our greatest assets and we must do everything we can to keep it clean and litter-free. It is easy to do the right thing and put your litter in the bin – there really is no excuse for littering.

“Tackling litter and flytipping costs us a staggering £78 million every year. It’s impacting our economy, looks terrible and in some cases is affecting public health – none of us wants to see a litter-strewn environment; be it rural or urban. It’s up to all of us to take responsibility for this problem and I’d encourage everyone in Scotland to take their litter home, recycle it or find a litter bin.”

Cllr Stephen Hagan, COSLA’s Development, Economy and Sustainability Spokesperson commented: “Litter and its effects have significant costs to both communities and councils. Local authorities are committed to working with their communities and partners to reduce the negative impacts of litter and flytipping, and fixed penalty notices are one of a number of ways in which behaviour change can be encouraged.

“The increase from a £50 to £80 penalty for littering had strong support through the National Litter Strategy consultation and councils will seek only to use this increased financial penalty when other avenues of education and prevention have failed to stop those individuals who not only flout the law but also the efforts of the wider community to keep Scotland clean, tidy and litter-free.”

‘Moral case’ for welfare reforms is a sham, says Minister

The UK Government’s “moral case” for welfare reform is harming the living standards of poor and vulnerable people in Scotland, Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess said yesterday. Trussell Trust figures show that over 50,000 people in Scotland received assistance from their foodbanks in the last ten months.

Mrs Burgess highlighted her concerns to MSP’s during a welfare reform debate in the Scottish Parliament, where she said that the current reforms are creating deep concern and anxiety and is leaving already vulnerable people at risk of extreme poverty and exclusion.

The Scottish Government estimates that the reduction in welfare expenditure in Scotland could reach as much as £4.5 billion by 2015.

Margaret Burgess said: “The reforms are unfair and unjust and impact on some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Yet, even with all of that, the UK Government talks about the ‘moral case’ for welfare reform. It is a sham.

“What is evident is that more and more people are struggling to cope and being flung into a downward spiral of misery. Where is the morality in that? It is shameful that in the 21st century, there are people in Scotland who are in desperate straits because of the UK’s relentless and unfair policies. Rather than help, the UK Government’s plans are punishing the most vulnerable in our society.

“In the meantime, the Scottish Government is taking direct action and delivering real support to help people deal with the cuts and changes to welfare provision. That includes investing at least £258 million over the period from 2013-14 to 2015-16 to mitigate the worst impacts of these reforms.

“But these are resources that have been taken away from other areas, money that could have been used for other priorities. For example we could have used this money to invest more in health and education for our people – and in growing Scotland’s economy. With independence, we can take decisions about welfare that will ensure fair and decent support for people in Scotland.”

Ewan Gurr, Scotland Development Officer for the Trussell Trust said: “While The Trussell Trust celebrates the ways in which communities pull together in lean times to respond to emerging need, we do not celebrate the fact the need exists in the first place.

“Foodbanks are a grass-roots response to a systemic problem and are often a lifesaver to many individuals and families who feel they have nowhere else to turn. We applaud the consistent efforts of the Scottish Government to mitigate the effects of food poverty and to raise the profile of this issue in an effort to identify creative solutions.”

However The Department for Work and Pensions said the government’s welfare reforms will make three million households across the UK better off, and refutes claims that welfare reforms have caused increased dependency on food banks. A spokesperson for DWP said: “The benefits system supports millions of people who are on low incomes or unemployed and there is no robust evidence that welfare reforms are linked to the increased use of food banks.”

Last month Prime Minister David Cameron told the Daily Telegraph that the government’s economic plan for Britain was ‘about doing what is right’. He wrote: ‘For me, the moral case for welfare reform is every bit as important as making the numbers add up.’

A sporting chance: £1 million support for social enterprises

A £1 million fund to help communities own and run their own sport facilities was announced by the Minister for Commonwealth Games yesterday.

The Legacy 2014 Sustainable Sport for Communities Fund will distribute up to £1 million to support the sustainability and capacity of aspiring and existing social enterprises delivering sport and physical activity in communities across Scotland.

The Sustainable Sport for Communities Fund is made up of an investment of £500,000 from the Scottish Government and £500,000 from The Robertson Trust.

The announcement of the fund, the 51st national Legacy 2014 programme, was made in the middle of a Legacy Week, a national celebration of the long term benefits of the Commonwealth Games.

Speaking at the 2014 Games Legacy: Scotland’s Sporting Future at our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, Minister Shona Robison said:

“A legacy from the Games has to be long term improvements in levels of physical activity. Already, Scotland’s 126 Community Sports Hubs are proving a powerful and effective way to give people more opportunities to be active.

“There are an increasing number of social enterprises providing a wide range of community and social benefits and we are committed to empowering local groups and enabling them to operate facilities and deliver services

“Where groups are looking to take on the running or ownership of facilities, these ambitions must be supported by the local community backed up by a robust, sustainable business case. These are crucial to whether a social enterprise can succeed and the Fund will help with this, building on existing support available and utilising the sector’s expertise.”

Kenneth Ferguson, Director, The Robertson Trust said: “The Robertson Trust have been working in the field of community sport for a number of years and we are delighted to be able to make this investment which we believe will make a significant contribution to enhancing the capacity and sustainability of the sector.”

Alastair Davis, CEO of Social Investment Scotland, said “Social Investment Scotland has supported a number of sports related social enterprises access the finance they need to realise their ambitions. A project like this is essential for the grassroots development of sport social enterprises, providing the opportunity not only to access essential funds, but also to tap into the knowledge and expertise from likeminded social entrepreneurs within the sector.”

A’ Jock Tamson’s bairns? Census highlights strong sense of identity

The latest figures from the 2011 Census data show a diverse nation with a strong sense of identity, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said today.

Commenting on release 3A of Scotland’s 2011 census results, which allow us to break down and compare the ethnicity, identity, language and religion, Ms Hylsop said: “Scotland is a culturally, religious and ethnically diverse place – and these pictures paint a fascinating portrait of Scotland today, telling us more about the people who make up our Scottish nation.

“What unites us is our very strong sense of Scottish identity, with 83 per cent feeling either solely Scottish or Scottish and something else, compared to, for example, 70 per cent of people in England feeling English.

“Young people feel a particularly strong sense of Scottish identity, with 71 per cent of 10 to 14 year olds, and 70 per cent of 15 to 19 year olds, feeling Scottish only.

“Scotland is an exciting and welcoming place to live and work. Our society is more multi-cultural than ever before, and our communities more ethnically and religiously diverse.

“It is especially welcome that those proud to claim a Scottish identity include those who have chosen Scotland as their home and the census reflects a strong Scottish identity in across all ethnic groups. For example, amongst those who felt they had some Scottish identity, either on its own or in combination with another identity, were 60 per cent of people from a mixed background or 50 per cent of those from a Pakistani ethnic group.

“These figures show that Scotland is an attractive and dynamic nation and one where people from many different backgrounds, cultures and nationalities want to make a life for themselves and their families and celebrate their Scottish identity.

“With each new data release we are able to build an ever more detailed demographic picture which will help us plan for the future and keep pace with the changing demographics of our country.”

Spartans net share of social enterprise funding

The Spartans are among 67 enterprising third sector organisations to be awarded a share of £2.3 million social enterprise funding, Finance Secretary John Swinney confirmed today.

Spartans will receive almost £16,000 from the Enterprise Ready Fund and eight other city-based charities and voluntary organisations will also be supported.

The £6 million Enterprise Ready Fund, which opened to applications last September, builds on a number of current initiatives the Scottish Government has in place to continue to support a sustainable, capable and enterprising third sector.

The Finance Secretary’s announcement comes ahead of a trip to Oslo where he will plans to highlight the Scottish Government’s commitment to supporting the third sector at a conference on Social Entrepreneurship. It’s estimated that there are now between 3,000 – 4,000 social enterprises across Scotland and that that number is growing.

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth said: “I would like to congratulate the 67 organisations which have been successful in securing grants from the Enterprise Ready Fund, ensuring the impact of these investments will be felt across Scotland.

“We believe that an enterprising third sector is a vital partner in our economy, in civic society and in the creation of a fairer and more inclusive Scotland. That is why we have invested heavily to help the sector develop.

“We have had a great response to the fund so far and I am keen to remind new, emerging and established third sector organisations that they have until 16 June to apply for funding. I hope that by investing in the third sector and enhancing its self-sufficiency we can look forward to a future where these organisations play a full role in public sector reform.

“Speaking at the Ferd conference provides an opportunity to share the experience of building a strong social enterprise sector, with our friends in Norway. Scotland has an excellent reputation for our work with the third sector. It is regarded as the best place in the world to start a social enterprise and there is increasing international interest in what some are calling the ‘Scottish Model’.”

The Enterprise Ready Fund will help organisations to develop, become more efficient and self-sustaining, or diversify into new markets. Priority is being given to activities that contribute towards the Scottish Government’s Prevention and Welfare Reform agendas. The fund is being delivered by a consortium of third sector organisations led by Foundation Scotland in partnership with Community Enterprise in Scotland (CEiS), Developing Strathclyde Ltd (DSL) and the Social Value Lab.

Foundation Scotland’s Chief Executive Giles Ruck said: “We are delighted with the wide variety of applications we have received so far, which showcase the innovative ways organisations plan to use their awards to make a real difference to the people and communities they serve. We hope this initial announcement will encourage new or developing third sector organisations to apply to the Enterprise Ready Fund before it closes on 16 June.”

Other Edinburgh-based organisations to receive Enterprise Ready funding include Children in Scotland (£24,840), Comas (£37,833), Grassmarket Community Project (£69,963), Greetings from Leith Ltd (£14,287), Nourish (Scotland) (£50,000), Power of Youth (£21,000), Spartans (£15,804), The Melting Pot (£25,000) and Transform Scotland (£49,544).

Further information and full details of the Enterprise Ready Fund can be found at:http://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/grants-and-funding-for-organisations/what-grants-are-available/enterprise-ready-fund.aspx

Free school meals for P1-3s

Families and young people across Scotland will benefit from millions of pounds of additional support after First Minister Alex Salmond announced a significant expansion of free school meals and childcare provision this afternoon.

As part of a £114 million package for young people over two years, every one of Scotland’s P1 to P3 children will have the option of a free meal in school from January next year, improving health and wellbeing, increasing attainment and saving families at least £330 a year for each child.

Speaking during a parliamentary debate on poverty and the early years, Mr Salmond also announced that free childcare provision would be expanded to every two year-old from a workless household in Scotland – around 8,400 children or 15 per cent of all two year-olds – by August this year.

And by August next year, free childcare provision would be extended further, reaching 15,400 children – 27 per cent of all two year-olds – by widening entitlement to families that received certain welfare benefits such as Jobseeker’s Allowance.

The First Minister said the extension to childcare provision would ensure that, by August 2015, Scotland will deliver 80 million hours of childcare to pre-school children – the greatest amount in the UK and 6.5 per cent more than if Scotland followed Westminster’s approach in England.

But he warned that, only with independence could a truly transformational shift in childcare be funded, because the economic gains and revenues generated by such a policy will go to a Scottish exchequer and not the London Treasury.

The First Minister said: “The announcements that we are making today will have the greatest possible effect, given the limited resources available to us.

“Under this government, Scotland has made free meals available in primary school to families which receive child and working tax credits – a step which hasn’t been taken in England and Wales, and which contributed to 10,000 more pupils registering for free school meals.

“Now, we can go further. I can announce today that – after discussions with our partners in local government – we will fund free school meals for all school children in primary 1 to primary 3 from next January.

“This measure will build on, and learn from, the pilots we established in five local authority areas in 2007 and 2008. It will remove any possibility of free meals being a source of stigma during the first years of a child’s schooling; it will improve health and wellbeing; and it will be worth at least £330 a year for each child to families across the country.

“The measure has been supported by a powerful alliance of campaigners against child poverty, including Child Poverty Action Group Scotland, Children in Scotland, One Parent Families Scotland, the Church of Scotland and trade unions.”

Mr Salmond continued: “However we also have a determination to transform childcare. We have promised that in the first budget of an independent Scotland, we would make 600 hours of free childcare available to approximately 50 per cent of two year olds. This can be funded through choices which are only available with independence – such as ending funding for the Trident missile system.

“By the end of the first parliament, we would almost double childcare provision to 1,140 hours each year for all three and four year olds, and all vulnerable two year olds. In the longer term, we would make those levels of care available to all children from the age of one.

“The transformational change in the first parliament would improve care and learning for young children, boost economic growth, and remove a major barrier to work for many parents, especially women.

“Under devolution, even after the Scotland Act, this revenue goes to Westminster. With independence, it stays in Scotland. This Government’s ambitions for childcare involve transforming the structure of our economy and the nature of our society. They cannot be sustainably funded through a declining budget fixed at Westminster.

“I can announce today that we will increase the number of two year olds – currently 3 per cent of the total – who will benefit from free learning and care.

“We will begin by focussing on those families most in need. From this August, the entitlement will cover two year olds in families which are seeking work – approximately 15 per cent of the total. This will give parents additional support when they are looking for employment, and will maintain that support when they are successful.

“In August next year, we will expand provision further, for all children who would meet the current criteria for free school meals. That means that around 27 per cent of two year-olds will be covered – more than 15,000 children.

“By August 2015, the overall level of free learning and care being delivered for two, three and four year olds in Scotland, will exceed that which is promised elsewhere in the UK. As we all know, recent revelations suggest that more around one third of the current childcare promise in England is not being delivered due to a lack of preparation and capacity. In Scotland, we will both prepare and deliver.”

The Scottish Government’s decision to follow the free school meal initiative adopted by Westminster has been welcomed north of the border.

GMB Scotland is the largest union for catering staff across Scotland’s 32 Local authorities, and Alex McLuckie, the union’s senior organiser for the public sector in Scotland, said: “There is so much good in this announcement. It will help tackle poverty and social exclusion and help remove the stigma some attach to free school meals.

“This announcement will be well received by our members who currently provide healthy meals for pupils. It is a pleasant change to see money being invested in the service rather than bearing the brunt of the cut backs in budgets.”

The Scottish Greens say the school meals initiative also offers an opportunity to boost local economies.

Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian and food spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, welcomed plans for free school meals for P1-3 children but urged Scottish ministers to ensure the roll-out benefits local economies.

Research last summer by Alison Johnstone revealed that the chicken served in school meals in six of Scotland’s seven cities is not Scottish, but is instead imported from as far away as Thailand.

Alison Johnstone, a member of Holyrood’s economy committee, said: “Rolling out free school meals is a welcome, common sense move but ministers must also address what is being served up to our children. Our councils need support to make buying choices which have positive impacts for local farmers and producers. I will continue to put pressure on ministers so that they do not waste this golden opportunity.”

Botanics to be home to organ donation memorial

A new memorial for Scottish organ and tissue donors is to be situated in Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden. The memorial will be designed as a lasting tribute to Scottish organ and tissue donors who generously made the decision to donate their organs after their death so that others might live.

The memorial will allow the families of donors, transplant recipients and others whose lives have been touched by donation or transplantation a place for quiet contemplation and to celebrate the kindness of giving and sharing.

The artist appointed to carry out this task is Alec Finlay. Scottish born Alec is an internationally acclaimed artist who is currently based in Edinburgh. His work reflects on human interaction with the natural environment.

Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson said: “We are delighted to have an artist of Alec’s calibre and reputation involved in the creation of this memorial. We are also very grateful to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for their support and for giving us a home for this project.

“Through the selfless generosity of organ donors and their families, who at a time of great tragedy honour their loved-ones wishes, many lives are saved and transplant recipients go on to lead full and active lives. It is right and fitting that we should acknowledge the gift that is given through organ donation with a public memorial.”

Artist Alec Finlay said: “I really wanted to be involved in this project, there is no better task for an artist or poet than to respond to complex and deep emotions, which this memorial is bound to bring up. It will be challenging, of course, because you are dealing with people’s experiences.

“I remember something the writer Jenny Diski said about weakness being a part of life. Illness, loss and death, we all need to come to terms with these. But when it comes to organ donation, this takes on a specific intensity because in our time, and never before, we have evolved through medical possibility. There is a relationship between life and death through the gifting of organs. It’s a remarkable thing and yet it exists within a health system that belongs to all of us in Scotland.

“No one involved in organ donation thinks this is a simple concept but it is a reminder that we are all connected to one another, and that we can, potentially, help one another.”

Donor families, transplant recipients and healthcare professionals are working closely with Alec Finlay and also with experts from the art world to develop this beautiful and lasting tribute to Scottish organ and tissue donors. It will be a living memorial which will involve planting and landscaping that will fit perfectly into the beautiful surroundings of the Garden.

Organ and tissue transplantation touches the lives of young and old and the memorial will recognise this. Importantly, it will also reflect the themes and values of organ donation and transplantation such as generosity, sensitivity, thoughtfulness and the giving of the gift of life.

Director of Horticulture at RBGE Dr David Rae said: “The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is proud to host this memorial and the exact location has been chosen jointly by Garden staff, the artist Alec Finlay, and representatives of donors and recipients. It is a quiet, tranquil site surrounded by Scottish native species. We are sure that the artwork and its location will create a sensitive and inspiring memorial for all those affected by transplantation and donation and are pleased that the whole project has developed in a truly collaborative way involving all concerned.”

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh was chosen as a home for the memorial because of the beauty and tranquillity of the surroundings and because of its world-wide reputation as a base for contemporary art.

A working group has been established for the memorial made up of those who have donated loved one’s organs and those who have received organs.

Sandra Warden donated her 11-year-old daughter Rachel’s organs, saving three lives, she explained: “Having a national memorial to recognise and remember all those who, in death were able to give the greatest gift of all – that of life – is very important.

“I hope it will make people think about organ donation and discuss with their loved ones what they would like them do if anything ever happened to them. From when she was very young Rachel understood organ donation and made me promise we would donate her organs if anything ever happened to her and we fulfilled her wishes.”

Gill Hollis, who is the recipient of a lung transplant and also on the working group, said: “The national organ donation memorial is very important to me. My transplant anniversary is now more important than my real birthday and I try to make the most of every day, not just for me and my family, but also for the person whose life saved mine.

“It’s impossible to thank my donor enough for the gift they gave me, but I’m really looking forward to having a place that recognises and remembers them.”

More funding for money advice

Extra £280,000 to help groups who face barriers accessing money advice

Projects which give advice to vulnerable people facing debt and welfare problems will benefit from a £280,000 funding boost. The additional projects will focus on helping the most vulnerable, such as disabled people and victims of domestic abuse.

The extra funding will enable funds to be allocated to a further four projects through the Making Advice Work programme, at the end of January.

Since launching in October, 68 projects have received grants through the Scottish Legal Aid Board’s scheme with £7.45 million spread between projects which help members of the public access the right benefits and avoid debt, and those which offer advice to tackle welfare reform and debt problems.

Among the projects are 12 schemes that provide targeted support to people who face barriers accessing information and addressing money problems.

The new funds will allow more projects provide help to vulnerable groups.

The Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “At a time when people should come together with their friends and family it is vital that the most vulnerable members of our society are protected and cared for.

“Making Advice Work has already helped 68 projects across Scotland and this latest £280,000 investment will strengthen the work of some of these great schemes.

“Westminster has responded to tough economic times by imposing drastic welfare cuts which will affect some of our most vulnerable groups. The impact on disabled people and women is particularly hard, which is why we’ve made this additional funding available.

“This investment is supporting vulnerable people and helping individuals and families make the transition to the new system. I have been clear that this government will not turn its back on vulnerable people.

“As detailed in Scotland’s Future, only with the power of independence can we tackle these welfare reforms head on.”

The grant funding scheme which runs until March 2015 is facilitated through SLAB and jointly funded by the Scottish Government and Money Advice Service.

Lindsay Montgomery, Chief Executive of the Scottish Legal Aid Board, said:

“The Board is delighted that the Scottish Government is making it possible for the Board to support more of the agencies who had applied to us in the summer for funding to help overcome barriers to advice for vulnerable communities

“The additional funding is to enable us to support more of these shortlisted projects and will allow the development of new partnerships and connections between third sector organisations that are already trusted sources of support within these communities, and organisations well placed to provide good quality advice to tackle debt and money problems.”

Money Advice Service’s chief executive Caroline Rookes said: “We are delighted that the Scottish Government has identified additional finances to contribute to the programme of advice funding for marginalised groups that we established as part of Making Advice Work.

“The quality of applications for that programme was extremely high and this additional funding will allow more projects to start and enable more people to resolve their debt problems across Scotland.”

See the attached document (below) for a list of the 68 projects to receive funding through Making Advice Work:

MAW_AllProjects_providers

New Year, new powers for communities?

Plans for greater local decision making

Have your say by 24 January

Communities across Scotland will enjoy greater decision making powers over the use of public sector land and buildings following the introduction of a new bill to Holyrood this year.

A consultation is currently taking place on The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill, which will allow communities to identify and ask for any public sector land or buildings they feel they could make better use of than its current owner.

And decisions over whether such assets should be transferred will be based on which proposed use would provide the greatest community benefit.

A consultation on the bill was launched by Local Government and Planning Minister Derek Mackay in November, and interested parties are being urged to submit their views before the consultation closes on January 24.

In addition to the proposed measures to improve decision making powers for communities, legislation will also be updated and simplified to support local authorities’ provision and management of allotments.

Local authorities will have a duty to provide allotments linked to and triggered by actual demand, and to protect permanent allotment sites from closure.

While current allotment provision is not sufficient to satisfy demand, the local authority will be under a duty to keep waiting lists below a specified target whether by acquiring land or otherwise.

There will be new duties to strengthen Community Planning, so that public sector agencies work as one to deliver better outcomes for communities.

Views will also be invited on how communities might benefit from legislation to improve the national and local focus on improving outcomes, currently implemented through Scotland Performs.

The bill also proposes:

Streamlining and extending the existing community right to buy to cover urban and rural communities as part of our ambition to have 1 million acres in community ownership by 2020
Providing new powers to help councils deal with defective and dangerous buildings, and to provide local relief schemes on business rates
Increasing transparency about the management and use of Common Good assets.

Local Government and Planning Minister Derek Mackay said: “Scotland’s people are its greatest asset, and it is only with the confidence that comes with independence that people will be able to fully determine their own futures.

“The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill is about people and communities taking their own decisions about their future, and its introduction will build on the support of the Scottish Government, set out by the First Minister in the Lerwick Declaration, for subsidiarity and local decision making.

“The Bill will help community groups to take over public land and buildings where they think they can make better use of them than their current public sector owners.

“This Bill will also reform the community right to buy, giving urban communities in Scotland the same rights as rural communities, where it is in the public interest.

“Rules on Scotland’s allotments will also be simplified. Allotments foster a community spirit and provide a range of benefits such as a cheap source of fruit and vegetables, and therefore a healthy diet.

“The consultation on the bill comes to an end on January 24th, so there is still time left for interested parties to submit their views on this important piece of legislation.”

The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill Consultation document can be found at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/Current