Scottish Green MSP Alison Johnstone today highlighted the Scottish Government’s inactivity over a proper fox hunting ban, three years after the SNP group at Westminster voted against attempts to relax the ban in England and Wales. [1] Continue reading Foxes: Greens highlight SNP hold up as Hunt season begins
Scottish ministers must respond to an embarrassing report that claims that Scotland is the ‘least locally democratic country in Europe’ by devolving new powers to councils, says a Green MSP.
Andy Wightman, the Scottish Greens’ local government spokesperson, says his party supports the Common Weal report’s recommendation for a new tier of councils in Scotland, insisting that two, and in many cases three tiers, are typical in other European countries.
Mr Wightman, a Green MSP for Lothian, said: “This report (see below) adds to the wealth of evidence highlighting the poor state of local democracy in Scotland. Its findings are welcome and while many will perceive its recommendation to create another tier of local democracy in Scotland to be radical, having just a single tier of councils goes against the norm across much of Europe.
“Scotland’s status as the ‘least locally democratic country in Europe’ is not one to be proud of, in fact it’s embarrassing. Ministers at Holyrood can however revive local democracy by devolving more powers to councils and require them to include local communities in decision making.
“Local government needs substantial and far-reaching reform to make it more local and more democratic and we’ll continue to honour our manifesto commitment to challenge ministers on their slow progress.”
Changes agreed this week (24 Oct) to the Scottish Government’s Planning Bill will help tackle Scotland’s housing crisis by making land for house-building more affordable and by better regulating short-term lets, according to Scottish Greens housing spokesperson Andy Wightman MSP.
Scottish Greens have long campaigned for reform of the planning system, to counter the current set-up where the price of land rockets once it receives planning permission. Continue reading Wightman: Planning Bill changes will help tackle housing crisis
Green MSP Alison Johnstone has expressed her concern Following the news released by the Raptor Persecution UK blog that a peregrine falcon had been found dead in the Pentland Hills. Continue reading Pentland Peregrine Poisoned: Johnstone seeks answers
The partial closure of a vital children’s ward is set to continue “indefinitely” – after the SNP admitted its staff recruitment crisis was to blame. Continue reading “Shambolic”: Reduced paediatric service at St John’s to continue ‘indefinitely’
Assessments for disability support will be carried out by Social Security Scotland, fully supported by public sector healthcare professionals – and people will be given greater choice and flexibility over their assessments. Continue reading Social Security Scotland to deliver disability assessments
Housing statistics published by the government yesterday point to a worrying decrease in sheltered housing says a Green MSP. Continue reading Sheltered housing in worrying decline, says Wightman
Alison Johnstone, Health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, has expressed concern at the high level of delayed discharges – people stuck in hospital beds awaiting social care. Continue reading Delayed Discharges: Green MSP Concerned At Lothian Levels
The publication of the Scottish Household Survey, showing that satisfaction in public services is at its lowest since the survey began in 2007, is further evidence of the urgent need for councils to be given tax powers, says a Green MSP. Continue reading Green MSP points to plummet in public services satisfaction
Scottish Greens housing and local government spokesperson Andy Wightman MSP (above) has renewed his call for a broader review of non-domestic rates, as the Scottish Government launches a consultation on plans for legislation. Continue reading Business Rates consultation: Review remit ‘flawed’, warns Wightman
