If for any reason you can't read this email, a web version is also available.
Dear Colleague,A subscriber of many years to this newsletter responded recently to complain about its relentless negativity (particularly this section) and my constant whinging about all that communities have to put up with. To be honest, I’ve had worse (one even threatened legal action) but for some reason this one gave me cause to reflect. While there’s no shortage of inspiring tales of community derring do that I could report, the advantage of being someone whose default is typically to see a glass as being half empty is to appreciate that many of these successes are achieved despite the system rather than because of it. The frustration comes from knowing that it would take only the slightest nudge on the tiller of public policy to produce genuinely transformative change. And recently there have been moments when I thought that nudge might be coming. In the aftermath of Covid, Ministers promised that there would be no return to ‘business as usual’, and commissioned a Social Renewal Advisory Board to mark out that new landscape. Unfortunately, but all too predictably, their highly promising report If Not Now, When? is already gathering dust. Which is why I’ll just settle for the occasional grumpy unsubscriber. Best wishes Angus Hardie, Director Email: [email protected] On the ground:Policy talk: UN investigates community complaintA relative newcomer to the small band of NGOs in Scotland that campaign on environmental issues is the Environment Rights Centre for Scotland. Working with fellow travellers, Planning Democracy, Friends of the Earth Scotland and RSPB, ERCS believe that both the UK and Scottish Governments are in contravention of human rights legislation because of their refusal to allow communities a right to challenge planning decisions. The case is now being investigated by the United Nations body tasked with upholding environmental law. Given the development industry’s longstanding and fierce opposition to Equal Rights of Appeal, this could be an epic clash. …read more Sleepwalking into the carbon markets?Just because so few people understand both how the financial markets work and the complexities of climate science, it shouldn’t stop anyone from feeling alarmed when something just looks awry. News that yet another private finance initiative is being lined up - this time to restore native woodland - should in itself, (given our painful history with PFIs) justify a serious bout of the jitters. That this promises to deliver ‘high integrity carbon investment’ for the emerging ‘carbon markets’ as a market-led response to the climate emergency could justifiably convert those jitters into full blown panic. Andy Wightman sheds some light. …read more Uist BeòAny straw poll of policy makers on the big issues facing island communities would likely place depopulation near the top. But as with any analysis of population trends, it can often fail to capture the full story. Local community development agency - CoDeL - in part set up to seek out those micro trends that the bigger sweeps of data tend to miss - have concluded that the doom-mongers are ignoring what’s been happening with a younger segment of the population - at least on Uist. This recent blog explains why and flags up the launch of a related new web-based initiative. …read more Highlands too bigWith the impending changes at the top of the Scottish Government everyone is indulging in a bit of speculation as to what shape a new cabinet will take and in what direction it might travel. Comments on the hoof and half answers at hustings are always prey to being misinterpreted as full blown policy ideas but when two of the three contenders speak to the same issue, it’s worth taking note. Kate Forbes and Ash Regan have both said that the area served by Highland Council is too large. Although neither mentioned local government reorganisation it makes you wonder. …read more A Stalinist plot?A recent planning concept that seems to have caught the attention of planners and communities alike is the 20 minute neighbourhood or variations on that theme - 15 minute cities etc. Although somewhat problematic when trying to tie down the practicalities of what a 20 minute neighbourhood should look like, the principle of being able to walk or cycle rather than drive seemed broadly attractive. That is until a more sinister interpretation of the idea began to surface. Was this just a Stalinist plot to control the movements of local residents? A 2000 strong demonstration in Oxford clearly thought so. …read more Time for reformThe Council Tax celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, brought in to replace the infamous Community Charge or Poll Tax. The Poll Tax became so politically toxic that it may explain why a replacement for the current system of local taxation hasn’t materialised - despite the fact that it is widely considered to be long past its sell-by date. Based on property valuations that are now hopelessly out of date, the case for reform becomes stronger with each year that passes. But what to replace it with? No easy answers but there appear to be three broad options. …read more Featured anchor organisation: Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT)The Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) was formed in 2001 as a direct result of the foot and mouth outbreak which severely knocked the area. The main aim of the trust has been to transform the derelict Victorian Kells Primary School into a centre for community, cultural and business activities. Within three months the local community had contributed enough funds to purchase the building and The CatStrand was on its way. Six years, and a £1 million fundraising campaign later, the building opened in September 2007. Named The CatStrand after the small stream which used to run underneath the building, the centre provides a wide range of quality arts, community and training activities for the residents of the Glenkens as well as being a tourist attraction in its own right. …read the full profile on our website For a definition of Anchor Organisation http://www.scottishcommunityalliance.org.uk/on-the-ground/anchor-orgs/ To receive these briefings directly, you can sign up here: http://www.scottishcommunityalliance.org.uk to edit.
0 Comments
Click her
No Smoking Day takes place on Wednesday 8th March, make it your day to quit! Did you know that if you smoke twenty cigarettes per day, then giving up smoking could save you at least £3000 per year? Find out how much you could save. Simply call the NHS Lanarkshire friendly Quit Your Way team on 0800 84 84 84 or leave your name and contact number here and they will be in touch. We have attached a social media toolkit for you to use or share with colleagues and partners. Clydesdale Third Sector Locality Network – Friday 17th March CCI and Healthy Valleys working in partnership with VASLan are bringing Clydesdale's community groups and organisations together quarterly, through the Third Sector Locality Network. These events provide a vital opportunity for networking, support, partnership and an opportunity for shared learning. For more information click here. The next network meeting is Friday 17th March, 10am to 12.30pm at Kirkton Parish Church, Carluke. Changing mortality rates in Scotland and the UK – Glasgow Centre for Population Health GCPH have released an updated summary of changing mortality rates in Scotland and the UK. These trends, including increasing death rates among poorer communities and the end to decades of previously continual improvement at country level, predate the COVID-19 pandemic, but have been made worse by it. Community Development Worker post – closes 10th March Community Links is looking for an enthusiastic community-minded individual to support our Community Development team, deliver local Neighbourhood Plans and expand our established Local Area Networks by strengthening relationships with community groups, third sector organisations, and public services. For more information and to apply click here. Money Advice Scotland Training Opportunities Scams (Student Money Week Webinar) 3rd March, 2023 at 11:00am-11:45am Talking about wellbeing 9th March, 2023 at 2:00pm-4:00pm Stress Management and Resilience 23rd March, 2023 at 2:00pm-4:00pm Magic Little Grants 2023 Grants of £500 for small charities and community groups. A simple 20-minute application process for a £500 grant and an outcome within six weeks. SLC Community Wish List A new Community Wish List has been launched by South Lanarkshire Council. The list will enable groups and organisations to make requests for specific support to benefit their local community. The types of support groups can apply for can be anything from volunteering time, professional support and advice, donation of goods, materials or IT equipment or a financial donation. Weekly Bulletin Board Disclaimer This bulletin is provided with the intention of sharing information across Hamilton and Clydesdale Localities. This is not endorsement by NHS Lanarkshire. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This email is intended for the named recipient only. If you have received it by mistake, please (i) contact the sender by email reply; (ii) delete the email from your system; . and (iii) do not copy the email or disclose its contents to anyone. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ... [Message clipped] View entire message One attachment • Scanned by Gmail e to edit. No Smoking Day takes place on Wednesday 8th March, make it your day to quit! Did you know that if you smoke twenty cigarettes per day, then giving up smoking could save you at least £3000 per year? Find out how much you could save. Simply call the NHS Lanarkshire friendly Quit Your Way team on 0800 84 84 84 or leave your name and contact number here and they will be in touch. We have attached a social media toolkit for you to use or share with colleagues and partners. Clydesdale Third Sector Locality Network – Friday 17th March CCI and Healthy Valleys working in partnership with VASLan are bringing Clydesdale's community groups and organisations together quarterly, through the Third Sector Locality Network. These events provide a vital opportunity for networking, support, partnership and an opportunity for shared learning. For more information click here. The next network meeting is Friday 17th March, 10am to 12.30pm at Kirkton Parish Church, Carluke. Changing mortality rates in Scotland and the UK – Glasgow Centre for Population Health GCPH have released an updated summary of changing mortality rates in Scotland and the UK. These trends, including increasing death rates among poorer communities and the end to decades of previously continual improvement at country level, predate the COVID-19 pandemic, but have been made worse by it. Community Development Worker post – closes 10th March Community Links is looking for an enthusiastic community-minded individual to support our Community Development team, deliver local Neighbourhood Plans and expand our established Local Area Networks by strengthening relationships with community groups, third sector organisations, and public services. For more information and to apply click here. Money Advice Scotland Training Opportunities Scams (Student Money Week Webinar) 3rd March, 2023 at 11:00am-11:45am Talking about wellbeing 9th March, 2023 at 2:00pm-4:00pm Stress Management and Resilience 23rd March, 2023 at 2:00pm-4:00pm Magic Little Grants 2023 Grants of £500 for small charities and community groups. A simple 20-minute application process for a £500 grant and an outcome within six weeks. SLC Community Wish List A new Community Wish List has been launched by South Lanarkshire Council. The list will enable groups and organisations to make requests for specific support to benefit their local community. The types of support groups can apply for can be anything from volunteering time, professional support and advice, donation of goods, materials or IT equipment or a financial donation. Weekly Bulletin Board Disclaimer This bulletin is provided with the intention of sharing information across Hamilton and Clydesdale Localities. This is not endorsement by NHS Lanarkshire. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This email is intended for the named recipient only. If you have received it by mistake, please (i) contact the sender by email reply; (ii) delete the email from your system; . and (iii) do not copy the email or disclose its contents to anyone. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ... [Message clipped] View entire message One attachment • Scanned by Gmail Click hBrown, Karen ENT Montrose House10:37 (2 hours ago)Reply
to Please find attached Planning Weekly List for South Lanarkshire Council for the period 27 February – 3 March 2023. Regards Karen Brown, Planning officer (HQ) Planning and Regulatory Services, Community and Enterprise Resources, South Lanarkshire Council Council Offices, Floor 6, Almada Street, Hamilton, ML3 0AA Email: [email protected] Web: Planning and building standards - South Lanarkshire Council ere to edit. Dear Sir/Madam
The agendas for the following meetings taking place this week have now been published and are available on-line. To access the papers, click on the link below. This link takes you to the meetings calendar on the Council's website and please ensure that you are clicking on the meetings beginning 6 March 2023. https://southlanarkshire.cmis.uk.com/southlanarkshire/Meetingscalendar.aspx I trust this information is of assistance to you. Kind regards Karen McLeod (Mrs) Administration Assistant/Clerk to South Lanarkshire Area Support Team (AST) South Lanarkshire Council Administration and Legal Services Council Offices, Floor 2 Almada Street Hamilton ML3 0AA Tel: 01698 454519 Email: [email protected] Click he
Dear colleague, I am writing to you from Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s Standards and Indicators Team, where we are working to update the standards of care for older people in hospitals, originally drafted in 2015. At this stage, we are looking to explore the scope of this project – what areas should be covered by these new standards and what areas should not be covered. In order to properly define the scope, we are embarking on a process of data collection over the next two months to establish what evidence and views there are among stakeholders about what the scope should be. We are aiming to have all submissions in by 7 April 2023. We are getting in touch with you as a stakeholder in the care of older people, and so we would like your views and any evidence you may feel is relevant to the scope of the standards. We have organised three potential ways in which you can share your views with us:
If you would prefer to submit a response through the online survey, simply follow the link above and fill out the survey in your own time. If you willing and able to do an interview or a focus group, please email us at [email protected] with your preferred option and any relevant details, such as your availability. You can find more details at our website link - COP engagement phase info We are looking for the broadest possible coverage for this engagement process, so please do share this email and information pack with anybody else you know who might have views or evidence to share with us. We enormously appreciate your time and your participation. Kind regards Care of Older People standards project team Delta House | 50 West Nile Street | Glasgow | G1 2NP Website: www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org Twitter: @online_his Facebook: www.facebook.com/healthcareimprovementscot Supporting better quality health and social care for everyone in Scotland. Healthcare Improvement Scotland includes: The Improvement Hub (ihub), Community Engagement, the Scottish Health Technologies Group, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), the Scottish Medicines Consortium and the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group. re to edit. Biggar Community Council
DRAFT - Minutes of the meeting held at 700pm on 20 February 2023. Finished 8:30 pm Location: Library Meeting Room Elected Members Present: Jimmy Ritchie Chair; Roger Curtis – Secretary; Laura Shirley – Treasurer Carol-Anne Alcorn - Council Member. Neil Ingram -Associate Ex-officio Members Present: SLC Members – Ian McAllan, Alex Allison Absent: apologies from Gillian Gardiner – Council member Members of the Public: 4 persons Items Covered: 3. Adoption of Minutes Of Previous Meeting (16/1/23) Adoption of Previous Minutes 16/01/ 2023 Proposed Jimmy Ritchie, seconded Laura Shirley Matters arising from previous minutes:
4. Appointment of Associate Members: awaiting approval 5. Matters Raised By Members of the Public:
The BCC Secretary has been circulating information arriving on BCC’s e mail to council members and putting relevant items on Facebook and the BCC website. 7. Police Reports – reports for January and February were given out. Action : Secretary will reply to Richard Durie’s request about a local off licence selling alcohol to teenagers during Hogmanay. 8. Reports from South Lanarkshire Councillors. Councillor Allison reported on the Paddling Pool in Burn Braes. Work still to be done 9. Treasurers Report: BCC Business Account £372.00 Clyde Windfarm £3417.50 Glenkerie Windfarm £772.60 Clyde Extension £2825.27 + £7,100 grant to be paid to Cornets Bonfire Committee Incentive Account £376.52 10. Windfarm Grants – new applications are awaited. Laura Shirley is handling 11. Planning Matters – nothing of note apart from extension to the Rugby Club. 12. Other Matters
14. Date of next meeting: 20 March in Biggar Library e to edit. From: Ross, Gary <[email protected]>
Sent: 24 February 2023 19:05 FYI, some Scottish Government bulletins, consultations, and other links to articles/ advice recently published, that might be of interest to the team and wider networks Gary £27 million (Investing in Communities Fund, Rd 2) to Community based projects to tackle poverty and disadvantage over the next three years. Four projects in South Lanarkshire to receive funding during 2023- 26:- Community Links (Local Links to Poverty and Net Zero), Healthy N Happy (Creating Confident Communities), Healthy Valleys (Community Matters), Leap Enterprise Roots Community Hub (Generation Weave). Investing in Communities - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) Investing in Communities Fund - round 2 2023 to 2026: approved awards - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) £1.8 million funding available (as part of The Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland programme), to help scale up private investment in Scotland’s natural capital. Environmental organisations, community groups, landowners and farmers will be eligible to apply for grants of up to £240k to help develop a viable business case and financial model to attract investment in projects that promote the restoration of the natural environment. Successful projects will also have to demonstrate the means to engage and share benefits with communities, as well as contribute to the policy of just transition. More detailed information on the FIRNS programme in the second link Funding to help nature projects grow - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) FIRNS - The Facility for Investment ready Nature in Scotland | NatureScot Publication of a Scottish Government report on potential approaches to encourage greater entrepreneurship/ business start-ups among women (ties to equalities agenda, reducing the gender employment and pay gap, as well as boosting Scotland’s wider economy and furthering CWB, increasing talent pool/ innovation in business) Supporting women in entrepreneurship - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) Pathways: A new approach for women in entrepreneurship - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) £8.6 million in direct support for people affected by the UK benefit cap as part of Scottish Government plans to tackle child poverty. An estimated 4,000 families/ 14,000 eligible children now able to apply for extra financial support through their local council’s Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) scheme. More details on DHP, including application portal for South Lanarkshire residents in the second link. Helping families with their living costs - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) - South Lanarkshire Council Launch of a new campaign (Money & Work- Parent Club) to encourage low income families to boost incomes through support with financial advice (local CAB’s and CAS Money Talk initiative) and employment support (council employability schemes). Campaign also includes a one-stop-shop website with information/ advice (second link). Help available to boost family incomes - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) Money & Work | Parent Club £20m plus to be made available to fund Winter Heating Payments during February/ March. The Winter Heating Payment (WHP) is paid/ administered by Social Security Scotland and replaces the DWP Cold Weather Payment. Unlike the Cold Weather Payment, WHP is a reliable annual £50 payment, and is not time limited or dependent on periodic temperature thresholds. The WHP will be paid automatically, to all those who are eligible with no separate application process. More information on the WHP including rules around eligibility in the second link £20m to help 400,000 people with heating costs - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) https://www.mygov.scot/winter-heating-payment Scottish Budget for 2023-24 passed, content in the second link Scottish Budget Bill passed - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) Scottish Budget: 2023-24 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) Scottish Parliament enquiry into measures to address child poverty through parental employment policy. Keen to hear from organisations supporting low income families as well as employers (inc public service partners, third and voluntary sector organisations) and directly from low income families/ parents and young people experiencing poverty. Views gathered in response to 14 questions (click on link and online form accessible through the connection below). The consultation is open until 5th April 2023. Addressing child poverty through parental employment - Scottish Parliament - Citizen Space re to edit. We're still looking for Social Enterprise Network Co-ordinator to join our team!
In this week's newsletter, we highlight the following:
Click here to POLICE SCOTLAND – MESSAGE TO COMMUNITIES
Message from ACC Gary Ritchie – 16 February 2023 Police Scotland is aware of increased community tensions and concerns within our LGBT+ communities following events and incidents across Scotland and the United Kingdom. Police Scotland is committed to keeping people safe and we have officers within your communities to provide reassurance and assistance. We will continue to monitor developments and work closely with local partners to ensure people and communities have the support required whenever they need it. Police Scotland has a zero tolerance approach to hate crime. If you have been targeted because of your disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity, we want you to report it. If you are aware of someone else being targeted, we also want you to report it. Contact us by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency. British Sign Language communities can utilise Contact Scotland BSL or the BSL 999 service. Other methods of contact include SMS 999 and Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If you are a victim or witness to any crime or targeting of individuals and communities, this can also be reported using our online hate crime reporting form on the Police Scotland website or via one of our Third Party Reporting Centresedit. Cervical Cancer Prevention: Training & Awareness Sessions Cervical cancer takes the lives of 2 women every day in the UK, however cervical cancer is often preventable with regular cervical screening and the HPV vaccine. The training is free sessions, flexible in-person or online; relaxed, informative, and interactive and lasts between 60-90 minutes. Check out the flyer attached for more information. Understanding the Impact of the Pandemic on your Teenager This course is about understanding how the COVID pandemic may have affected your teenager emotionally. It may take you about 20 minutes to complete. The course, makes you appreciate more of their way of thinking, some teenagers did struggle through the pandemic, but these times remind us of all of their feelings too. To access for free, apply a South Lanarkshire post code with the access code – “Owen123” Easy Read Resources - BBV and Sexual Health Please see this link to Waverley Care’s Easy Read resources. Waverley Care support the sexual health improvement service to our African Community, Chinese Community and to other key populations including, our Asylum Seeker, and Refugee population. Am I Invisible? Using Co-Production to Advocate Change in Social Care SCIE worked with a co-production group of people with learning disabilities and autism to explore their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and to draw out lessons for social care professionals, care providers and commissioners. The group has now produced an easy-read publication and video with their suggestions for how staff at all levels can support people better which includes helpful links to SCIE’s resources about strengths-based practice, involving people in decision-making about their own care, and commissioning beyond COVID-19. Care and Repair – Fire Detection Initiative Care & Repair that clients in Lanarkshire may not yet have upgraded their fire detection system to be compliant with the legislation that came into force in February 2022 and are looking to support eligible households. Fuel Poverty - Thousands of Energy Vouchers not Redeemed Please see the attached email from Advice Direct Scotland, around one in five households with prepayment gas and electricity meters have not redeemed their energy rebate vouchers. |
Biggar Community Council NewsNews about BCC activities and other information relevant to the town. Archives
April 2024
Categories |