Author: Alistair Davis, SIS

Dear stakeholder

For a long time, entrepreneurs in Scotland have been faced with a binary choice – between profit and purpose. A focus on purpose meant surrendering all but the most limited of profit; and focussing on both resulted in exclusion from the socialenterprise ecosystem.

But these conventions are increasingly being challenged, particularly by the next generation of mission-led entrepreneurs and consumers, who see profit and purpose not as a choice but as a symbiotic relationship. Almost nine in 10 (87%) of millennials believe that “the success of a business should be measured in terms of more than just its financial performance.” Deloitte Millennial Survey 2016.

This continual innovation in business models means that those organisations set up to support and invest in them must also continue to innovate, and SIS is no exception. That’s why, with the support of the Scottish Government, SIS is launching a new programme of engagement with the entrepreneurial ecosystem to help it understand how profit and purpose can co-exist to drive even greater business success and a more inclusive economy. Our aim is to ensure that entrepreneurs and businesses can see their social and environmental impact recognised, encouraged, supported and reported effectively.

Whilst this does represent a strategic development for SIS, it does not mean that we are abandoning those charities and social enterprises that may have chosen an asset lock as the most appropriate way of running their business. Providing investment and support to charities and social enterprises will continue to be right at the heart of our business, but a business that is more inclusive and recognises mission-led entrepreneurship right across the entrepreneurial spectrum. 

Very best

Alastair Davis

Chief Executive

Author: Commission on Highland Democracy

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY of Interim Report. For full report click here

The Commission on Highland Democracy was established to continue conversations locally about the kind of democracy we want to have in the Highlands. We have had thousands of conversations with people across the region to better understand what the current state of local democracy is, and what people want to happen about this. Our key findings so far are: 

1. Decision making is exclusive. Decentralisation/ centralisation is not seen by local people to be primarily a geographical issue although it does encompass some spatial aspects. People consider decision making to be centralised not because it takes place a long distance from them. Rather, they feel that centralisation occurs when a small group of highly empowered individuals take decisions in a way that has little reference to anybody outside the decision making group and in an exclusive way. With this view of centralisation, it matters little where decision makers are situated and much more how they go about their business.  

2. People want involvement and engagement. People have told us time and again that they want a relationship with decision makers in which they are involved and engaged on an ongoing basis. In this situation, decision makers can regularly ask communities for their views for a variety of subjects but equally communities can decide to make their views known on the issues that concern them. 

3. Empowered consumers. Almost nobody has said they want to take decision making from their elected or appointed representatives and make them themselves. Quite the reverse, most respondents want to be empowered consumers of services and decisions rather than deliverers or decision makers themselves. And they understand the importance of having elected and appointed representatives to take the final decision in important and difficult matters. They do, however, want decision makers to arrive at their decisions in a much more open and involving way. 

4. Integrated local democracy. People want engagement and involvement in the democratic process to happen as part of their day to day living rather than as a separate thing. The Commission takes this to mean that conversations about community aspirations, public services and infrastructure are taking place in communities throughout the region. There seems to be a demand that these conversations are captured and used in decision making, rather than a separate consultation exercise being contrived around these same issues which it is unlikely many people will have the time or inclination to participate in. 

5. Balanced decision making. Communities hold the view that for good decisions to be made there is a necessary balance between three different inputs. They recognise the need for high quality professional officer advice. They understand the role of the elected and appointed decision makers and the important perspectives this brings. However, they want to see a third component which is a strong element of community input. The view is that if any one of these elements is missing, less good decisions will be made.  

The Commission will now test and interrogate these key findings, and will publish a final report with a final set of conclusions and recommendations which reflect the views and opinions of people across the Highlands in May 2017.  

If you have any comments or to keep updated with the work of the Commission please visit our website: www.highlanddemocracy.wordpress.com; follow us on Twitter: @Highland_Dem; or email us at: Commission@highland.gov.uk

Author: Concerned Communities of Falkirk

Overview

The future of unconventional oil and gas in Scotland has proven both complex and controversial, and deeply held, sincere views have emerged on all sides of the debate.

The Scottish Government’s position is to take a cautious, evidence led approach while we gather and consider evidence.  In January 2015, the Scottish Government put in place a moratorium on unconventional oil and gas development in Scotland, which prevents hydraulic fracturing for shale oil and gas, and coal bed methane extraction taking place while the Scottish Government investigates evidence on potential impacts.

To support this consultation, the Scottish Government has compiled a comprehensive evidence-base. This has included commissioning a report by an Independent Expert Scientific Panel, and commissioning a series of research projects to explore certain issues in more detail.

A dedicated website, will run for the duration of the consultation.  The website provides user-friendly information on unconventional oil and gas, and the findings of the research commissioned by the Scottish Government.

Discussion tool-kits have been created to help communities and other groups participate in the consultation.  These can be accessed at www.talkingfracking.scot.

Why We Are Consulting

Studies have shown that Scotland’s geology, and in particular a stretch of land through Scotland’s central belt (referred to as the Midland Valley), contains significant quantities of shale gas and oil, and coal bed methane.  The central belt is also one of Scotland’s most populated regions, supporting important industries and business.

Accessing these resources would require the use of technologies such as hydraulic fracturing (commonly referred to as ‘fracking’).  This has led to a widespread debate on potential environmental, health and economic impacts, and on compatibility with Scotland’s ambitious climate change targets.

The Scottish Government’s approach to unconventional oil and gas is therefore one of caution while we gather and consider evidence, encourage dialogue, and give you an opportunity to set out your views.

This consultation does not set out or advocate a preferred Scottish Government position or policy.  Instead, this consultation is an opportunity for the people of Scotland and our stakeholders to consider the evidence, and to present views on that evidence and the future of this industry in Scotland.

Talking “Fracking”: A Consultation on Unconventional Oil and Gas

Closes 31 May 2017

Begin consultation

Author: The National, Martin Hannan

SCOTTISH Green Party MSP Andy Wightman last night confirmed he has been told by lawyers that he is to be sued for defamation with £750,000 damages sought.

The National can reveal the claims relate to posts on his popular personal blog www.andywightman.com, and the MSP and author – a long-term campaigner on land and property issues – has stated that he will fight the case “to the utmost.”

Supporters of Dundee-born Wightman have also taken to social media to claim the MSP is the victim of “intimidation.”

It is understood the Lothians List MSP has received a legal letter informing him of a possible future summons regarding the claimed defamation. More than one party has joined in the action against Wightman, which was issued by one of Scotland’s largest legal firms.

He said last night: “I will not be publishing any details of this case until the summons is served.”

For legal reasons, The National has chosen not to name the parties making the claim against Wightman, who was elected to Holyrood in May and who previously made his name as a campaigner on issues such as owners preventing land reform.

Wightman graduated from Aberdeen University in 1985 with a degree in forestry, and he co-founded the Reforesting Scotland group. After working with the Central Scotland Countryside Trust he spent 23 years as a researcher and writer on issues ranging from Common Good land to local democracy before being elected to Parliament.

It is as a constant proponent of land reform that he is most renowned, and there is no doubt he has attracted opprobrium from the rich and powerful in recent years.

A politician being sued for defamation is very rare in Scotland and the MSP – whose salary is £58,077 a year – would almost certainly face bankruptcy and instant disqualification from the Scottish Parliament if the action was to succeed, as personal insolvency is a bar on being a member and he owns no land or property.

The National understands the items complained about were published many months ago, and that no interdict or interim interdict to prevent the publication was sought.

The figure of £750,000 in damages being sought would also be a record for the Scottish courts should the verdict go fully against Wightman.

The former Scottish Socialist Party politician Tommy Sheridan won £200,000 in his defamation case against the now-defunct News of the World, but that figure was awarded to him by a jury.

Judges in the Court of Session and sheriffs in the lower courts tend to award much lesser sums.

In Scots law, defamation whether written or spoken has to be both false and lower the standing of the defamed person in “the estimation of right-thinking persons in society”. Defences against defamation, which is entirely a civil and not criminal matter, include veritas – the truth – as well as fair comment under freedom of speech rights.

Despite the historically low level of damages awarded by the courts, media outlets often settle out of court due to the sheer cost of defending a case.

The Scottish Law Commission is currently carrying out a review of Scotland’s defamation laws, following major reforms in England three years ago.

Andy Wightman told The National last night: “I have been informed that instructions have been given to issue a summons against me for alleged defamation in relation to material I have published on my personal andywightman.com blog. I have instructed my solicitor to reply saying that I will be defending this to the utmost.”

Author: Emily Chappell

We have one copy of the book that we are happy to pass on to a good home (or hut). Only condition is that you pass it on in similar spirit when you’re finished with it. First come, first served to info@scottishcommunityalliance.net

A Hut of One’s Own

Quirky and interesting, Emily Chappell uncovers the more unusual side of allotments as social and private spaces for all kinds of people.

Allotments are places to grow food – but they are so much more than that. They are also places that encourage spontaneity, exploration, learning, sharing, restful activity and camaraderie. This book is a celebration of the allotment hut and the wonderful invention and resourcefulness that makes each one unique.

The original illustrations offer inspiration for how to create your own, very special shed. This is the ideal gift book for allotment folk, gardeners or those curious about the quirkier side of life.

Author: VAS

Grow Your Own Cinema project is at an end. You can now watch this lovely video featuring WHALE Arts Community Cinema, Kelty Community Cinema and Letham Lights, talking about their involvement in the project, and giving advice to those interested in starting their own community cinemas!

Author: Leith Links Community Council

In March 2017 we asked our community to vote for which projects they wanted to be allocated some Community Links Funding. 33 projects came forward with ideas that would benefit our community . 920 people cast votes (192 in person at our social voting event and 728 online). As a result of the vote, 15 projects are receiving funding totalling £16,461.66.

Anyone who was eight years old or older and lives, works, volunteers or studies in the Leith Links Community Council area was eligible to vote.

For more information on Leith Links Community Council click here

For more information on the project ideas that came forward to our community links fund click here

Author: Michael Gray , Commonspace

In a historic step forward for the land reform movement in Scotland, the party’s spring conference unanimously backed calls for a tax on ownership to end the feudal ownership system that has endured in the country for centuries.

Graeme McCormick (Helensburgh SNP) brought the conference to its feet backing an amendment making support for land taxation explicit in the land reform motion today in Aberdeen [Saturday 18 March].

The amended motion said the government “must include exploring all fiscal options including ways of taxing the value of undeveloped land” in its gradual land reform programme.

The leap forward for tax and land reform campaigners comes just a fortnight till the Scottish Land Commission is formally established with a remit to push further research and action on the reform agenda.

The 2016 Land Reform Act, passed amid calls for more radical action, was described as a foundation for further actions on land reform – including on taxation.

Heather Anderson told the conference that land ownership “is no longer for the privileged few” and “now conditional” rather than absolute. She said that rich landowners must meet social responsibilities – “if you don’t the people of Scotland can take it back”, she warned.

Mary Mccaig added that a tax would bring down the extortionate cost of land purchases – swathes of which are deserted clearances country left derelict from forced depopulation and “stops land owners from hanging onto it for speculative purposes”.

Proposing the motion was former MSP Rob Gibson, who chaired the committee that scrutinised the new land reform legislation. Cabinet Secretary for Land Reform Roseanna Cunningham spoke for the motion, and focused on calls for development of derelict land.

However, the enthusiasm for land taxation came from members Graeme McCormick and Mary Mccaig. McCormick called on cabinet secretary for finance Derek Mackay to start research on a land tax.

The support for further action was the first land reform debate at SNP conference since members rebelled against the party’s leadership in October 2015 for not being bold enough in its land reform legislation. Tenant farming families continue to be evicted by landowners in Scotland, and various communities across the highlands and southern uplands continue to face challenges of dominant private estates.

Lesley Riddoch, who has campaigned with the Our Land group, welcomed the outcome: “Absolutely brilliant to see #SNP17 pass amendment requiring land taxation in land reform measures. SNP policy gets radical at last. Thanks delegates.”

Campaigners will now have a close eye on the work of the new commission.

Author: SCA

To : Members of Scottish Parliament Committees scrutinising the Draft Climate Change Plan

In November 2016, twenty community sector leaders met to consider the Scottish Government’s proposed Climate Change Plan and more specifically, to explore how community action on climate change could be incorporated into the Plan.  As a result of this meeting, a paper (attached as appendix) was submitted to the Scottish Government describing the significant contribution that communities can make in this respect, and how this can be nurtured and built upon into the future.

While we can see much in the draft Plan that is ambitious – it describes the sort of low carbon future that we all want to see for Scotland – we are disappointed that the Plan shows little regard for, or knowledge of, the role that communities will be required to play if any of this ambition is to be realised.

The community empowerment agenda is currently front and centre of many areas of Scottish Government policy but little of this appears to be joined up with the specific challenge of tackling climate change.  For instance, the Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) is just one relatively minor stream of community investment currently being committed by the Scottish Government.  By only referencing CCF funding in relation to community action, the Plan gives the impression of sitting entirely within a distinct policy silo and as such restricting any potential impact in other areas.

We find it difficult to comment directly on the Plan because there are so few points within it that are directly inviting of community engagement.  Partly because of this we nonetheless have three key proposals:

1.            We ask Scottish Government to commit to working closely with community sector organisations towards a better collective understanding of how climate action can be integrated across all aspects of the evolving community empowerment agenda, beginning with a cross-departmental roundtable discussion within the first half of 2017.

2.            Recognise the wider contribution that Local Place Plans (see Places, People and Planning – a consultation on the future of the Scottish planning system) have to play beyond the planning system so that they embrace all aspects of civic life and become a foundation stone of a revitalised system of local democracy.

3.            We call on the Scottish Parliament to approve the creation of a Cross Party Group on Climate Change.

Scotland’s community sector operates primarily in the ‘social’ sphere of the ISM model of behaviour change.  We have a unique reach in terms of connecting with individuals and whole communities in ways that are far beyond that of the public or private sector.  We believe Government needs our sector every bit as much as we need Government to act in ways that enable communities to fulfil their potential.

We offer to attend any meeting of your Committee in the course of its consideration of the Plan.

Angus Hardie, Director

Author: Gina Wilson, Newstart Magazine

The key to progressive local economic development is for towns to be able to access evidence to help inform their future, to make decisions on the provision of services or to develop the assets available in (and valuable to) the town.

Marshalling robust and meaningful information into a simple format was the motivation for creating the Understanding Scottish Places (USP) tool.

Launched in 2015, and free to use, USP compares 479 Scottish towns (all with a population above 1,000). The UK’s first tool of this type, it enables users to understand the facts, figures and interrelationships that underpin all towns and cities, bringing together over 36,000 different pieces of data about places and people in Scotland into one online, searchable database.

Two years on, we’ve just launched Understanding Scottish Places 2.0 to help take the concept of comparing towns to the next level. We took our own analysis and user feedback to ensure USP reflected what people wanted. It’s by no means the final version; USP 3.0 is already in development!

What can Scottish Places 2.0 do?

As well as comparing town histories, geographies and economies, users can now look at commuter flows (which could help influence transport decisions), the diversity of the retail offer, tourist accommodation capacity and the amount of grant funding received by a town.

Ultimately, USP is a tool for all of those invested in making our towns better places to live and work. It recognises that different places have different needs and require different services and resources. It explores the way in which each place has a unique identity and that no place exists in isolation.

All towns are part of a complex web of relationships, some obvious, others less so. This is how we need to think about places when we design services, invest, and innovate. Over half the UK’s population live in towns, they are therefore critical to our future wellbeing and prosperity.

Rather than rank towns as ‘better’ or ‘worse’, USP also focuses on shared characteristics and employs a unique interrelationships scale which provides a more refined and constructive picture of how places work together.

Since its inception in 2015, USP has been used over 10,000 times by professionals, local organisations and town stakeholders to support their work.

It’s also been used in over 20 in-depth ‘Your Town Audits’, a comprehensive study which builds on the USP data to give an individual town a much wider appreciation and understanding of its role, function and performance. The USP Your Town Audit has now become the standard benchmark for measuring the health of a Scottish town.

Whilst USP can’t do it all, it makes the most of towns’ data to inspire better decisions. With budgets front of mind, the roll-out of a similar tool in other jurisdictions could only be a good thing. The power of evidence provides power to towns to pursue vibrant and prosperous futures.