The Scottish government published a strategy for the support and integration of refugees and asylum-seekers. Developed in partnership with a range of support agencies, the strategy aimed to provide a framework for co-ordinating effort and maximizing impact and resources. It discussed policy areas including: employability and welfare; housing; education; health; and communities and social connections.
Source: New Scots: Integrating refugees in Scotland's communities, Scottish Government
Links: Strategy | Summary | BBC report
Date: 2013-Dec
A Scottish Government report examined community council activity and support. Community councils were created to ascertain and express the views of the community to the local authority and other public bodies. The report said that 84 per cent of possible community councils were active and there was a potential relationship between a lack of activity and the level of deprivation in the area. The report noted some differences between councils, such as in the method and level of funding and the levels of activity, and proposed further work to examine the differences.
Source: Survey of Local Authority Community Councils, Scottish Government
Date: 2013-Dec
The Scottish government began consultation on proposals to be included in the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill. Proposals included: establishing new ways for communities to take on public sector land and buildings; greater community involvement in shaping and delivering local services; measures to extend the rural community right to buy; new community planning measures; and new powers for local authorities to create local business rate relief schemes. The consultation would close on 24 January 2014.
Source: Consultation on the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Government
Links: Consultation document | Summary | Scottish Government press release
Date: 2013-Nov
An audit report in Scotland said that there were significant variations between councils in charges for services. It said that charges should be consistent, clear and easily explained to the public. It also said that councils should compare their charges with others and be able to explain any significant differences. It made recommendations for good practice.
Source: Charging for Services: Are you getting it right?, Audit Scotland
Links: Report | Audit Scotland press release | BBC report
Date: 2013-Oct
An article examined the idea of localism in the context of housing policy and as mediated by the experience of devolution in England and Scotland. It considered the meaning and limitations of the concept when account was taken of the real nature of housing systems, and the experience of localism in the context of social housing provision. The implementation of localism by policy-makers had exhibited shortcomings, and the emerging interpretation of localism might lead to 'policy dumping' rather than enhanced real local autonomy.
Source: Duncan Maclennan and Anthony O'Sullivan, 'Localism, devolution and housing policies', Housing Studies, Volume 28 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Jun
An audit report in Scotland said that local councils needed to improve their planning and control of major capital projects.
Source: Major Capital Investment in Councils, Audit Scotland
Links: Report | Audit Scotland press release | Public Finance report
Date: 2013-Mar
A study examined how the recession was affecting disadvantaged communities in Scotland. It highlighted the degeneration of the physical environment and facilities, with a direct toll on the confidence and behaviour of residents and investors; a lack of mobility and the stifling of social and economic opportunities; the erosion of community networks, access, and capacity, and therefore the overall health and well-being of individuals and their communities; and a cumulative sense of economic and political 'abandonment'.
Source: Andy Milne and Derek Rankine, Reality, Resources, Resilience: Regeneration in a recession, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Links: Report
Date: 2013-Jan
