A nationwide programme of converting to greener street lighting will be brought forward by the Scottish Government to be considered for Green Investment Bank (GIB) funding. The plan is one of a number of energy efficiency programmes being looked at which could be  rolled out across the Scottish Government’s, and other large public sector, estates. The GIB is already considering more than £500m worth of Scottish low carbon projects across the public and private sector. Work is on-going to assess to what extent the UK GIB will invest in these projects and what structures can support this investment. Speaking at a Green Investment Bank conference in Edinburgh today, Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “By working closely with the GIB, converting Scotland’s street...

In June 2011, the Commission on the Future Delivery of Public Services, led by the late Dr Campbell Christie, published its findings. Almost two years later, the reforms and plans set out in this pivotal piece of work are starting to filter down into policy. At the time, Christie said: “Reforming the delivery of these services is not only a matter of fiscal necessity. We also have to implement reforms that improve the quality of public services to better meet the needs of the people and the communities they seek to support. If we are to have effective and sustainable public services capable of meeting the challenges ahead, the reform process must begin now.” The report stated four principles informed this process: • Reforms must aim to empower individuals and communities receiving...

The SNP’s 2011 manifesto set out the party’s intention to bring forward a Bill to make clear the legislative framework for procurement decisions and support greater use of social and environmental considerations. In the Scottish public sector, sustainable procurement is defined as: “A process whereby organisations meet their needs for goods, services, works and utilities in a way that achieves value for money on a whole life basis and generates benefits not only to the organisation, but also to society, the economy and the environment.” The Scottish Government has said the Bill, which is currently moving through Holyrood, is one aspect of the continuing public procurement reform programme, which has already done a “great deal” to improve public sector procurement in Scotland....

Debate 24.04.13: Crown Post Offices The Parliament debated the following motion: “That the Parliament condemns proposals by Post Office Limited to close five Crown post offices in Cumbernauld, East Kilbride, Stornoway, Perth and Alloa, moving them to become franchises in retail outlets at alternative locations; regards this as potentially dismantling part of the established post office network, which may result in a loss of service for the public; is concerned for the continued employment of post office staff and considers that the proposal will have a damaging effect on the already fragile health of town centres and high streets; praises the existing Crown post office network in Scotland for an invaluable service to the community, and acknowledges calls for these proposals to be...

A £25m fund to help transform disadvantaged areas across Scotland was announced last week, in a bid to give financial support to projects which help deliver large-scale positive improvements to deprived areas. Created in partnership with Scotland’s local authorities, the Scottish Government claims the fund will focus on projects that “engage and involve” local communities and those that can demonstrate the ability to deliver sustainable regeneration. David O’Neill, president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), said councils and their partners work at the heart of every local community and are uniquely placed to deliver regeneration with and for local communities. He added: “COSLA and the Scottish Government, via the creation of the Regeneration Capital...