Planning Bill Passed: New Approach to Strategic Planning in Scotland

Posted on June 28, 2019

On Thursday 20^th June, Scottish Government passed the Planning Bill, which includes new measures to help empower people and organisations get involved in planning the future of their communities.

The Bill aims to support a more inclusive and collaborative planning system, and takes a new approach to strategic planning in Scotland, introducing a duty on local authorities to work together to produce “regional spatial strategies”.

As part of the Bill, people will now be able to prepare local place plans covering what will be done in their communities, including over issues such as housing, open space and community facilities as well as business and employment opportunities.

Local authorities will be legally required to take local place plans into account when preparing their development plans (part of the Community Planning process).

LAST CHANCE: COVID-19 Vaccine Self-Registration for 18 – 29 Year Olds

People aged 18 – 29 years old have until 8pm TONIGHT, FRIDAY 11th JUNE to register for their COVID-19 vaccination. Registration takes 5 – 10 minutes. Vaccination appointments will start from mid-June.

NHS Forth Valley Non-Executive Board Member Positions

Scottish Ministers and NHS Scotland are currently recruiting for 2 non-executive members to join the NHS Forth Valley Board. The position will require around 8 hours per week. Remuneration pay is £8,842 per annum. Non-executive members are expected to play a central role in guiding the strategies which address the health priorities and health care needs across Forth Valley. Candidates must be able to demonstrate either clinical experience (ideally in a primary care setting) or experience of finance, audit or risk. The deadline for applications is 12pm on Wednesday 23rd June.

COVID-19 Recovery Grants Scheme Reopened

The NHS Forth Valley Health Promotion Service has relaunched its COVID-19 Recovery Grants Scheme for 2021-22. The fund aims to help local groups and organisations deliver innovative activities and programmes to help reduce health inequalities and improve mental health and wellbeing amongst those most disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Grants of up to £500 are available, and applications will be considered every 2 weeks.

Connecting Scotland Phase 3 Launched

Scottish Government has officially launched Phase 3 of Connecting Scotland, which welcomes applications on behalf of unemployed young people and adults. All public or third sector groups and organisations who work to support people to address barriers to employment are eligible to apply, for people who meet all the criteria. Unlike in previous phases, applicants will be required to submit the details of people they intend to support before the devices are dispatched. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday 5th July.