On the ground |
Policy talk |
The sound of splash
Most folk can remember where they learnt how to swim – those first wild
strokes without arm bands. Perhaps that’s the reason why swimming pools
stir up such passion when threatened with closure. Eleven years ago,
that happened to Govanhill Baths. Since then, the community have worked
tirelessly to have these famous Baths reopened under local ownership.
Any day now, and with National Theatre of Scotland an unlikely partner,
the sound of happy splashing will be heard once more
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Cast yourself in the people’s film
The Alliance is by no means alone in its ambition to ensure the debate
on independence does not remain the sole preserve of politicians. The
big pillars of Scotland’s civil society came together some months ago to
launch their own ‘platform’ for the independence debate- The Future of Scotland.
Other initiatives – of a more creative variety - are also taking
shape, designed to draw out our thoughts and feelings on Scotland’s
future. What about a film of the people, by the people?
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We need more of this, not less
There’s something life affirming about stories like North Kelvin
Meadow. A local community ‘adopts’ some disused Council land that had
suffered years of neglect , fly-tipping and much worse. And now, with
the rubbish cleared, and heaps of tender loving care, the space has been
transformed into a much cherished urban meadow. This is much more than
somewhere to walk the dog or for children to play safely – this shows
how shared space can really build communities. The Council begs to
differ
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Odd logic
Our previous comments on the dire state of local democracy in Scotland
struck a chord with many. There is clearly widespread dismay at the
current state of affairs but few practical ideas as to the way ahead.
Think tank, Reform Scotland, have had a go. It suggests that the way to
tackle the most centralised system of local government in Europe is to
have even fewer councils albeit with more powers than at present. Not
sure about the logic of this one but at least it sparked some reaction
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It’s good to share
An antidote to the wholly marketised world as described
by Michael Sandel may be at hand. In a certain West Yorkshire village,
anyone passing by a well-tended vegetable garden is openly invited to
come in and help themselves. It’s the same all over the village. The
simple idea of sharing seems to be making a comeback. The grounds of
the doctor’s surgery have been turned into an orchard – apple trees, no
doubt. Why has this community decided to grow food to share with
others?
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The silent crisis
Another timely contribution on the same theme comes from The Jimmy Reid Foundation.
The Silent Crisis predates the recent local elections but its authors
are in no doubt as to the scale of the problem. The report draws a
distinction between local administration and local democracy. It
concludes that local government reorganisation is unnecessary but that
another layer of localised democracy is essential. It calls on Scottish
Government to set up a Commission to take this proposal forward
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At the 11th hour
When five acres of ancient woodland near Innerleithen were put on the
market by the local landowner, the local community trust became
concerned that this prized amenity would fall into neglect if it became
the property of an absentee owner. Their sterling efforts to rally
local support at the eleventh hour for a community bid to purchase the
land looked to be falling short of the offer price. That was until an
anonymous benefactor stepped in
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Looking to Iceland
Last week, a small gathering in Edinburgh set out initial plans to work
towards a national citizens’ assembly. ‘So Say Scotland’ draws its
inspiration from the Icelandic people’s reaction to experiencing the
trauma of the worst financial collapse in history, and the subsequent
exposure of a political system as being morally bankrupt. Iceland’s
National Assembly (randomly picked from the electorate) have drafted a
new constitution for the country
...read more
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Community gets its airbase
A highly complex community buy out has finally been approved. The MoD
has agreed to sell the former airbase at Machrahannish to the community
for £1. As part of the deal the MoD will invest approximately £2m in
infrastructural improvements but questions remain over possible land
contamination and who will pay the final bill. Despite the
uncertainties, the community believe this acquisition will provide a
massive boost to their plans to regenerate the area
...read more
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Danger of market dominance
Michael Sandel is the political philosopher of the moment. The reason
his world book tour is a sell- out seems to be his enviable ability to
discuss complex ideas in simple terms. On the issue of the predominance
of the market, he bemoans the subtle drift from being a society with a
market economy to becoming a market society - where everything and
anything has a buyer and a seller and a price. He argues that this is
dangerous territory
...read more
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Featured anchor organisation: Newlands Community Development Trust
Isolation, distance from community facilities and services, lack of
employment opportunities … a familiar story in rural life? A group of
committed local people formed the Newland Community Development Trust in
the Scottish Borders to develop a community hub and to make a
difference to the quality of life in the area
...read the full profile on our website
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