Defending Environmental Democracy
Blog by Clare Symonds, Chief Officer at Planning Democracy
On 25 March, Planning Democracy (https://www.planningdemocracy.org.uk/) and the Environmental Rights Centre Scotland (ERCS (https://www.ercs.scot/) ) hosted a webinar on defending environmental democracy (https://www.ercs.scot/news/webinar-defending-environmental-democracy/) . The webinar was in response to the current hostility being displayed towards planning and environmental concerns. Against the backdrop of public participation in environmental decision-making being dismissed as NIMBYism, rather than a fundamental pillar of a democratic society, Planning Democracy and ERCS brought people together to discuss how to mobilise in defence of environmental rights.
Read on for a summary report and link to the webinar recording (https://www.scottishcommunityalliance.org.uk/news/defending-environmental-democracy) .
Turning knowledge into action: CHEX conference 2025
The Community Health Exchange held its national conference in March where attendees focused on turning knowledge and learning into action on the most pressing issues facing our communities. From precarious funding to the impact of burnout, efforts to tackle health inequalities on the ground are facing huge pressures. This new set of resources (https://www.chex.org.uk/knowledge-into-action) brings together the insights and contributions of the day.
Applications open for Public Diners co-design series
Nourish Scotland have been working on the concept of a public diner for the past 3 years. Last year, they released a report (https://www.nourishscotland.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Nourish_Public_Diners_report.pdf) that set out the policy proposal for public diners to be implemented in the UK. In 2025, they want to continue co-designing public diners so they are fit for purpose when they are rolled out. To get it right, Nourish are keen to engage with a range of people with experience to bring. If you’re interested in being part of the co-design of public diners, you can apply here. (https://www.nourishscotland.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/PD-co-design2025.pdf?mc_cid=5ed7ba576e&mc_eid=3f9a78cc2c)
Healthy Communities in Scotland: New survey for operators opens
Community Transport Association have launched the next stage of their Healthy Communities programme: Research in partnership with their members will help build a new report on improving access to health & social care. They will gather data and evidence about Community Transport’s impact on health and wellbeing to make the case for greater recognition, better policy and fairer funding. The online survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HealthyCommunities) which will help inform the research, is open to all Community Transport operators in Scotland.
Online space for Community Climate Action
Scottish Communities Climate Action Network have partnered with Transition Together (https://transitiontogether.org.uk/) to provide an online space for those working within community climate action to connect, share, learn and support each other. Using Vive (https://vive.transitiontogether.org.uk/dashboard) , a free online space, those working in community-led change can ask questions and exchange ideas for shared learning and support.
** Policy
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Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill
The Economy and Fair Work Committee (https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-economy-and-fair-work-committee?conesso_link_tag=1eea91386&utm_campaign=eBulletin+4+April+2025&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Conesso) wants to hear your views on the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill. (https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/s6/community-wealth-building-scotland-bill) The committee would like to know whether the bill will achieve its aim, whether there are potential unintended consequences to the bill and how the bill could benefit local communities and small businesses. Closing date 23rd May.
Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015: update and findings report
Findings of in-depth reviews of Part 3, Participation Requests and Part 5, Asset Transfer of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015; an assessment of the implementation of Part 2, Community Planning; and an update on all the other parts of the Act. Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015: update and findings report – gov.scot (https://www.gov.scot/publications/community-empowerment-scotland-act-2015-update-findings-report/)
Crisis of volunteer participation in Scotland
Volunteer Scotland have published a new report (https://www.volunteerscotland.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-state-of-Scottish-volunteering-report.pdf) setting out the significant challenges facing volunteering across the country. The report highlights that in 2023, only 18% of Scottish adults volunteered with a group or organisation (formal volunteering) – the lowest rate recorded on the Scottish Household Survey data set. Not only does this impact the delivery of services across our sector, but it also means people are not accessing the diverse benefits and opportunities volunteering can bring.
** Latest Events
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* Cold Spots of Community-led Activity Research Launch Event (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cold-spots-of-community-led-activity-research-launch-event-tickets-1289408317989?aff=oddtdtcreator) – 9th May, online
* Exploring Support for Social Enterprises (https://socialenterprise.scot/event/exploring-support-for-social-enterprises/) – 22nd May, online
* The Art of Hosting and Harvesting (https://ruralsehub.net/collective-leadership-learning-opportunity-art-of-hosting-and-harvesting-training/) – 4th to 6th June, Dalkeith
** In Other News
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PVG Scheme is now a legal requirement
New legislation ensures that individuals working with vulnerable groups must be a member of the PVG scheme. From 1st April, membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme becomes a legal requirement in Scotland. Any individual who is to carry out a regulated role (paid or voluntary) with children, protected adults or both, must be a member of the PVG scheme, prior to carrying out that role. Individuals and organisations can useDisclosure Scotland’s regulated roles guidance (https://www.mygov.scot/pvg-scheme-regulated-roles-guidance) and online checker tool (https://www.mygov.scot/check-role-needs-pvg) to help them decide if a role is regulated and requires PVG scheme membership.
ERCS Guide to accessing environmental information
The Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland has published an updated guide (https://www.ercs.scot/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Guide_to_accessing_environmental_information_April_2025.pdf) on how to access environmental information to provide groups and individuals greater confidence in exercising their rights.
Report on Salmon Farming in Scotland
The Rural Affairs and Islands Committee have been running a follow-up report over the last year into salmon farming in Scotland. The full committee report (https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-rural-affairs-and-islands-committee/business-items/salmon-farming-in-scotland) was published in January. In March, the Committee held a debate in Parliament on salmon farming in Scotland which can be watched back here. (https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/meeting-of-the-parliament-continued-march-20-2025) This was followed by the Scottish Government response (https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-rural-affairs-and-islands-committee/correspondence/2025/salmon-farming-in-scotland-scottish-government-response) to the report.
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