Category Archives: News

Housing for NHS Staff

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Craiginches site is to be developed into homes for key workers.

Key public sector workers, including NHS staff, are set to benefit from new homes developed on the Craiginches site in Aberdeen, under new plans announced by Health Secretary Alex Neil announced today.

The proposals will see the site of the former prison sold to Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association who will transform it into houses with the help of Scottish Government funding.

This will include various forms of affordable housing targeted at key workers, in particular NHS workers, as part of a pilot scheme being developed that will ensure important public servants are provided with the opportunity to access the new homes.

Working in partnership with Aberdeen City Council, Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association and NHS Grampian, the Scottish Government will now take forward detailed development of the plans.

Mr Neil said:

“There are record levels of staff working in our NHS – more nurses and doctors than ever before.

“But, while we have supported this unprecedented recruitment by boards across Scotland, we know that some local areas like the North East have experienced difficulties attracting staff.

“We need to think creatively and flexibly about helping where we can – which is exactly what today’s announcement is all about.

“Finding affordable housing in Aberdeen in particular has been noted as an issue that is causing difficulties in the recruitment and retention of staff. We hope these new homes will help NHS staff and other key workers find a place to live, so they can make a vital contribution to our public services.

“We will now take forward the plans with partners and draw up a key workers policy to ensure these homes are targeted at the public service workers who really need them.

“This will go alongside our substantial affordable housing programme, which is providing new homes for people not just in Aberdeen, but across Scotland.

“Despite these considerable challenges to our budget, we plan to spend over £1.7 billion to deliver our target of 30,000 affordable homes during the lifetime of this Parliament, supporting an estimated 8,000 jobs each year.”

Dr Annie Ingram, Director of Workforce at NHS Grampian said:

“This is a very welcome initiative. Finding affordable housing in the Aberdeen area is a real challenge for our staff and can be a real disincentive to staff who want to work for NHS Grampian, but cannot afford to relocate to the area. We look forward to working with our partners to develop these plans.”

Aberdeen City Council leader Councillor Jenny Laing added:

“I recently met with Finance Secretary John Swinney and we agreed that the supply of affordable housing in Aberdeen was a key priority for the Council and the Scottish Government. We welcome the announcement, especially given it comes the day after the Council approved an early action investment programme to bring forward our own affordable housing plans.”

Commonwealth Water Polo Championships this week

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THOUSANDS SET TO FLOCK TO WORLD CLASS AQUATICS CENTRE FOR
COMMONWEALTH LAUNCH EVENT

Prior to the public opening on 5 May, Aberdeen Sports Village (ASV) is hosting the third Commonwealth Water Polo Championships at the newly completed £22million, world-class Aquatics Centre this week.

The event is sponsored by BP and Waterfly, and supported by Aberdeen Sports Village, Aberdeen City Council, Homecoming Scotland, Commonwealth Games Scotland, Scottish Swimming and British Swimming.

The competition, running from tomorrow until 12 April, marks the inaugural event at the first-class facility, and is predicted to draw more than 7,000 visitors across the eight days.

David Beattie, Chief Executive of ASV said: “We are thrilled the Aquatics Centre is complete and are delighted that we are able to host such a high profile competition as our first event. It will truly showcase our ability to accommodate such a prestigious occasion, and a great chance for the people of the North East to enjoy a Commonwealth Games Federation endorsed event in the heart of the city.”

“ASV has worked closely with all partners during each phase of the building process and securing high calibre competitions such as this goes to highlight the capabilities of the Centre. The Centre will prove to be a fantastic facility for the people of the North East, and we look forward to attracting many more international competitions.”

Forbes Dunlop, CEO of Scottish Swimming, said: “Scottish Swimming, as the governing body for all aquatic sports in Scotland, is looking forward to welcoming eight Commonwealth Nations to this world-class facility in Aberdeen. We are delighted that the event has the full endorsement from the Commonwealth Games Federation and Commonwealth Games Scotland. Commonwealth Games Scotland support also includes investment towards the cost of the event.”

As part of the Homecoming 2014 celebrations the competition will also be streamed live on 11 and 12 April at the Scottish Swimming website and will feature the eight challenging nations. Seven men’s and five women’s teams will compete at the new Aquatics Centre ahead of its official public opening on 5 May 2014.

Mr Beattie continued: “The Aquatics Centre will officially open in a month’s time, which gives us the opportunity to go through the snagging phase, commonplace in every new development. During this period we will be working hard to ensure staff are trained to the highest standard, and carry out further test events to guarantee the Centre is 100% ready for the eager public to enjoy the impressive facilities early next month.”

The Aquatics Centre will be one of only two Olympic standard aquatics facilities in Scotland, making it a real asset to the people of Aberdeen and the North East.

The Championships follow the successful events held in Manchester in 2002 and Perth, Australia in 2006. Scotland, England, Wales, South Africa, Singapore, New Zealand and Malta will be represented in the men’s competition, while the women’s competition will welcome Scotland, Canada, England, Wales and South Africa.

Scottish water polo player Mark Speed, part of the 13 player-strong Scottish Men’s Team competing is looking forward to such a high-profile event to accelerate the development of water polo in Scotland.

Mark said: “With the Commonwealth Games only four months away, the excitement and buzz around these Championships is fantastic. Being the first to experience and compete in such a world class facility as the Aquatics Centre is a fantastic honour. It really is an Olympic standard facility, and is a great addition to the city.”

Ken Fussell, Chair of Scottish Water Polo and Championship Director said: “This is a tremendous boost for the sport in Scotland, showcasing some of the world’s best water polo players. The Aquatics Centre is a fantastic centre of excellence, and will help hone the impressive local talent to reach their true potential.

“All stakeholders have invested significantly in these Championships and we’re delighted with the fantastic interest from the public to be part of such an exciting event. It truly is a milestone in further establishing the sport in the Commonwealth Games programme in the future.”

Remaining tickets can still be reserved here, where the tickets for the finals on 12 March can be purchased for £5/£3. More information about the event can be found on the Scottish Swimming website and the event can also be followed on social media with the hashtag #cwpc2014.

Aberdeen firm fined for health and safety breach

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An Aberdeen-based demolition firm has been fined for safety failings after a worker was seriously injured by falling cast iron guttering.

Valentin Taljanov, 61, broke his right arm, seven ribs, and a vertebra; punctured his lung and cut his head in the incident at disused buildings at Aberdeen Harbour on 16 July 2009.

His employer, Lawrie [Demolition] Limited, was prosecuted after an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Crown Office Health and Safety Division.

Peterhead Sheriff Court heard that Mr Taljanov, along with colleagues, was working in the vicinity of a substantial piece of cast iron guttering that had been left unsupported for two days at roof height during the demolition of old offices and warehousing at the former Craig Group Buildings at the harbour. Mr Taljanov was moving roofing materials from a platform onto the ground when the guttering gave way and struck him.

After the event one witness expressed surprise that the guttering had stayed up as long as it did.

The HSE investigation found that Lawrie [Demolition] Limited failed to put in place a suitable system to identify hazards that might arise as works progressed, and failed to adequately plan and implement exclusion zones in areas where materials could fall.

Lawrie [Demolition] Limited, of Rigifa, Cove, Aberdeen, was fined £40,000 after pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 29 of The Construction [Design and Management] Regulations 2007. Following the case, HSE Inspector Liz Hunter, said:

“This incident was wholly preventable by taking down the guttering in one go and it was probably only Mr Taljanov’s hard hat that prevented him from being killed.

“Lawrie (Demolition) Limited failed to review the constantly changing risks that are created during demolition work. Exclusion zones were not enforced to keep staff out of areas where materials could fall, despite there being two supervisors on site and regular site visits by management. I want demolition firms to learn from this incident. There is no room for complacency and regular risk reviews are essential for site safety.”

Lawrie [Demolition] Limited are part of the Leiths Group that operates quarries, road re-surfacing and plant hire companies in the north east of Scotland.

For more information about safe construction work visit this website.

Aberdeen Council to reject multi-million offer

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KevinStewartMSP20110507Commenting on the report on the BBC that the offer of a £50 million gift by businessman Sir Ian Wood to assist in the redevelopment of Aberdeen city centre – which was on the table until the end of the year to help fund a “transformational” project – is set to be rejected by the Labour/Tory council administration, SNP MSP for Aberdeen Central Kevin Stewart said:

“This is extraordinarily inept behaviour, and the Labour/Tory council coalition should apologise to the people of Aberdeen. They have let local people down, and a golden opportunity for Aberdeen has been missed.

“The Council had an obligation to work with Sir Ian to ensure that the £50 million was used wisely to invest in positive change for the city centre – but they have squandered the chance, ignored a referendum vote by local people, and ended up with nothing for Aberdeen.”

Report on policing shows decrease in youth crime

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A report on the work of police forces across Scotland before they joined together to form Police Scotland suggests that confidence and satisfaction in police is high, detection rates are up and crime continued to fall sharply in 2012-13.

The Scottish Policing Performance Framework Annual Report, 2012-13 covers all aspects of policing in Scotland over the year to 31 March 2013. While the government admit that comparisons over time depend on the data available, they say that main findings show:

 

  • Detected youth crime is down by 52 per cent since 2008-09
  • Confidence in police is high and public satisfaction levels are at 84 per cent
  • Detection rates are up 3 percentage points since the report began in 2007-08
  • Police complaints are down 8.3 per cent since 2009-10
  • The number of 999 calls answered within 10 seconds are up 5 percentage points since 2007-08

 

Commenting on the report, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said:-“This report shows that police are continuing to exceed expectations while working hard to cut crime and keep our communities safe.

“Public confidence and satisfaction in police is high and the number of emergency calls answered promptly is continuing to rise, while detection rates are up and complaints are down. It is especially encouraging to see significant decreases in crimes which can have a negative impact on communities such as youth offending – down by over half since 2008-09.

“This is backed by the lowest rates of recorded crime in almost 40 years and over 1,000 extra officers in communities, coming at a time of the biggest changes to policing for a generation.

“I would like to thank the police service, including officers, staff and organisations for their continued dedication to keeping communities safe and for providing an even better service to our people while making efficiencies in the face of significant financial challenges we continue to face due to budget cuts imposed by Westminster. These are strong foundations for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority to build on in the future.”

Vic Emery, Chair of the Scottish Police Authority, said:-“It was a top priority for the SPA to ensure that there was a smooth transition to the new police structures and this report adds to the weight of evidence that the public continued to receive a quality policing service through the merger. Our focus now is on the next phase of reforms. Scrutinising the results of how police time and resources are used is vital so that we can ensure that police priorities and performance are aligned, and that we continue to test the quality of policing outcomes against the necessary reductions in cost that must be made.”

Deputy Chief Constable Rose Fitzpatrick of Police Scotland said: -“We want communities to gain the maximum level of service and benefit from effective and efficient policing. That’s why Police Scotland has a robust focus on strong performance – to keep people safe.

“Through consultation across the country, Police Scotland has identified national and local priorities which recognise the differing needs and issue of communities across Scotland and we are committed to delivering on those priorities through the 14 Local Divisions.

“The service is already performing well at a national level in its first year, with violent crime down, and robust action against organised crime groups. This strong performance can also be seen at a local level, with reductions in anti-social behaviour and disorder.

“The performance framework enables us to be confident that each individual division is making good progress against those all those priorities and to report back to communities at a local level. This is a year of changing processes and new ways of working against a backdrop of financial savings, so the performance to date is encouraging.”

Energy Minister raises renewables concern

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Minister raises grave concerns in letter to Ed Davey.

Scotland’s Energy Minister, Fergus Ewing, has warned that the UK Government’s Electricity Market Reform proposals could undermine Scotland’s renewables sector and supply chain, while threatening security of supply across the UK, and further price increases on consumers bills as a result.

In a letter to Secretary of State Ed Davey, Mr Ewing has highlighted the threat which the current proposals pose to Scotland and the UK’s shared renewables ambitions. This warning extends to concerns – also raised by Ofgem and the National Grid – about the ever tightening gap between maximum generating capacity and peak electricity demand across the UK, and the need to preserve thermal generation in Scotland to help keep the UK’s lights on.

Mr Ewing has also challenged Mr Davey to explain a last minute amendment to the UK Energy Bill that will remove the Scottish Government’s existing powers and discretion over support for renewable technologies across Scotland. The UK Government’s amendment is to be debated by the House of Lords on Monday November 4, 2013.

Mr Ewing said:

“We have examined the UK Government’s proposals carefully, discussing them in detail with the industry and other stakeholders. I believe beyond doubt that the current proposals risk failing Scotland and the UK in a number of vital areas, and present a huge risk to UK security of supply as well as to investor confidence and our low carbon ambitions.

“The Scottish Government will not support an outcome which sacrifices our renewable ambitions in preference to discredited, expensive and imported nuclear technology.

“Nor should thermal generation in Scotland – vital to maintaining grid stability here, and to providing security of supply across the UK – be placed at risk through a failure to take Scottish issues properly into account.

“Both Ofgem and National Grid have expressed deep concern regarding the risks that the UK faces both this winter and in the years ahead due to tightening capacity margins. It would be extremely unwise to ignore the vital and combined contribution of Scotland’s renewable and thermal generation to keeping the lights on across the UK.

“Unless serious and considered steps are taken to address these matters, and which supports investment in thermal generation across the whole of the UK, then the threat of blackouts will crystallise rapidly. The failure to secure a proper margin of capacity over peak demand will inevitably see further price rises on energy bills – resultant from UK energy policy failure over the past decade, as a result of the laws of supply and demand.

“We now know that the UK Government has also proposed a last ditch amendment to the Energy Bill, which will allow UK ministers to close the Renewables Obligation in Scotland. I find it extraordinary that the UK Government has chosen to act in this way, and to strip Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament of their powers and discretion in an area of such vital importance.

“The UK Government has produced this amendment with no consultation or explanation. We are deeply concerned about this summary removal of the Scottish Government’s discretion in an area of such vital importance to our people and economy.

“As a matter of urgency the UK Government must provide a detailed justification for its action.”

First Minister arrives in China

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First Minister Alex Salmond will arrive in Beijing today  to convene a 30 company trade delegation focused on increasing trade in the oil and gas and construction sectors and deepening the friendship between Scotland and China.

The First Minister will begin talks in the Chinese capital on Monday, meeting State Councillor Yang Jie Chi, the Chinese Government’s principal foreign minister, before undertaking a Scotland innovation showcase that will demonstrate Scotland’s expertise in a range of industry sectors.

On Tuesday, Mr Salmond will carry out education talks with Hanban, the body responsible for promotion of Chinese learning and language teaching across the globe, before undertaking a keynote economic speech at Tsinghua University. During the Beijing leg of the visit, the First Minister and trade delegation will also hold senior-level industry talks with Chinese companies.

The First Minister will then transfer to Hong Kong, undertaking a full day of business in the region on Wednesday that will include education research and development talks focused on life sciences and energy and meetings with energy industry representatives.

The visit will conclude on Thursday with a keynote speech to the Financial Times International Financial Centers Forum, focused on financial services and Scotland’s place in the global economy.

Speaking ahead of the visit, the First Minister said:

“It is hugely important that, in an increasingly global economy, Scotland is able to engage with international economic giants such as China, identifying further opportunities for our innovative companies to export their expertise and high-quality products and drive sustainable economic growth at home.

“The trade mission I will convene in China this weekend will focus on two crucial industry sectors, with high-level government, education and trade talks examining opportunities for Scotland in the oil and gas and constructions sectors as well as wider opportunities around strengthening education links that are already bringing great benefits to both countries.

“During the visit I will also promote the excellent food and drink produce that China already adores, with notable successes for Scottish salmon and Scotch whisky contributing to a hugely encouraging rise in overall exports to China from £265m to £498m, between 2007 and 2012.

“And I will deliver two keynote economic speeches, examining Scotland’s place in the world and the challenges nations in the east and west face in building a sustainable and balanced economic recovery.”

New government investment in women’s prisons

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A range of projects across Scotland are to share in £3 million to help women offenders turn their lives around.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill announced the funding ahead of updating Parliament about progress made towards the recommendations of the Commission on Women Offenders.

The money will support the creation or expansion of community justice centres for women offenders in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee, as well as seven other projects to support women offenders elsewhere in Scotland.

In Edinburgh, the successful Willow project is being expanded to increase the range of activities and to support women at an earlier stage in their involvement with criminal justice services than before.

A new Women’s Justice Centre is being set up in Glasgow to enable offenders to engage with a range of support services, working in partnership with existing services, including the 218 Centre. In Aberdeen, the city’s services for women offenders will be moving into a new dedicated centre. And in Dundee, the women offenders team will be expanded to enhance their work on early intervention and to develop their advice and guidance on mental health, housing, employment and finance.

Seven further projects across Scotland have been given funding to develop and improve their work with women offenders, in line with the recommendations of the Angiolini commission. Each will deliver expanded or improved services and guidance to women offenders, responding to the commission’s recommendations in ways that match local need, whether in urban or rural areas.

Mr MacAskill will also tell Parliament that good progress has been made towards meeting the recommendations of the commission since it reported 18 months ago.

He said: “I am extremely pleased with the progress we have made, together with our partners, in meeting the recommendations of the Commission on Women Offenders.

“The funding I am announcing today will help transform services for women so that we can help them break the cycle of reoffending and start making a positive contribution to society.

“The commission recognised that women offenders have very different needs to those of their male counterparts and require very specific support. We have set about meeting those needs to provide a better future for women offenders, their families and communities.

“We are not complacent, however – there is still a considerable amount still to do to help women avoid the vicious circle of reoffending and imprisonment and lead meaningful and productive lives.”

The Commission on Women Offenders, headed by former Lord Advocate Dame Elish Angiolini, examined how the Scottish Government, in partnership with agencies like the Scottish Prison Service, could improve opportunities for women offenders.

To help meet the recommendations of the commission, the Scottish Government is also supporting mentoring schemes for female offenders, as well as working with the Scottish Prison Service to develop HMP Inverclyde as a ‘custom made’ national prison for women offenders, a new regional unit for women in Edinburgh and a unit for women at the new HMP Grampian. The existing facility at Cornton Vale is also being upgraded while the new facilities are developed.

The seven other new projects receiving a share in the £3 million are:

North Lanarkshire – funding to enhance and enable the existing women’s team to be located together to co-ordinate their work and share expertise and good practice.
South Lanarkshire – funding to develop a new groupwork programme for women offenders in the community working with them to recognise and deal with their problems.
Falkirk & Forth Valley – funding to support the further development of women offender services across the region – by adding mental health resources to enhance their women offender services
Fife – funding to support the further development of women offender services across the region. Also helping support a team of workers who will work with women in the region, with “one stop shops” in three towns working with individuals across the region.
Angus – funding to create new women offender services working across the region in three locations and with individuals
Renfrewshire – support for the region’s women offender services and funding a volunteering co-ordinator to develop the work of the existing women justice team/centre
Ayrshire / SW Scotland – funding for a co-ordinator to develop improved early intervention and justice services for women in the region.

Aberdeen is the next target for ExecSpace

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Jess Atkinson

 

Emma Little’s booming conference and business accommodation vehicle ExecSpace is announcing a further expansion into Aberdeen by a significant appointment of a new director today.

Edinburgh based ExecSpace, Scotland’s leading conference and business accommodation agent, has announced its expansion into the North of Scotland with the pivotal appointment of Jess Atkinson, as Regional Account Director based in Aberdeen.

A finalist at the 2013 Highland Business Woman Awards, Jess was previously Business Development Manager for Macdonald Aviemore Resort, the flagship conference and leisure resort of the UK’s largest privately owned hotel group.  Whilst there, she was responsible for developing and implementing highly successful strategies to drive revenue and attract a broad mix of new clients.

 

Prior to that, she spent approximately 17 years with multi award-winning local radio station Moray Firth Radio (part of the Bauer Media Group “BMF”) rising from Advertising Account Executive to a Senior Account Manager.  In 2009, Jess won the accolade of BMF’s top salesman in Scotland, becoming an ambassador for Bauer Media’s Rainmaker Programme.

 

Emma Little, Managing Director of ExecSpace said:-“I am delighted that Jess has agreed to join ExecSpace to lead our offering in Aberdeen and the highlands and islands.  This is an important step for us, expanding ExecSpace’s footprint outside of the central belt where we began, into the North of Scotland and into Aberdeen which leads the way in Europe’s energy generation. Not only does Jess have fantastic experience but her high personal values are totally aligned with those values which underpin ExecSpace, ensuring that we offer our clients the best possible customer experience every time. I am very much looking forward to working with Jess as ExecSpace continues to grow.”

 

Jess Atkinson commented: -“I am thrilled to be joining ExecSpace at this exciting time.  I believe that there is a huge opportunity for us to make a real impact on the conference and business accommodation market in Aberdeen and the North of Scotland, as customers understand what differentiates us from our competitors – namely our guarantee to provide outstanding standards of customer service. I am very much looking forward to being part of the future for this dynamic company and to working with Emma and her team.”

 

ExecSpace currently looks after 100 blue chip clients ranging from private companies to Stock Exchange listed businesses looking to host external events across the UK. It currently has annual revenues in excess of £5m.

The company sources appropriate meeting rooms. These can vary from conference and meeting style venues to seminars and training rooms and often come complete with AV equipment and catering functions.

Alongside this, ExecSpace offers business accommodation booking services, negotiating the most competitive rates.

 

The ExecSpace team places substantial importance on differentiating itself from its competitors in the current economic climate. It has achieved this by consistently going the extra mile for its loyal customer base and focusing on building strong, long lasting business relationships.

 

In July of this year, ExecSpace announced its first senior management appointment as Natalie Maynard joined the team as Regional Account Director for the West of Scotland.

In May 2013, ExecSpace received a substantial six figure investment from Bradenham Partners LLP and confirmed its plans to expand its new accommodation booking service in parallel with the company’s already well established conference and events business.