All things Scotland
Our monthly round-up of everything you might have missed from LGIU’s support for local government in Scotland.
Not a member yet? Sign up for a free website account
If you’re interested in what we do but are not part of a member organisation, there is still much to be gained from signing up on our website for a non-member account. You will be able to read additional free content and you can opt to receive ‘And Finally…’ a FREE Friday round-up newsletter and/or our Global Local bulletin, which explores international approaches to a different topic each week.
LGIU member resources
By local government for local government. LGIU supports our members with a daily news service; key policy round-ups, insight and analysis across the full range of local government topics; original research projects; panel events and workshops for shared learning and networking; discounts on a full programme of local government training and much more.
Is your organisation a member? Then sign up and create your free member website account – it’s your gateway to all your member resources.
The council and the car
Parking is a complex issue that cuts across social, economic, environmental and development policies. There are also new developments in the pipeline that councils need to be aware of and incorporate into their strategies, we explore in detail in our latest research, collection and newsletter.
More resources on this topic
Collection of LGIU resources
Local government is often responsible for the last mile and the first. This collection of LGIU resources looks at how councils can manage our relationship with the car and its possible alternatives.
Global Local newsletter
This edition of Global Local looks at the role of councils in facilitating and improving transportation within their communities.
Innovative parking strategies
Our brand-new report – supported by RingGo – is intended as an informative tool to aid discussions around future planning.
It is based on a data gathering survey and interviews with parking decision makers across the UK; it explores the topic of parking strategies and if and how councils are preparing for forthcoming innovations and new developments to parking infrastructure.
Have you made a nomination yet?
The Cllr Awards are the only national acknowledgement of the significant contributions that individual councillors in England, Wales, and Scotland make. Running for the 14th year in England & Wales and the 6th year in Scotland, the LGIU & CCLA Cllr Awards are your chance to nominate exceptional councillors in your area.
Despite their crucial roles, councillors are often underappreciated and unrecognized for their efforts. We aim to change the narrative and celebrate these hard-working individuals! Don’t wait to submit your nomination – they’re only open until midnight on Friday, 22 September.
LGIU's round-ups and collections
Our round-up briefings are ideal for keeping up with the latest developments in key policy areas. From health and social care to housing, and from global think tank findings to parliamentary legislation, our round-up services are a core member benefit that saves you time and makes sure you’re always in the loop – find out more about LGIU membership benefits here.
Collections are available to everyone and includes a mix of member-only and open resources.
Notable practice round-up
🟢 Everyone can read about inspirational practice and innovation in all four of our LGIU’s core countries, with links to resources that can help you make it real where you are. Read here.
Housing and planning round-up
🔒 LGIU members can get up to speed quickly with the latest developments in housing and planning. Read here.
Health and social care round-up
🔒 LGIU members can access our monthly update on important policy developments, thinking and research on health and social care in the UK. Read here.
Scotland Policy Bulletin. Issue No. 3
🔒 LGIU members can follow along with progress of legislation currently in Holyrood that is of relevance to local authorities in Scotland. In addition, it highlights key devolved matters, open consultations and third party reports Read here.
Think tank review
🟢 This month our international think tank review is open for everyone! We cover the latest findings from leading think tanks around the globe with insights that are critical for local government. Read here.
Don’t miss: 💛 Indigenous issues
Want more Global Local? Nothing is stopping you!
Everyone can sign up to receive the Global Local bulletin for FREE – but only LGIU members and Global Local subscribers receive full access to:
- The archives;
- Global briefings;
- Free places at our Global Local executive panel events.
Each week, we bring you a deep dive into the issues with a new look at local solutions to global challenges. Our recent editions covered:
🍏 Food and community
We look at many ways food can impact our communities. Read here.
🔬 Citizen Science
We look at the intersection between citizen science and local government. Read here.
🇦🇺 Spotlight on Australian local government
We’re casting a spotlight on all things Australian local government. Read here.
Turnaround cities
We examine the towns and cities that have overcome periods of industrial or economic decline. Read here.
🇮🇪 Spotlight on Irish local government
We cast a spotlight on all things Irish local government and the vital role they play in the social and economic spheres. Read here.
More new member resources
Each week, we bring LGIU members new resources on key topics and reduce complex information to actionable insights.
Supporting disabled people into work and out of poverty
We look at the policy response of both the UK government and the Scottish government, as well as the role of local government, in tackling the challenges of addressing this correlation and improving the livelihoods of disabled citizens.
Summer holidays: fun and carefree, or unwelcome pressure for families?
School holidays can be a stressful time for parents, however, local authorities can mitigate some of the pressures.
Did you miss these great LGIU member briefings? Catch up now!
- Ports and local authorities: understanding the complexity of new and enduring agendas
- 20-minute neighbourhoods: how does it work for rural communities?
- Children and young people’s mental health today – embattled and in need of council support
- Just the job: how labour market trends affect local government
- Turnaround cities – research on seven cities for the Economy 2030 Commission
- Taxing tourists in Scotland: what the visitor levy bill means for councils
- Just the job: how labour market trends affect local government
- Turnaround cities – research on seven cities for the Economy 2030 Commission
- Accounts Commission 2023 Overview: is it time for radical thinking about local government finance?
Not an LGIU member but want to fully unlock your LGIU benefits? Find out more about joining us here.
IFS Deaton inequality review: levelling up economics
This briefing covers the ‘Levelling-up economics’ paper, published in February 2023, as part of the IFS Deaton inequality review. The paper describes how interregional productivity inequalities pose some of the greatest challenges to the UK’s economy, society and governance systems.
This briefing focuses on how to manage the integration of refugees and asylum seekers at the local level and presents a number of global case studies. It also summarises recent statistics relating to migration.
Local government champions for locally-led New Green Deals
An accelerating ecological crisis is both a cause for the utmost concern and an opportunity for localism. This briefing argues that now is the right time for local government to showcase and support facilitative, democratic leadership for sustainable change.
Closing the loop – lessons on making a circular economy work locally
This briefing explores case study examples of circular economies from across the UK, Europe and North America. It identifies the opportunities and challenges that circular economies pose for the local government sector and other key public policy areas. The author writes that ‘to close the loop, local government need to take a holistic approach’.
Take a deep dive into our collections
Our hand-curated collections of LGIU resources bring you issues in depth and in context. Why not dive into our most recently crafted collections? From exclusive LGIU member content to our Global Local newsletters, plus articles which are free for anyone to read, our collections provides resources to support better policy and practice for your communities.
Environmental governance
This collection showcases the wide range of LGIU work that covers all things environmental governance on a local level, including best environmental practice from local leaders around the world, the importance of community engagement, and adaptation and resilience strategies. Dive in right here.
Pollution
This next climate collection tackles pollution, including air, waste and water. From exclusive LGIU member content to our Global Local newsletters, plus articles which are free for anyone to read, these collections provide resources to support better policy and practice for your communities. Get into the thick of it all right here.
Energy – powering local future
Last, but not least, this collection explores energy on a local level, including transitions in energy sources and powering future homes. It has plenty of key resources to offer for staff and councillors in public services that aspire to drive a sustainable energy transition in their areas. Read all about it here.
Democracy
A stronger democracy begins with democracy at the local level, to build on the networks and connections of civic life that matter to people. Local government is what brings together the strands, connects the threads and enables the things that we want to happen. It brings together growth and services and gives people a stake in their places. Explore here.
Cost of living
Around the globe, many economies are going through what is being dubbed a ‘cost of living crisis’. There are several factors that have contributed to stopping people’s income from stretching as far as before – and for some, that now means struggling to cover basic needs such as food, warmth and shelter. Lessons we learn now can support low-income families in future. Explore the collection.
The council and the car
Local government is often responsible for the last mile and the first. This collection of LGIU resources looks at how councils can manage our relationship with the car and its possible alternatives. Dive in here.
Something for everyone
At LGIU, we’re all about celebrating and showcasing the best of local government. Everyone can read, enjoy and share our open features and interviews. We also encourage anyone to reach out here if you’ve got an idea that you want us to cover or your own story to share with LGIU’s international community of local government.
When elections go wrong… four things we can learn from a big week of election mishaps
This week, several disaster stories from the world of electoral administration have made their way into the UK headlines. Ahead of his upcoming report on the impact of Voter ID, Dr Greg Stride, our resident local elections expert from LGIU’s Local Democracy Research Centre, shares some insights into the key takeaways from these events. Read here.
Summer 2023 reading list from LGIU’s Chief Exec
As part of an annual tradition, LGIU’s Chief Executive, Jonathan Carr-West shares the list of books he is aspiring to read over his August holiday break – maybe you can find your next great read too, check it out! Read here.
In Conversation with Kenneth Lawrie, Chief Executive of Falkirk Council
Continuing with LGIU Scotland’s local government leadership series, Hannah and Thomas spoke with Falkirk Council’s Chief Executive, Kenneth Lawrie, to find out more about what the Council is trying to achieve this year. Read here.
The problems caused by the Local Housing Allowance freeze
This article covers how the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) freeze has caused severe problems for nearly 2 million private rented sector tenants and the concerning research about what this means for residents across the UK and poverty levels. Read here.
Glasgow City Council – towards the nurturing city
Nurture is foundational for children’s learning and well-being in Glasgow Education Services. To find out more about the background and development of Glasgow’s travel towards the nurturing city, this article from Glasgow City Council provides crucial insights. Read here.
How local government can improve political literacy and democratic engagement
In this article, Matteo Bergamini, CEO and Founder of Shout Out UK, reflects on their recent work with the GLA and sheds light on the ways local authorities can encourage political literacy and democratic engagement. Read here.
