This Strategy and Action Plan is an exciting opportunity for West Dunbartonshire’s communities and citizens, the Council and Community Planning partners to work together in a new way to transform West Dunbartonshire’s neighbourhoods – by empowering communities.
The payback figure was released following a Freedom of Information request. Glasgow Lord Provost Eva Bolander resigns after expenses row
Lord provost claimed 23 pairs of shoes on expenses. An agreement with the council means she will not have to publish an itemised list of what the repayments are for. When details of her expense claims first emerged, Ms Bolander committed to repay some of the money. She eventually resigned in October, saying that while her spending was “within the rules”, she “apologised unreservedly”.
The Scottish National Party (SNP) and campaigners agree with ONR and are calling on the MoD to release the reports, which have previously revealed “regulatory risks” 86 times at Clyde nuclear bases and elsewhere over ten years. The MoD insists, however, that its nuclear programme is “fully accountable”.
I was taken to task over my last post for not being sufficiently critical of the SNP. The reader pointed to specific policy shortcomings in investment and taxation, health and education—all of which, he added, are given a free pass because of the ‘indolence of journalists and incompetence of opposition parties’. It’s hard to argue with that. The SNP’s record over twelve years in government does not lack poor-decision making, missed opportunities, wasted spending and poverty of vision. It would be extraordinary if it did. Running a country in the 21st century is a massively complicated business. The absence of forensic holding-to-account is also a problem, one that in part reflects the nature of enquiry in this high speed, digital, fake news age. Criticism is essential, and it carries most weight when offered by someone occupying, as my reader did, ‘a broadly supportive position’.
The Press Awards are open to any work published in print, website, online, mobile, video, audio or any other news delivery format in any UK national newspaper or any news website or platform covering UK national news during 2019. Details of how to enter can be found on our website from Monday, where we will be revealing the new categories for this year. Save the date! The awards will be held on Thursday 2 April 2020, again at the five star Royal Lancaster hotel in London. The awards are organised on behalf of the industry by the Society of Editors. L
Anne Harkness, Director, South Sector, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “We’re absolutely committed to making changes to our services to ensure patients are seen as quickly as possible. This temporary MIU facility is just one of the ways we’re helping reduce pressure on our Emergency Department. Winter is the busiest time of the year for our services, and it’s really important we have the facilities in place to help manage the flow of patients with minor injuries. As part of this initiative, all of the appropriate planning has taken place to ensure minimal disruption to ongoing services at the hospital throughout the installation and operation of the MIU.”
