News
ROAD SAFETY
School car free zones to be trialled in Glasgow Glasgow City Council will be trialling car free zones around seven primary schools to improve road safety for children and reduce their exposure to harmful emissions. The scheme would see temporary pedestrian areas created outside the seven schools for limited periods in the morning and afternoon. The pilot programme follows a series of concerns such as poor and risky driving outside schools, obstructive parking that forces pupils on to the road as well as the issues created by congestion and harmful emissions. The proposals for streets around Bankhead, Broomhill, Hillhead, Lourdes, Our Lady of the Rosary, St Blane’s and Toryglen primary schools are currently being consulted upon by the council. Views are being sought
from the council’s Education Services, head teachers, parent councils, community councils, elected members, Police Scotland and other members of the community. The eligibility for involvement in the scheme considers the school’s location on the road network - the school entrance shouldn’t open on to a bus route for instance. But also that there should be reasonable scope for the surrounding area to cope with displaced traffic. A starting date for the school car free zones has still to be confirmed. It is anticipated that the trial period will last for up to 18 months. Indicators for the success of the project will include a reduction in congestion and speed of traffic around school gates and
increase in the number of children walking and cycling to school alongside a reduction in the number of car trips to school.
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FUNDING
£2bn additional spend in Scottish public services Scotland’s Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has announced that health services, the economy and public services will benefit from more than £2 billion of additional spend. The Finance Secretary also confirmed the Scottish Budget will provide an additional £90 million to support local government and as well as further flexibility and increased income from council tax. Taken together this enhanced package offers up to £187 million of increased funding and flexibility to councils. The Scottish Budget includes commitments to allow local authorities the flexibility to increase the council tax by three per cent in real terms, which equates to 4.79 per cent next year, while keeping increases below the maximum permitted in England. It also sets out plans to bring forward a three-year funding settlement for local government from 2020-21 budget onwards and continue to provide an earmarked £160 million for health and social care
investment in local authorities to support social care and mental health measures. Mackay said: “The Scottish Budget proposes an additional £2 billion of investment. It provides an increase of almost £730 million for health and care services, more than £180 million to raise attainment in our schools and gives a vital boost to our economy through a £5 billion infrastructure programme. As a result of these decisions, we have been able to invest in essential public services, particularly the NHS, while ensuring 55 per cent of income taxpayers in Scotland pay less tax than those earning the same income in the rest of the UK. “The Scottish government has continued to ensure our partners in local government receive a fair funding settlement despite further cuts to the Scottish Budget from the UK government. These additional measures will deliver the most significant empowerment of local authorities since devolution and provide additional funding to support local services.
“This enhanced package offers up to £187 million of increased funding and flexibility to councils, on top of the £11.1 billion local government settlement. In total overall spending power for local authorities next year will be £620 million higher than it is currently.”
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APPOINTMENTS
Dr Jo Farrar to head up HM Prison and Probation Service
Dr Jo Farrar, director general for local government and public services at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, will leave the post after being appointed as the next chief executive of HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). She takes up her new post on 1 April, succeeding Michael Spurr who is
leaving the role after nine years, as was announced in September last year Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, Communities Secretary, said: “I am extremely grateful to Jo for her relentless dedication and commitment to local government during a period where the system has faced real challenges. “Her focus has been unwavering on doing the best for her staff, as well as turning innovative policies on communities and public service reform in to tangible actions with real results. She is an example of the very best of public service and I wish her all the best in her new role.”
Farrah has been in her role at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government since 2016. Before that, she served as chief executive first at Bath and North-East Somerset Council and then at Bridgend County Borough Council. Prior to those roles, Jo spent 16 years in central government – with both the Home Office and Cabinet Office. Her public service career started in the Parole Unit of the Prison Service, in 1987. READ MORE tinyurl.com/y42tyg58
Volume 26.1 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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