SURF's August e-bulletin: All the latest news

Hello << Test First Name >>. Welcome to the August e-bulletin. We hope you will: apply to the 2021 SURF Awards; take a look at the SURF Annual Conference recordings and materials; read the SURF response to the Finance and Public Administration Committee consultation; find out about the SNP and Green Party partnership; look through the SURF Journal articles from the Summer 2021 edition; and keep up-to-date with the latest news & events in Scottish community regeneration.

Deadline Approaching

The prestigious national 2021 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration closes soon.

This year's five thematic categories include; Supporting Youth Employability sponsored by Skills Development Scotland, Creative Regeneration sponsored by Creative Scotland, Community Led Regeneration sponsored by Highlands and Island Enterprise, Scotland's Most Improved Place sponsored by Scotland's Towns Partnership and Architecture & Design Scotland and finally Housing and Regeneration sponsored by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA).

Materials and further information on how to apply can be found HERE

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Monday 6th September.

For queries contact emma@surf.scot

Public Finances

The Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Public Administration Committee is currently planning towards a process for scrutinising the Scottish Government’s budget for 2022-23. The Committee has a particular interest in considering how the budget should respond to emerging fiscal and policy challenges, especially the impact of COVID-19.

This month, SURF responded to a call for views from the Committee to inform this scrutinising process. SURF’s submission responds to key Committee questions around supporting a fair and equal recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, and how the budget can best address different impacts across income groups and places.

Using SURF network views articulated through the 2021 SURF Manifesto consultation process and the outcomes of our Lessons from the Frontline work, SURF called for particular budgetary responses on targeted place-based investments, green recovery, community development, town centre regeneration, flexible funding and digital exclusion. Read our submission here.

20 Min Midlothian

SURF Chief Executive, Euan Leitch, with be speaking at a Midlothian Voluntary Action event on the 22nd September looking at 'What do 20 minute neighbourhoods mean for Midlothian?'

The 20 minute neighbourhood idea has gained significance around the world, from large cities to small towns. It’s a concept that people living in their communities could have access to all the goods, services and leisure they may need to live locally and thrive.

It requires a good infrastructure of public transport, safe walking routes and cycling networks that are accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

As part of the event attendees will spend time in breakout rooms to discuss the benefits, challenges and what the implementation of the 20 minute neighbourhood would look like.

Further Info - HERE

Coronavirus (COVID-19) protection levels: what you can do (link);
Consultation - Local food strategy consultation launched (link);
The race to net zero: A look at Scotland and the climate emergency (link);
Call for £100m community wealth fund to help locals contribute to Scotland’s future (link);
Retrofitting: why carbon-reducing renovations are going to be big business (link);
University research finds mental health issues doubled in youth during pandemic (link);
Consultation - Historic Environment Scotland Grants Refresh Consultation (link);
Housing land market needs overhaul to get economy moving (link);
Third sector leader appointed to Fair Work Convention (link);
Majority of Scots back keeping £20 per week increase to Universal Credit (link);
Event - SFHA Live! events (link);
RTPI Scotland's response to consultation on Short Term Lets draft Licensing Order and Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (link);
Creating cycling communities (link);
Tractor-spotting: how an urban farm is set to bring the countryside to Edinburgh's Muirhouse (link);
Katherine Trebeck meets Sustainababble (link);
Scotland’s largest city generated £19.3 billion GVA in 2014, the largest of any Scottish city (link);
£10m Levenmouth Reconnected Programme opens for applications (link);
Demand for outdoor space brings ‘buoyant’ off-plan sales for housebuilder (link);
Kirkcaldy Cycling Festival 2021 (link);
RGU architecture students help build a sustainable future in South Uist (link);
Event - Centre for Cities Levelling Up Events (link);
Decrease in the number of suicides in Scotland during 2020 (link);
Vacancy - Economic Research Internship (link);
Event - SFHA Strategy - Shaping our Futures Together (link);
Event - Developing your leadership (link);
Designing a Lower Carbon Scotland (link)
SCVO Trustee Network (link);
Scottish Land Commission – Review of Land for Housing and Recommendations (link);
Youth Arts Funds Assessors & Panel Members (link);
Pre-eviction protocols among temporary coronavirus measures which could be made permanent (link);
Covid:WIRED (link);
UK Government unveils £4bn investment vision for a hydrogen economy (link);
Vacancy - Policy and Public Affairs Officer at SCVO (link);
Funding - Tesco Community Grants (link);
Event - Our World Reimagined - Can the Feeley Review Lead to A Care Economy? (link);
Wester Hailes community vision to be transformed into regeneration masterplan (link);
The Guardian view on buildings: out with the new! For the planet’s sake (link);
25 buildings to kick-off Scottish Government’s cladding assessment programme (link);
Self Management Project of the Year 2021 - People's Choice Vote (link);
Vacancy - Creative Lead – Make It Your Own at Impact Arts (link);
UK City of Culture 2025: Which Scottish cities have applied? (link);
Vacancy - Shaping Places for Wellbeing Project Manager (link);
Jess Burrows – Communications & Membership Manager at BEFS (link);
Vacancy - Freelance Highland Screen Network Coordinator (link);
Vacancy – Housing Officer at ng Homes (link);
SNP and Scottish Greens deal could see 110,000 affordable homes built by 2032 (link);
Vacancy - Senior Development Manager: Tourism at HIE (link);
Funding - Scotland's music on tour (link);
Vacancy - Sustainable Tourism and Comms Officer (Graduate apprenticeship) (link);
Vacancy - Funding Officer at The National Lottery Community Fund (link);
Vacancy - Development Worker vacancy in Edinburgh (link);
Climate change: Consumer 'confusion' threatens net zero homes plan (link);
Living differently: how does a 15-minute city work? (link);
Supporting Community Access to Digital PB Tools in Scotland (link)

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Partners in Place

Last week saw the successful delivery of SURF's 2021 SURF Annual Conference, a series of three 90 minute sessions on Tuesday 24th, Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th August. Recordings of which can be viewed on the SURF YouTube Channel.

The sessions focussed on Post-Covid Recovery, Place-based Regeneration and Climate Change. With speakers from Scottish Government, Foundation Scotland, Larkhall Community Network, climate expert Fraser Stewart, Carbon Co-op, representatives from national agencies with a focus on place and a range of national funders.

The third session concluded with a specially commissioned poem by Spoken Word Artist Jo Gilbert, which meaningfully summed up messages from across the three sessions, whilst also conveying feelings from lockdown.
An extract recording can be viewed HERE.

You can download materials HERE

Partnership Agreed

Members of the SNP and Scottish Green Party have voted in favour of a draft partnership agreement for the duration of this Parliament. The agreement commits to a list of policy areas they will seek to deliver, as well as areas where they agree to differ, and will result in two ministerial posts for the Scottish Green Party.

Amongst other things, the agreement includes commitments to a Fair Fares Review to ensure a sustainable and integrated approach to public transport fares; significant investment to accelerate energy efficiency upgrades and renewable heating; a requirement on public sector grants to pay at least the real Living Wage; a citizen’s assembly on local government funding; and a new housing regulator for the private rented sector to improve standards and enforce tenants’ rights.

Both parties wish to see the concept of 20 minute neighbourhoods embedded and the next meeting of SURF’s 20 Minute Neighbourhood Practice Network will be hearing how the Scottish Futures Trust and Public Health Scotland are looking to do this. Details of how to join are here.

A Personal View

A 20 minute neighbourhood is a very simple and appealing idea that seems to be everywhere just now, let’s hope it’s more than a 20 minute flash in the pan in planning and policy circles. Who wouldn’t want to have all their day-to-day needs within a 20 minute walk of their home? Especially, if it’s a nice walk through some lovely park with the birds singing or along a living street with the sun on your face. But let’s not kid ourselves. 20 minute neighbourhoods are not a panacea for addressing all of the social and economic challenges that people or places in Scotland face.

It’s a simple and appealing idea with walkability at its core, where priority is given over to the pedestrian and not the car. Simple and appealing but with huge implications on and challenges for how we all order our daily lives and communities. Are we really ready to give up the freedom a car brings? Is public transport ready for us to give up the car? Read the full article.

How do we make homes fit for net zeroes? (link);
'Give us money and we’ll tackle the climate crisis' (link);
Supporting local communities (link);
CARES: Let's do net zero community buildings (link);
Research on impact of COVID-19 on young people as lockdown eases (link);
Can Community Wealth Building Scale Up? (link);
Stagecoach creates 80 jobs at new contact centre in Scotland (link);
Benefits of Membership: SURF membership for SFHA Members (link);
South of Scotland businesses urged to realise benefits of innovation (link);
£6.5M Government grant contribution secured by Capital Theatres toward King’s redevelopment (link);
Co-op pub buys second building in village (link);
Event - DTAS Annual Conference 2021: "Community Climate Action" (link);
£10,000 into community projects following public vote (link);
Event - Arts & Business Scotland’s Events and Training Programmes (link);
Funding - Crown Estate Scotland Community Capacity Grants Programme (link);
Funding - Scotland Loves Local Fund (link);
Event - Scottish Land Commission Public Meetings (link);
Event - SFHA Energy Virtual Conference (link);
2021 Social Enterprise Awards Scotland Shortlist Announced (link);
Funding - Creative Wellbeing fund launched (link);
The distribution of UK household CO2 emissions (link);
Survey aims to chart wellbeing amongst voluntary sector leaders (link);
Event - Taster: Climate Emergency Training Online Webinar (link);
Creating youth-friendly opportunities in the construction sector (link);
New West Dunbartonshire Council homes secure police accreditation (link);
£10m Scotland Loves Local Fund Launched In Milngavie (link);
Funding - Creative Scotland Open Fund for Individuals (link);
Plans submitted for 39 new flats at former DWP office in Coatbridge (link);
800th tenant moves into new build council home in North Lanarkshire (link);
Scottish estate secures £20k for groundbreaking rewilding drive (link);
Vacancy - Culture Collective Opportunities (link);
Alexandria project listed as finalist in Housing Development of the Year (link);
CCG begins two-year maintenance programme for Spire View and Copperworks (link);
Can the UK make its heritage housing greener? (link);
Private rented sector faces ‘significant barriers’ in drive to net zero (link);
Case Study: Young Engineer Kickstarts Career in Construction After Impressing During a Work Experience Placement (link);
Working from home, pingdemic and Delta fear have left city centres empty since end of lockdown, experts warn (link);
The results are in: PB in North Ayrshire (link);
Learning how to live well together (link);
Why Net Zero transition is a chance for Scottish businesses to shine (link);
Public Health Scotland supports retaining uplift to universal credit (link);
Funding support for regeneration projects (link);
Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival - Call for submissions (link);
Architecture students focus on social housing to deliver sustainable future in South Uist (link);
£50,000 for artists to help young people in Wheatley communities (link);
Herald and GenAnalytics Diversity Awards: A celebration of Scots who stand for equality (link);
Investing in the tourism sector (link);
Event - RIAS Convention 2021: Draw Together (link);
Vacancy - Operational Manager vacancy in Edinburgh (link);
How a simple tipi tent sparked ‘hugely ambitious’ plans for UK’s first outdoor dementia centre (link);
Giving learning a seat at the strategy table (link);
Sustainable scotch: Hebridean distillery aims for net zero whisky (link)

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