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The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
There will be no Blackford bounce when Kate leaves politics
Dennis Forbes Grattan, Aberdeen. Letters: SNP MSPs should copy the Tories and rebel against their leaders Letters: Labour and the Tories have reduced politics to a sorry state Letters: Edinburgh Council is wrong to re-use misleading wording on Melville plaque Poor things THE article on whether Ian Blackford should be a candidate for the SNP at the next Scottish Parliamentary elections ('Politics is a 'brutal' place to be, says Forbes', The Herald, August 8), makes for some serious thinking. Not just by the SNP, but also by the Scottish electorate in general. There is the common belief, amongst said electorate, that the large majority of the existing and potential candidates are of poor quality. The political parties should acknowledge that they are elected for the good of every citizen, and not simply for the aggrandisement of the particular party or individual. Such a hope may appear to be utopian, but with a little more care and attention, it is achievable. In the specific case of the suitability of Ian Blackford, and whether or not he would fit the bill, being politically close to Stephen Flynn, the SNP's leader in the House of Commons, should not provide the casting vote when it comes to his selection. Mike Dooley, Ayr. Local solution UNLIKE Irene Munro (Letters, August 7), I feel no dismay at Kate Forbes stepping back from the Scottish Parliament. Politics might benefit from her earning a living as a local councillor, where she could better grasp the realities of local governance and the way Holyrood has drained the life from public services and local democracy. Should she choose to return to national politics after this experience, she may be better equipped to assess the cost-benefit of top-down policies like the misguided Community Wealth Building Bill - another layer of bureaucracy and expensive officer time in public sector bodies, delivering little in local benefit. If Kevin McKenna is correct ('The last reason to vote SNP has just walked out the door', The Herald, August 5), then perhaps we can look forward to positive change. Unlike Irene Munro, my dismay lies in the lack of attention to detail across all levels of government, including elements of the work of Kate Forbes in her role as Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic. When asked to consider a regulatory change for Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), she said on 24 July 2025 that: 'the management and governance of BIDs in Scotland is not a matter in which the Scottish Government can intervene.' Yet the Scottish Government funds the Scotland's Towns Partnership (STP) to the tune of around £700k a year, and it has a key role in developing BIDs. By way of justification, she described Scotland's BID legislation as 'the most robust' in the UK. If by robust she means that a barber with a single chair, paying rent, electricity, water and insurance, and then £312 a year to a BID company without benefit, redress or relief is robust, then indeed the BID legislation is almost bullet proof. Where it stands on the scale of morality and supporting community wealth building is indeed questionable. The Scottish Government could introduce through statutory instruments a requirement that BID companies keep within levy charge guidelines, or be vetoed, and then task STP to set guidelines that recommend the industry standard of 1% to 2% like the rest of the UK. Kate, like her predecessor Joe FitzPatrick, seems to have a blind spot on this issue, and like many others appears to have been taken in by the greater unregulated BID industry. As a former councillor, I am confident that most businesses would engage with a fair BID, like those in Linlithgow, Stirling, or Falkirk, or indeed in the rest of the UK. But in Scotland fairness for the least powerful is what's missing, and adds further to the cynicism of politics whoever walks out the door. Teresa McNally, Alloa. Fighting talk WITH no end to the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine in sight ('US envoy Witkoff in Moscow for direct talks with Putin over Ukraine', The Herald, August 7), despite the efforts of Western governments to intervene, it is now time for the rhetoric and platitudes to end. Russian President, Vladamir Putin, is sanctioning the daily barbarous bombing of civilian areas of a neighbouring country, resulting in the murder of innocents. This cannot be allowed to continue. Bullies like Putin will only respond to strength, and while accession of Ukraine into NATO is off the table at present, setting an early date for its admittance is far more likely to bring about peace than the deadline set by USA president, Donald Trump, to introduce further sanctions and tariffs on Russia and its Allies. Russia claims their invasion was provoked by the imaginary threat posed by the expansion of NATO on its borders, but under no circumstances would they actually countenance extending their war if faced with the combined might of this Western Alliance. Christopher H Jones, Giffnock. Common sense uncommon HOW did it come to this, that you can lose your job over pronouns, but civil servants at the HMRC can arrange a 'guilty of being British seminar' and keep theirs? Army veteran David Toshack lost his job as a trainee custody officer in Kirkcaldy because he refuses to use the pronoun 'she' for a male to female trans person. Really there should be an attempt at a work around or compromise in situations like this. Using the words 'they', 'them' and 'their' might well be the answer. Similarly, in the Sandie Peggie case it would have been far better to try to find some sort of practical solution, such as giving Dr Beth Upton her own changing room. While Dr Upton has got to be able to change somewhere, she really should have made an effort to see Nurse Peggie's point of view. Of course, compromise and common sense are out of the question as long as transgenderism is a protected characteristic under discrimination law. While mountains are made out of molehills over trans issues, civil servants are free to demonstrate their hatred of Britain. These people are employed to advance the interests of the British state and people. They cannot do this if they hate our country, its history and culture. In a sane world, it wouldn't simply be a matter of cancelling the seminar, but of dismissing those responsible and barring them from all future employment in the public sector. The reason we have got into this mess is that our politicians and civil servants have long since forgotten that their duty is to serve us, not to spend their time promoting revolutionary social change. Otto Inglis, Fife. Fast and loose with truth AM I the only person who gets irritated when a Scottish Government spokesperson claims that they "are working at pace" to deliver some policy or other? This statement was used by the spokesperson who explained why only 2% of buildings with Grenfell Tower type cladding had been addressed after 8 years. Clearly the opposite of "at pace". After the Glen Rosa ferry exited dry dock for repairs and maintenance due to the age of the vessel, the spokesperson grandly told us they were working "at pace" to deliver an 8 year late vessel. Repeated Government spokespeople tell us they are working "at pace" to cut medical waiting times. Oh no, you are most certainly not. I'm sure it's been used to describe progress on the A9 road, too. Can these spin doctors please stop insulting us, the taxpayers, with this outrageous lie 'at pace". Oh, and throw "no stone unturned" into the bin with it. Ian McNair, Cellardyke. Hot and bothered AS the authoritarian ideology of net zero steers us into the stygian darkness of economic failure ('Push to net zero too slow, councils admit', The Herald, August 7) one wonders why the global warming enthusiasts never mention Earth's orbit around the Sun. Probably because nothing can be done about that, and a lot of people would lose a good living from trying to get rid of CO2, which makes the crops and plants grow. Not a good idea really. Plus, it also makes Britain the place to be for mad inventors and subsidy junkies. But back to reality. There is Earth's wobble, for example, which once made a lot of Africa green. Then there is the elongation effect, caused by gravity from other celestial bodies, which produces hotter summers as we get closer to the sun, and colder winters as we get further from the sun. Currently we are in a near-circular orbit, which yields conventional winters and summers. CO2 doesn't have anything to do with it, but gives the global warming industry its expensive lifestyle, and the politicians something to lecture us about, to take our minds off economic failure. Malcolm Parkin, Kinross-shire. Demand and supply I'M surprised that you published Neil MacKay's opinion piece ('Us vs them: why the rich like Musk and Bezos are destroying our world', The Herald, August 7), though in another way I'm glad that you have done so. I hope that you get a great deal of response to it. Neil's conclusion is hopeful… if our political classes can act and do so without fearing the reaction from the rich and powerful. Do our politicians, for example, have enough power to destroy society and rebuild it how they decide it should be? Meanwhile, I would suggest a change to Neil's concluding sentence; where he says: 'There is hope. You just have to want it." The last sentence should perhaps read: 'You just have to demand it.' Ian Gray, Croftamie. Bog standard I REFER to the correspondence concerning the desirability, or otherwise, of residing in Bearsden and / or Milngavie (Letters, August 7). Ian W Thomson asserts that one positive of living in Milngavie is being able to make your way to the start of the West Highland Way. This is true, but a word of warning. Before you do so, make sure that you have dealt with your toilet needs. Unbelievably, there are no public conveniences available. Yet another own goal from East Dunbartonshire Council. James Martin, Bearsden. Mussels should never be missed (Image: Image: Contributed) Mussel-ing in I WAS very interested to read about the variety of life in one of Scotland's remotest lochs ('Divers reveal a wealth of marine life thriving in remote loch', The Herald, August 8), but astounded to see no mention of mussels, which swamped the area some 40 years ago, when I picked up a bag to take home to Beauly, where my father cooked them and served them to his bar customers, free of charge. George F Campbell, Glasgow.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Private governments coming to an area near you
Lake Tahoe on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Jeff Anderson/ USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service) Imagine you want to create and control a large pool of capital predominantly financed by grants and other people's money. Simply define a geographic boundary, let's call it a 'district,' and get a few business colleagues to decide what mandatory fee or compulsory assessment you're going to collect to benefit your private business agendas. Next, petition a state senator and county commissioner; most are eager to curry favor with deep-pocketed business donors. Create a nonprofit to which you will funnel the dollars. Small business owners will be required to collect the fee at the point of sale in your district. You hold the cards because you've engineered the framework and set the fee percentage. Sounds a bit Sopranos-like, doesn't it? Schemes like this – blandly called Business Improvement Districts or BIDs – are undemocratic but legal ways to levy fees (effectively a sales tax when businesses pass the cost of the fees on to consumers) that benefit the few over the many. BIDs first appeared in the 1970s, but have become a controversial power grab for business interests and developers in recent years to finance tourism destination dreams and pet projects outside of public control or view. BIDs represent a particular risk for unincorporated areas because there are no elected mayors or city councils to hold public meetings or be answerable. All citizens and small business owners should be concerned. A few influential businesses or developers can band together and force new recurring costs on an entire community – tacked on at the point of sale. Worse still, the International Journal of Public Administration noted: 'BIDs have arisen as a new form of 'private government.' As they expand their menus of services, often including land-use planning, and approaching more general-purpose government status, BIDs have begun to raise issues of accountability.' Where might you begin such a monetary diversion maneuver in Nevada? Follow the play book of Nevada Democratic state Sen. Skip Daly, who, at the behest of unelected people – such as Julie Regan, executive director of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), tourism executive Andy Chapman, now Chair of the Tahoe Transportation District, and TRPA government affairs manager Devin Middlebrook along with legal consulting firm Civitas Advisers – successfully advanced a BID proposal to a panel of his fellow legislators during an interim meeting last year. Put forward by TRPA (a bi-state agency with lots of political sway), their business cronies who will determine BID details — such as where to draw geographic boundaries, how much to levy and where to spend funds — also promoted the bill. If this is the first time you've heard about this fast-moving state legislation, Senate bill 420, that's by design. Tax-like enabling legislation that will negatively impact constituent wallets is best kept under wraps. SB420 needs state-level approval because there's no existing legal path to create a BID in unincorporated portions of a Nevada county. Existing Nevada law (like NRS 271A for Tourism Improvement Districts) focuses on cities and municipal projects. As called out in the Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship plan (p. 38), 'legislation would need to be pursued' as 'there is currently no statute enabling this sort of improvement district in Nevada,' Hence, testimony from Chapman, President and CEO of Travel North Tahoe Nevada, on April 4: 'Senate Bill 420 will create the ability for local businesses within the Nevada portion of the Tahoe Basin to petition the relevant county to create a Business Improvement District (known as a BID), which could only be created with the support of the business community AND approval by the County Commission.' The goal for this improvement district mechanism is to create a long-term funding solution for issues in Nevada's Lake Tahoe area. This type of improvement district legislation exists already in California. As written SB420's BID model is funded through the levy of assessments on business. However, it's not clear what businesses this bill will encompass or exempt. Section 6.1 defines 'business' as all types of businesses, including, without limitations financial institutions and professions.' That means if a business license address lies inside the proposed boundary, that business license holder could be assessed. SB420 includes a broad scope of what activities can be undertaken, but residents don't have a voice. If signed into law, SB420 could create a template in Nevada for future quasi-governmental taxation in counties, virtually unregulated by the legislature or department of taxation. If other broadly written BIDs elsewhere are any indication, more surprises lie ahead. Residents of Rochester, New York, characterized a proposed BID there 'as a shadow government.' While told that businesses would pay for the BID, reporters learned, as residents suspected, it would be mostly taxpayers who would fund the BID managed by 17 'movers and shakers in business and political circles' — members of a nonprofit established to control the Rochester BID. BIDs are hard to undo. When formed BIDs become legal special districts, in Nevada's case, under state law. Dissolving a BID, governed by a management plan written by consultants like Civitas who obtain multi-year contracts, usually requires approval from the same body that created it. Who likes to relinquish money and power? Businesses – particularly tourism outfits with multiple locations or headquartered elsewhere – can get away with charging added fees because of high-turnover visitors. BID members can even use money generated by the fees to market themselves. Self-dealing at its worst. Residents who shop, dine or recreate within a 'district' always pay the fee. Communities effectively subsidize private agendas. Residents in San Diego revealed how Civitas' founder has a history of creating legal loopholes (p. 14). Civitas Advisors as of March 2013 had pocketed $546,016 and counting from San Diego alone; lawsuits followed. The Sacramento-based firm has expanded overseas but now wants to make Nevada its newest client. SB420 took shape August 16 at the interim Legislative Committee for the Review and Oversight of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Marlette Lake Water System. None of Northern Nevadans' public concerns about public safety and the environment are mentioned or considered in the recommendations for legislation. Instead Daly, at the sixth and final meeting along with other legislators, agreed to advance TRPA's wish list, including the BID legislation. In the meeting (1:51:24 on the recording), Civitas – the legal firm that stands to profit handsomely to administer BIDs – testified, not surprisingly, in support of it. Senator Robin Titus (minutes, p.16), however, saw the scheme for what it is: 'I am going to be a 'no' on this when it comes to a vote. I truly cannot accept—I think [it's] a taxation.' Assemblymember Ken Gray shared the concerns: 'I want to echo Senator Titus' comments as well.' Citizens (not business owners) who participated in the April 4 Senate working session opposed the BID legislation and its lack of specificity. BID activities in SB420 include promotion of events, marketing and economic development, transportation and other services that confer 'benefit upon assessed businesses in the district.' If this isn't a tax why does the state legislature need to have a bill that involves the Department of Taxation to facilitate what businesses should be managing or funding on their own. Is SB420 really in the best interests of Nevada residents? This should be a red flag for other state legislatures who've been lobbied to create similar legislation. Transportation alone is a heavy lift. Even the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration agrees. Among BID disadvantages it lists: 'BIDs are not public agencies and cannot be directed to accomplish transportation goals, services or facilities desired by elected officials and agencies. 'BIDs, as private entities, will not fund public goods or services that provide benefits outside the BID boundaries. Also due to sunset provisions, they are not typically structured to facilitate the development of large infrastructure facilities that require financing.' Many residents first read the SB420 language amendments only after the bill was advanced out of committee as one of 48 bills reviewed by the Senate Government Affairs Committee April 11. No matter; public comment was reserved for the end of the meeting after voting had ended. Two senators, Lisa Rogich and Lisa Krasner, went on record to say they reserved the right to change their vote later. Rogich went further, 'I'm hoping the parties can continue to have conversations with the community and get the residents on board.'
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mick Martin's feel-good Northern Soul show coming to Blackburn club
A new feel-good play is set to tour three non-theatre spaces in "Northern Soul strongholds," including Blackburn. Keep On Keepin' On, created by Bradford-based writer Mick Martin and from theatre company Northern Soul Productions, aims to connect independent retailers with local authorities and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) to spark conversations. The play highlights the challenges faced by independent retailers through the story of a working-class family. The production hopes to combine entertainment with a mission to reinvigorate the high street and nighttime economies. The high-energy comedy is a sequel to Mr Martin's 2003 play, Once Upon a Time in Wigan. It follows his teenage dreamers, now middle-aged, as they juggle co-parenting, a failing Northern Soul-themed discount shop, and a risky scheme. Northern Soul Productions will collaborate with local partners to deliver outreach and workshops to connect audiences with local BIDs and give retailers a platform to voice their needs to local authorities. The hope is that these discussions will inform a business support programme to rejuvenate the high street. READ MORE: Blackburn town hall repairs needed to fix sub-standard past work Lancashire Telegraph Best Sandwich Shop: Suddell Sandwiches Brian Fletcher: Police share new image of missing man Mr Martin said: "Keep On Keepin' On is about the modern-day Northern Soul scene and the changing faces of the towns that spawned it. "It's a play about now, family, and love, about people struggling to keep it together in these dark and straitened times at the working-class coalface of dysfunctional northern Britain. "That's why we want to bring it to high street spaces rather than traditional theatre venues. "We're hoping that, in each town on our tour, the play helps to start conversations with their communities and bring new audiences to the theatre and the high street." The play will be performed at St Paul's Working Men's Club in Blackburn from May 21 to 24, commencing at 7pm each night. Tickets are £16, or £12 for concessions. For more information, please visit
BBC News
11-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Truro: City clean-up operation brings locals together
People in Cornwall have joined forces as part of a clean-up operation in the county's only Friday and Saturday, Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) from Truro and Newham, along with several firms, organisations, and community groups all worked to tidy and litter pick in also spent time cable-tie cutting, removing stickers, and washing signs in the city, as well as cleaning local green City Council said a total of 64 bags of rubbish were collected across the event, with around 80 people taking part. Local 'pride' A Business Improvement District (BID) scheme is described as giving firms the power to "raise funds locally to be spent locally" on improving their trading environment or trading BID Manager, Alun Jones said: "We are delighted that some of Truro's businesses and organisations gave up their time and volunteered for City Clean Richardson, BID Manager for Newham, said: "We're very grateful to all the business volunteers who have made Newham look and feel tidier and who have taken pride in their local area."Damien Richards, from the council, said: "Community litter picks are more than keeping an area clean, it is a way to bring the community together."Truro BID is planning another City Clean Up for next spring 2026.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Equality Chamber partners with Achieve More, Equality Chamber Foundation for WorldPride, more
WASHINGTON () — With WorldPride 2025 on the horizon, several groups in the DMV have their sights set on what comes after the celebration of the LGBTQ+ community that takes place in D.C. from March 28 to June 8. Among those groups are Achieve More LLC, Equality Chamber of Commerce (ECC), and Equality Chamber Foundation (ECF). Together, they are part of the initiative WorldPride DC 2025 and Beyond: Building a Safe and Equal Downtown DC for All. Countdown to WorldPride: Music festival lineup announced The combined effort is meant to engage businesses in the Downtown, Golden Triangle, and Dupont Circle Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) by providing resources, training, and technical support to increase LGBTQ+ inclusion, safety, and economic opportunities. Achieve More, ECC, and ECF intend to 'create a welcoming and vibrant environment for all during WorldPride DC 2025 and beyond' through outreach, training, and a business accelerator. 'As we prepare for WorldPride DC 2025, we are committed to building a lasting legacy and fostering a business community that champions equality, safety, and accessibility for all,' said Patrick Algyer, Executive Director of Equality Chamber of Commerce and Equality Chamber Foundation. New 'Pride Lives Here' LGBTQ+ vehicle tag arrives in DC Businesses interested in getting invovled can email mariama@ People who would like to volunteer to be part of the Business Boosters squad can . Squad members help with outreach, raise awareness, and encourage businesses to participate in WorldPride DC 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
