Wednesday 9 February 2011

Adults need protecting too - New TV advert is launched

Argyll and Bute council is reminding people in the area that sometimes adults need protection too. Along with 13 other Scottish councils it is behind a new hard hitting TV campaign to raise awareness of the problem.

Elderly people can become frail and suffer from dementia. They can also suffer physical, sexual and financial abuse – often at the hands of family members. People with mental health problems and learning disabilities are often targeted within their communities and can suffer both verbal and physical abuse. Long term alcohol abuse causes brain damage which can affect someone’s ability to look after themselves. The advert focuses on all of these problems.

In Argyll and Bute the number of overall referrals rose from 26 in the third quarter of 2009 to 79 in the last quarter of 2010. This was due to an increase in referrals from social work and the police. The most reported problems were physical abuse, psychological abuse and self harm. Spokesperson for social affairs Councillor Andrew Nisbet said this campaign is all about raising awareness.

“Being an adult is about being able to look after yourself but people can become frail, they can develop dementia, they can suffer from mental illness and alcohol or drugs can take their toll - unfortunately there is often someone who is willing to take advantage of the vulnerable.”

“It’s important people in Argyll and Bute are aware of the issues some adults face from physical injury to cynical exploitation. We want people to take action and change a life, possibly their own.”

It’s a two week campaign and the advert will be shown on STV reaching 2.3 million adults in the Glasgow transmission area.

The advert promotes a free hotline number – 0300 777 6520 and a website people can use to get help or report concerns about friends, relatives or neighbours – www.adultprotection.tv

Research from Mencap, the charity for people with learning disabilities and their families, found 90% of people with learning disabilities reported being bullied in the last year with over 30% of them suffering verbal or physical assault every day or every week.

The Living in Fear report, produced by Mencap, shows over 70% of people with a learning difficulty have been verbally abused, threatened or assaulted in a public place. Incidents are unprovoked and occur while people are going about their daily business. A significant number of people also reported that they had been harassed in their own neighbourhood many by neighbours as well as by local children and young people.

Research from the charity Action on Elder Abuse revealed property and cash worth nearly £8 million, including 31 homes, had been stolen from UK pensioners in just one year. The figures are generated from 471 calls to the charity’s helpline.

A profile of those most likely to commit financial abuse against people over 66 found an elderly person’s son and/or daughter was the most likely perpetrator. They are likely to be between 41 and 60 years old, no longer live at home and have a range of personal issues like; relationship problems, financial problems and drug use.


Notes:

The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act came into force on Wednesday 29 October 2008. Under the Act, social workers can enter any place where they think there may be a vulnerable adult who can't protect themselves and is in danger of being harmed. They can also apply to the Sheriff for a protection order where it is believed that further action is needed to safeguard a vulnerable adult. These orders can take the form of a removal order, an order banning a person from where the adult is or a temporary banning order.

Council officials also have the power to investigate cases where adults are capable of making their own choices but aren’t doing so, possible because they are being put under pressure by someone else.

A vulnerable adult is someone who is over 16 years old and is in danger of being harmed or abused because they have a disability, an illness or a physical or mental condition which incapacitates them.

Financial abuse can involve:

· The direct theft of money and/or other possessions from an older person

· The withholding of benefits belonging to the older person

· The misuse of Powers of Attorney and other legal procedures which give a third party power to act financially on behalf of an older person

· Forcing the older person to sell their home or selling it against the older person’s wishes

· Older people being tricked into scam or rogue investments.

Oifis na Sìde agus ro-aithrisean ann an Gàidhlig

Tha ro-aithrisean sìde rim faotainn ann an Gàidhlig a-nis air làrach-lìn Oifis na Sìde, a’ soillearachadh an fhiosrachaidh as ùire mun aimsir agus rabhaidhean sam bith a tha beò do 58,000 neach le Gàidhlig, agus a bharrachd air sin mòran luchd-ionnsachaidh air feadh na h-Alba.

Tha tòrr de ro-aithrisean na sìde a-nis air làrach-lìn “INVENT” a tha fo stiùir Oifis na Sìde a’ tairgse fiosrachadh ann an Gàidhlig agus Beurla, a’ tairgse ro-aithrisean mionaideach airson Alba fhèin, agus timcheall air 5,000 ro-aithris mionaideach son àiteachan eile feadh an UK.

Mar bhuidhinn ro-aithris sìde nàiseanta na h-Alba, tha Oifis na Sìde a’ lìbhrigeadh ro-aithrisean agus rabhaidhean ceithir uairean fichead an latha ach am faigh muinntir na dùthcha tighinn suas ris an aimsir. Bidh an leasachadh ùr seo annns an dòigh anns am bheil sinn a’ frithealadh ro-aithrisean a’ tairgse seirbheis a tha nas goireasaiche agus nas freagarraich do luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig.

Thuirt Iain Forsyth, Ceannbhair Seirbheis Poblach na Sìde aig Oifis na Sìde: “Tha sinn fìor thoilichte a bhith ag obair còmhla ri Bòrd na Gàidhlig ach am faigheamaid ar ro-aithrisean a sgaoileadh tron Ghàidhlig.”

Thuirt Fiona Hyslop,BPA, Ministear na Gàidhlig ann an Riaghaltas na h-Alba: “Tha Riaghaltas na h-Alba làn-thaiceil ann a bhith a’ cruthachadh slighe dhan Ghàidhlig a tha seasmhach agus tèarainte. Tha Oifis na Sìde a’ tairgse cothroman do luchd-cleachdaidh na Gàidhlig a’ chànan a chleachdadh nan dòigh-beatha, agus tha leithid de cheum aig cridhe gach oidhirp a tha sinn a’ dèanamh àireamhan luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig a mheudachadh.

Tha an taic a tha Oifis na Sìde a’ toirt dhan Ghàidhlig a’ cur gu mòr ri gach oidhirp a tha romhainn airson ginealach ùr de luchd-labhairt a chruthachadh agus tha sinn a’ cur fàilte air sin. Tha an obair seo a cur gu mòr cuideachd ri iomairtean eile a tha a’ tighinn air adhart ann an saoghal an fhoghlaim, na h-ealain agus cuibhreannan eile de bheatha poblach na h-Alba.”

Chuir Cathraiche Bhòrd na Gàidhlig Art MacCarmaig fàilte air an leasachadh. Thuirt esan: “Tha fàilte chridheil ga chur air an aithne seo a tha Oifis na Sìde a’ cur air luach na Gàidhlig agus mar a tha a’ bhuidhinn a’ cuideachadh le bhith ag àbhaisteachadh na Gàidhlig.

“Tha buaidh mhòr aig an t-sìde air beatha dhaoine air feadh na dùthcha agus ann an coimhearsnachd na Gàidhlig gu sònraichte tha beairteas de chànan agus briathrachas a thig beò tron leasachadh seo, agus a bheir dhuinn cothrom eile cur ri adhartas agus seasmhachd na Gàidhlig tro bhith ag àrdachadh inbhe agus follaiseachd. A bharrachd air sin, thèid sùilean agus cluasan an luchd-ionnsachaidh fhosgladh gu cothroman ùra an sgilean a thoirt air adhart ach am bi iad nas comhfhurtail leis an àrainneachd agus gnothaichean co-cheangailte ris an aimsir. Tha Oifis na Sìde rim moladh son a’ cheum seo agus tha fiughar agam coimhead ri leasachaidhean eile mar seo bho bhuidhnean eile.”

Tha Oifis na Sìde cuideachd a’ foillseachadh ro-aithrisean sìde do na Pàircean Nàiseanta Albannach anns a’ Mhonadh Ruadh agus taobh Loch Laomainn, agus cuideachd Ro-Aithrisean Monaidh airson taobh an ear agus taobh an iar na Gàidhealtachd.

A bharrachd air a bhith nis a’ frithealadh ro-aithrisean ann an Gàidhlig, tha Oifis na Sìde a’ cur a-mach ro-aithrisean ann an Cuimris. Tha na ro-aithrisean anns na diofar chànan a-nis rim faotainn air làrach-lìn Oifis na Sìde.

Tuesday 8 February 2011

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 19 February – Friday 25 February 2011

Title: Scottish Premier League - Motherwell V Hamilton
The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Motherwell host Hamilton Academical at Fir Park.

Transmitted: Saturday 19th February 2011
Time: 17:30


Title: Farpaisean Chon-Chaorach/Sheepdog Trials
The first day of the 2010 International Sheepdog Trials, from Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Transmitted: Tuesday 22nd February 2011
Time: 21:00


Title: Sgeulachd Sheila Garvie: The Sheila Garvie Story
Murder in the Mearns, in 1968. A young farmer is shot in his sleep - but who pulled the trigger?

Transmitted: Wednesday 23rd February 2011
Time: 21:00


Title: Club TV
Exclusive interviews, match action, and behind the scenes at Celtic and Rangers F.C.

Transmitted: Thursday 24th February 2011
Time: 21:00


Title: Live Rugby - Glasgow v Dragons
Live Magners League rugby as Glasgow host Newport Gwent Dragons at Firhill Stadium.

Transmitted: Friday 25th February 2011
Time: 19:45

Highlands and Islands Press Awards

Northern Scot deputy editor is Journalist of the Year


Chris Saunderson, Deputy Editor of the Northern Scot, has been named the Journalist of the Year for the Highlands and Islands. Chris was presented with his prize by the Right Honourable Danny Alexander, MP Chief Secretary to the Treasury at the annual Highland and Islands Press Ball at Nairn on Friday night.


Chris demonstrated ability across the many and varied disciplines of the business and won a prize of £500, £300 of which goes to a charity of his choice as well as a bottle of the Classic Malt and a certificate.


Gordon Fyfe, Chairman of the Highland and Islands Media Awards’ judging panel, said: “Chris was the unanimous choice of all the judges. He is a credit to his newspaper with the consistently high quality of his work – again ably demonstrated this year. He presented strong entries in four separate categories. He excelled by taking on almost all of the coverage of his paper’s biggest story for years involving the closure of RAF Kinloss and the threat to the future of RAF Lossiemouth, providing a detailed, clear and informed insight into the complexities of the many issues involved. He has also led his paper’s priorities in focusing on people stories. His coverage of local news, features and sport has earned him widespread respect and acknowledgement at local and national levels.”

Chris also won the best story of the year award with his campaigning article on the future of RAF Lossiemouth and helped the Northern Scot win Newspaper of the Year.

The awards are sponsored by Diageo, the world’s largest drinks company, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, .

Four charities will benefit from the £3,050 raised at the Press Ball. They are the Children's Hospice Association Scotland, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Highland Society for Blind People and the Linda Norgrove Foundation .

The full list of winners is as follows: -

Bord Na Gaidhlig Award for best Gaelic entry:

Iain Morrison, BBC Alba

Best use of journalism on the web:
Carrbridge News

Photographer of the Year:

Gary Anthony, Scottish Provincial Press

Best photograph of the Year:
Trevor Martin, freelance, Inverness


Young Journalist of the Year and the Alex Main Trophy

Sarah Manning, Moray Firth Radio


Sports Reporter of the Year:
Iain Auld, Moray Firth Radio


Reporter of the Year and the Jim Love Memorial Trophy:

Claire Doughty, Highland News


Best story of the year
Chris Saunderson, Northern Scot


Feature Writer of the Year:

Hector Mackenzie, Ross-shire Journal

Community Newspaper of the Year:
Am Paipear, Southern Isles

Newspaper of the Year:
Northern Scot

Journalist of the Year
Chris Saunderson, Northern Scot

Monday 7 February 2011

Argyll and Bute Council budget proposals published

Argyll and Bute Council will discuss proposals to reach a balanced budget at its meeting on Thursday 10 February.

The proposals include savings in excess of £55 million, to be achieved over the next three years. These savings need to be made so the council can meet its legal requirement to set a balanced budget.

The council has a total budget of £255.2m for 2011-12. This is £10.7m less than 2010-11.

The council is taking a medium term approach to managing its budget and will set a balanced budget over the next three years.

Based on the draft budgets we know the amount the council needs to spend will be more than the amount we collect in council tax, grants and other income, by a total of £44.4m over the three year period. The council will need to make savings in its budget over the next three years equal to these amounts. These savings are necessary to ensure the council sets a balanced budget and has a budget that is affordable and sustainable over the three years.

The budget proposals will see savings for 2011-12 of £11.9m, with further savings of £20.2m in 2012-13 and £23.6m in 2013-14. A total of £55.7m over the three years. This will balance the budget over the three years.

Some of the council’s reserves will be used to manage the differences for individual years. It will use £6.8m from reserves in 2011-12 with that amount being repaid in 2012-13 (£1.9m) and 2013-14 (£4.9m).

Almost a third of the savings proposed will come from changes to the way the council operates and will not result in changes to services.

The remainder will come from changes to front line services. Potential savings of £7.6 million, identified as part of the council’s service review process, were announced in December, and formed part of the budget consultation exercise, which began in August 2010. These proposed savings are included in the budget, although some of them, if approved, will not be achieved until the second or third year of the three-year budget approach.

Some of the savings proposed by the service reviews include:


Increasing fees and charges for some services
Transferring ownership of council halls to community trusts
Reducing the provision of cleaning and janitorial services to community halls and schools
Increasing the cost of school meals for primary school pupils
Changing our approach to recycling

Further proposed savings have been identified since then, as a result of the lower-than-anticipated settlement from the Scottish Government.

Some of the additional savings include:

· Closure of Lochgilphead library

· No longer providing grant support to local and community transport

· Withdrawal or reduction of funding to some community groups

· Removing funding for PE and swimming lessons

· Closure of some public toilets

· Withdrawal of music instructor service

· Withdrawal funding for Christmas lights erection, storage and maintenance

· Reducing the amount spent on the core path network.

· Removing funding for some community recycling groups.

· Ending the contribution to wardens costs for sheltered housing schemes and replacing this with overnight home care and telecare services.

· Reducing expenditure and services in supporting people funded services.

· Withdrawal of funding from Princes Trust

The council will also increase fees and charges for services by an average of 3%. This will average a 5.5% increase for services which have VAT applied.

Councillor Dick Walsh said:

“Every part of Argyll and Bute will feel some impact of this budget. It’s not easy deciding to remove or change services but we do not have the money to do everything the way we did in the past. Councillors will decide next week how we can do this while still protecting frontline services and jobs. ”

MSP's reject 'Big Shops Tax'

The shopworkers union Usdaw has welcomed today's decision by MSPs to reject
Scottish Government plans to introduce a Large Retailer Levy, the so called 'Big
Shops Tax'.

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary said:

"We are extremely pleased MSPs have voted against the levy. At a time when
retail is one of the few sectors creating jobs, it would have been particularly
ill-advised to have introduced a tax that would jeopardise future investment by
retailers in the Scottish economy."