JULY 2025
STRIVING TO BE THE BEST Sarah Gadsden, CEO of the Improvement Service, wants to urge every last ounce of performance from Scotland’s local authorities APPLYING SOME NATURAL INTELLIGENCE TO AI Paul Latham of Gallagher’s keeps us abreast of some of the pitfalls when technology takes a great leap THE NET ZERO GUIDE In a must-read new, regular feature, Chris Carberry, Director of Scottish Power, answers your questions on how your authority can reach your net zero targets PROTECTING SCOTLAND’S WORLD CLASS WATER Alex Plant of Scottish Water lays out his future strategy of improvement and value. ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES for the North-East Local authorities working with SCARF to help cut emissions and bills TOP PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Some major municipal appointments about which you might need to know.
APRIL 2025
Special features in this issue include: A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR SOCIAL HOUSING Paul Dixon, Commercial Director of Housing at Gallagher, with an optimistic purview. WOODLAND RESTORATION FOR ICONIC SCOTTISH LOCH Scottish Water, Peatland Action and others combine for a game-changing environmental project. MORE THAN JUST A HOLIDAY TO OFFER A few examples of the Tourism gems that deserve to be promoted, not just unearthed. STRIKING NEW LOOK FOR GREENOCK TOWN CENTRE A £6m upgrade courtesy of Inverclyde Council has caught the eye in West Blackhall Street. TOP PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Some major municipal appointments about which you might need to know.
FEBRUARY 2025
Special features in this issue include: THE EVOLVING TECHNOLOGICAL THREAT Just as we harness AI in our struggle to advance, local authorities must be acutely aware that it could as easily be the focus for a new kind of attack. SCREEN LOCATIONS RESURGENCE Fife, Tay & Highland are just a few of the Scottish Regions enjoying a celluloid-tinted economic boost. SETTING SCOTLAND’S PEATLAND STANDARDS The opportunity approaches to shape our peatland restoration for the future. A DATA DRIVEN APPROACH TO SMARTER CITIES The launch of the MicroMobility Planner can provide an essential new component of sustainable urban transport. CONTRACTORS PROFILE Find out why George Leslie of Barrhead have been the go-to contractor for local authorities and partners so often this year. TOP PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Some major municipal appointments about which you might need to know.
December 2024
Special features in this issue include: THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSION SCHEME AS PART OF THE PENSIONS REVIEW Will Australian-style Megafunds help to turbo charge the UK economy and what role will the LGPS play? THE LGIU CLLR AWARDS 2024 This years results from the only awards which put Scotland’s Councillor’s centre stage CARBON EMISSIONS IN THE HOUSEBUILDING CYCLE In depth new research from Carbon Futures and CCG TOP PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Some recent executive appointments in the municipal sector, about which you might need to know
OCTOBER 2024
Special features in this issue include: RE-SETTING THE ALARM President-elect Jane Cooper assesses the true value of the risk manager CONFERENCE AGENDA Highlights of this years ALARM Scotland Conference at the Stirling Court Hotel EASING MUNICIPAL STRESS Ben Couriel of Gallagher explains the employee benefit engagement crisis and how to turn it around THE COSLA EXCELLENCE AWARDS Full details of this years category winners THE GLASGOW-CITY DEAL TURNS 10 One Council Leader reflects on the economic development which the deal has inspired TOP PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Some of the major appointments which Council’s have made to strengthen their teams PLUS OVER 40 PAGES OF LOCAL AUTHORRITY NEWS FROM AROUND SCOTLAND
August 2024
Special features in this issue include: THE MUNICIPAL RISKS OF A SEDENTARY COMMUNITY Paul Latham of Gallagher’s helps local authorities stand up to the dangers. NEW MILESTONE FOR STOCKINGFIELD BRIDGE Sustrans and Scottish Canals see money well spent as 250,000 crossings are chalked up. WORLD HERITAGE STATUS FOR THE FLOW COUNTRY An astonishing world first for the North of Scotland. SEWERAGE INVESTMENT CURBS POLLUTION Smart technology marks an early improvement to our underground sewers. REPRESENTING HOUSING OFFICERS A busy end of year ahead for the good people at ALACHO.
June 2024
Special features in this issue include: 900 AND COUNTING Stirling marches together in celebrating 900 years. GREEN NETWORK VISION City Region embraces an environmentally friendly future. SUPPLY CHAIN PROBLEMS? So when did it all become so complicated for Councils? BUY SOCIAL SCOTLAND Scotland Excel signs up for the Pledge.
APRIL 2024
Special features in this issue include: RENEWABLE ENERGY How Local Authorities should manage the Risks. CREDIT WHERE IT’S DUE Time to enter your Council Department for this years COSLA Excellence Awards. DOLPHINS IN THE CLYDE but these chaps have a bridge to support.
February 2024
Special features in this issue include: RAISING THE THRESHOLD ON SITE SAFETY STANDARDS Paul Latham of Gallaghers explores the importance of site safety for construction workers and looks at the various new safety checks that the HSE has introduced. A POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON FUEL POVERTY SCARF’s ECO4 Flex programme could be a vital step towards a resilient and energy efficient future. ART & ENTERTAINMENT AS A CATALYST FOR CHANGE Karen Ridgwell of Creative Scotland favours an holistic approach to tackling climate change which will give every local authority cause for thought.
December 2023
Special features in this issue include: RISKS & OPPORTUNITIES The challenge each Council must face from AI. BUSINESS CONTINUITY Make sure that you are covered for the digital age. THE LGIU AWARDS 2023 All the big winners as Scotland’s Councillors are honoured. SCREEN EDUCATION An exciting new programme for Scotland’s secondary schools. ROAD SURFACE TRIALS Great expectations for the revolutionary new road covering.
September 2023
Special features in this issue include: BOLDER, MORE INNOVATIVE, MORE COLLABORATIVE New Scottish Water CEO, Alex Plant, writes exclusively in SLAN, setting out his plans for a cooperative future. ALARM SCOTLAND CONFERENCE 2023 If you can make it to Stirling, check out this year’s itinerary here. If not, read all about it in the next issue of SLAN. RUTH KYDD: MUNICIPAL STAR This year’s ALARM Professional of the Year Award is the culmination of an exceptional local authority career. NEGOTIATING A POSSIBLE MINEFIELD Tenant and landlord obligations explained, courtesy of Sedgwick’s. A BURNING ISSUE Paul Latham of Gallaghers’ on the Importance Of Being Fire Assessed. DECARBONISING SCOTLAND’S HOMES We follow Changeworks on their road to net zero. DESIGNING AND BUILDING BETTER McLaughlin & Harvey offer collaboration for a sustainable tomorrow. WHEN PASSION MEETS PRECISION George Leslie demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship.
July 2023
Special features in this issue include: NEW FIRE SERVICE REGULATIONS SHOULD BE NO CAUSE FOR ALARM The new fire alarm response protocol has now come into play. Paul Latham of Gallaghers helps to ensure that Scotland’s local authorities are less likely to get their fingers burned. GSA BIOSPHERE UNESCO designation extended for another ten years, amongst considerable praise. BORD NA GAIDHLIG Director of Education outlines new Gaelic Medium Education strategy at SMO Conference. Significant upgrade in STEM leadership qualifications merits the notice of trainers and Councils alike. SPACES FOR EVERYONE Significant projects that could not have happened without Sustrans support. Top people on the move. The regular feature which tracks major appointments across the entire municipal sector.
May 2023
Special features in this issue include: MIND HOW YOU GO Gallagher’s HR expert Liz Smart tells us what is or isn’t acceptable in today’s municipal work places. PLACES FOR EVERYONE Two very different projects, from either end of the country, but linked through Sustrans support and their provision of Cycling, Walking & Safer Routes. MARINE TOURISM SAILS HOME A surprising new study, supported by Inverclyde Council, has posted some staggering figures, for the value of marine tourism to the Scottish economy.
February 2023
Special features in this issue include: HYDRONESS POWER Highland’s Green Energy showcase sweeps up still more awards. BUILD SAFE, STAY SAFE The experts from Gallagher’s and Weightman’s explain all you need to know about the new Building Safety Act 2022. LIGHTNING FAST NEOS NETWORKS Assessing the digital transformation roll-out in practical terms. SMOOTH ROADS AHEAD The award-winning pothole pro from Scot JCB.
September 2022
Special features in this issue include: ALARM SCOTLAND CONFERENCE 2022 It’s that time of year and we put the spotlight once again on ALARM Scotland and its critical risk management work, including a Conference itinerary link. HOW TO BE A STRONG LEADER IN THE CHANGING WORLD OF WORK Leadership in an ever changing municipal world. Alastair Dorman of Gallaghers leads the way with some invaluable advice. PROFESSIONAL FOCUS The latest in our irregular series looks at the Society of Local Authority Lawyers and Administrators in Scotland (SOLAR). ENGAGE EARLY AND MAXIMISE RESULTS FROM YOUR EXTERNAL LEGAL PROVIDER Getting the most from your external legal provider, by Ann Frances Cooney of legal experts DWF. PUTTING CUSTOMERS AT THE HEART OF NET ZERO. Some essential guidance from regular SLAN contributor Colin Thomson of SGN. WORKING TOGETHER The new shared property app which saves money and increases the value of the housing stock. You’ll want to know how.
July 2022
Special features in this issue include: PLACES FOR EVERYONE Sustrans at the heart of levelling up. DECARBONISING Homes The role that Hydrogen can play. VALUATION & UNDERINSURANCE Are Scotland’s Council’s fully covered? GAELIC LANGUAGE & CULTURE An opportunity for Scotland DIGITAL PLACE Supporting public sector transformation, one cube at a time! NEW SKILLS ACADEMY FOR EDINBURGH A new Academy is being set up to address skills shortages in the construction industry