Author: Peacock Carter

The 2018 Annual Reports for Private Water Supplies has been published by Scotland’s Drinking Water Quality Regulator.

In 2018, a total of 42,440 tests were taken from regulated private water supplies (PWS) which are those supplying more than 50 people or a commercial activity. 

93.5 per cent of tests met the required standard, but 11% of these supplies had a sample that contained E.coli.

Compliance figures have not changed significantly for the past three years, suggesting that limited improvements are been made, in spite of efforts by local authorities and the existence of a Scottish Government grant.

Private water supplies were also affected by the very dry weather in 2018 and local authorities reported that the owners of some 500 supplies contacted them for emergency assistance when their supplies ran dry.

Private water supplies are those owned and managed by individuals rather than Scottish Water and around 3.6 per cent of the Scottish population receive their water from them.

PWS regulations are enforced by Environmental Health teams at local authorities. The regulations were revised in October 2017, bringing into force The Water Intended for Human Consumption (Private Supplies) (Scotland) Regulations 2017. These cover large domestic or commercial supplies. Smaller household PWS (referred to as Type B supplies) continue to be governed by The Private Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 2006. 

According to the latest report from Scotland’s Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR), a significant number do not meet the required drinking water standards and need to make improvements.

In 2018, 16 Enforcement Notices were served by local authorities across Scotland. This an encouraging upturn on previous years, but more needs to be done given the number of failing supplies. Although responsibility for private supplies rests with owners and users, local authorities are urged to continue to provide appropriate advice and DWQR expects them to make full use of the enforcement powers available to tackle and deliver improvements. 

Sue Petch, Drinking Water Quality Regulator, said:

“I am concerned with the poor quality of some of the private water supplies in Scotland, particularly those that tested positive for E. coli. It is very important that these supplies are improved so that people using them have a safe and reliable supply of drinking water.

“Advice and information is available from local authorities who also provide a grant which can help towards the costs of improvement.”

The Scottish Government has introduced a private water supply hub to enable owners and users to access clear and simple information to help them manage their supply.

A Scottish Government non-means tested grant of £800 per property is available for improving private water supplies. This may be accessed, along with advice on improving a private water supply, by contacting the environmental health department of the relevant local authority.

On the 3 September the Scottish Government announced their programme for the year ahead with the publication of the 2019-20 Programme for Government. Entitled Protecting Scotland’s Future, the programme unveiled 14 new Bills, as well as non-legislative announcements.

Ending Scotland’s contribution to climate change and securing a positive future for generations to come are the focus of this year’s Programme for Government. The programme sets out how the Scottish Government will:

·       build a successful, fair and green economy

·       improve outcomes through public services

·       create communities where everyone is valued, protected and respected

One of the 14 new Bills is the Good Food Nation Bill, which will be introduced this year, will provide a statutory framework for efforts to promote healthier and more sustainable local produce.

In line with this, by autumn of next year the Scottish Government aim to make improvements to school meals. It will set maximum limits for the consumption of red processed meat; increase the amount of fruit and vegetables served; reduce the amount of sugar available; and encourage the use of fresh local produce.

The programme also includes a commitment to bring forward a Bill on Restricting Foods Promotions in next year’s legislative programme, to restrict the promotion and marketing of food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt.

Another of the Bills announced is the Circular Economy Bill which aims to advance ambitions for the circular economy, including encouraging re-use of products and resource waste.

Other measures include:

·       investment of more than £500 million to improve bus infrastructure across the country to encourage more people to use public transport

·       decarbonise Scotland’s railways by 2035 and make the Highlands and Islands the world’s first net zero aviation region by 2040

·       launch of a new Scottish Low Carbon Heat Funding Invitation through our Low Carbon Innovation Fund, targeting a minimum £30 million of support for renewable heat projects

·       develop regulations so that new homes from 2024 must use renewable or low carbon heat

·       targeting a minimum of £30 million of support for renewable heat projects

·       taking forward planning to mitigate the worst consequences of a ‘no deal’ Brexit

Bills for introduction in 2019-20 are as follows:

·       Animal Health and Welfare (Amendment) Bill

·       Budget Bill

·       Circular Economy Bill

·       Civil Partnership Bill

·       Continuity Bill

·       Defamation and Malicious Publication Bill

·       UEFA European Championship Bill

·       Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) Bill

·       Good Food Nation Bill

·       Hate Crime Bill

·       Heat Networks Bill

·       Redress (Survivors of In Care Abuse) Bill

·       Rural Support Bill

·       Transient Visitor Levy Bill

New 2019 Building Standards Technical handbooks have been published and comes into force on 1 October 2019.  

The Scottish Government publish new technical handbooks which explain how to achieve the requirements set out in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004.

The main changes are to the provision for fire safety within Section 2 (Fire) in both the domestic and non-domestic handbooks. These changes form part of the output from the Ministerial Working Group on Building and Fire Safety and the 2018 consultation on fire safety.

A further change under standard 3.12 introduces provision of ‘Changing Places Toilets’ in larger non-domestic buildings.

The Handbooks apply to a building warrant submitted on or after 1 October 2019 and to building work which does not require a warrant commenced from that date.

The Scottish Government are hosting two information events on the technical and procedural changes, in Cambuslang and Inverness.

An analysis on a recent consultation on restricting the promotion and marketing of foods high in fat, sugar, or salt, and have little to no nutritional benefit has been published.  

Following this analysis, the Scottish Government has brought forward the development of the Bill Restricting Foods Promotions in this parliament

There were 726 responses from individuals and organisations on the proposals being considered which included the restriction of multi-buys and junk food displays at checkouts. 

Of the 726 responses analysed, 632 were from individuals (87%) and 94 were from organisations (13%) – comprising 55 (59%) from non-industry organisations (public sector, third sector and other) and 39 (41%) from industry organisations (manufacturers, industry representative bodies, retailers and Out of Home sector).

The analysis also examines views on the overall aim of reducing public health harms associated with the excessive consumption of food and drink which is high in fat, sugar or salt.

Following the consultation, the Scottish Government announced in the Programme for Government that it will bring forward a Bill on Restricting Foods Promotions in this parliament.

In general, there was support for the aim to reduce the public health harms associated with the excessive consumption of calories, fat, sugar and salt and diet-related conditions. However, views were mixed as to whether the restrictions proposed were the most appropriate way to achieve this.

Across the consultation, distinct viewpoints emerged by respondent type. Many respondents from non-industry organisations felt the proposed approach was necessary in light of the scale of the public health challenge, purchasing patterns and the shortcomings of other approaches. 

Many respondents from industry either disagreed with the approach or did not indicate a specific view but raised concerns and suggested alternative approaches. In effect, support for the specific proposals, where they were restrictive, was low and, where they were not restrictive or allowed exemptions, was higher.

Individual respondents were fairly split in their view. Support for the approach was more common overall, generally acknowledging the problem of obesity in Scotland and that the proposed restrictions would reduce the likelihood of people buying and consuming excessive amounts of unhealthy foods.

Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said:

“We want to reduce the harms caused by poor diet and weight and make it easier for people to make healthier choices.

“Having the right measures in place to restrict junk food promotions which encourage over-consumption and impulse buying will help us achieve our ambition to halve childhood obesity by 2030. That’s why I will introduce a Bill as soon as is practicable.

“The independent analysis published today will help to inform the development of the Bill.”

Scottish ministers have published draft legislation for the establishment of the Deposit Return Scheme, with an expected start date of 1 April 2021.

The new regulations will see the establishment of a scheme that will include aluminium and steel cans as well as drinks containers made of glass and PET plastic with a 20p deposit.

By increasing both the amount and quality of this material being recycled and reducing litter, the system will help to combat climate change as well as offering benefits to industry and the public.

Under the legislation, producers will be required to collect a target percentage of the packaging they place onto the market in a calendar year, by collecting their own scheme packaging from retailers and return points, and accepting the return of their scheme packaging from wholesalers. Producers will reimburse deposits for any packaging returned or collected.

The Scottish Government will continue to work with the Independent Advisory Group in developing our Deposit Return Scheme proposals, and will consider any representations made before bringing forward a final set of Regulations for the normal affirmative procedure, including a vote in the Scottish Parliament.

A recent survey by Zero Waste Scotland showed strong public support for the scheme, including the inclusion of glass.

Stakeholders have been given until 10 December 2019 to comment on the proposals.

Commenting on the plans Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said:

“Our Deposit Return Scheme is the first national scheme of its type in the UK. It is ambitious in scale and scope, and gives the people of Scotland a clear and straightforward way to do their bit for the environment.

“Research has shown that the scheme is anticipated to reduce the £46 million spent each year on litter removal and is expected to reduce emissions equivalent to taking 85,000 cars off our roads, while also enjoying widespread public support across Scotland.

“There is a global climate emergency which demands we show ambition to tackle it and safeguard our planet for future generations. This process will enable us to fine tune our proposals to ensure that they work well for industry, retail and the public, and we will continue to work with the Implementation Advisory Group to that end. I am delighted to confirm that the regulations required to bring our Deposit Return Scheme into reality have now been laid.”

Iain Gulland, Chief Executive, Zero Waste Scotland:

“These regulations put Scotland on track to deliver a world class deposit return scheme. Placing a 20p deposit on drinks bottles and cans shows that these materials have a value to our economy, and a cost to our climate if they are wasted.

“That 20p incentive will boost recycling and cut Scotland’s CO2e emissions, playing a part in the fightback against the climate emergency. It's little wonder that nearly four in five Scots support it. With drinks producers given the opportunity to group together to deliver the scheme, they can lead this exciting step towards a more circular economy.”

On the 5 September a new Statutory Instrument (SI)was laid in UK Parliament tightening the rules to help protect the food allergy and food intolerance sufferers in England.

The new law, known as ‘Natasha’s Law’, will require food businesses to include full ingredients labelling on pre-packed for direct sale foods.  The law titled Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2019, will come into effect from October 2021.

Currently, food prepared on the premises in which it is sold is not required to display allergen information on the label, meaning allergy sufferers sometimes lack confidence buying food to eat whilst they are out.

The law follows the tragic death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, the teenager who died after suffering an allergic reaction to a Pret a Manger baguette, the government confirmed stronger laws would be implemented to protect those with allergies and give them greater confidence in the food they buy.

The reforms cover labelling requirements for foods that are prepared and packed on the same premises from which they are sold – such as a packaged sandwich or salad made by staff earlier in the day and placed on a shelf for purchase.

Food businesses across the country have already taken steps to improve food labelling and outlets are being urged to do all they can ahead of the implementation date to help consumers make safe food choices.

These changes will apply to businesses in England, with similar arrangements expected to follow in the devolved nations to provide a UK wide approach to protecting consumers.

On 28 May 2019, Joe FitzPatrick MSP, the Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, and Councillor Stuart Currie, Health and Social Care spokesperson for COSLA, launched "A consultation on the new National Public Health Body 'Public Health Scotland'".

The consultation closed on 8 July 2019 and the analysis of the responses is now available here.

At national level, it was proposed that a new Special Health Board (to be called Public Health Scotland) would provide professional and strategic leadership in relation to the public's health and wellbeing in Scotland.

To create a culture for health in Scotland, Public Health Scotland will need to take a whole system approach – providing leadership, supporting and collaborating with partners across sectors who impact directly on the public's health and wellbeing. 

The body will support local authorities, the NHS, third sector and other partners to work ever more closely together to address the social determinants of health, improving and protecting the health and wellbeing of individuals and the communities in which they live.

Under the new model, the existing bodies Health Protection Scotland (a division of NHS National Services Scotland), Information Services Division (also a division of NSS) and NHSHealth Scotland (a Special Health Board) will cease to exist. Public Health Scotland will take over the relevant functions and services from 1 April 2020.

The consultation sought views on the role, structure and expected functions of Public Health Scotland, with some discussion of its interface with other bodies, partnerships and statutory frameworks.

By and large, respondents have expressed broad support for the establishment of the new body and the proposals contained within this consultation. 

Clarity has also been sought on a number of key areas presented in the consultation, including on the specific functions of PHS and the detail of its anticipated relationship with other bodies and partnerships.

Public Health Scotland has taken a major step forward with the first Chief Executive being appointed. 

Shadow Chair of Public Health Scotland, Professor Jim McGoldrick has confirmed that Angela Leitch, currently Chief Executive of East Lothian Council, will lead the new national public health body which aims to reset how Scotland thinks about health and wellbeing.

Professor Jim McGoldrick said:

 “We want Scotland to be a place where everybody thrives. Public Health Scotland will be at the forefront of the collaborative effort to improve the nation’s health and wellbeing and Angela’s extensive senior leadership experience in local government and her deep knowledge of how local communities and the wider public sector can work effectively together will be a significant asset to the new organisation.

Our ambition is for Public Health Scotland to support real, measurable and sustained improvement in the nation’s health and wellbeing and I’m looking forward to working closely with Angela to make it possible for all citizens to take positive decisions about their own health and be supported to do so.’’

Angela brings significant experience to the role having held the position of Chief Executive of East Lothian Council since September 2011, previously holding the same post in Clackmannanshire Council from February 2009.

Angela Leitch, Chief Executive of East Lothian Council said:

"It is an honour and privilege to be appointed Public Health Scotland’s first Chief Executive and to be given this opportunity to direct the new organisation towards a renewed effort to improve Scotland’s health and wellbeing.

Across national and local government, Public Health Scotland will support a data and intelligence-driven shift in how we plan and deliver public health services that strengthen communities, prevent poor health and deliver real and sustainable improvements.

I am determined that Public Health Scotland will have a clear focus on supporting local partnerships in tackling Scotland’s health challenges, particularly in improving the life circumstances for our most vulnerable citizens.’’

Prior to becoming Chief Executive of Clackmannanshire, Angela was Head of Service with the City of Edinburgh Council, responsible for city-wide services and the development of innovative new neighbourhood management and governance arrangements.

Angela joined Edinburgh from West Lothian Council where she headed up their corporate support services and change management programmes, developing new models of service delivery in conjunction with partners from across the public and private sector.

With over 25 years’ experience of working in local government, Angela started her career in human resource management and has previously chaired the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) in Scotland. More recently, as the organisations strategic lead for children and young people, Angela has also played an important role at a national level in a range of reforms including early learning and childcare and children’s mental health. 

The establishment of Public Health Scotland is the cornerstone of a wider reform programme being led by the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) to strengthen the public health function in Scotland.

Public Health Scotland will be Scotland’s lead national agency for improving and protecting health and wellbeing and brings together health improvement, health protection and health care public health functions with leadership roles in research, innovation and developing the public health workforce.

Public Health Scotland will be fully established by April 2020. Read more about Public Health Scotland here.

Aberdeenshire Council has welcomed the sentence imposed on a Peterhead man who kept a number of livestock in an unsuitable environment and caused unnecessary suffering to a pig.

Gary Stevens, of Hallmoss Farm, appeared at Peterhead Sherriff Court on 10 September for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on the August 9, 2019, to three of eight criminal charges raised against him by the Procurator Fiscal under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.  

Stevens received a custodial sentence amounting to 14 months across the three charges, along with a lifetime ban from keeping animals. 

Aberdeenshire Council’s Animal Health and Welfare Service seized all the livestock including one cow, two sheep, four goats and six pigs from Stevens’ farm last August following a series of visits by inspectors, prompted by public concerns. 

A vet deemed it necessary for the animals to be removed due to concerns over their poor condition, lack of veterinary treatment and the dreadful conditions in which they were kept.

The pig was euthanised to end its suffering and the remaining livestock were taken to a place where they could be restored to health. Aberdeenshire Council subsequently sought a disposal order at Peterhead Sheriff Court which was granted in February 2019 allowing the animals to be sold. 

Senior Animal Health & Welfare Inspector Pauline Anderson said: “We welcome the strong sentence that has been imposed in what was a very distressing case. 

“As well as the wholesale suffering of the animals, the poor conditions at the farm meant there was a risk of disease spreading outwith the premises. 

“The animals were kept in shocking conditions and we would like to thank Police Scotland and the Animal and Plant Health Agency for their support to allow us to remove them from the site.”

A £7.5 million project between the public and private sectors has been established to deliver more electric vehicle charging points across the north of Scotland.

As part of the project, SSEN will examine what electricity network infrastructure will be required to support the increasing number of people travelling to the north of Scotland by electric vehicles. Infrastructure needs for new charging points along the route of the Electric A9 will be also be identified and mapped.

In central and southern Scotland, SP Energy Networks will deliver additional public electric vehicle chargers integrated with the electricity network. The pilot project will develop a model to increase the pace, accessibility and efficiency of the deployment of public chargers.

Speaking during a visit to University of Strathclyde Power Networks Demonstration Centre, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “This partnership highlights the critical role that electricity networks have to play in delivering a zero carbon energy system, and in facilitating an electric vehicle revolution and the provision of clean energy for transport.

“This project will develop a new model for delivering both EV charging and electricity network infrastructure which can more effectively satisfy Scotland’s ambitions, including delivering inclusive universal access to the benefits of the decarbonisation of transport.

“We have invested over £30 million since 2011 to establish one of the most comprehensive electric vehicle charging networks in Europe. There are now over 1,000 points across the country as part of our commitment to help people make the move to low and zero carbon vehicles.”

Frank Mitchell, CEO SP Energy Networks said: “As Scotland drives towards net-zero emissions, decarbonising transport will be essential. This ground breaking pilot project will support the shift to electric vehicles we need to make sure that every community has equal access to charging points which are connected into Scotland’s electricity networks.

“This Strategic partnership will allow us to efficiently join the dots between renewable electricity generation, the distribution network, and public electric vehicle charging infrastructure, to make sure all drivers across Scotland have equal access to our electric future.”

SSEN Managing Director Colin Nicol said: “Government and industry have a shared determination to deliver net zero and it’s only by working together that we’ll realise this goal.

“When it comes to Scotland’s low carbon ambitions, no community should be left behind, and this partnership is exactly the joined-up approach needed to deliver investment in key EV infrastructure for our towns, cities and rural areas.”

Scotland is performing well on air quality by both EU and global standards, an independent review has found.

The report, published by the Scottish Government, is a review of the 2015 Cleaner Air for Scotland Strategy. It was produced by a national cross-government steering group of 10 experts, chaired by Professor Campbell Gemmell, with contributions from representatives from REHIS.

The report assess progress against the Strategy and also made recommendations on how to maintain this.

It found that concentrations and emissions of most major pollutants continue to fall as a result of action taken to date.

Moving forward, the report recommends a precautionary public health approach to air pollution reduction and that further consideration be given to the impact of new building developments on air quality levels.

The review also noted that continued robust environmental regulation will be needed, including to tackle under-regulated areas such as ammonia emissions from agriculture, which have not fallen, and the growing impact of domestic wood-burning stoves and gas heating.

Further emphasis if also to be given to the shift towards more sustainable transport modes, including clean buses, electric vehicles, alternative freight approaches, effective Low Emission Zones, as well as support and effective planning for active travel.

Commenting on the report’s recommendations, Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said:

“With Scotland performing well by global standards, it is clear that our current strategy has had a positive impact by raising the profile of air pollution and helping to facilitate constructive stakeholder engagement. So while I welcome this report, I am under no illusions that there is still more to be done as we progress towards our 2020 targets.

“We will now take the time to consider the review’s recommendations in detail before formally responding following a public consultation to gather wider views. In the meantime, I would like to thank Professor Gemmell and his team for their hard work and look forward to discussing this with him in due course.”

Chair of the review panel Professor Gemmell said:

“This was a big team effort to review a wide range of aspects of air pollution. Good progress has been made but much more is needed. Particulates and NOx from the transport sector as well as agricultural ammonia and domestic heating emissions remain major challenges and need targeted effort. The health impacts of air pollution are potentially severe and we must double down on taking coherent action. The report stresses co-ordinated effort across local and Scottish government to provide leadership and practical support to move us forward to a cleaner, healthier future.”

Cleaner Air for Scotland – The Road to a Healthier Future (CAFS) is Scotland’s first strategy specifically dedicated to tackling the issue in Scotland – previous strategies were conducted on a UK basis – was published in November 2015.

The Cleaner Air for Scotland strategy: independent review can be accessed here.

Resource Efficient Scotland have designed free packs which include a great range of posters, stickers, thermometers and other communication materials to help businesses encourage their staff to become more resource efficient.  

Resource Efficient Scotland already provides lots of free support and funding to help businesses use less energy, water and materials – and save money. 

But did you know that one of the quickest ways for any business to become more resource efficient is to simply motivate staff to adopt better behaviours? 

These materials are now available to order for free from the Resource Efficient Scotland website. There are three packs available:

• Office pack– ideal for any business with office staff.
• Hospitality pack– ideal for engaging guests and staff in small hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation.
• Retail pack– handy for engaging staff in retail outlets.

These materials are available to Scottish SMEs for freewhile stocks last. Order your free pack today