This week’s round-up includes a visit to see community payback orders in action, bonfire night activity and the passing of the Prescriptions Bill.
Emergency Service thanks
Community Safety Minister Ash Denham joined the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS) and other partners in urging people across Scotland to enjoy fireworks safely on Bonfire Night. Later in the week the Minister visited Marionville Fire Station in Edinburgh to thank emergency service staff for their work both in the run-up to November 5th and on the night itself in order to respond to incidents and keep the public safe.
The SFRS said crews had responded to around 338 bonfires across Scotland between 5pm and 10pm on Monday, November 5, while Operations Control firefighters handled more than 723 calls from members of the public.
Minister for Community Safety @ashtenRD thanks emergency service staff for their hard work and dedication over bonfire season.
@fire_scot @policescotland @Scotambservice @theBSCprogramme #BonfireNight pic.twitter.com/htHE6lVgkd
— ScotGov Justice (@ScotGovJustice) November 7, 2018
Community Payback Order visit
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf and Solicitor General Alison Di Rollo QC visited a Community Payback Order ‘unpaid work’ project in Dalkeith as the Scottish Government travelled to Midlothian to hold a cabinet meeting and public discussion event in Penicuik.
Go to theMidlothian Council website to find out more about the Mayfield public garden project and the benefits such CPO ‘unpaid work’ projects provide both for those undertaking the work and the wider community.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf and Solicitor General Alison Di Rollo QC saw first-hand unpaid work being undertaken – as part of Community Payback Orders – in Dalkeith, Midlothian to transform a former bowling green into a garden for the local community.#travellingcabinet
1/9 pic.twitter.com/SLTUHwlIe7
— ScotGov Justice (@ScotGovJustice) November 5, 2018
Civil law reform continues as Prescription Bill is passed
On Thursday the Parliament unanimously passed the Government’s Prescription Bill to improve the laws governing when an individuals legal rights and obligations are extinguished.
Negative prescription plays an important role in balancing individual interests, between creditors and debtors. It also serves the public interest in legal certainty by having claims raised promptly.
The 2017 Scottish Law Commission’s Report on Prescription highlighted legal issues around negative prescription that can lead to unnecessary inconvenience and expense.
Community Safety Minister Ash Denham, who led the final debate in Parliament, said “This new legislation supports our determination to modernise civil law so it is fit for purpose in the 21st century. These changes will increase clarity, certainty and fairness, and benefit persons or bodies in resolving disputes.”
The Prescription (Scotland) Bill has been passed unanimously by @ScotParl – https://t.co/vvIAUxDKr2
— ScotGov Justice (@ScotGovJustice) November 8, 2018
Police and public bravery recognised
Also on Thursday the Justice Secretary attended the Police Scotland Bravery & Meritorious Conduct Awards at Tulliallan, where 64 police officers, two special constables, a member of police staff and 14 members of the public were honoured for their courage and service.
Mr Yousaf said: “We are indebted to everyone who has received awards and, on behalf of the Scottish Government, I offer our heartfelt thanks.”
Find out more about this year’s Award recipients via the #polscotbravery hashtag on Twitter or read the official Police Scotland news release.
Cabinet Secretary for Justice, @HumzaYousaf – "what I commend you for is that day in and day out, you are putting yourself in harms way to help others" #PolScotBravery pic.twitter.com/mY2iRzsIjC
— Police Scotland (@policescotland) November 8, 2018
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