Senscot Bulletin: 15.11.19

Dear members and friends,

In a country that produces so many superb journalists and broadcasters, I get really angry at the crap presented on our TV screens. Stuart Cosgrove, whom I trust on this subject, says it’s partly because broadcasting was not devolved to Scotland: “Key managerial decisions, around investment and policy, are taken within the suffocating provincialism of central London”. Cosgrove again: “By comparison with other small nations across Europe, Scottish broadcasting is in a pitiful state…that cannot be solved within the current political settlement”.

In 2001, a UK-wide partnership was created, specifically to promote social enterprise and social entrepreneurship; it was called UnLtd and Senscot was the Scottish end. Personally involved in ‘structuring’ Scotland UnLtd, we fought, over many months, to establish its independence – but Whitehall wouldn’t budge on subsidiarity to London. Social enterprise in the London bubble is a ‘hybrid’ concept – with exaggerated emphasis on becoming ‘investment ready’ – i.e. able to repay loan finance. They call it ‘social’ investment – but it’s almost entirely the realm of the commercial banking sector. It became too ‘vague’- too remote from Scottish practice; Senscot severed contact with UnLtd in 2014.

England has 50 million voters – Scotland five million; why would they include SNP in televised election debates? For as long as we’re locked into ‘British’ broadcasting, it will inevitably be dominated by English culture. When I listen to Radio 4, I find it quaintly charming that some people still speak like that – but it’s a different world. I doubt whether ‘The Archers’ will feature when we do our own broadcasting.

———————————–

I mentioned recently that I now avoid the Spectator because of its decline from ‘clever cheeky’, to ‘strident bigotry’.  I enjoyed this New Statesman piece by Gavin Jacobson – arguing that this ‘repositioning’, reflects the right-wing press in general: a drift from the middle ground, to reinforcing partisan grievances on the fringe.   Jacobson is clear, that he doesn’t consider the Spectator as fascist – its ‘star columnists’ don’t incite political violence against those they demean; instead they provide ‘a slow transfusion of bigotry’ to the emerging English nationalism.  The intellectual collapse of the right hasn’t reduced their capacity to poison.

———————————–

This ‘Mainly Macro’ blog, argues that Labour’s manifesto spending promises are more sustainable than the Tory ones.  Prof. Simon Wren-Lewis says he writes for non-economists, but some of it is beyond me.  More than ever before in my lifetime – the two parties offer a very different UK.

———————————–

Devastating piece in the Sunday National by The Ferret’s Rob Edwards; Norwegian fish farmer Mowi has been officially reprimanded following the death, over three months, of 700,000 diseased salmon.  Apart from the cruelty of this – the reputation of Scotland’s West Coast fishers is being trashed irresponsibly.

———————————–

Shelter says that 88% of Scots agree, that everyone should have a legal right to a safe secure home.  Of course, making a new law will not build houses – but it will help build a national sense of injustice, that so many of our people don’t have access to this basic need.

———————————–

Four years after Sheku Bayoh died in the custody of Fife police – Scottish Govt. has announced a full public inquiry into the circumstances – including whether race played a part.  The years of delay in this matter is unacceptable; the public needs to know our police force is accountable.

———————————–

I have an intuition, that this passage from the Hindu teacher Nisargadatta Maharaj (1897-1981) contains an important insight I can’t quite grasp.

“There is only one mistake you are making: you take the inner for the outer and the outer for the inner. What is in you, you take to be outside you and what is outside, you take to be in you. The mind and feelings are external, but you take them to be intimate. You believe the world to be objective, while it is entirely a projection of your psyche. That is the basic confusion, and you have to think yourself out of it.”

Browse Nisargadatta quotes

Following the launch of the Draft Scottish Tourism Strategy and consultation, Senscot will be collating views from Tourism SEN members with a view to submitting a joint response. Discussions with partners continue around a proposal to support Community-Led Tourism and we’re keen to hear from any SEs involved or interested in this area of activity. Tourism is one of our fastest growing sectors and is increasingly acknowledged as an important vehicle in helping to re-vitalise local communities. Karen Christie (Scottish Tourism Alliance) will be running a workshop on the Tourism Strategy at our Conference (25th/26th Nov) – and will be seeking feedback from participants. To find out more – or would like to submit your own views – see feedback form – and return, if you can, to sarah@senscot.net by Wed 27th November.

NOTICES: We can’t flag all notices here, but more jobs, events and tenders available on our website.

Our SE Conference on 25th/26th November at the Westerwood Hotel is now SOLD OUT. If you are still interested in attending, a ‘waiting list’ is now available. To put your name down, contact karina@senscot.net.  We are now inviting contributions for this year’s Dragons’ Den Audience Prize. See link to contribute.

————————————

Senscot Legal has produced a number of blogs in recent months. This week, their latest blog looks at setting up a Community Interest Company (CICs) – what are the benefits; factors to bear in mind; as well as a breakdown on those limited by guarantee; and the options available for those limited by shares.

————————————

The Scottish SE Awards took place this week at the Scottish Parliament. SE of the Year went to North-east based, CFINE – a popular and deserving winner. Congratulations to all other Award Winners – see full list.

————————————

The Brand For Growth competition this week announced the 6 winning applicants. They are: Move On; Music Broth; The Crags; Remake Scotland; Silverburn Park; and Instant Neighbour. All six will receive in-depth technical support, from the team of experienced graphic designers at BOLD Studio, to consider their branding. See Press Release.

————————————

Scottish Govt is establishing a new public body – South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), operating across Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway. They are now seeking to recruit board members – by running two free events to encourage people from a range of backgrounds to consider applying. See full details.

————————————

Frontline News: DTA Scotland, Social Investment Scotland and Creetown Initiatives are co-hosting – Ambitious Communities – in Castle Douglas on 4th Dec. Funded by SoSEP, the event will look at raising finance, developing sustainable enterprises and community engagement within local communities:

Bookdonors this week launched a crowd-funding campaign –  Save Bookdonors CIC. After 15 years trading, they are experiencing some difficult times at the moment. Your support would be greatly appreciated:

Congratulations Mirhan Smith and everyone at the Larder Cook School. Last week, Mirhan won Modern Apprentice of the Year Award in her category at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards in Dundee.

————————————

This week’s bulletin profiles a new Glasgow SEN member – that delivers a variety of digital and computer training programmes to older and vulnerable non-technical individuals. Won Connect CIC aims to reduce social isolation, improve skills, employability, connectivity through learning the basics of computers and security whilst interacting within their own peer group and to socialise while learning. Classes can be delivered in community centres or within organisation to upskill residents, clients or your team. They can also provide personal computer lessons to individuals and groups at home or at their training centre in Glasgow.