Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Kathie Pollard @kplanning.bsky.social · 1d

Thoughts on Scotland’s latest land use strategy

Scottish Land Commission @scottishlandcom.bsky.social · 1d

In our latest blog, Kathie Pollard explores how Scotland’s next Land Use Strategy could play a vital role in bringing coherence across government policies that set the direction how land is used and managed in the years ahead.

Read more: buff.ly/DwBwqZt

Reposted by Kathie Pollard

oxfamscotland.bsky.social @oxfamscotland.bsky.social · 8d

Scotland’s tax system can be a force for fairness, if we choose to use it that way.

Ahead of tomorrow’s #TaxJusticeScotland Conference, here @jamie-livingstone.bsky.social explains why bold tax reform matters for everyone ⬇️

Read more: bit.ly/47aytEO #CPW25 #ScotlandDemandsBetter

2 6

Reposted by Kathie Pollard

Rob Ralston @policyrelevant.bsky.social · 21d

amateurish reporting that uncritically reproduces pseudoscientific and eugenic frames

@politico.com must retract this piece and issue an apology for using damaging and offensive phrases like the ‘autism problem’

Politico @politico.com · 21d

Trump’s Tylenol diatribe was rooted in frustration.

The president wants to stem rising autism rates even if it means pregnant patients don’t treat their pain and delay their kids’ vaccinations.

Trump’s Tylenol diatribe was rooted in frustration

The president wants to stem rising autism rates even if it means pregnant women don’t treat their pain and delay their kids’ vaccinations.

www.politico.com

5 9 23

Kathie Pollard @kplanning.bsky.social · Sep 8

New publication 👇🏼

Scottish Land Commission @scottishlandcom.bsky.social · Sep 8

Can tax support climate and land reform goals?

We’ve published interim advice on how tax could:

✔️ cut land-based carbon emissions
✔️ support wider land reform
✔️ raise revenue for national priorities

Read our advice here: buff.ly/dDuS27A

1

Reposted by Kathie Pollard

Scottish Land Commission @scottishlandcom.bsky.social · Sep 3

📢 Our popular land agents CPD series is back!

Land: Why collaborate?
Monday 22 Sept from 12pm – 1pm.

This session will explore the benefits and challenges of partnership working in land management.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/land-why-c...

Land: Why collaborate?

An online CPD event for land professionals looking at the benefits and challenges of collaboration on land management and decision-making.

www.eventbrite.co.uk

1

Reposted by Kathie Pollard

Alastair McIntosh @alastairmci.bsky.social · Sep 3

Why land, community and not just the "me" but the "we" matter - here's the text of my Thought for the Day on BBC Radio Scotland. And if you want to share your thoughts, please do so with the Scottish Land Commission's ScotLand Futures by Saturday, at: www.landcommission.gov.scot/scotland-fut...

7 9

Reposted by Kathie Pollard

Scottish Land Commission @scottishlandcom.bsky.social · Aug 29

📊Who has the greatest untapped potential to drive urban land reform?
▶️ Local authorities and agencies - 29%
▶️ Scottish Government - 26%
▶️ Community organisations - 23%
▶️ Public landowners - 13%
▶️ Private developers - 3%
▶️ UK Government - 3%
▶️ None of the above - 3%

1

Reposted by Kathie Pollard

Scottish Land Commission @scottishlandcom.bsky.social · Aug 29

📊Which of the following is the biggest barrier to urban land reform?
▶️ Political will - 42%
▶️ Complexity of land ownership - 23%
▶️ Lack of public sector powers or capacity - 16%
▶️ Fiscal disincentives (e.g. tax, subsidies) - 13%
▶️ Land banking/speculation - 3%
▶️ None of the above - 3%

1 1

Reposted by Kathie Pollard

Scottish Land Commission @scottishlandcom.bsky.social · Aug 29

We had a fantastic response to our recent panel on what land reform can do for urban Scotland 👏

Land reform is often seen as a rural issue but the level of interest shows an appetite to focus on the land challenges facing our towns and cities.

🎥 Watch back: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rylb...

What can land reform do for urban Scotland? Online panel

YouTube video by Scottish Land Commission

www.youtube.com

1 3 2

Reposted by Kathie Pollard

Scottish Land Commission @scottishlandcom.bsky.social · Aug 26

What would it look like to Scotland’s land reform journey?

In Part 2 of our ScotLand Futures blog series, four contributors offer fresh perspectives on ownership, legislation and the future of land reform.

Read and watch our latest contributions: www.landcommission.gov.scot/news-events/...

1 2 3

Kathie Pollard @kplanning.bsky.social · Aug 22

Interesting investigation and use of data!

The Courier UK @thecourier.co.uk · Aug 21

What is council doing with its empty Perth High Street buildings?

The Courier investigated who owns Perth's High Street.

dlvr.it

1

Reposted by Kathie Pollard

Scotland's Futures Forum @scotfutures.bsky.social · Aug 20

“It's not local and it doesn't govern” @andywightman.scot says as the discussion opens at #FoP2025

Is the current structure of local government fit for the next 30 years?

👇 Join the discussion👇

3 2

Reposted by Kathie Pollard

Scottish Land Commission @scottishlandcom.bsky.social · Aug 11

We’re hitting the road!

This autumn, the Scottish Land Commission is hosting public meetings across Scotland.

We will be in:

📍 Wick, Dumfries, Stornoway and Aberdeen

🎟️ Booking open for Wick and Dumfries | Booking coming soon for Stornoway and Aberdeen

buff.ly/X435eDE

3 2

Kathie Pollard @kplanning.bsky.social · Aug 7

Excited for this! @hannawheatley.bsky.social @cdoyle34.bsky.social @academyofurbanism.bsky.social @drcarolinebrown.bsky.social @clesthinkdo.bsky.social @neilmcinroy.bsky.social @planningaidscot.bsky.social

Scottish Land Commission @scottishlandcom.bsky.social · Aug 7

What can land reform do for urban Scotland?

Join our expert panel to explore housing, climate, and community power in towns and cities.

📅 28 August | 🕓 4pm - 4:50pm | 💻 Zoom
🔗 buff.ly/P0cbP15

#ScotLandFutures

2 4

Reposted by Kathie Pollard

OceanCare @oceancare.bsky.social · Aug 2

🌊 How can art inspire the ocean protection our planet desperately needs? This August in Geneva, artist Benjamin Von Wong unveils "The Thinker's Burden" — a 6-meter installation that will be gradually buried in plastic waste during the Global #PlasticsTreaty negotiations. 1/3

#INC52

1 1 2

Kathie Pollard @kplanning.bsky.social · Aug 1

Still time to sign up to tomorrow’s walking tour along the Glasgow canal!

The Academy of Urbanism (AoU) @academyofurbanism.bsky.social · Aug 1

Hello August! Here's a glimpse of what's coming up at the Academy of Urbanism this month, including events in Bath, Glasgow, Lincoln, London, and Stirling.

Find out more at theaou.org/events

Reposted by Kathie Pollard

Scottish Environment LINK @scotlink.bsky.social · Jul 29

'To meet the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, how we use our land is fundamental. Right now, it is not fair for humans, or nature.'

Read more from LINK's @naturepower.bsky.social and the other contributors to this thought-provoking series on Scotland's land reform journey. 👇

Scottish Land Commission @scottishlandcom.bsky.social · Jul 29

What would it mean to complete Scotland’s land reform journey?

In Part 1 of our ScotLand Futures blog series, 4 contributors share bold ideas & reflections on land, power & the public interest:

Deborah Long, Dee Ward, John Watt & Morag Paterson

Read: www.landcommission.gov.scot/news-events/...

5 3

Reposted by Kathie Pollard

Guy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · Jul 16

At long last, England is getting a Community Right to Buy!

Last week the Govt published its English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill, with new powers for community buyouts (right of first refusal; 12 months to raise £)

However, the Bill contains a flaw: 1/

bills.parliament.uk/bills/4002

1 17 44

Reposted by Kathie Pollard

Scottish Land Commission @scottishlandcom.bsky.social · Jul 11

🌱 Lower timber prices. Less carbon project demand. More land for renewables.

Our new report Rural Land Market Insights Report reveals what’s driving Scotland’s land market.

Find out what this means for land use and policy:
🔗 buff.ly/eACCzYm

1 2

Reposted by Kathie Pollard

Scottish Land Commission @scottishlandcom.bsky.social · Jul 22

🚨 We’re hiring: Head of Practice and Advice

Lead our Good Practice team and help shape how land is owned and used across Scotland.

💼 Permanent | £56,382–£69,018
📍 Inverness (hybrid) | 35hrs, flexible/part-time options
📅 Apply by 5pm, Fri 1 Aug
🗓 Interviews: 13–14 Aug, Inverness

🔗 buff.ly/hiKmIey

2 2

Reposted by Kathie Pollard

Rob Ralston @policyrelevant.bsky.social · Jul 23

great to see @dpcarrington.bsky.social reporting on corporate capture and conflicts of interest

(and very cool to see our paper on the ‘petrochemical bloc’ cited)

The Guardian @theguardian.com · Jul 23

‘Total infiltration’: How plastics industry swamped vital global treaty talks

Petrostates and well-funded lobbyists at UN-hosted talks are derailing a deal to cut plastic production and protect people and the planet

www.theguardian.com

1 6

Kathie Pollard @kplanning.bsky.social · Jul 24

“Everyday innovation for social good”

Andrew Sissons @acjsissons.bsky.social · Jul 24

In praise of boring innovation.
Nice piece by my colleague Laurie Smith

www.nesta.org.uk/blog/in-prai...

In praise of ‘boring innovation’

The boring innovations that shaped our society and how dull can change the world

www.nesta.org.uk

1

Reposted by Kathie Pollard

Scottish Land Commission @scottishlandcom.bsky.social · Jul 17

Land is part of everyday life in Scotland. It shapes where we live, how we work, and the stories we pass on.

Through ScotLand Futures, we’re looking at how land is owned and used, and how it connects to our culture, communities and future and we want to hear from you.

🔗 buff.ly/uA0WoVL

1 4 3

Reposted by Kathie Pollard

Scottish Land Commission @scottishlandcom.bsky.social · Jul 18

💧 Public water, public benefit

Paris took water back into public ownership to deliver fair pricing, accountability and social value. The Paris Water Observatory ensures citizens have a real voice in decisions, with transparency built in at every step.

buff.ly/bb51WP5

For 25 years, Paris’ water was run by private companies. Prices rose, investment dropped, and trust fell.
In 2008, the city took water back into public ownership, setting up:

Eau de Paris (public water operator)
Paris Water Observatory (advisory body)

The goal was to ensure fair pricing, strengthen public accountability, and make water serve people rather than profit.

Giving citizens a seat at the table 💬

The Paris Water Observatory brings together housing groups, tenants, trade unions, environmental organisations, academics and councillors. Its role is to advise the city on water policy and act as a bridge between Parisians and those making decisions about their water.

📢 It ensures that everyday voices are heard in shaping water services.
🤝It helps the city develop policies that reflect community needs and priorities.

Crucially, the Observatory also has a voting seat on the board of Eau de Paris, ensuring that decisions reflect public interests and values, not just profit.

Keeping it transparent 👁️
Transparency is built into how water is managed in Paris. All reports and decisions about water services go through the Paris Water Observatory before reaching the City Council, ensuring public oversight at every stage.

ℹ️ Regular meetings and annual reporting keep citizens informed about how their water services are performing.
⚖️ Ongoing evaluation helps ensure that the water system continues to meet the city’s goals.

The result is a publicly owned water service that is openly managed, with decisions made in the public interest.

Public ownership, public benefits ✅

Since bringing water into public ownership:

💧 Water bills have fallen by 8%
💶 €35 million a year is reinvested in the water system, not paid to shareholders
🏠 Policies support low-income households, homeless people, migrants, and refugees.

Paris is using water services to deliver wider social and environmental benefits, proving that public ownership can work for people and place.

1 2

Reposted by Kathie Pollard

Rob Ralston @policyrelevant.bsky.social · Jun 25

with the final round of UN plastic treaty negotiations in 4 weeks time, we've written a short piece that sets out the concept of a 'petrochemical historical bloc' to reveal the depth and extent of forces opposing strong global governance of plastic

The petrochemical historical bloc: Exposing the extent and depth of opposition to a high-ambition plastics treaty | Cambridge Prisms: Plastics | Cambridge Core

The petrochemical historical bloc: Exposing the extent and depth of opposition to a high-ambition plastics treaty

www.cambridge.org

1 16 33