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Scottish Government Water services consultation
The consultation includes areas such as affordability of charges for customers, and climate change, with some key issues relating to charities. The water and sewerage exemption scheme for charities and community amateur sports clubs provides reductions in charges where verified annual income is less than £200,000 (100%) or £300,000 (50%). There is no comparable support provided in the rest of the UK. The consultation closes on 30 March: More info here

Preparing for the May election: resources to support climate conversations with politicians 
With the May election approaching, now is a great time to think about how to engage with your politicians. Hope for the Future has created helpful guides to support conversations with elected representatives on key climate and nature issues — from clean air and renewable energy to farming, transport, buildings, and home insulation.  Explore the resources and start building productive relationships for climate action.

Manifestos published across the sensory sector for the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election
The ALLIANCE has recently published their “Our Collective Voice” manifesto for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election. This was developed through extensive engagement with and input from the ALLIANCE’s membership, demonstrating the breadth of areas they and their members work across, including the sensory sector. Across the sensory sector, organisations are calling for the Scottish Government to recognise the importance of supporting people who are Deaf, Deafblind or who have Visual Impairment. Other sensory organisations have also published their election manifestos. Click here for links 

Research survey call out – disabled, neurodiverse, blind or visually impaired, D/deaf participants 
Lead Scotland are looking for disabled people, neurodiverse people, blind or visually impaired people, D/deaf people or people who have long term physical or mental health conditions to complete a short survey, telling us about their experiences with cyber crime and online safety. The survey has 22 questions, and will take about 15 minutes to complete. You DO NOT have to have had an experience with cyber crime to complete the survey. The survey is open until 31st March. If you would like to take part in the research, please complete the survey here

WD Council Budget 2026-2027
West Dunbartonshire Council held its budget setting meeting on Thursday 5^th March.  A range of potential sector cuts had been circulated prior to the meeting, but were positively not taken in the final budget motion. The full details of the budget as accepted by council can be found here: https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/council/newsroom/news/2026/mar/closes-funding-gap

World Cup Public Holiday
The Scottish Government has announced its desire  that Monday 15^th June 2026 be a one‑off national bank holiday to mark the Scotland Men’s Football Team competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.  New bank holidays do not automatically entitle employees to paid leave. This will depend on your Contracts of Employment. Here’s a guide to what this might mean for your organisation.