Council contract tendering freeze extended

MSPs have agreed to support a Bill extending a freeze on the contract tendering system for councils until replacement legislation is ready.

The Scottish Local Authorities (Tendering) Bill was passed by the parliament after deputy local government minister Peter Peacock promised new legislation would be presented in the autumn.

The current moratorium on compulsory competitive tendering (CCT) for councils will now be extended beyond December 31 this year.

Mr Peacock said the legislation would allow the Scottish Executive more time to bring forward its best value scheme, which is set to replace CCT.

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Green commission in Scots visit

The government's advisory body on sustainable development is meeting in Edinburgh as part of its ongoing work aimed at creating a greener UK.

The sustainable development commission is considering issues including climate change, regeneration and sustainable food production.

Deputy Environment Minister Rhona Brankin will be among those meeting officials from the commission during their stay.

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Tougher sex offender rules

Tougher regulations governing the movement of registered sex offenders have been announced by the Scottish Executive.

The reforms mean offenders must register in person with local police within four days, rather than in person or by post in 14 days.

Police may also take fingerprints and photographs to confirm identity.

Offenders must also notify police of their travel plans whenever they are planning to leave the UK for eight days or longer.

The maximum sentence for non-compliance has also been increased from six months to five years.

Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace said: "These new requirements will enable more effective, rapid tracking of offenders and provide stiffer penalties for those who fail to comply."

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Social work shake-up nears

A major Bill which aims to shake up the social work service in Scotland has entered its final stage at Holyrood.

The Regulation of Care (Scotland) Bill seeks to replace the current system, where a range of different organisations are responsible for the provision of services such as nursing homes and after school clubs.

Instead, the current system would be replaced by a Scotland-wide Commission for the Regulation of Care and a Scottish Social Services Council, which would both be accountable to ministers.

The Bill, which is said to be the biggest change in social work north of the border for 30 years, has entered stage three of its progress through Parliament.