October 21, 2009

SOAs – barely a mention of community sector

The CVS network has been handed a key role in the development of the Single Interfaces. The Single Interface has been proposed as the single point of access into Community Planning and the Single Outcome Agreements. A recent search of all SOA’s for any meaningful reference to community empowerment or even community engagement, suggests Single Interfaces are going to have their work cut to satisfy our sector. See what your local SOA has to say

REFERENCES IN SINGLE OUTCOME AGREEMENTS TO COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT AND/OR ENGAGEMENT. COMPARISONS MADE FOR 2008 AND 2009

In summary
•    the majority of SOAs appear to have some reference to community engagement. Most of these references in the commentary refer to how the SOA’s etc have been influenced by local communities through various forms of community engagement.
•    only 5 references of any sort to community empowerment and only one specific local action (Stirling in 2009 which concerns developing the local implementation of the Community Empowerment Action Plan) and a couple of actions requested of the Scottish Government (Scottish Borders: SG to commit to the CEAP; Aberdeenshire: SG to commit to the empowerment of local people)
•    a dozen authorities (Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee, E Lothian, Fife, N Ayrshire, Perth and Kinross, Shetland, S Ayrshire, Stirling and W Dunbartonshire) have some specific actions regarding improving/increasing community engagement and far fewer (3) that have a specific local outcome about community engagement. Most of these references are from 2008 SOA’s.

ABERDEEN

SOA 2008

“Engaging with local people is also vital to ensure that the plans we develop locally meet the stated need of communities and individuals. National Standards for Community Engagement have been introduced to ensure that involvement in all aspects of local planning is encouraged.”

“We have also agreed a Community Engagement Strategy. This means that partners are committed to supporting community engagement and
involvement in the determination of public service provision in the City.”

“NO11 Context: Community engagement structures have been established and are being further developed at Neighbourhood, City and Communities of Interest levels. Their effectiveness is supported by community capacity building work with geographical communities and communities of interest, carried out by Community Learning and Development and other development staff. An evaluation of the impact on the community of this work was carried out in June 2008, providing a qualitative baseline. “

SOA 2009

“Aberdeen City’s Community Plan states that Aberdeen will be a City with a strong, vibrant local democracy and a sense of civic pride. Community engagement in community planning is enabled by a range of participative community groups including the Civic Forum, a range of Communities of Interest Forums for the equalities communities, 23 out of a possible 31 community councils, a number of neighbourhood networks and a Regeneration Matters forum. Neighbourhood Community Action Plans are in place for each neighbourhood in the City, developed through engagement by partners with the local communities. A high level of actions from the Action Plans will be reported at the end of March 2009.”

ABERDEENSHIRE

SOA 2008

“NO 11 Local Context: Aberdeenshire wishes to be the best council in Scotland, where the community planning framework and joint working with communities, private and voluntary sector partners ensures that people are involved, listened to and empowered and where excellent services are provided for all. Much work has already been undertaken to embed the National Standards for Community Engagement (NSCE) in practice across the community planning partnership. A strategy based on these standards has been produced to engage young people in community planning and services development. This has led to young people participating in numerous consultations in the last year and leading training and workshop sessions for partners at local and national level. This had already had an impact on services planning and delivery.

Action required by Scottish Government: Continued commitment to the empowerment of local people and the concept of community planning”

“This agreement covers all Aberdeenshire Council services, including those delivered by or with Government agencies (NDPBs), other agencies, businesses, the third sector and other partners. It also covers the Council’s, Scottish Government’s, and where appropriate
Community Planning Partners’ duties in relation to community planning, best value, equalities and sustainable development.

This SOA builds on stakeholder consultations and community involvement for the Aberdeenshire community plan and the Council’s Strategic Priorities, including:
• consultation undertaken in developing the Aberdeenshire community plan 2006 – 2010
• the community planning partnership’s quarterly citizens’ panel surveys
• the Council’s regular residents’ survey
• consultation carried out by individual partners in developing their own key strategies and plans.

In the short time available it has not been possible to undertake stakeholder consultations or involve communities directly in the development of the SOA. This will be done as part of the development of the Aberdeenshire SOA in 2009.

The agreement also builds on a number of approved council and partnership plans and strategies, for example the Aberdeenshire community plan and the council’s strategic priorities. In many cases it has been possible to take local outcomes and relevant indicators directly from these plans and strategies, sometimes adding more specific targets. Related key strategies and plans are recorded in the local context section against each national outcome.”

“National Outcome 11: We have strong, resilient and supportive communities where people take responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others.

Local Context: Aberdeenshire wishes to be the best area in Scotland, where the community planning framework and joint working with communities, private and third sector partners ensure that people are involved, listened to and empowered and where excellent services are provided for all. Much work has already been undertaken to embed the National Standards for Community Engagement (NSCE) in practice across the Community Planning Partnership. A strategy based on these standards has been produced to engage young people in community planning and services development. This has led to young people participating in numerous consultations in the last year and leading training and workshop sessions for partners at local and national level. This had already had an impact on services planning and delivery.
Other aspects of this outcome are linked to the work of the Community Safety partnership and the Developing Our Partnerships theme of the Community Plan. The Council of Voluntary Service, , Volunteer Centre Aberdeenshire ,Rural Partnerships and Community Learning and Development are working together to build capacity of communities.”

National Outcome 11: We have strong, resilient and supportive communities where people take responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others.

Local Outcome 11.1: An improved approach to engagement and consultation with actively involved residents and communities.
(relates to Fairer Scotland Fund work)
Local Indicator/s: indicators relating to compliance with NSCE, community councils engagement.

ANGUS

SOA 2008

“Partners are keen to develop community engagement and active citizenship, to complement and inform local and area arrangements.
The Angus Community Planning Partnership will continue to create opportunities and support people’s participation in community life, for example through the local area partnerships. The council’s community learning and development service is working with people to equip them with the skills and knowledge to participate”

“NO 11 Context: Angus is particularly proud of its approach to Community Engagement, there are a full quota of community councils in the county and effective Local Area Partnership arrangements contribute to the local community planning agenda. Angus Council Community Learning and Development works closely with a range of partners to build community capacity and Angus Council and its partners ensure, via the Community Planning Partnership, that the National Community Engagement Standards are followed and that all stakeholders can contribute to decision-making via consultations. Angus Council and its partners work hard to promote and support volunteering.

Number of related actions: Provide training for appropriate staff and volunteers involved in community engagement; Introduce new community engagement arrangements in Sidlaw/Newtyle and the Angus Glens;

SOA 2009

“Community Engagement

Community engagement is one of the six key priority areas within the Angus Community Plan 2007-2012. Over the year the Angus Community Planning Partnership considered a report by the group established to progress work in this area.

An Active Citizenship Strategic Statement and action plan has been approved. It is worth highlighting progress against two of the actions in the statement and action plan.

The first of these is a community engagement impact assessment. The first assessment was undertaken in 2008, with an impressive response about the level and depth of community engagement across a range of partner organisations involved in community planning activity. The results of this exercise were reported to the Angus Community Planning Partnership in 2008. A further community engagement impact assessment exercise has been undertaken in 2008, the results of which are now available. It has been agreed that, under the new arrangements for managing performance around the SOA, the Lifelong Learning partnership will take the lead for progressing work in this area. Link to Active Citizenship Strategy Report

The second area of development relates to Better Community Engagement training. Over 100 staff across partner organisations have participated in the training, which builds on the standards for Community Engagement, through the work of Learning Connections Scotland in developing competencies for community engagement activity. An interim evaluation of this training has been undertaken and reported to the Angus Community Planning Partnership in 2008. Link to Better Community Engagement Training Report

In terms of local community planning there are two pilots underway in Kirriemuir and the Glens and the Carnoustie areas of Angus. This work was designed to create better links between the thematic groups and local community engagement. The initial report on the pilot was considered in 2007 for Kirriemuir and the Glens and for Carnoustie. There has been good progress in both areas over the year. A report on the outcome of the pilots, along with recommendations for the further development of local community planning in Angus, was considered by Angus Council’s Strategic Policy Committee in early February 2009.”

ARGYLL AND BUTE

SOA 2008

“Fairer Argyll and Bute Plan objectives: effective community engagement across Argyll and Bute”

“Strengthening Community Capacity

The community regeneration model of community engagement was highlighted by HMIE as an example of good practice. Using this
approach would provide a foundation for strengthening community development, building on the existing structure. This allows us to
address gaps in capacity across Argyll & Bute. There will be a range of methods used to strengthen community engagement: capacity building
through community development posts; developing the community planning infrastructure to involve young people; support for the Public
Health Networks; and developing links with Public Partnership Forums.

There is a need to invest in the development of the Third Sector, which has a key role in building community capacity. Third sector partners
who provide support, advice and guidance to other third sector organisations and groups have been invited to come forward with
proposals to radically change the way support is accessed and provided to all communities across Argyll and Bute.

Initial contact was with the Mull and Iona Community Trust, Argyll and Bute Volunteer Centre, the Argyll and Bute Social Enterprise Network and the three CVSs that operate in Argyll and Bute. These organisations are now working with others to develop proposals by the end of September 2008 to improve the quality of service provided and to ensure that access is equitable. The Council is willing to invest up to £180,000 per annum if the proposals meet the desired outcomes to ensure the long term development of this sector. “

SOA 2009

“In Argyll and Bute, we are working in partnership to minimise risk, improve performance and empower communities through effective
community engagement. This approach will allow us to drive continuous improvement in line with the views of our customers.”

“NO7, The Community Planning Partnership is developing a Community Engagement Strategy that will improve our engagement with previously hard to reach groups.”

“A new Community Planning Partnership Community Engagement Strategy is in draft form. A range of methods will be used to strengthen
community capacity to ensure more effective engagement: community engagement posts; developing the community planning infrastructure
to involve young people; support for the Public Health Networks; clear links in each locality and the annual Community Planning Conference.”

“FAB Plan outcome: Communities are influencing Community Planning process to ensure local needs are met. Action: Coordination of community engagement across all CPP Partners.”

CITY OF EDINBURGH

SOA 2008

“Central to the ethos of the Council is the need to engage effectively with local communities. The Council has established 12 Neighbourhood Partnerships across the city which bring together elected members, health, police, voluntary sector partners and local community representatives to discuss local issues, identify and refine local priorities and make decisions about ways in which to improve these services. As advisory committees, they also enable the Council to be more accountable to the residents of Edinburgh on how well services are
performing and meeting the needs of local residents. Neighbourhood priorities and improvement targets will be set out in neighbourhood plans, reflecting the most appropriate outcomes for each area. These should be in place by the summer of 2008”

SOA 2009

“5. Working in partnership to improve community safety and quality of life in our communities

Neighbourhood Services and Working with Communities

The city’s 12 Neighbourhood Partnerships are the local tier of community planning. Their local plans set out the priorities for these areas and help to focus partnership activity with communities. Improving service quality in neighbourhoods and improving customer services are priorities of the Council’s Achieving Excellence programme. Recent performance as measured by statutory performance indicators has demonstrated that the city is performing well, with a rate of improvement amongst the highest of the urban councils. All city partners are committed to working in partnership with communities and the National Standards for Community Engagement and the Edinburgh Partnership’s Community Engagement Strategy, Listening to Communities to Improve Services xviii, offer the framework for this activity. The Council’s Residents’ Survey is carried out regularly to provide information about residents’ perceptions and on issues including quality of life in the city. Edinburgh is highly regarded as a place to live and satisfaction rates have increased since 2006, to 92%. Areas for improvement suggested by residents include transport, youth facilities, and street cleanliness. An Annual Neighbourhood Survey is also carried out to examine issues in more detail at the local level.”

CLACKMANNANSHIRE

SOA 2008

“With the development of a fuller partnership SOA in future years, there will be greater opportunities for stakeholder input, using a variety of community engagement approaches.”

Description of engagement of partner organisations in development of Fairer Scotland Fund Proposals.

SOA 2009

No references

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

SOA 2008

“Local outcome 11.2 Empowered and confident communities participating in local decision making”

SOA 2009

“The OHCPP recognises that the approach contained in the new SOA is the start of a revitalised process which will continue over the course of the next 12 months and which is outlined in Section 7 of the SOA – ‘Making it Happen.’ This envisages enhanced community engagement and shared ownership for the delivery of the agreed outcomes.”

“Community involvement
The sustainability of fragile communities in the Outer Hebrides are more than most dependent upon fully engaged and participative citizens. The 2007 Community Appraisals survey found that an overwhelming majority (94%) of respondents were satisfied with life in the islands. The main reasons given were largely concerning the environment and family rather than availability of services or any economic reasons. For communities to be sustainable the active participation of those happy to live in the area is required. A majority of residents are involved in volunteering activity (55%) but conversely relatively small levels participate in classes, clubs or learning activities (26%).”

“Local objectives: improve community engagement”

“Community Engagement
Community engagement is paramount to ensuring that what the partners are delivering is what the people of the Outer Hebrides want and require. Over the next twelve months, the partners will facilitate four key events and related processes to gain the views and ideas of the community. These will be focused on:
• Business, Economy and Population
• Health and Environment
• Education, Training and Skills Development
• Empowering Communities and Delivering Services
To encourage a continuous open dialogue with all sectors of the community, the Outer Hebrides Community Planning Partnership will also hold six open meetings throughout the year. These meetings will enable the communities to get the opportunity to ask questions and offer input at the end of each session after observing the process of debate, discussion and decision making.”

DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

SOA 2008

“Community Engagement

Our Community Engagement activities are conducted in numerous ways and include Quality of Service questionnaires, consultation days, direct, regular interaction with Community Councils, school liaison and the development of forums such as the ‘Xchange’ forum and ‘Community Voice’ platform. It will be our aim to ensure that our consultation processes are as relevant, focused and effective as possible and that they comply with the National Standards for Community Engagement. We also aim to engage more effectively with the Third Sector in D&G through implementation of the Compact, which was endorsed by the Joint Board in March 2008. Activities during 2008/9 will include agreement of an action plan to implement, monitor and develop the Compact.”

“LO: A place where people feel better connected, secure and at home. LI 3.18 Number of individuals in deprived areas encouraged to become involved within their communities (FSF) Action: Continue rolling programme of community engagement activity to result in an additional 150 individuals from vulnerable circumstances / deprived areas being positively engaged by 2010 with the model being a possible vehicle for ongoing consultation facilitated by external experts.”

SOA 2009

“The consultation programme followed the National Standards for Community Engagement and used a number of different methods of engagement including online surveys, customer service surveys and facilitated discussions and a number of written submissions were also received.”

DUNDEE

SOA 2008

“The importance of community engagement to the Dundee Partnership has been emphasised each year in the Regeneration Outcome Agreement annual report. This has evidenced the good practice in Dundee and the desire to continually improve through better joining up across partners and increasing our reach into communities. This SOA builds on the community engagement which informed both the Community and Council Plans and will continue to be a priority through our work in Local Community Planning Partnerships, community representative organisations, equalities groups and relationships developed within the voluntary sector.”

A significant new development which will inform and support the delivery of the single outcome agreement is the formation of Local Community Planning Partnerships. These new groups are based on multi-member electoral wards and will bring elected members, community representatives and partner agencies together. It is inevitable that these local partnerships will influence the shape of the Single Outcome Agreement and will drive the achievement of outcomes at the heart of communities.

SOA 2009

“Local Community Planning Partnerships have been established in each of the eight electoral wards in Dundee. These bring together elected members, community representatives and partner agencies in a new relationship to achieve local outcomes which improve communities. Over the last 9 months each new LCPP has worked within neighbourhoods and with other stakeholders to develop an outcome-based local community plan and action plan.
Extensive community engagement shaped individual local community plans and, when taken together, key issues emerged which influence the wider Partnership agenda and, consequently, the Single Outcome Agreement.”

“The importance of community engagement to the Dundee Partnership was emphasised and acknowledged each year in the Regeneration Outcome Agreement annual reports. These evidenced the good practice in Dundee and the desire to continually improve through better joining up across partners and increasing our reach into communities. The Partnership has built on the community engagement which informed the first SOA and deepened this through the Local Community Planning Partnerships. Over the next year this will be taken further with each LCPP developing its own community engagement framework underpinned by an examination of the key National Standards for Community Engagement.”

Effective Community Engagement Increase levels of participation in local community planning
• Increase levels of community capacity building to support local groups

EAST AYRSHIRE

SOA 2008

“NO11, Action required by local partners:

• continuing to support the two Federations of Community Groups to ensure the systematic engagement of community representatives in the Community Planning process both at strategic level, through the Community Planning Partnership Board, and local level, through the four new Local Community Planning Forums;”

SOA 2009

“In East Ayrshire, Community Planning Partners are committed to supporting communities by:
• providing support to local community and voluntary based organisations to meet their identified needs in order to build community capacity;
• continuing to support the two Federations of Community Groups to ensure the systematic engagement of community representatives in the Community Planning process both at strategic level, through the Community Planning Partnership Board, and local level, through the four new Local Community Planning Forums;
• supporting Federation activity, where appropriate, in their identification, implementation and development of projects linked to Community Planning priorities, which will benefit the local community;

EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE

SOA 2008

The SOA has been informed by community engagement which has been undertaken by both the Council and community planning partners across East Dunbartonshire. Information has been derived from the results of Citizens’ Panel activity, focus groups on specific issues and information from our flagship annual Community Assembly.

We will continue to utilise and to strengthen consultation and engagement structures to assist in delivery of the SOA. Our approach will include engagement with community councils, voluntary sector organisations, youth senate, Equality Advisory Group and local regeneration groups. We will also continue to use our core consultation mechanisms, such as Citizens’ Panel surveys and focus groups activity, adapting these where required to ensure continuous improvement in our engagement methods.”

SOA 2009

“3.5 Community Engagement
Community Engagement is a key principle which underpins the delivery of community planning and best value. Consultation and engagement helps improve the planning and delivery of services in order to ensure that they are responsive to the needs and aspirations of our communities. Our consultation and engagement processes reflect the National Standards for Community Engagement, ensuring that
consultation is effective and meaningful for the people involved and for those using the information. The SOA has been informed by substantial community engagement undertaken by both the Council and community planning partners across East Dunbartonshire. Information has been derived from the results of Citizens’ Panel activity, focus groups on specific issues and information from our flagship annual Community Assembly together with ‘world café’ consultation events on specific issues.

We will continue to utilise and to strengthen consultation and engagement structures to assist in delivery of the SOA. Our approach will include engagement with community councils, voluntary sector organisations, youth senate, Equality Engagement Group and local regeneration groups. We will also continue to use our core consultation mechanisms, such as Citizens’ Panel surveys and focus groups activity, adapting these where required to ensure continuous improvement in our engagement methods.”

EAST LOTHIAN

SOA 2008

NO15

“Action required by local partners:

• Introduce a number of initiatives to extend public engagement/influence in the work of the Council”

“Action required by Scottish Government:

To work with Scottish local government to define and agree a governance and accountability framework for SOAs. This will cover areas such as:
􀂃 Performance management frameworks for community planning partnership SOAs;
􀂃 Sanctions for non-delivery of outcomes; and
􀂃 Community engagement
To improve the co-ordination and alignment of performance management frameworks and outcome-focused planning, monitoring and reporting across agencies and community plan themes.”

SOA 2009

“The Community Planning Partnership has begun restructuring to strengthen partnership working around the SOA, which will continue throughout this year. The Partnership’s has a community engagement strategy and is also investing in a joint funded community engagement post as of this financial year. Local Community Planning is being introduced in two areas of East Lothian to help better address local needs. Community Engagement will also be improved across the Community Planning Partnership with the introduction of VOICE (Visioning Outcomes In Community Engagement). VOICE will help partners understand whether they are effectively engaging with their communities. The 2009 East Lothian Resident’s Survey found that resident’s generally perceived the Council’s services to be efficient (20.4% of respondents”

EAST RENFREWSHIRE

SOA 2008

“NO7 Context:

Building on community engagement through the ROA process, future work will focus on increasing the influence of local people over service design and delivery in disadvantaged and communities and across the wider East Renfrewshire area.”
SOA 2009

FALKIRK

SOA 2008

“We intend to enhance our approach to community engagement as part of the ongoing development of community and corporate planning linked to our Single Outcome Agreement.”

SOA 2009

No reference

FIFE

SOA 2008

“Required Actions/commitment by local partners for these outcomes

Fife Rural Partnership will support rural community volunteering and start –up including engagement, capacity building, skills and ability and access to funding to fulfil aspirations five new rural groups supported in East and two in the West. Increase assets into community ownership. All partners will continue to raise the standard of community engagement by using the National Standards of Community Engagement within their organisations.

Scottish Government required action/commitment to support delivery of local outcome

Provide leadership at National level to encourage and promote community empowerment and to foster a strategic approach amongst local authorities and other public bodies to support change in communities.
Develop a national support programme for community empowerment including support for skills development within the community and public bodies, for evaluating the impact of empowerment and to help networking across Scotland to make sure people learn from each other about what is working.”

SOA 2009

“Fife Partnership values and includes the Third Sector as an equal partner in Community Planning, with CVS Fife representing the interests of the sector on the Partnership. Third Sector Organisations, including voluntary and community groups across a wide variety of activity, charities, development trusts and social enterprises, play a major role in community life as providers of services and advocates on issues of importance to groups and communities. The unique relationship Third Sector Organisations can develop with the clients and communities they serve enables the sector to add value to the CPP in Fife. The sector is supported and encouraged with significant contracting and grant opportunities from the Fife partners, particularly Fife Council (including Social Work, Housing and Community Services) and NHS Fife, and is also proactive in drawing additional resources into Fife via a range of external funding avenues. Many of the most challenging policy areas such as community regeneration, health inequalities, housing, social care and employability benefit enormously from an active third sector which can give those who face particular marginalisation a voice in terms of defining service or local needs and creating solutions. An intended outcome of the Community Plan is community wellbeing resting on, amongst other deliverables, greater participation in community activity. Volunteering is at the heart of the Third Sector and around 22% of Fife’s population give up their time in a voluntary capacity annually, and volunteering is increasingly being recognised as a means of improving health and building employment-related skills as well as a means of contributing to local communities. The Scottish Government is committed to a strong third sector voice within community planning and is driving forward changes to Third Sector infrastructure support as a means of advancing this agenda. Fife Partnership is committed to supporting the agencies concerned (Councils for Voluntary Service, Volunteer Centres and Local Social Economy Partnerships) to ensure that these changes maximise the sector’s contribution to Fife’s communities.

The Fife Community Learning and Development (CLD) Strategy is a key policy driver as is the work of Voluntary Sector Infrastructure support agencies. The CLD Strategy has recently been refreshed to provide a clearer focus on community capacity building which will improve participation in community planning and local democratic processes, improve the capacity of community organisations to access resources, manage and deliver services and improve communities’ capacity to address local issues The Take a Pride in Glenrothes model proved a successful route to engaging communities in a range of practical environmental projects and was an excellent vehicle for local people to take on greater responsibilities for their own actions and the local environment. Fife Partnership continues to drive the use of the National Standards for Community Engagement throughout its planning processes. Fife Council’s Community Engagement Policy identifies 3 strands to effective community engagement – informing & consulting, community capacity building & participation and community empowerment. These will improve engagement with local communities, strengthen local democracy and improve the quality of service delivery. This policy, informed by the National Standards for Community Engagement and linked to the developing local leadership role of Area Committees, will have significant impacts in bringing people and communities together with services to improve service delivery”

GLASGOW

SOA 2008

“Involvement of the local community in planning and delivering public services is fundamental to community planning. In Glasgow a well defined structure has been established to facilitate this by ensuring an influence across public services rather than simply on the use of limited targeted resources through the Fairer Scotland Fund. These structures will continue to evolve over the course of this year and it is anticipated that they will be fully operational by March 2009. Community Reference Groups (CRGs) have been established in each of the ten local community planning partnership areas. These groups consist of nominated or elected individuals from a wide range of community based organisations. They reflect the range of community interests across their area, by ensuring membership from all the neighbourhoods as well as groups of people experiencing inequalities (e.g. in relation to race, gender, disability, sexuality, faith etc). The delivery of a best value focussed community engagement process with strong planning and performance framework will set the foundations for the delivery of high quality improving services”

SOA 2009

“Community Reference Groups (CRGs) have been established in each of the ten local community planning partnership areas. These groups consist of nominated or elected individuals from a wide range of community based organisations. They reflect the range of community interests across their area, by ensuring membership from all the neighbourhoods as well as groups of people experiencing inequalities (e.g. in relation to race, gender, disability, sexuality, faith etc). Indeed, the City’s Health Commission recommends that to tackle health inequalities we need to improve engagement with communities in service planning & budgeting and increase the integration of services.
The delivery of a best value focussed community engagement process with strong planning and performance framework will set the foundations for the delivery of high quality improving services.
Glasgow Community and Safety Services provides the opportunity for a range of services to come together.”

HIGHLAND

SOA 2008

“Community engagement and consultation
To involve residents more in shaping the future of their communities the Council is developing new ways for communities to be engaged in decisions which affect them. Notable achievements are found in:
• the way in which young people are involved;
• the support for up to 152 Community Councils in providing advice, information, training and annual funding (around £200k)
• land use planning consultations development plan and individual planning applications in accordance with the Planning
Scotland Act)

Areas under development include the establishment of new ward forums, further roll out of the standards of community engagement, equalities screening of consultations and the creation of new parent pupil forums.

Public Involvement in shaping service delivery is now day to day practice within the NHS. Across NHS Highland, the Health Voices network (a network of local people interested in being involved in healthcare planning and redesign) is actively involved in a range of service change projects at any one time. Patient groups aligned to local services (e.g. GP practices, maternity services, etc) are also active in shaping service design. In keeping Government guidance, significant service change or redesign involves formal and extensive public consultation exercises.”

SOA 2009

“Engaging others

In 2008-9 new forums for involving other organisations and representative groups have developed. These include:
78
• a Stakeholder Forum for Community Care to bring the views of users and carers into community care planning;
• a new Environment Forum to engage with a wide range of environmental interests and to support the work to develop and deliver environmental outcomes. In 2009-10 this forum will broaden to include further third sector involvement to develop a Climate Change Declaration for the Highlands, to show case good practice in sustainable design and carbon management, to share information about climate change adaptation plans and to develop a community awards scheme for climate change actions.
• a new Highland Economy Forum to bring the interests of business and social enterprise into the partnership to develop and deliver economic outcomes. The business community is brought into the Inverness City Partnership, building on the City Vision work. Further work will be explored in 2009 around the creation of business panels, possibly for each economic sector.”

“Third sector activity is strong in the Highlands, as identified in the area profile. The third sector is engaged in developing and delivering local outcomes through:
• The direct engagement of particular third sector bodies in service delivery and design – mostly this is through a commissioning or contractual relationship and it includes those bodies which are trading organisations. For example the achievement of increasing the housing supply will be agreed between the public sector (notably the Council and Scottish Water) and Housing Associations in the area.
• The direct engagement of particular third sector bodies to influence policy and projects. This may be through a commissioning arrangements, such as advocacy providers (the Highland Community Care Forum is a good example of this) or through involvement in stakeholder forums (such as those listed in paragraph 6.4 above) and in other forums including LEADER partnerships and Community Health Partnerships.”…..

“The way in which communities are involved in decisions about the public services they receive will form part of the review for the seven outcomes prioritised from 2009. Community planning partners have agreed to adopt the standards of community engagement and systems for recording their use will be developed in 2009-10. A range of methods are currently used, whether by theme through various forums or by geographic community through for example Ward Forums described above. Web-based performance information is developing to support better engagement and scrutiny. Active participation by communities in shaping and developing their communities is supported by a 6 year programme of LEADER funding from Europe. “

INVERCLYDE

SOA 2008

“3.5 Community Engagement
Community Engagement is a fundamental principle of Community Planning in order to improve the planning and delivery of services, making them more responsive to the needs and aspirations of communities. The best way to ascertain those needs is through clear, well developed processes which follow the National Standards for Community Engagement:
1. Involvement: we will identify and involve the people and organisations who have an interest in the focus of the engagement
2. Support: we will identify and overcome any barriers to involvement
3. Planning: we will gather evidence of the needs and available resources and use this evidence to agree the purpose, scope and timescale of the engagement and the actions to be taken
4. Methods: we will agree and use methods of engagement that are fit for purpose
5. Working Together: We will agree and use clear procedures that enable the participants to work with one another effectively and efficiently
6. Sharing Information: we will ensure that necessary information is communicated between the participants
7. Working With Others: we will work effectively with others with an interest in the engagement
8. Improvement: we will develop actively the skills, knowledge and confidence of all the participants
9. Feedback: we will feed back the results of the engagement to the wider community and agencies affected
10. Monitoring And Evaluation: we will monitor and evaluate whether the engagement achieves its purposes and meets the national standards for community engagement
This SOA has been informed by community engagement which has taken place across Inverclyde. It strikes a balance between what communities have identified as priorities and what partners have evidenced as priorities using service user and wider statistical information. Partners have set out their priorities in their key operational, business and service plans, and these have been reflected in the development and agreement of the local outcomes detailed in this agreement.

“Drew together all the recent research and community engagement and consultation
reports to set out clearly what the priorities for the communities of Inverclyde are,
distilling these to a list of priorities for the area.

• Organised a community engagement event on working together for the future for
Inverclyde at which the local priority areas were considered and tested and used
to develop the local strategic outcomes. Approximately 100 local residents
attended the event. “

Inverclyde wants:

“Guidance on community empowerment with local autonomy to reflect local
context”

SOA 2009

“Community Engagement is a fundamental principle of Community Planning in
order to improve the planning and delivery of services, making them more
responsive to the needs and aspirations of communities. The best way to
ascertain those needs is through clear, well developed processes
which follow the National Standards for Community Engagement:
1. Involvement: we will identify and involve the people and organisations who
have an interest in the focus of the engagement
2. Support: we will identify and overcome any barriers to involvement
3. Planning: we will gather evidence of the needs and available resources and
use this evidence to agree the purpose, scope and timescale of the engagement
and the actions to be taken
4. Methods: we will agree and use methods of engagement that are fit for
purpose
5. Working Together: We will agree and use clear procedures that enable the
participants to work with one another effectively and efficiently
6. Sharing Information: we will ensure that necessary information is
communicated between the participants
7. Working With Others: we will work effectively with others with an interest in the
engagement
8. Improvement: we will develop actively the skills, knowledge and confidence of
all the participants
9. Feedback: we will feed back the results of the engagement to the wider
community and agencies affected
10. Monitoring And Evaluation: we will monitor and evaluate whether the
engagement achieves its purposes and meets the national standards for
community engagement

This SOA has been informed by community engagement which has taken place
across Inverclyde, facilitated by a wide range of partner organisations. It strikes a
balance between what communities have identified as priorities and what
partners have evidenced as priorities using service user and wider statistical
information. Partners have set out their priorities in their key operational, business
and service plans, and these have been reflected in the development and
agreement of the local strategic outcomes detailed in this agreement.

The Community Engagement Network is developing a joint approach to
community engagement using the VOiCE toolkit in the development and delivery
of engagement, which ensures that the Alliance meets the national standard”

MIDLOTHIAN

SOA 2008

“The SOA will be refreshed annually via the Councils planning and performance management framework and the community engagement strategy and action plan.”

SOA 2009

“Community Engagement
The overarching aims of the Community Engagement Strategy are that the Community Planning Partnership works together:

• To ensure that the citizens and other key stakeholders in Midlothian have a voice to
influence the development of policies and strategies that will affect their lives.
• To inform the way in which services in Midlothian are planned and delivered
• To inform the process through which change can be achieved.
Within the Community Planning Partnership there are many examples of engagement activity taking place. While this list may not be exhaustive, it does suggest that there is a range and diversity that gives citizens and other stakeholders an opportunity to express their views to various providers of services.
• Citizens’ panel
• Communities that Care Board
• Multi-agency Partnership Groups including local people
• Social Inclusion Forum
• Tenant’s Forum
• Community Care Forum
• People with Mental Health Forum
• People with Learning Disabilities
• Management Committees of Community Centres
• Youth Platform
• Platform and Voice (older people)
• Midlothian Economic Forum Working Group
• Midlothian’s Children’s Parliament
• Community Health Action Groups
• Community Health Partnership – patient involvement
• Crime Prevention Panels
• Carer’s Groups
• Domestic Abuse Forum
• Feedback Forms
• Elected Members’ Surgeries

One method of community engagement noted above is the Citizen’s Panel. The panel consists of over 1000 residents composed of a representative balance of the adult community in Midlothian who are asked to complete a postal questionnaire. The returns are analysed and a report created to inform Community Planning Partners. A number of indicators noted below are measured using data received through Citizen’s Panel responses. The single outcome agreement has been written within the context of changing demographics within Midlothian and as such. There is a need for this to be reflected in any future service design or redesign. The role for the Community Planning Partnership will be to ensure that services and developments meet the needs of communities.”

MORAY

SOA 2008

“Community Engagement Group ensures that all sectors of the community have an
opportunity to influence the delivery of public services in Moray.”

“Local Context

Supporting Adult Engagement

Moray has a reputation as a supportive community with a strong sense of community and a strong voluntary sector. Moray has 15 operating community councils, a healthy network of village halls with an active Federation of Community halls and Associations. The Community Planning Partnership has local participation networks to bring together a wide range of local Community organisations and individuals.
Supporting Young People’s Engagement

Young people have participated in the development of the Moray Youth Strategy and indicated their desire to have a voice. Moray established a youth participation framework with a Youth Council with a full quota of School Councils and representatives at The Scottish Youth Parliament, supported by the Dialogue Youth Initiative.

Young People are actively using the “What’s on Where” internet site with monthly hits on the site rising from 550 in 2005 to 6,000 in 2007. The site is contributed to by 16 young people who keep the information up to date and relevant. 6,500 young people hold Smartcards and are then eligible to receive local discounts, which have been, built up by the 20 young people volunteers with local businesses. 28 young people have also volunteered over 1,000 hours through the Millennium awards volunteers.

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SOAs – barely a mention of community sector