Sign up for our Briefing. Going out fortnightly to circa 4,900 subscribers.
14th December 2022
I’ve worked with countless civil servants over the years, some very closely, but there’s a clear line separating our respective worlds that I’ve never fully understood but equally, have never wanted to cross. While there’s much to admire about the civil service, it’s also hugely frustrating to work with. Especially so when civil servants that you’ve built a trusted relationship with, are suddenly uprooted to some far flung part of government never to be seen again. While there’s something almost admirable about that emotional detachment from their work, it’s also why I know I’d never be any good at it. But working closely with them has always been instructive – particularly observing their attempts to break down the entrenched silos of government. Some years ago, when public spending was less constrained, I knew of civil servants who had been specifically tasked to operate in those liminal spaces that lie between departments and government functions. By working at the ‘joins’ of government, these ‘outriders’ had a licence to explore new and more productive ways of working across government. With all the silos and complexities that have come to bedevil our own sector, perhaps there’s something in this approach we could learn from.
In the most recent briefing…
-
On the ground
Read moreInteresting reaction from Transport Scotland to an initiative by local people on Mull which comes from mounting frustration at CalMac’s inability to deliver a reliable ferry service. The initiative, funded by HIE, is to explore the potential of creating a community owned ferry company and take over the failing service between Mull and the mainland. Transport Scotland has issued a statement saying that the Scottish Government will not countenance the break up of its current monopoly service. No explanation given, no discussion to be had. When you’re in a hole, the advice is normally to stop digging.
-
On the ground
Read moreWhen asked why communities get involved in so many complex and arduous projects, I conclude that it’s simply down to the absence of any realistic alternatives. And in relation to the lack of affordable housing in rural Scotland, it’s become increasingly clear that only local people have the energy and drive to do something about it. Communities in Arisaig, Arran, Gigha, and Staffin to name just a few, are currently taking forward their own projects. In his recent blog, Calum MacLeod argues that this burden on communities could be eased significantly if the forthcoming Land Reform Bill is sufficiently radical.
-
On the ground
Read moreAfter concluding that the Climate Challenge Fund (£100m) didn’t deliver sufficient sustained climate action at a community level, the Scottish Government embarked on a radical change of tack. SCCAN is being supported to establish a series of regional networks of activists and climate action groups in order to build local levels of resilience. Thought to represent a more sustainable approach to support climate action over the long term, the pressure on this approach to succeed has just ratcheted up with the publication of the Climate Change Committee conclusions that Scotland is falling woefully short of its climate targets.
-
Policy talk
Read moreWorth catching up on Simon Schama’s History of Now (BBC2). Reflecting back on a life steeped in culture, he continually asserts the centrality of art as a bulwark to the multiple threats that face humanity, whatever and wherever they are. He covers the big stuff – those artists with global reach and significance – but the point he makes is as relevant to community life as it is to global affairs. Too often marginalised when times get tough, the artist, he argues, should be front and centre. Projects like the Neighbouring Orchard lift the heart and should be cherished.
-
Policy talk
Read moreScotland lays claim to a ‘world class’ ecosystem of support for social enterprise. And the multi-award winning Locavore, committed to building a more sustainable food system, would have to be considered one of the sector’s long term success stories. Beginning with a tiny shop in Shawlands, Locavore’s subsequent expansion has been impressive and no doubt supported along the way by that same ‘world class’ ecosystem. Except they now believe that a key element of that ecosystem is the root cause of their current problems. In the meantime, Locavore has published a recovery plan in which we can all participate.
-
Policy talk
Read moreThe idea that we, the citizens, should be able to exercise direct influence over how public money is spent by casting a vote in favour of one proposal over another, strikes fear into many a politician. The whole concept seems to erode the premise on which they were elected. And yet participatory budgeting continues to grow in popularity and scale. £1m of public investment in community projects across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray aimed at securing a just transition to net zero is up for grabs. You’ve got to live there to vote but the process is worth a look anyway.
Featured anchor organisation:
Community Links (South Lanarkshire)
Community Links is an independent Lanarkshire-based Community Anchor organisation. Established in 2002, Community Links has a proven track record and passion for working with, encouraging and supporting communities to co-produce sustainable and meaningful involvement, participation and community-owned change. We are a value-based organisation, and this is reflected in how we deliver our services and interact with the communities we serve.
Find out more