Consultation On The Proposed Community Empowerment - Scottish ...

3.29 Respondents were also asked whether the various duties should be replaced
with an overarching duty. Just over half of those respondents who answered
this question said that they were in favour of the existing duties being replaced
by an overarching duty to engage.
3.30 Respondents provided a number of reasons as to why they supported the
proposal. Many (particularly community councils, third sector/ equality
organisations and some private individuals) believed that this would help to
simplify approaches to community engagement and make it clearer to all parties
what was expected of them.
“This should make it easier to understand and to convey to
all parts of the workforce in Community Planning
organisations and to all sections of the community.”
(Individual)
3.31 Others suggested that it would result in more coherent and consistent
approaches to community engagement. In particular, some local authorities felt
that it might help to reduce the current ‘silo effect’ to engagement and enable
Community planning partnerships to take a more holistic view of communities
and their needs.
“The Council believes that an overarching duty would ensure
that communities have greater influence in decision making.
If an overarching duty was established it would make it
easier to engage with communities in a co-ordinated way
rather than sectors engaging to fulfil individual requirements.”
(South Lanarkshire Council)
3.32 East Dunbartonshire Council also proposed that the duty should support the
implementation of the principles recommended by the Christie Commission with
particular emphasis on local services being designed around individuals and the
community.
3.33 A number of respondents stated that if an overarching duty were to be
introduced, it should be backed by clear guidance and a common set of support
tools to ensure consistency in its implementation. The Shetland Partnership
Board made the point that support for capacity building in both communities and
service providers would be essential if it were to work well.
“If it is decided to introduce such a new overarching duty, the
opportunity should be taken to simplify the current system
and seek to support existing good practice and embed
current voluntary agreements, such as the National
Standards for Community Engagement and ensure that the
duty applies to all community partners.”
(Glasgow City Council)
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