Consultation On The Proposed Community Empowerment - Scottish ...

3.87 The numbers expressing opposition to the proposal were much lower. The
most predominant arguments used to support these views were that it would
add an extra layer of bureaucracy, and that such a duty would be difficult to
monitor and enforce.
“Monitoring community engagement would, we fear, become
an expensive and bureaucratic exercise. We would caution
about how a process of community engagement is measured
other than through a quantitative approach which may only
reveal some aspects of an overall strategy.”
(Scottish Community Foundation)
3.88 Others suggested that imposing a duty to follow the National Standards might
restrict more flexible and creative approaches being developed to community
engagement.
3.89 A common view expressed by a few local authorities and some other
respondents was that the Standards should be seen as a guide or good
practice, with the scrutiny of their use covered through regular inspections and
audits.
“The Standards should be promoted as good practice and
partners reminded of the systems that are in place to assist
them in the engagement process e.g. VOiCE.”
(Society of Local Authority Chief Executives Scotland)
3.90 NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde expressed concern about the generic ‘public
sector’ requirements which would probably require further specific translation to
individual public sector organisations to ensure fit with their overall
accountability requirements.
3.91 The Development Trusts Association Scotland commented that compelling the
public sector to follow the National Standards would not necessarily bring about
the desired outcomes in relation to community engagement. They proposed
that in order to realise the vision set out by the Christie Commission, the focus
should be on broadening the dialogue between public bodies and community
anchor organisations in a way, which enables new partnerships to be
developed.
3.92 Some other respondents made the point that imposing a duty to follow the
National Standards would not necessarily bring about the culture change that
was required.
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