Community Planning: What's it doing for communities?
Danny McMillan, Chair, Larkfield Housing Association
Alan Bell, Senior Manager, Communities & Information, West Lothian Council
'Government of the people, by the people & for the people'. Alan Bell feels that the famous quote from Abraham Lincoln captures the essence of everything that community planning should be. He began his presentation by stating that community planning is a means to delivering more effective and accountable services to local communities and should not bee seen as an end in its own right.
Both speakers revealed the basic tension between delivering local goals set by the local community and the pressure to use community plans to deliver national targets from the Scottish Executive. Alan explained that the role played by local authorities is central to easing this tension. They must consult with local communities and work in partnership with the Executive to develop strategic policies that reflect the communities' concerns and aspirations. This involves local authorities agreeing to broad high level targets but targeting funding to deliver local outcomes agreed by the local people.
Danny McMillan agreed that community planning must have clear linkages with the local community. He also emphasised the vital role played by local agencies including housing associations. He called for better involvement of these local agencies rather than better engagement.
Alan emphasised the importance of local communities' involvement in the early stages of developing community plans. They should be involved in developing the key aims and objectives of the organisations if they are going to deliver the outcomes that are important to them.
The presentations were followed by a lively question and answer session where the audience argued that although legislation, plans and training are required the most important elements for successful community planning are common objectives and a willingness for all parties to listen and develop a shared vision.