CLD Plans and Strategies – first impressions (N=28) Peter Taylor

Wide range of approaches to CP integration Detail contained in plan Issues covered Partnership structures Locality planning

CP Integration East Ayrshire: ‘ A Community Learning and Development Framework’ – ‘A separate plan for community learning and development has not been considered appropriate, as... the work of the local authority and its partners … has been incorporated into the Community Plan and Delivery Plans’. Inverclyde: ‘The SOA Delivery Plans identify the high level priorities for CLD. The CLD Implementation Plan identifies specific CLD improvement actions through which CLD will be co-ordinated and its contribution maximised.’

CP Integration Fife: ‘This plan outlines how the Strengthening Communities Partnership will address the national priorities and support the community planning process. It reflects the priorities of and describes the key contributions to the SOA Outcomes and Fife Community Plan themes’

Details contained: different stages of development Some only setting out a process E.g. Highland ‘The Plan will be iterative’ – priorities to follow Many acknowledge this is interim stage: ‘This document is an outline plan for CLD activity across East Lothian, which links to a range of themes, partners and partnerships. As activity evolves, and individuals and communities are more engaged in learning and issues that affect their communities, the plan will need to evolve’.

Structure & contents Most do contain lists/tables of ‘Priorities’, ‘Outcomes’ (direct from SOA or otherwise), ‘workstreams’ Some list only SOA outcomes e.g. for each SOA priority East Renfrewshire has ‘CLD Strategic Focus’, Current Provision, Gaps and Barriers, Future Developments, Success Measures

Structure & contents But many have significant detail in Action Plan formats: (Needs) (SOA links) Inputs Outputs Outcomes Timescales (Lead and other partners)

Issues covered National/ social priorities Mentioned by all but one: ‘community empowerment’, ‘health’ Mentioned by over 80%: ‘prevention/ative’, ‘employability’ Mentioned by over 70%: ‘community development’, ‘Adult Learning Statement of Ambition’ Mentioned by over 60%: ‘National Youth Work Strategy’, ‘older people’, ‘welfare reform’, ‘poverty’, ‘Curriculum for Excellence’ Mentioned by over 50%: ‘Attainment’ Mentioned by over 40%: ‘Early Years Collaborative’ Mentioned by 18% (5): ‘social justice’

Issues covered CLD approaches Mentioned by all but one: ‘literacy/ies’ Mentioned by over 90%: ‘ESOL’ Mentioned by over 80%: ‘community capacity building’ Mentioned by over 70%: ‘digital’, ‘Workforce’ (CLD) Mentioned by over 40%: ‘Awards’ Mentioned by over 1/3: ‘Participatory Budgeting’

Partnership structures On a quick reading: 12 (-) have existing CLD Partnerships or similar 6 (+) have established them for or during process 6 state in plan that they will establish a group 3 have no indication of such arrangements (1 has three separate ‘strand’ groups)

Partnership structures Most report direct to CPP or to one of its main groups (or across all of them) Some adding CLD to existing CP groups E.g. Moray ‘remit of the Community Engagement Group will be extended to include that of a CLD Partnership’

Partnership membership Not all stated Some extensive E.g. Scottish Borders: Council: Children & Young People; Sports and Physical Activity; Community Services; Arts and Culture; Resilient Communities; Regeneration; Older People’s Capacity Building; Community and Partnership Manager; Strategic Policy Officer; CLD Team Leaders; Housing, Homelessness and Welfare Reform Lead Officer. NHS Borders. The Bridge. Volunteer Centre Borders. Police Scotland. Youth Borders. Skills Development Scotland. Borders College. Fire and Rescue. Sports and Leisure Trust. Jobcentre Plus Some reliant on TSI for voluntary/community membership

Localities Only a few already include local priorities Est. 54% propose to create (or have) locality CLD Plans Others will involve locality CPP structures in implementation/ reporting

Positive thoughts LAs/partners have largely responded to challenge Clear about how much of task still to do Brought CLD to higher/wider attention Shown relationships and links between ‘strands’.. and to national & local policy Broadened/ clarified partnerships