DirAppNAC231101 Working Group on Local Representation
North Ayrshire Council · 1 November 2023
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 1 November 2023 and its agenda
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NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 1 November 2023 North Ayrshire Council Title: Working Group on Local Representation Purpose: To report on the findings and recommendations of a short-life Working Group on Local Representation Recommendation: The Council is invited to: (a) Note the work carried out by the short-life Working Group on Local Representation; and (b) Note the conclusions reached by the Working Group on Local Representation. 1. Executive Summary 1.1 At its meeting on 17 May 2023, the Council approved a motion on the establishment of a short-life Member Officer working group to examine opportunities for, and any gaps in, local representation. The motion also sought further information on the operation of community councils and the process for reviewing the Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils in North Ayrshire. 1.2 A politically representative working group met in June and August 2023 to consider the above and prepare recommendations for the Council’s considerations. 2. Background 2.1 The following motion was approved by the Council at its meeting on 17 May 2023: “Council notes that Community Councils are operating in some areas of North Ayrshire and are working hard in partnership with local Elected Members to give their communities a voice; however, some areas currently don't have an active Community Council. Council further notes that Community Councils as the first tier of Local Government are an important and vital part of local democracy especially when it comes to their role as a statutory consultee under Planning Legislation. Council therefore agrees to instruct officers to bring to a Special Council meeting a report outlining the current operation of Community Councils in our area and highlighting which areas do not have an active Community Council.
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Officers are also requested to advise Council of the process for the review of the Scheme of Establishment of Community Councils and its implications in the event that Council decides at a Special Meeting to review the Scheme. Furthermore, the Council agrees to: 1. Establish a Members’ short-term working group that will explore how local representation operates in each of North Ayrshire’s localities. The purposes of this working group will be to: a. Establish how local representation currently operates; b. Clearly define the representative roles of existing groups; c. Identify where there are gaps in local representation; and d. Establish a plan that helps ensure equality of local representation across all areas of North Ayrshire, which will include clarification on the different representative roles of Locality Partnerships and community councils and how non-statutory community groups fit into local representation; and 2. Consider, review and potentially agree to implement the recommendations of the short-term working group at the proposed Special Meeting of North Ayrshire Council along with the report on the review on the Scheme of Establishment.” 2.2 The politically representative working group, which included officer participation from Connected Communities and Democratic Services, met on 27 June 2023 and 10 August 2023. The June meeting focused on the Scheme of Establishment for Community Councils (“the Community Council Scheme”) and agreeing what further information the group required to complete the work requested of it. At the August meeting, the group considered a presentation showing the range of communities, both geographical and of interest, who are presently involved in participating through the various mechanisms surrounding locality planning. This is included as Appendix 1. 2.3 The current Community Council Scheme was adopted at a Special Meeting of the Council on 30 March 2016. The Scheme provides for up to 17 community councils covering every part of North Ayrshire. At the moment, eleven are active, namely Arran, Beith and District, Cumbrae, Fairlie, Irvine, Kilbirnie and Glengarnock, Kilwinning, Largs, Skelmorlie, Stevenston and West Kilbride. 2.4 Locality planning is a requirement of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. It is one of the ways local communities work together with public and third sector organisations to improve residents’ lives and neighbourhoods. North Ayrshire has taken a particularly inclusive approach to community and locality planning, understanding that building community capacity and social capital within our communities is a more effective route to reducing inequalities than public sector service delivery alone. 2.5 Each of the 6 localities in North Ayrshire – Arran, Garnock Valley, Irvine, Kilwinning, North Coast and the Three Towns – has a well-developed Locality Partnership, where elected members, community representatives and officers from the Council and partners come together to identify and act on their local priorities. The work of these partnerships extend beyond the formal meetings themselves, with a range of participation opportunities available in each locality. Appendix 1 explains these and
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the various communities, geographical and of interest, who are engaged in them. The overview is illustrative, not comprehensive. 2.4 The working group considered the support which is available should areas without an active community council wish to establish one, and the range of other groups in each area including the ways which they can be involved in decision making. They also considered the national context, with the Democracy Matters phase 2 conversation taking place nationally to consider if some decisions about a wide range of Scotland’s vital public services that are currently the responsibility of either national or local government should be taken closer to the people they most affect. This is part of the ongoing Local Governance Review which has been a shared review by the Scottish Government and CoSLA and is expected to produce recommendations for action. 2.5 The group considered how information on the opportunities which are available to participate is shared with communities. The development of a new participation strategy, outlining the commitment of the Council and its partners to participative approaches, and the various opportunities which are available, will help to clarify the purpose of different community participative groups and the ways in which people can take part in them. This will include clear information of the roles of the representative groups as well as the less formal routes for participation. Conclusions 2.6 The working group found that there was no current need for a review of the community council scheme of establishment, given the range of participation opportunities available in all geographical areas. Encouragement would continue to be given for community councils to be established in areas which do not currently have one. In the absence of any recommendation by the working group to conduct a formal review of the Community Council Scheme at this stage, there is no requirement for the matter to be considered at a Special Meeting of the Council. 2.7 The working group recognised that the local representation through locality planning is extensive and that the majority of groups in each area are already represented in an appropriate way. They agreed that there were several groups where stronger links should be developed in order to ensure all communities of interest across the area had opportunities to participate. This in particular included continuing the developing work with older people, and ensuring that the link with BME communities is strengthened. Work is being progressed around these areas. 2.8 The working group requested that consideration be given to whether non-statutory community groups could receive information on planning proposals in order to submit responses. This was investigated and information was shared that groups could sign up to the portal in order to receive the same information as statutory consultees such as Community Councils. This will be vigorously promoted. 2.9 In view of the depth and breadth of participation and engagement across North Ayrshire, and the potential of forthcoming change through the conclusions of the Local Governance Review, the working group concluded that there was no need for any changes to the current landscape of representation within North Ayrshire beyond the developmental work outlined in 2.7. In addition the promotion of opportunities to participate should continue through local networks and partners to ensure that the widest possible range of community members are aware of them.
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3. Proposals 3.1 Note the work carried out by the short-life Working Group on Local Representation; and 3.2 Note the conclusions reached by the Working Group on Local Representation. 4. Implications/Socio-economic Duty Financial 4.1 None Human Resources 4.2 None Legal 4.3 None Equality/Socio-economic 4.4 None Climate Change and Carbon 4.5 None Key Priorities 4.6 Strategic Aim - We will have active, inclusive and resilient communities. Community Wealth Building 4.7 None 5. Consultation 5.1 No consultation was required. Dr Audrey Sutton Executive Director of Education and Communities For further information please contact Rhonda Leith, Head of Service (Connected Communities, on 01294 324415 or Rhondaleith@north-ayrshire.gov.uk. Background Papers Appendix 1: MOWG Report Presentation
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PARTICIPATION MAPPING
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INTRODUCTION • Opportunity to participate: To influence and effect change beyond consultation
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Thematic Engagement – Strategic and through CLD Senior Manager Support • North Ayrshire Wide Strategic Groups:NAFCO, TACT, Third Sector Chief Officers Group • Groups in role as Lead Officer for Three Towns and Garnock Valley Locality Partnerships: Kilbirnie Loch Management Group, Saltcoats Ripple Effect
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• Ukrainian Community in North Ayrshire • Spike Wheat Scots • Suas Leis a Ghaildhlig Thematic engagement New Scots and Community Capacity YOUNG PEOPLE WIDER COMMUNITYNEW SCOTS AND GAELIC •Joint Cabinet • P7 Youth Council •Youth Council Executive •Young Carers •LGBTQI National and locally •British Youth Council •Joint Youth Forum •Climate Change Ambassadors •Mental Health Ambassadors •MSYPs •Equalities Forum •One Voice Care Experienced Forum •North Ayrshire Fairer Food Network (13 Larders) •North Ayrshire Food Forum (newly formed) •North Ayrshire Foodbank •PB Community Reviewer Groups •Community Leadership Collective •Older People's Voice •Community Engagement Hubs • North Ayrshire Sports Academy Forum • Young Ambassadors Forum • Team Inspire • Active Girls Committee • Schools Sports Councils • Schools Pupil Councils • PE focus groups • Nurture groups YOUNG PEOPLE
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GARNOCK VALLEY LOCALITY YOUNG PEOPLE COMMUNITY NETWORKS WIDER COMMUNITY •Kilbirnie & Glengarnock CC •Beith and District CC •Youth Forum •Joint Cabinet •Equalities Forum Kilbirnie & Glengarnock CA •Barrmill CA •Dalry CA •Beith CA •Garnock Valley Locality Network •Dalry Community Sports Club •Dalry Comm Dev Hub •Beith Community Development Trust •GV Food Network •Lochshore Development Group •Mens Sheds •Dalry Action Group •Garnock Valley Allotments Assoc •Café Solace •Beith Community Larder •Dalry Community larder •The Wee School Pantry •Dalry Community Garden •Dalry Elderly Welfare Committee •Beith Orr Park NW •Montgomery Court Committee COMMUNITY COUNCILS OLDER PEOPLE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS
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KILWINNING LOCALITY YOUNG PEOPLE COMMUNITY NETWORKS WIDER COMMUNITY OLDER PEOPLE •Kilwinning• LGBT Youth Forum •Joint Cabinet •Equalities Forum •Whitehirst Park •Nethermains •Cranberry Moss •Woodwynd •Love Hall •Kilwinning Locality Network •Kilwinning Chit Chats •Eglinton Growers •Eglinton Community Gardens •The wee shoap, Woodwynd •Cranberry’s larder •PRYDE •Kilwinning Community Sports Club •Kilwinning Football AcademyKilwinning Elderly Forum COMMUNITY COUNCILS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS
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NORTH COAST LOCALITY YOUNG PEOPLE COMMUNITY NETWORKS WIDER COMMUNITY OLDER PEOPLE •Cumbrae •Fairlie •Largs •Skelmorlie •West Kilbride • NC Youth Forum •Joint Cabinet •Equalities Forum • Fairlie • Skelmorlie • West Kilbride Com Centre • West Kilbride Village Hall •NC Locality Network West Kilbride Environmental Group/Friends of Kirktonhall Glen Organic Growers of Fairlie Largs Foodbank The Village Larder, West Kilbride • Skelmorlie Development Group • Largs Access to Food Group • Largs Church of Naz food provision NC Chit Chats NC Mens Shed West Kilbride Community Initiative Douglas Park•Age Well West Kilbride •Cumbrae Forum •Kilwinning Elderly Forum •Skelmorlie Elderly Forum COMMUNITY COUNCILS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS
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THREE TOWNS LOCALITY YOUNG PEOPLE COMMUNITY NETWORKS WIDER COMMUNITY OLDER PEOPLE •Stevenston • Ardrossan Youth Association • Ardrossan Scouts • Ardrossan Sea Cadets • SCRATCH Group • Joint Cabinet •Whitlees •Ardeer •Hayocks •Stevenston North •Argyle • Is there a locality network • Three towns clean up crew network • Stevenston Climate town • Steering group • Evolution Skatepark • Hayocks Parent Council/Hayocks TARA swing park • Raise your voice with Ardeer • SALT group • SPLASH group • Harbour Group • The Ripple effect • The Tap End Larder • Ardeer Larder • Argyle Community Shop • Ardrossan South Larder • The Quaint Larder • Ardrossan/Winton Sports group • Ardrossan Castle Heritage Group • Three town opportunities in retirement • Hope project group various • Hayocks over 50’s • 3 Towns Champions Discovery Group • A new hope mental health support group • Time to Talk mental health group COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS COMMUNITY COUNCILS • Lets Save lives mental health group • Three Towns Carers • Three Towns FM • Friends Of Stevenston • Three Towns Elderly Forum • David White hub Committee • 3 towns men shed
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ARRAN LOCALITY YOUNG PEOPLE COMMUNITY NETWORKS OLDER PEOPLE • Arran Elderly Forum • Arran Youth Foundation Youth Forum • Arran High Mountain Bike Club • Joint Cabinet • Arran Community Council • COAST • Arran Eco Savvy • Arran CVS • Arran Geopark • Arran Islands plan working groups • Community • Environment • Economy • Arran Pioneer project • Arran Access Trust • Arran Ferry Committee • Arran Recovery Group (now stood down) • Visit Arran • Arran HSCP Patient Service User Group • Hall committees and action groups • Kilmory village Hall and bunk house • Kildonan Hall and Improvements Committee • Lamlash Improvements association • Corrie and Sannox Village Hall Committee • Lochranza and Catacol Village hall • Pirnmill Village Association • Shishkin Valley improvement committee • Whiting Bay and District Improvements association • Brodick Improvement Committee • Arran Churches together • Arran Foodbank WIDER COMMUNITY
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IRVINE LOCALITY YOUNG PEOPLE COMMUNITY NETWORKS WIDER COMMUNITY •Irvine Youth Forum •Greenwood Parent Council •Irvine Royal Parent Council •Irvine Youth Legacy Centre •Joint Cabinet •Equalities forum •Irvine CC •Towerlands •BABCA •Castlepark •Fullarton •Dreghorn •Drybridge •Vineburgh •Springside •Friends of Redburn •Irvine Locality Network •Girdle Toll Foodbank •Choices community shop •The Farm basket, Bourtreehill •The ‘Side larder •Harbourside Men’s Shed •Newtown Men’s Shed •Irvine Clean up Crew •Crossing Together •Ayrshire Recovery Group •Micha Project •Marymass Committee •Irvine Elderly Forum •Vennel Garden Committee •Perceton SW1 •Irvine Discovery Award Group OLDER PEOPLE COMMUNITY ASSOCAITIONSS COMMUNITY COUNCILS
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INITIAL GAP FINDINGS – Development Areas •ASN parents •Older Peoples structure finalised •BME •Accessibility Forum