Review of National Outcomes - Call for Evidence (John McLuckie)
Argyll and Bute Council · 22 June 2023
Back to Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership - Management Committee — 22 June 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Dear Scottish Government, In reference to the call for evidence on comments for the National Outcomes, please find below evidence from Argyll & Bute Community Planning Partnership. Main points: The main point we want to make is that the two highest priorities that communities in Argyll and Bute wish the CPP to focus on, housing and transport infrastructure, are not identified within the National Outcomes. The fourth priority, financial inclusion, is also light in terms of linkages to the National Outcomes. The above are concerns to the Argyll & Bute Community Planning Partnership. Background: We know that the 7 thematic areas of importance for the population of Argyll and Bute are: - Transport Infrastructure - Housing - Community Wellbeing - Financial Inclusion - Diverse Economy and Skilled Workforce - Climate Change - Digital Inclusion We know this from an analysis of Community Planning partners’ data-led strategic, corporate and annual plans, together with the outcomes of community engagement undertaken in Argyll and Bute over the past 3-4 years. A recent consultation run by the CPP, between December 2022 and March 2023 and following best practice in engagement to include voices less heard, resulted in 1,978 people responding to inform us that their top 3 priorities for Argyll and Bute over the next ten years are, in order of importance: - Transport Infrastructure - Housing - Community Wellbeing The other priority themes are listed below in order of importance to the 1,978 respondents from most to least important as a priority: - Financial Inclusion - Diverse Economy and Skilled Workforce - Climate Change - Digital Inclusion Alignment with National Outcomes: The table below illustrates the alignment of the current National Outcomes to the thematic priorities from Argyll and Bute’s Community Planning Partnership’s recent engagement with communities (1,978 respondents).
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Argyll & Bute (CPP) themes in order of priority (based on recent engagement with 1,978 respondents) National Outcome links Transport Infrastructure (Transport accessibility, availability, reliability and affordability: transport includes cycling, parking, ferries, buses and rail) It is an issue that Transport Infrastructure is not mentioned Housing (Access to affordable housing of the right size in the right place, recognising the high proportion of second home ownership) It is an issue that Housing is not mentioned Community Wellbeing (Access to opportunities that can support mental and physical wellbeing) Grow up loved, safe and respected so that they realise their full potential Live in communities that are inclusive, empowered, resilient and safe Are creative and their vibrant and diverse cultures are expressed and enjoyed widely Value, enjoy, protect and enhance their environment Are healthy and active Financial Inclusion (Wealth inequality, recognising the impacts of the cost of living, in particular food, fuel and clothing) Tackle poverty by sharing opportunities, wealth and power more equally Diverse Economy and Skilled Workforce (Diversity both in the makeup of the economy and how we build skills in the workforce and attract more people into the workforce, e.g. availability of job opportunities all year round, diversity of businesses operating in Argyll and Bute, attracting and retaining workforce, opportunities for training and skills development) Have a globally competitive, entrepreneurial, inclusive and sustainable economy Have thriving and innovative businesses, with quality jobs and fair work for everyone Are well educated, skilled and able to contribute to society
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Climate Change (Recognising the climate emergency and the desire to make changes that allow us to adapt to current climate impacts and minimise future climate change through positive actions) Value, enjoy, protect and enhance their environment Digital Inclusion Mobile and Internet connectivity, access to equipment such as mobile phones, laptops, etc, knowledge on how to use and engage safely with digital) There is nothing within the National Outcomes to address this An equalities approach is taken on CPP priorities and actions Respect, protect and fulfil human rights and live free from discrimination ** Are open, connected and make a positive contribution internationally ** This outcome is vague and so it’s not easy to align exactly to this. Conclusion: The Scottish Government needs to give consideration to the body of evidence within Argyll and Bute which identifies Transport Infrastructure, Housing, Community Wellbeing and Financial Inclusion as top 4 priorities for improving communities over the next 10 years. Whilst it is recognised that the majority of the outcomes fit into a ‘wellbeing’ theme, it is concerning that there is a lack of outcomes related to transport infrastructure, housing and financial inclusion – all of which we know impact wellbeing. Moreover, it is unclear what is expected from the outcomes when the outcome states: “are open, connected and make a positive contribution internationally” and this may be best omitted from future outcomes or made clearer. It is also a concern that there is some confusion between what individuals can do and what requires collective action within the outcomes. For example saying that people are to “have a globally competitive, entrepreneurial, inclusive and sustainable economy” at the same time as saying people are to “value, enjoy, protect and enhance their environment”. One of these outcomes is achievable on an individual level and one is not. Therefore, the role of the person in achieving the outcomes is confusing and a consistency of approach to the outcomes would be appropriate in order to be clear who is responsible for achieving them. Notes: We have a dataset at postcode level which qualifies the points we are making and are happy to be contacted to discuss further: cppadmin@argyll-bute.gov.uk