Description

Report and executive summary of  the findings from the first survey of community planning officials (managers and officers) conducted in Scotland. It sheds light on the composition of this significant group of local public servants, their role, the work they undertake and the implications for community planning partnerships and community engagement.

Summary

Community planning officials constitute one of the most significant groups of local public servants in Scotland today. They work across a broad range of key policy areas and are at the forefront of advancing the agenda laid out by the Christie Commission on the Future Delivery of Public Services and legislation such as the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act.

This Survey report and Executive Summary present the findings of the first survey of community planning officials (managers and officers) conducted in Scotland.

Over the years improving community planning partnerships (CPPs) has often meant reforming structures and procedures; the 'hardware', to use a computing metaphor. Getting that right is crucial but policy, governance and public service successes often hinge on the 'software': relationships, mindsets, values and ways of working.

Community planning officials (CPOs) operate at the heart of local governance. This survey sought to explore their views on issues related to both the 'hardware' and the 'software' of CPPs.

The report has sections on:

• Understanding the CPO workforce
• Understanding the work of CPOs
• Using evidence
• Understanding how CPPs work
• Community engagement in community planning
• Frameworks, policies and reforms affecting community planning

It also includes 14 recommendations focused on: developing resources and evidence to support the work of CPPs; staff development and support; improving deliberative quality in CPPs; participation and engagement; and the impact on communities and inequalities.

Download the publications

• Executive Summary – Community Planning Officials Survey: Understanding the everyday work of local participatory governance in Scotland (PDF)
• Community Planning Officials Survey: Understanding the everyday work of local participatory governance in Scotland (PDF)

More details

Authors:

• Dr Oliver Escobar is a Co-Director for What Works Scotland and a Lecturer in Public Policy at the University of Edinburgh (School of Social and Political Science).
• Professor Ken Gibb is a former Co-Director for What Works Scotland and the Principal Investigator and Director of CaCHE, the UK-wide Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence.
• Dr Mor Kandlik Eltanani is a former research associate at the University of Edinburgh and current Senior Analyst at the Information Services Division, NHS National Services Scotland.
• Sarah Weakley is a What Works Scotland research associate at the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, and co-leads wave 2 of the Community Planning Officials survey.