{"id":1489,"date":"2023-09-11T12:37:42","date_gmt":"2023-09-11T11:37:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/participation\/?p=1489"},"modified":"2023-09-11T12:37:42","modified_gmt":"2023-09-11T11:37:42","slug":"a-national-conversation-on-local-democracy-and-community-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/participation\/2023\/09\/11\/a-national-conversation-on-local-democracy-and-community-power\/","title":{"rendered":"A national conversation on local democracy and community power"},"content":{"rendered":"

The aim of the <\/span>Local Governance Review<\/span><\/a> is to empower Scotland\u2019s different places and diverse communities to shape their own futures. We are doing this by considering how powers and resources should be shared between different spheres of government and local communities. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As part of the Review, we recently launched a national conversation called <\/span>Democracy Matters<\/span><\/a> asking communities to contribute their ideas on what changes are needed to encourage a more local, participatory and inclusive democracy in Scotland. Communities across Scotland have until 28 February 2024 to share their views and we want to hear from as many people as possible. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Early engagement<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

In 2018, discussions took place in diverse communities across Scotland. Over 4,000 people took part and shared their views on whether their community should be able to take more decisions about a whole range of public services, and the benefits this might bring.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We received 334 submissions, with many submitted by communities who considered the questions together. \u00a0Other responses came from individuals and a wide range of public, private and third sector organisations. \u00a0We also asked equalities organisations and those with experience working with some of the most deprived or marginalised communities to host conversations including Glasgow Disability Alliance, BEMIS, and Church of Scotland. \u00a0This helped to ensure that the Democracy Matters conversation included diverse voices from a wide range of backgrounds.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We also thought it was important to hear the voices of children, who are too often left out of decision making that affects them. Scotland\u2019s Children\u2019s Parliament worked with a group of children aged 12 \u2013 13 to <\/span>explore what mattered to them when thinking about decision-making and power. The children produced this fantastic <\/span>magazine explaining their findings<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What we heard<\/span><\/h3>\n

What we heard during early engagement was that people overwhelmingly want greater control of the decisions that affect their communities the most. We produced a <\/span>short animation<\/span> summarising what we heard and what we need to do next to respond. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Summer 2023: resuming the conversation<\/span><\/h2>\n

Based on what people told us during early engagement, we developed an outline for what ambitious new arrangements for community level decision-making might look like. These arrangements try to reflect people\u2019s desire for a vibrant, equal system of local democracy in our towns, villages and neighbourhoods. In this type of democratic future, people understand their rights and communities have the power and resources to take significant decisions for themselves. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The second phase of the Democracy Matters conversation<\/a> (which is now underway!) will deepen the conversation to understand in greater detail what this type of future could look like in different communities. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We are asking communities to consider sixteen questions. These questions are grouped into a small number of key themes which people identified as being important during early engagement:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n