Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector

National Policy Resources

Community Empowerment Action Plan
COSLA and Scottish Government have, through the Community Empowerment Action Plan, have pledged to increase the involvement of residents in local decision making.

In April 2008, the Scottish Government and COSLA announced a joint statement of commitment to community empowerment. It sets Government at national and local level on a long term path to make sure that more communities become more empowered across the country.

This Action Plan builds on that statement and provides clarity on what community empowerment is, why it is important and how communities become empowered. It also sets out a range of new and existing practical actions which underpin the process of community empowerment.

Local Government (Scotland) Act 2003
Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 was developed to enable the delivery of public services which better meet the expectations of those who pay for and use them.

The Act contains provisions in relation to:

• best value within local authorities;
• local authority trading powers;
• the Community Planning process;
• the promotion and improvement of well-being;
• and certain miscellaneous provisions concerned with local government.

The provisions in the Act will in the main impact most directly on local authorities but particular aspects of the Act also relate to certain other public

National standards for Community Engagement
The Glasgow Community Planning Partnership Single Outcome Agreement (SOA) is a partnership with the people and the communities of Glasgow. Community Engagement is a key part of the ongoing development of SOA.

The National Standards for Community Engagement set out best practice guidance for community engagement between communities and public agencies to ensure the SOA reflects the priorities

National Conversation: Choosing Scotland's Future - Have your say!
The Scottish Government is committed to bringing forward a Referendum Bill in 2010, offering the options of enhanced devolution and independence. But it will be the people of Scotland who decide Scotland's constitutional future.

You can add your voice to the National Conversation here or pick up on points made by others.

Local Government Concordat
The Strategic Concordat sets out the terms of a new relationship between the Scottish Government and local government, based on mutual respect and partnership.
The Concordat underpins the funding to be provided to local government from 2008-11.

Single Outcome Agreement (SOA) information and relevant documents

Procurement Scotland
The Public Procurement Reform Programme (PPRP) was initiated as a result of McClelland's Review of Public Procurement in Scotland. The PPRP aims to drive up standards in the way the public sector procures goods and services to ensure that tax payers' money is spent as wisely as possible.