Thursday 21st September 10am-11.30am
This webinar will be a chance to learn about the Scottish Government’s recently launched Democracy Matters 2 consultation, and how your organisation can host conversations and support others to discuss the future of local decision-making in Scotland.
Building on the initial Democracy Matters discussions in 2018, Democracy Matters 2 is focused on communities having their say on what new local decision-making powers might look like, and how new decision-making bodies and community governance arrangements might work.
Hosted by the Scottish Community Development Centre and Development Trust Association Scotland, this session will offer a chance to hear more from Scottish Government about where these conversations fit in the wider empowerment agenda as well as how the consultation process will work.
During the session, participants will have a chance to learn more about the materials and resources available to participate in the process, discuss their thoughts, and pose key questions to colleagues from Scottish Government and COSLA.
This event is aimed at organisations who may want to host their own discussions, or support others to do so. Grants of up to £300 are available to fund things like hiring a venue, printing costs, facilitation or to help with costs of those with additional needs to participate.
More about Democracy Matters
Democracy Matters is part of Scottish Government’s Local Governance Review. In this second stage, the consultation invites people and communities to explore questions such as:
What new powers do communities need to achieve the increased community influence and control people want?
How could communities use potential new powers around decision-making, directing budgets, employing support staff and working collaboratively with other neighbourhoods?
How do we ensure any potential new decision-making body that could have these powers is representative and promotes equality and accountability for their whole community?
How should a potentially new decision-making body be resourced, what standards should be in place and what support should be provided to meet community need?
