An appealing prospect? Opportunity to help develop an appeals process for participation requests

We’re inviting community groups, third sector organisations and public bodies to express an interest in working with us to consider a potential appeals process for participation requests, which were introduced as part of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.

Participation requests are a statutory means of communities requesting to work with public bodies to improve outcomes or services in their area.  A recent Scottish Parliament review recommended the introduction of an appeals mechanism for participation requests, and this follows a Scottish Government commissioned evaluation which also identified an appetite in communities for considering appeals.

The Scottish Government Community Empowerment Unit have funded SCDC to work with relevant organisations to explore what an appeals process could look like.  It is part of SCDC’s wider programme of work in relation to participation requests.

The work will bring a group of community and public service representatives together to look in more detail at the purpose, principles and practical implications. It will also support wider discussion of these in a larger consultative conference. The work will then be reported to the Scottish Government who will consider recommendations on what could be done to develop the idea further in light of the legislative intent and parliamentary recommendations in the issue.

We are currently looking for a broad range of community and third community  partners to form a working group to work with us between January 2021 and April 2022.  Meetings will be held online.  Support is available for anyone who is interested in participating but feels that online meetings would present a barrier or challenge.

To express interest in taking part in this work please complete the following form before Monday 13th December and we’ll confirm your participation by the end of the year.

Please note: priority will be given to ensuring as diverse a group as possible contributes to the development of an appeals process. This will include considerations of equality, experience of inequality, geography, experience of participation requests, type of organisation and role/position.

If you have any questions or difficulties signing up please contact us. Email Andrew Paterson or phone 0141 248 1924.