Next Steps for Participatory Budgeting in Scotland

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Tuesday 27th March 2018

Participatory budgeting (PB) is recognised as a tool for community empowerment and fits with the Scottish Government’s overall goal for local governance and public service reform.

Since 2014 the Scottish Government has invested over £4.7 million in a range of measures to support the introduction and development of PB in Scotland. Subsequently, in 2015, the Community Choices Fund was introduced to provide financial support for PB across Scotland.

PB is considered to have important potential in helping individuals feel connected to each other and to their communities, overall instilling a sense of ownership, trust and connectivity. However, a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges conferred by PB are required to ensure that the process meets local priorities effectively now and in the future.

Attend this timely Holyrood briefing on 27 March to understand how to effectively facilitate PB in your service. This event will bring together expert speakers and delegates from community development, engagement and planning backgrounds to understand the opportunities and challenges presented through the process of PB, and how to effectively manage them. Key organisations will share learning for best practice, and examine how to ensure that people are given an equal opportunity to participate and have their voice heard in local priorities.

Confirmed speakers

  • Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for Local Government and Housing, Scottish Government
  • Simon Cameron, Development Manager - Participatory Budgeting, COSLA
  • Evelyn O'Donnell, Community Engagement Officer, Glasgow City Council
  • Kevin Sayer, Community Manager (Cowdenbeath), Fife Council
  • Coryn Barclay, Research Consultant, Fife Council
  • David Reilly,  PB Scotland Network
  • Pam Crosthwaite, Participatory Budgeting Development Officer, North Ayrshire Council
  • Ruchir Shah, Policy Manager, SCVO

This briefing will be of most benefit to those working in community planning and engagement and local government financing:

  • Community engagement, development and planning officers
  • Area or regional managers
  • Business improvement and development teams
  • Local advocacy and outreach personnel working in charities and third sector organisations
  • Finance, accounting and facilities management
  • Councillors

Key issues to be addressed:

  • Current policy landscape and next steps for PB
  • Examining how to utilise the Community Choices Fund
  • Understanding the impact of PB on local services and local communities
  • Building capacity and competence for meaningful and sustainable participation within communities, local authorities and partnerships
  • Strategic engagement within 1%
  • Tackling inequalities through PB to ensure that all voices within a given community are represented
  • Learning from and sharing good practice of PB from across Scotland

More about the event and how to book here.