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PART 1 PLANNING FOR CULTURE WITHIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
THE DRAFT CULTURE (SCOTLAND) BILL
1.1 The draft Culture (Scotland) Bill forms part of the new cultural policy package that was announced in "Scotland's Culture", in January 2006. The draft Bill will establish a legislative framework for the development of cultural services, as specified in the policy statement. The relevant sections taken directly from the Bill are:
1.2 Section 7 of the Bill explains that the term "cultural services" used in sections 1, 2 and 3 means services of a cultural nature provided in the performance of a local authority's functions under -
- the Public Libraries Consolidation (Scotland) Act 1887,
- section 163(2) of the Local Government Act (Scotland) 1973,
- sections 14 to 17 of the Local Government and Planning (Scotland) Act 1982,
- sections 53 and 54 of the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994, and
- section 20 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003.
1.3 In this guidance, the term "cultural entitlement" is intended to be part of the specific 'cultural services' that local authorities are statutorily obliged to provide. The entitlements so delivered may include that core provision, such as local access to cultural services such as libraries and museums. They will also include specific activities, developed following local consultation.
1.4 Section 3 of the draft Bill refers to information local authorities will provide to Ministers about the planning and provision of cultural services, and how this provision is used in the "performance of their functions generally". In the guidance, this activity is described as "cultural planning", a process which also embraces the delivery of entitlements. The terms "cultural entitlements" and "cultural planning" are described in Annex 1.
Purpose of sections 1-3 of the draft Bill
1.5 In practical terms, the Culture (Scotland) Bill permits Ministers to give local authorities statutory guidance about how they provide cultural services. The aim is to assist local authorities to develop and deliver local services which will enhance authorities' existing duties to make adequate provision of culture for the people in their area. The requirement on local authorities to publish, from time to time, information about provision is intended to help inform local citizens about cultural provision as a whole, and the entitlements their authority will provide. The Bill also gives Ministers power to gather information about authorities' cultural provision, and the way culture is used in the performance of the authorities' functions generally e.g. to assist in the delivery of strategic objectives.
Duties on local authorities
1.6 The new requirements with which local authorities are expected to comply, are summarised as follows:
Section 1 - Local authorities must publish:
- Information about what cultural services, including entitlements, they intend to provide, together with information about how local people can access these
- Information about general provision and about provision targeted at particular groups of interest, including cultural entitlements
Sections 2 and 3 - Scottish Ministers have the power to issue guidance to assist local authorities to comply with the duty in section 1. Section 3 specifically requires local authorities to provide, when required to do so, information about the provision of cultural services.
The information to be provided by local authorities under section 3 is expected to include: - The kinds of cultural services they provide
- How they plan for the provision of cultural services, including entitlements
- How consultations to inform the above are undertaken
- How cultural provision and activity is being used across various services and functions to achieve positive outcomes for a broad range of strategic policy objectives, providing evidence of those outcomes
- The quality of their provision and its uptake by citizens, including 'hard to reach' and minority groups
- How cultural provision is evolving - both generally and particularly, through cultural entitlements
- How they publicise cultural services to encourage more people to participate
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1.7 Scottish Ministers require that this information will be provided to them in a consistent manner, clearly demonstrating that the Quality Assurance Framework described in Part 2, has been rigorously applied.
1.8 The previous section covers the statutory duties - what local authorities are expected to do. The following section of this guidance, on cultural planning and cultural entitlements, explains how local authorities might undertake the various operations, including what Ministers require them to do to fulfil their new duties.
CULTURAL PLANNING
Introduction
1.9 The Culture (Scotland) Bill allows Scottish Ministers to request information from local authorities about how they have planned the provision of cultural services, including cultural entitlements and how this planning has contributed to improving the overall performance of the Council in carrying out its functions. The Bill requires local authorities to have regard to this guidance when carrying out the process of planning and developing entitlements.
1.10 This broad-based approach to using cultural services is termed "cultural planning". Successful cultural planning should consider the intrinsic value of cultural services e.g. the way that culture, and participation in culture, can stimulate, and provide opportunities for creativity and enjoyment. The process should also consider the instrumental value that culture can provide by linking the strategic policy objectives of a local authority to the development of local provision, including cultural entitlements, through community engagement.
1.11 When they request evidence of cultural planning activity, Scottish Ministers will wish to see how cultural services are being used across a range of policy objectives not directly associated with culture eg, tackling anti-social behaviour, improving mental and physical health and building safer and more attractive communities and how local people have been consulted during the process. Ultimately, cultural planning should seek to influence the further development of strategic goals. The development of entitlements is covered in more detail later in paragraph 1.33.
Cultural Planning
1.12 The Scottish Centre for Regeneration's Learning Point 11 4 - "The arts and regeneration: working in partnership" - states:
"Cultural planning is an approach to making communities better places for residents to live, which puts people and culture at its centre".
1.13 Cultural planning brings culture and cultural activity into the full range of service delivery that local authorities and their partners provide. It can invigorate traditional service planning by drawing upon culture, and its authentic local character, involving the community throughout the activity. Such community engagement has been shown to build commitment, resulting in stronger communities with a sense of common purpose. Scottish Ministers are already working in partnership to bring the benefits of culture to bear in policy making and delivery across all areas for which they have responsibility.
1.14 Scottish Ministers require local authorities to consider the following key principles:
Cultural Planning should -
- Include planning for the improvement of cultural services
- Include planning the ways in which culture can achieve better policy outcomes for local authorities across a range of functions
- Aim to build more attractive communities and improve the lives of local citizens
- Link the development of cultural entitlements to strategic objectives and outcomes
1.15 The Bill requires evidence of cultural planning which embraces these key principles. It does not require local authorities to produce a separate plan. However, some local authorities may decide to produce a planning document, as many do, as a framework for discussions and a way of agreeing common objectives with delivery partners. In either case, it should be demonstrated through providing information to Scottish Ministers that cultural activity is not solely being provided as a separate activity, or an 'add-on', but is being actively considered as a way to achieve core policy objectives that will improve outcomes for local communities.
1.16 Scottish Ministers require local authorities to plan for locally-provided cultural services that include the arts, heritage resources, museums, libraries and archives. The draft Bill does not affect their existing duties to make core cultural provision under existing statutes.
The planning process
1.17 When deciding how they propose to carry out the cultural planning process, local authorities should consider how they will take into account and record the information that they are likely to be required to provide to the Scottish Ministers.
1.18 Local authorities will need to ensure that the cultural planning process that follows has been taken into account and that the outcomes of this can be evidenced to Scottish Ministers, when requested. The Working Group proposes that the Quality Assurance Framework (see Part 2) will supply the format for local authorities to provide information about the quality of cultural services.
1.19 The key elements of this process are:
- Agreeing a planning framework
- Mapping existing provision
- Consultation
- Planning and delivering improved cultural provision, including cultural entitlements
- Ensuring this cultural provision can be evidenced across services and sectors
- Evaluating the planning and delivery process and its impact on the community, through the Quality Assurance Framework
- Submitting information to Scottish Ministers about their provision, and the outcomes of quality assurance
The cultural planning framework
1.20 Local authorities should consider planning for culture through the framework of existing strategies and plans which support the strategic Community Plan. This includes mapping the area's cultural activity and existing council provision, and identifying where strategic planning could introduce a cultural dimension. The planning framework should also recognise that this will be a long-term and organic process and build in appropriate opportunities for review. See the cultural entitlement flow chart (paragraph 1.38) which illustrates that process as integral to cultural planning.
Community Planning
1.21 All local authorities are tasked in terms of section 15 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 with establishing a Community Planning Partnership for their area. That Partnership comprises relevant local bodies who come together to develop a Community Plan, which articulates their joint vision for coordinating and improving services to their local community. The Power to Advance Well-Being - in section 20 of the Act - also enables local authorities to work in more innovative ways in responding to the needs of their communities. A summary of the key principles of Community Planning can be found on the website 5.
1.22 Structural models through which local authorities work with Community Planning partners differ across Scotland, but all have developed broad overarching or underpinning themes such as health and well-being, community safety, lifelong learning, jobs and economic development, regeneration and environment. In turn, these are supported by a range of strategies and action plans, produced by local authorities and their partners which further support overarching policy objectives. Many of these can be supported and enhanced by the inclusion of cultural activity. As an example, developing a range of cultural activities for looked after and accommodated children and young people could help achieve the policy objectives of engaging young people, reducing anti-social behaviour and improving health and well-being. In parts of Scotland, Community Planning Partnerships collaborate at regional level, providing opportunities for cross-boundary working.
1.23 In some local authority areas there is already a formal relationship between cultural provision and the overarching themes of the Community Plan, where the economic, health and social benefits of culture are being recognised. A number of good models which demonstrate ways to embed culture effectively across the Community Plan are on the website 6. Scottish Ministers require local authorities to explain how they have considered using the framework of their Community Planning Partnership ( CPP) to deliver cultural planning. Ministers also require local authorities to provide information about how the framework has been used, and the impact that the provision of cultural services has had on the outcomes of the Community Plan.
Local or neighbourhood Community Planning
1.24 Local authorities need to engage communities in Community Planning in order to achieve sustainable progress. To make this effective, local authorities are leading the development of Community Planning processes at local level, linking into strategic activity. This happens in urban, rural and island authorities. The aims are to assess local needs and aspirations, develop priorities based on this assessment, bring locally delivered services together around these priorities, and ensure that they are reflected in the strategic vision of the Partnership. Some local authorities have developed local plans around communities of interest e.g. older people.
1.25 In addition, many areas are participating in urban or rural regeneration initiatives that aim to develop attractive places in which to live and work. These encourage a holistic approach to working with the natural, cultural and built heritage within an area and promote an understanding of the value and role of historic buildings, townscapes and landscapes.
1.26 Delivery models for local Community Planning and regeneration initiatives vary across Scotland and are at different stages of development. However, there are real opportunities to use these mechanisms to develop an on-going dialogue with local communities, or communities of interest, about the role they would want culture to play. That dialogue should explore opportunities to build the capacity of citizens and partner agencies to participate in the cultural planning process. Some partners may be able to support capacity building(see paragraph 1.49). Culture in its widest sense can also provide a catalyst for local communities to come together and can contribute to a community's sense of place, identity and well-being. Local authorities should consider how they can use local or neighbourhood planning to engage local communities in the cultural planning process.
Corporate Plans
1.27 Local authorities set out their own priorities for development and improvement through corporate plans, which link to the vision and themes of the Community Plan. In turn, service departments will reflect corporate priorities through service performance plans. Monitoring and scrutiny of service plans allows local authorities to assess their performance in meeting corporate objectives. Scottish Ministers expect to have information about where and how culture fits within appropriate service plans and within an authority's corporate plan, and how culture is assisting the authority to improve performance.
Regeneration Outcome Agreements
1.28 A further key strategy linked with Community Planning in each local authority area is the Regeneration Outcome Agreement ( ROA). This is a 3-year plan led by local authorities on behalf of the CPP which sets out their strategic and operational framework for the delivery of improved services to disadvantaged communities. Outcomes set out in each ROA must relate directly to the national priorities for community regeneration 7. There are many examples of where cultural activity is used to support the regeneration of communities and Scottish Ministers expect to see information about how culture is being used in developing regeneration initiatives.
A Curriculum for Excellence
1.29 The development of "A Curriculum for Excellence" will add a greater weight to the place of culture as a context for learning across the whole curriculum. Cultural engagement and activity will have an important role to play in learning and teaching, enabling young people to become successful learners and confident individuals.
1.30 "Scotland's Culture" refers to Ministers' commitment to developing and nurturing Scotland's cultural talent through an 'escalator' model to help talented young people move from school into work. The key principle is to allow young people to have the maximum opportunity to experience cultural activity and develop their own gifts. The Creative Links Officers and Cultural Co-ordinators have an important role in promoting these opportunities. Scottish Ministers require to see how local authorities have used cultural planning to create an improved framework for young people to experience a wide variety of cultural services, and activities.
Other plans and strategies
1.31 Some examples of overarching themes and their associated strategies, on which cultural provision could have an impact, are provided below. These examples should be considered as indicative, rather than fully comprehensive, and many of the strategies noted below impact on more than one of the overarching themes.
Theme | Community Safety | Health and Well-being | Jobs and Economic Development | Lifelong Learning | Environment |
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Underpinning Strategies and Plans | Community Safety Strategy Anti-social behaviour Strategy Racial Equality Strategies/ Action Plans Youth Justice Plan | Integrated Children's Services Plan Joint Health Improvement Plan Substance Action Plan Physical Activity Strategy Disability Equality Scheme National Sport Strategy | Economic Development Strategy Area Tourism Action Plans Town Centre Regeneration Voluntary Sector Compact NEET Strategy | Community Learning and Development Strategy Adult Literacy & Numeracy Action Plans Integrated Children's Services Plan Young People's Strategy Early Years Strategy Strategies for Raising attainment Records Management Plan | Built Heritage Strategy Heritage Strategy Local Structure Plans Local Transport Strategy Countryside Access Strategy |
1.32 Scottish Ministers require local authorities to consider how cultural planning can assist in achieving the outcomes associated with their key strategies and action plans.
CULTURAL ENTITLEMENTS
Introduction
1.33 Entitlements, which form part of local authorities' cultural services, will be specific activities and opportunities to take part in and enjoy culture. Scottish Ministers require local authorities to develop entitlements that include local access to the arts, heritage resources, museums, libraries and archives. This should result in a published statement of entitlements being produced by each local authority which enables individuals to access a broad range of cultural services.
1.34 Entitlements may also focus on facilities, provided as venues, visitor attractions, or for community use. They should seek to develop and enhance the provision that local authorities across Scotland currently deliver, heightening the profile of cultural services in ways that should encourage more people to become involved.
1.35 When developing cultural entitlements, Ministers require local authorities to consider the following key principles.
1.36 Cultural entitlements should be:
- Available, as published, in each local authority area in Scotland
- Developed as part of the cultural planning process, taking into account the local authority's priorities and objectives
- Designed to take account of the needs and aspirations of all members of the local community
- Developed, publicised and provided in consultation with the relevant people
- Monitored and evaluated to assure quality improvement
Existing examples
1.37 Models of entitlement are already available in the shape of some current initiatives that operate at national level.
Cultural 'entitlements' already in place:
- The Youth Music Initiative, allocating £17.5m over the first three years of the programme, and subsequently £10m per year, sustaining the programme until at least 2007-08, to ensure that every school pupil in Scotland receives access to one year's free music tuition by Primary 6
- Many museums and galleries have free access for visitors to permanent collections
- Book borrowing and internet access from Scotland's public libraries is free
Developing cultural entitlements
1.38 There are several stages that local authorities should go through in the process of developing cultural entitlements. This process is commended to local authorities.
Diagram of cultural entitlements process
1) Agree planning framework
1.39 This action is covered in paragraph 1.20 on cultural planning.
2) Mapping local cultural provision
1.40 Scottish Ministers will expect to see evidence of how local authorities' planning for culture has included the mapping of their existing cultural provision and infrastructure. Authorities may find it useful to do this as a precursor to consultation. It would also make sense to map existing plans and strategies as described in paragraph 1.31. Local authorities should work with Community Planning partners and, particularly, the independent, voluntary and community sectors in their area, to ensure that the activities and resources provided through them are included. Voluntary Arts Scotland 8 can assist this process by providing templates for mapping the sector. That exercise will be a helpful foundation for the public consultation process.
The Voluntary Sector Working in partnership with the voluntary sector will be very important throughout the process. Voluntary Arts Scotland promotes participation in the arts and crafts by supporting the development of the voluntary arts sector, and may be able to offer help to local voluntary arts bodies. According to Voluntary Arts Scotland, there are nearly 9,400 voluntary organisations (18.8% of the general voluntary sector) and 263,400 volunteers engaged with culture. By the very nature of what they do, these volunteers work in communities, as well as providing staff and resources to assist the running of cultural establishments. This makes the voluntary sector ideally placed to participate in the planning, development and delivery of cultural entitlements. Some authorities have developed Voluntary Sector Compacts with their local Council for Voluntary Services. This can help clarify and build relationships that will contribute to good partnership working and the planning of services and activities, including culture. |
3) Consulting with communities and stakeholders
1.41 The Bill requires local authorities to have regard to Ministers' guidance on persons to be consulted about the services and entitlements they provide and to be able to provide information to Ministers about how they have undertaken this. This part covers what Ministers consider to be the key elements of consultation.
1.42 Communities can bring a unique perspective and a richness of experience to consultations, but engaging effectively can be complex. All sections of the local community, including those who currently participate in cultural activities, should be part of this consultation. There might need to be particular pieces of work aimed at those who are deemed 'harder to reach' and under-represented groups - including older people, disadvantaged communities, disabled people, young people, minority ethnic communities, and rural or otherwise peripheral communities. Cultural activity can be used as a tool to facilitate engagement in creative and innovative ways. There is already much helpful information and guidance available about community engagement, for example: the National Standards for Community Engagement 9; Community Planning Advice Notes on "Effective Community Engagement" 10 and "Engaging children and young people in Community Planning" 11; and "It's Good Practice Guidance - Consultation with Equality Groups" 12. This material is not reproduced here; it is recommended that local authorities should read the documents in conjunction with this guidance.
1.43 Some local authorities have developed a community engagement strategy along with their Community Planning Partnership, which provides a framework for community engagement activity in the area. At a more local level, neighbourhood representative structures may provide a vehicle through which community engagement around cultural entitlements can be driven. Community Learning and Development Partnerships are also central to supporting community engagement and can provide professional expertise.
1.44 Local authorities must consider what engagement strategies and processes are currently in use before embarking on further engagement activities relating to culture.
1.45 Scottish Ministers require that consultation and discussions should take place with local residents, partner agencies and key stakeholders, including Elected Members. A list is set out below; this is not exhaustive as there may be other bodies and individuals known by the authority to have an interest, involvement or relevant role.
Who to include in the consultation |
- Residents in the local authority area - both users and non-users
- Local MSPs and MSYPs
- Partner agencies
- Other local authorities - e.g. neighbours, those with similar challenges, and those seeking to make similar provision (dialogue is suggested at the consultation, development and delivery stages of provision)
- National agencies and relevant cultural organisations
- Citizens panels
- Community Councils
- Independent, voluntary and community sectors
- Private sector organisations and sponsors
- Other appropriate people and organisations, such as artists and cultural groups, equalities groups, adult learning groups,
- Care providers, and those in charge of other residential settings and establishments
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1.46 In addition to that list, local authorities should engage in cross-service discussions. It should be noted that those conducting this activity will include all local authority service departments which have a role to deliver cultural provision and entitlements. It is not confined to cultural services officers. In some local authorities, the responsibility for archives management lies within a law or administration department. Where this is the case, care should be taken to include the service in relevant discussions.
1.47 Scottish Ministers require the consultation to be undertaken as part of local authorities' ongoing dialogue with communities about cultural provision. To make this effective, they expect information to be shared with communities on the local authorities' current provision and future plans. It could also draw upon the mapping discussed above; and should include plans by the local authorities to use culture for wider objectives. As well as consulting people about future provision, the consultation process should be used as an opportunity to gather consultees' feedback on existing provision, how it is used, and whether any barriers discourage or prevent participation.
Building Capacity
1.48 Community engagement goes hand in hand with building capacity in communities. This means helping communities and community organisations understand how they can help shape the development of entitlements and the future of cultural provision, thereby involving them in the local Community Planning process.
1.49 One approach to building capacity and widening participation is to work with partner organisations, particularly the independent and voluntary sector. Some local authorities already have independent bodies, voluntary arts or heritage networks in place, which serve as umbrella bodies for local interest groups, provide a forum for discussion, and a unified voice on behalf of the sector. These organisations are well placed to improve the capacity of local arts and heritage groups to contribute to cultural entitlements. They may have greater experience of working with harder to reach groups, both to draw on the cultural activities and experiences of these groups and to provide access to a range of cultural activities as "taster" sessions, through which communities' experiences and views of culture can be informed. Examples of good practice relating to voluntary arts and heritage fora can be found in the relevant section of the website 13.
1.50 Other council services such as community capacity building teams or area regeneration teams may be able to help with building capacity and with signposting groups to cultural services. Other organisations such as the Scottish Consumer Council are also well placed to provide advice.
Communities of interest
1.51 These communities can include a range of interests including young people, lone parents, older people, rural and island communities, the Gaelic community and/or speakers, black and minority ethnic groups, faith communities and equalities groups, including disabled people. This list is not exhaustive but particular thought should be given to engaging with these groups in appropriate settings.
1.52 As an example, young people do not necessarily respond to traditional methods of consultation. Consultation with them could be undertaken in formal education settings, such as schools, by Cultural Co-ordinators and teaching staff. Other resources available for local authorities include the Young Scot website, which has links to locally provided information through the Dialogue Youth Project. Local Dialogue Youth projects may have also developed other mechanisms for communication such as text messaging. Use could also be made of pupil councils, local volunteer centres who are responsible for youth volunteering, youth fora and detached youth workers. Youthlink Scotland - the national youth work agency for Scotland - may also be able to assist 14.
4) Developing entitlements
1.53 The Bill states that local authorities should have regard to the guidance when making decisions about what services and entitlements to provide. Scottish Ministers require that following consultation with the local community, and discussion with other partners and stakeholders, the local authority will consider the following factors:
What should characterise entitlements? | Factors to consider |
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Affordability | Local authorities will need to consider how they can develop and enhance their cultural provision to meet the aspirations of local communities and stakeholders within their existing revenue and capital budgets. The resolution of how the balance can be struck will be left to each authority. However, Ministers expect information to be available which will show how decisions about the spend on cultural provision have been reached and how these decisions have taken into account the cross-service role of cultural activity, including the investment from partners' budgets. |
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Citizen focus | Cultural entitlements should take into account the needs and aspirations of local people. Delivering entitlements that are relevant to local communities should be at the heart of the process, while authorities continue to maintain statutory core cultural services. It may be necessary to manage expectations regarding what is feasible and how some provision might develop over time. Mechanisms to allow feedback from users should be developed to allow for improved service delivery. Use good practice - including lessons from the pathfinders 15 - to engage with minority and under-represented groups and non-users. |
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Accessibility | An underlying principle of cultural entitlements is that they should be accessible, both in terms of physical access and in terms of wider participation. Local authorities are expected to encourage broad participation - generally, and through targeting some elements of provision to 'harder to reach' groups. These may be from geographically remote and rural areas, places where disadvantage is a significant factor, or communities of interest such as young people, senior citizens, faith communities or those with a disability. As noted above, issues of affordability will play a part in determining overall provision. |
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Partnership working | A partnership approach for all aspects of cultural planning is suggested. A list of potential partners is provided at paragraph 1.69. Local authorities also may wish to consider working with neighbouring or other authorities to jointly develop and deliver cultural entitlements. This may assist with issues of affordability and geography. Rural authorities may not have the cultural infrastructure associated with a more urban authority and joint working is to be encouraged. In some cases, independent, voluntary and community bodies may be enabled, as partners, to develop their own cultural activities, assisted by advice and grant etc support. Indeed these independent providers may find it easier to work across boundaries and provide greater opportunities for flexibility and economies of scale 16. |
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Appropriate timescales | Local authorities will wish to consider whether a particular entitlement should be developed on a recurring or long-term basis, bearing in mind user feedback, changing priorities and the advantage of keeping the process dynamic and relevant. Some areas of activity may have a finite time span. |
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Assessing performance | Local authorities should consider how they will assess their performance in deciding which entitlements to provide and how successful these have been. The Quality Assurance Framework that will be included in later versions of the guidance, in Part 2, will provide the process to use. |
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Sustainability | Local authorities will wish to consider how best to sustain successful entitlements. Pilots should be considered, and the advantages of an incremental approach. |
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1.54 The decision about what to include in a statement of entitlements, based upon the preceding factors, is ultimately a matter for the local authority. It will sometimes be helpful to prioritise what can be achieved through early and longer-term delivery. Scottish Ministers require that the work of developing entitlements will involve all relevant service departments, since each will have a role to deliver entitlements to their communities of interest. It is expected that the approval process will involve Elected Members. Local authorities will assess their performance in deciding what provision to make, in accordance with this guidance. That includes their decisions regarding the provision of entitlements.
5) Publicising provision and entitlements
1.55 The Bill requires local authorities to have regard to this guidance about how they should prepare a statement publicising the general provision they plan to make, and the specific cultural entitlements. The statement should include information about how people can access provision. Local authorities may wish to consider using established methods such as websites, notices in council facilities and combining information with other mailings such as council tax information and council annual reports. Many local authorities already produce a wide variety of leaflets and programme information in which information about cultural entitlements could be included. Authorities should take into account language and other communication needs, seeking to ensure the accessibility of the information to all in their communities, bearing in mind their Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 obligations. The Bill will, in due course, enable local authorities to broadcast information, which should prove helpful in this regard.
1.56 In providing this information, local authorities will include feedback on the consultation exercise and information about how they reached decisions on what to provide.
1.57 The Bill states that the local authority should publish information on its proposed provision "from time to time". This is intended to provide local residents with information about the availability of entitlements and an opportunity to access them. It will also serve to inform Scottish Ministers about the development of entitlements. Ministers expect that local authorities will publish their cultural provision and entitlements and thereafter update the information at least every 3 years.
6) Delivery and 7) Monitoring
1.58 The next stages in the process will be delivering entitlements and subsequent monitoring activity. When updated information about available entitlements is published this will give local authorities an opportunity to monitor how entitlements are being delivered and used. Ministers expect that monitoring undertaken as part of quality assessment will include the seeking of feedback from local people and other stakeholders. See also advice on monitoring from paragraph 2.19.
Generic examples of entitlements (specific entitlements might be targeted at particular sections of the community, or community-wide, if appropriate): The arts - Introduction to playing musical instruments
- Access to activities involving, e.g. visual arts, craft, dance, drama etc
- Diversionary activities in evenings and at weekends designed to attract young people (e.g. popular music workshops) in communities with few such recreational options
- Chance to take part in a public art project
- Availability of arts activity referrals for General Practitioners, through link up with the NHS and local practices
- Arts activities catering for Gaelic communities/speakers (and other indigenous languages)
- Free or subsidised access to a live performance
- Access to film and media development opportunities
- Chance to plan and participate in community festivals
- Provision of cultural 'hubs' in rural or otherwise peripheral communities - with performance, and/or workshop and exhibition space
- Access to multi-cultural events and activities for all communities, including minority communities, migrant workers or asylum seekers
- Activities for looked after and accommodated young people
Heritage resources (including museums, galleries, archives, ancient monuments) - Access to local heritage sites
- Reminiscence projects with older people
- Archaeology activities at local sites or museums
- Opportunity to explore and learn about the history of your area using your museum, library and archives
- Access to guided gallery tours, talks or activities
- Access to cultural volunteering opportunities
- Opportunities for local people to interpret museum collections
- Virtual reality tours of sites for people with limited mobility
- Chance to take part in a local project that explores community heritage
Library services - Free access to books and Internet
- Access to reader development activity
- Access to "Homebound" Services
- Access to writers' workshops
- Community learning and literacy classes
- Computer and Internet access skills courses
- Mobile library services, with peripatetic reader development and other services for rural communities and those with related needs
- Development of GP referral schemes with libraries (bibliotherapy)
- Opportunities to explore family history
- Early learning opportunities
- Access to information in languages appropriate to community profile
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How cultural entitlements can contribute to local authority objectives
1.59 The following table illustrates how some of these examples can help achieve the broader outcomes for local authority:
Examples of broad based outcomes | Example of activity |
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Improving health and well-being | Access to dance and drama activities Reminiscence projects with older people Access to library "Homebound" services Cultural activities targeted at vulnerable and looked after and accommodated young people |
Building more attractive communities | Community activities for older people, including people in residential care Participation in a public art project Community heritage projects Access to information about local history Multi-cultural activities |
Reducing anti-social behaviour | Diversionary activities for young people in evening and at weekends in "hotspots" through detached youth and arts workers Using cultural activities to explore inter-generational issues Using cultural activities to explore sectarian issues |
Increasing employment prospects | Adult literacy schemes in libraries Apprenticeships for young people and placements in creative industries Training in craft activity or the visual arts Computer and internet access skills courses in libraries |
Providing opportunities for citizens to achieve their potential through lifelong learning | Reader development activities in libraries Providing opportunities for volunteering Opportunities to explore family history Establishing writers workshops Community learning opportunities Early learning opportunities Cultural activities targeted at asylum seekers or migrant workers |
Engaging young people | Access to film and media development workshops Development of incentivised cards to cultural facilities Access to music workshops Opportunities to showcase local bands Community history projects exploring themes relevant to young people eg contemporary collections in museums Opportunities to participate in the design of cultural services |
Promoting tourism | Access to information about local heritage Virtual tours Public art projects Festivals Developing genealogical services and local family history services Attracting visitors through cultural facilities |
Process advice
1.60 The following part contains advice about some practical mechanisms that local authorities may wish to consider in delivering the entitlements process.
Identifying a lead officer
1.61 To help local authorities fulfil their responsibilities under the Bill, it is suggested that a lead officer should be identified to drive forward the cultural planning process and articulate the vision that his/her local authority has for culture within the area. This officer should have sufficient seniority to understand the strategic landscape and broad knowledge to appreciate the potential role of culture within this. It may be helpful for the local authority to ratify this nomination through their committee process.
1.62 As the process moves forward, the local authority may consider identifying someone to take on an informal role as an ambassador for culture to help champion the new arrangements. Consultation has shown that in some areas this has happened naturally, through a council committee chair or through a member of the local community, the significant factor being that they have a clear vision for the role that culture can play in the community.
1.63 Another approach to identifying ambassadors of culture could be through the process of community and partner engagement. This might work by local authority officers building and developing the capacity of community members to raise the profile of culture and understanding of cultural entitlements within their own communities.
1.64 Lead officers should ensure that appropriate channels of communication are set up between decision makers, partners and front line officers to ensure a common understanding of what the local authority and partners are aiming to achieve.
Identify key partners and raise awareness
1.65 It is suggested that a collaborative approach be adopted, which means that all appropriate services should take up and develop their role in cultural planning and the associated delivery of entitlements.
1.66 In recognition of the formal partnerships that already exist, the Bill does not require local authorities to form another partnership. It may be that an existing partnership group can take this forward. This decision is left to local authorities who are better placed to understand their own local planning processes. Nevertheless, local authorities will be expected to work with a broad range of partners and to provide opportunities to bring them together to clarify common objectives - and subsequently, to share good practice.
1.67 Local authorities will find it helpful to enable some partners, including independent, community and voluntary sector cultural organisations, to develop and deliver cultural provision. This will require appropriate support, including funding and guidance, and may initially entail activity to build capacity in local organisations.
1.68 The lead officer might also wish to consider using this opportunity to raise awareness of the potential role and value of culture in delivering common objectives, with key stakeholders and Elected Members.
1.69 The range of partners who local authorities consider should be involved will depend upon local circumstances and the nature of the planned activity, but the potential partners listed below may prove helpful.
Local Authority Services | Partner Agencies | Community Organisations |
|---|
Education, schools and school councils Housing & Social Work Community Learning & Development Leisure and Culture Corporate and Community Planning Development (economic, regeneration, planning and transport) | Community Health Partnerships Further and Higher Education bodies Enterprise Companies Voluntary and independent sectors Community cultural sector Private and independent sector Equalities groups Police and Fire Services Trade Unions Neighbouring or other local authorities Scottish Adult Learning Partnership ( SALP) Youthlink Scotland National agencies - including cultural agencies Transport organisations | Community Councils Community support groups Local planning groups Faith groups Citizens Panels Tenants' organisations Adult learning groups Youth groups/fora Local MSYPs |
Skills development and joint training
1.70 One of the key issues for local authorities will be equipping staff with the skills to meet these new challenges. Planning for staff training will be fundamental to success and it is suggested that joint training programmes tackling common training issues should be encouraged. They may wish to target:
- Growing the capacity of different disciplines and sectors to understand each other's perspectives
- Developing skill sets that allow staff to work across cultural disciplines
- Exploring opportunities for cross-sectoral secondments
- Offering awareness-raising sessions to community planning partners
- Ensuring that staff have the skills to effectively engage with communities
- Exploring strategies to enhance leadership and examine succession planning
- Working with voluntary agencies to promote the development of volunteers
- Working with the private sector to develop sponsorship opportunities
1.71 Staff and volunteers will also have a role in building the capacity and confidence of communities and individuals to understand and become involved with the cultural entitlements agenda. Local authorities may wish to consider joint training programmes with other authorities and organisations, including the independent sector.
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