Wednesday 27 June 2012

Community Empowerment Bill Consultation Launch

EARLIER this month Derek MacKay MSP, the Scottish Government's Minister for Local Government and Planning, launched the Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill consultation with an event at the Community Centre Halls in Maryhill.

The Bill is a manifesto commitment and forms part of the Scottish Governments plans for public service reform. They are using a time of consultation to look at "ideas designed to strengthen community participation, unlock enterprising community development and renew communities."

You can view the consultation documentation on their website and the consultation period runs until 29th August 2012.

Donna Barrowcliffe, a commissioner for the Poverty Truth Commission, attend the launch and was able to share some of the struggles she and others have experiences as they have sought to improve life in their local communities, including obstacles from local government.

Members of the Poverty Truth Commission have already met with members of the Bill team and plan to do so again before the end of the consultation period. The Commission believes that real and lasting chance will only happen when local people are more involved in making decisions about their  community. 'Nothing about us without us is for us'