Author: Plunkett Scotland

The Plunkett Foundation has recently launched its first annual report on the UK co-operative pub sector, ‘Co-operative Pubs 2014 – A Better Form of Business’.

There are 27 community co-operative pubs trading in England and while Scotland has over 30 community-owned shops, the co-operative pub scene has been very quiet. However, things are starting to change.  A number of community groups are looking at ways of saving their local pub and four of them have recently taken part in study visit to learn about the co-operative model. 

The Group visited four pubs in Northern England to learn about the practicalities of setting up and running a community co-operative pub. The host pubs had a wealth of knowledge and experience and covered everything from legal structure to community shares to tenancy arrangements. The Group came away full of ideas and inspiration and are now well equipped with a good understanding of what they need to do.

 “We learned considerably more than expected, not only about buying and running a pub but also community shop, library and social housing” – Pittenweem Community Trust.

“The trip was really informative and enjoyable. It showed pubs actually operating as community-owned businesses, and gave the group an honest and open insight into how they operate, including the triumphs and difficulties associated with them. A great few days that have heartened me in that it strengthened my belief that we can not only open the Crook Inn but also run it as a successful operation” – Tweedsmuir Community Company. “The study visit was really inspiring and we all learned so much. The range of services that have been added on to the pubs was amazing – there was a library, shops, an orchard and allotment and even a school meal service. Although I’ve been working with community co-op shops for a number of years hearing from the pubs really reminded me of how simple and effective the co-operative model is” – Kirsty, Plunkett’s Co-ordinator in Scotland.

The study visit was funded by the Princes Countryside Fund through Plunkett Scotland’s ‘Seeing is Believing’ Programme which offers study visits and mentor support to rural community enterprises. To find out more please contact Kirsty kirsty.maccoll@plunkett.co.uk

Author: Oxfam Scotland

Oxfam believes the world faces twin challenges: delivering a decent standard  of living for everyone while living within our environmental limits. These two interwoven concerns are depicted by the Oxfam Doughnut. It allows people to visualise a space between planetary boundaries (the outer edge of the Doughnut) and a social foundation (the inner edge of the Doughnut). We believe this space is where it is environmentally and socially safe and just for humanity to exist. It is where we must aim to reach.

Scotland and the UK face multiple and interlocking social challenges, developed over decades: deep inequalities in wealth and power; rising levels of in-work poverty; and growing stigmatisation of people living in poverty. At the same time we face a global environmental challenge across many fronts, including climate change. As such, we need to develop a model of sustainable economic development that tackles inequalities in the distribution of resources, while respecting our environment. The Doughnut helps us visualise these twin challenges. Building on work undertaken by both the Stockholm Resilience Centre and Oxfam’s Senior Researcher Kate Raworth, the Scottish Doughnut suggests domains – or areas of life – that might constitute a social foundation below which, we argue, no one in Scotland should fall. It also begins the process of identifying which planetary boundaries might be useful for incorporation into a national Scottish analysis.

How has the Scottish Doughnut been produced?

In suggesting the domains that might form the social foundation, the paper draws on existing research regarding what people in Scotland and the UK deem to be important factors to realise an acceptable standard of living in today’s society. The Doughnut also begins the process of identifying which of the planetary boundaries suggested by the Stockholm Resilience Centre might be useful for inclusion in a national Scottish analysis. A variety of sources, including many covering consensus-based notions of minimum standards, along with discussions with subject experts, have been used to identify these domains. We have therefore selected domains that we think fit the Scottish context, but these are open for debate and revision – indeed we would welcome this discussion.

To see illustration of the Scottish Doughnut click here 

Author: Scottish Rural Action

The themes have been identified through a survey conducted with over 1,000 people from across rural Scotland and they will be examined by people from rural communities and decision-makers at the Scottish Rural Parliament in November.

The themes are confirmed to be:

•           Rural businesses and employment

•           Land use, planning and land reform

•           Transport infrastructure

•           Protecting our natural assets and adapting to environmental changes

•           Broadband and connectivity

•           Support for communities to lead with confidence

Although not identified as a main theme, sufficient interest and concern arose through the consultation on the topic of ‘Delivery of health and social care’ that this will be adopted this as a future theme to follow from the first Rural Parliament in November.

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said; “My ambition for the Scottish Rural Parliament is to give rural communities a stronger voice and these emerging themes reflect the big issues facing those who live and work in rural Scotland today. It’s great to see the Rural Parliament making progress and the growing number of people getting involved which is key to its future success.”

Chair John Hutchison said; “This is a major step forward in delivering a collective voice for rural Scotland. We’re pleased to have had guidance from so many rural people in setting our themes and can now move ahead to create Scotland’s first Rural Parliament. The themes reflect a broad range of the challenges that are faced by people in rural communities and we will be examining them in some detail before presenting our findings to the Rural Parliament in November.”

The Scottish Rural Parliament will bring together community people and decision-makers from public bodies, NGOs and private bodies, with the aim of improving rural policy and finding better ways of providing services. There are currently local Rural Parliament events taking place all over rural Scotland which can be accessed by the public and which will contribute to the discussion at the Rural Parliament.

The Rural Parliament follows in the footsteps of other European countries where Rural Parliaments have been established for over 20 years and provides a link to this network through the European Rural Parliament.

The first Scottish Rural Parliament will be held in Oban in November 2014 and will bring together 400 people from rural communities and decision making bodies to make recommendations about the best way forward on key themes. These recommendations could be for implementation at a community, local, national or European level. Bookings for the event are opening in August. To attend the event, sign up on the Scottish Rural Parliament website for updates.

Author: Ian Cooke, DTAS

Ian Cooke, Director of Development Trusts Association Scotland, shares his thoughts on the key to building vibrant communities:

Over the last few years we have seen the term ‘community’ increasingly move to the centre of the policy agenda in Scotland – community-led regeneration, community ownership, community renewable energies, community enterprise and a proposed key role for communities within the re-provisioning of public services.

While this is both welcome and exciting, it does raise an important question about how we build capacity in communities, if they are to successfully rise to this challenge, and respond positively to these new opportunities. The development of enterprising, asset owning communities, who can lead regeneration processes and play a key role in future public sector delivery, invariably requires the development of an expanded knowledge base and skill set within communities, and requires us to re-think how we do community capacity building.

Historically, community capacity building had been largely done ‘to’ communities, from outside agencies such as local authority services, Third Sector Interfaces (formerly CVS’s), consultants and other specialist voluntary agencies. Will this support continue to be available in the future, and are existing community capacity building services and agencies really up to the task of responding to this new agenda?

Discussions about community capacity building have often been dominated by community development professionals. But much of the afore-mentioned policy development has been influenced by largely organic, bottom-up activity, as community after community has responded to threats and opportunities. In doing so they have drawn inspiration and support from a wide range of sources. Is it now time to reflect on this experience, and listen to communities themselves about what kind of capacity building they require?

As Director of the Development Trusts Association Scotland, I have had the privilege of working with, and representing, some of the most dynamic community organisations in Scotland over the last few years, and it has been fascinating to discuss this issue with many of them. So here are a few thoughts to kick off this much needed debate about future capacity building provision in Scotland.

Firstly, there seems to be a lack of clarity about what we mean by community capacity building – whose capacity is being built and for what purpose? My own experience suggests the need to focus on building the capacity of community anchor organisations as a pre-requisite for any wider community capacity building.

Secondly communities need to be inspired, not patronised! The most effective (and cost effective) single intervention in the early development of community organisations is the opportunity to visit another community to find out what can be achieved and to learn how to go about it. This requires small grants of a few hundred pounds. So why do so few funders want to provide these?

Thirdly, rather than funding capacity building activity as something done to communities, let’s recognise that the opportunity to employ their own staff is the most effective way to create a step change in capacity, and start investing directly in the core costs of community anchor organisations.

Finally, let’s recognise the wealth of knowledge and experience which already exists within the Scottish community sector, and start to tap into this much more effectively and systematically by developing Peer Support Programmes.

Author: Locality

Overview

At a time of austerity cuts and mounting demand, the challenge for communities and the organisations that serve  them has never been greater. How do we ensure that key public services meet people’s needs and support thedevelopment of communities we all want to live in?

The response by some government departments and local authorities to this challenge is clear – they feel thatsavings can be made by standardising community services and up-scaling local delivery to multi-million pound contracts, delivered by multi-million pound organisations. While this approach has had some major high profile set-backs, the underlying assumption – that the difficulties facing the funding of public services will be met through scale and standardisation – is not being challenged.

Locality and Vanguard have been working together to examine the issues and are able to demonstrate that big services and scale are incredible wasteful and damaging to local communities.

At a time of austerity cuts and mounting demand, the challenge for communities and the organisations that serve them has never been greater. How do we ensure that key public services meet people’s needs and support the development of communities we all want to live in?

The response by some government departments and local authorities to this challenge is clear – they feel that savings can be made by standardising community services and up-scaling local delivery to multi-million pound contracts, delivered by multi-million pound organisations. While this approach has had some major high profile set-backs, the underlying assumption – that the difficulties facing the funding of public services will be met through scale and standardisation – is not being challenged.

Locality and Vanguard have been working together to examine the issues and are able to demonstrate that big services and scale are incredible wasteful and damaging to local communities.

Increased administrative burdens and costs

A TSO in the North West was an experienced and successful business support provider, but recently found itself at the bottom of a long supply chain. Three separate organisations subjected the TSO to three separate but similar audit processes. Overall unit costs for the service were much higher than previously, but the organisation only received 40-50% of those unit costs to actually deliver the service, with the remainder invisibly swallowed up through complex management chains above them.

Creating silos and disjointed services

A TSO in the South West was able to integrate youth provision into a seamless, family-oriented approach, which started with the birth of a new baby, continued through childhood, teenage years and into adulthood. When the local authority decided to move from working with 65 local providers to nine large contracts, the TSO lost the contract to provide youth and play services. Vital information and deep-rooted relationships with children and their families are now lost. Under the new provision fewer activities are taking place, and the closely related web of informal local support has unravelled.

The report ends with a call to action. We know how to improve the lives of individuals and communities and the good news is that it doesn’t take any more resources to do it. But it does take courageous people who arewilling to follow evidence and abandon old beliefs. We are looking for community and statutory partners to work with us.

Our four key recommendations

1. Local by default : Commissioning and delivering public services should take place at a neighbourhood level.

2. Help people to help themselves: build strength not dependency People are the solution not just the problem.  This is a massive resource which is often overlooked.

3. Focus on what people need: Predetermined targets start from the wrong place.  A focus on underlying purpose is what will make the difference.

4. Value people over unit cost: The only way to drive down costs is by focusing on value. In other words, designing services that address problems early.

 For the full report: click here

Author: West Whitlawburn Housing Cooperative

West Whitlawburn Housing Co-operative has announced its fuel prices for its much vaunted Biomass Energy Project.

The figures are stunning and show:

• 24% Savings on average against regional and national prices.

• A whopping 30% savings on average against tenants current fuel bills.

The £6.75m project funded by Npower, The European Regional Development fund and a loan from the Energy Savings Trust is the first of its kind in the area. In becoming the Energy Supply Company (ESCO) the community controlled Housing Co-operative takes control of setting fuel prices for the 543 tenants involved in the scheme, and the costs savings are amazing. The scheme is also estimated to be saving 1600 tonnes of carbon each year.

West Whitlawburn launched the scheme this week at an event attended by Tom Greatrex  MP, the shadow Energy Minister.

Paul Farrell Director of WWHC said  “Fuel poverty is a serious issue for many tenants. Figures show that over 50% of our tenants are income deprived against a national average of 17% and can be paying as much as 72% more for fuel supply costs than the national average, that is scandalous. Once again WWHC has delivered a spectacular success story, in an environmentally friendly way. Looking at government figures it is clear other agencies, often with significant public funding are failing, particularly in health and employment. This project, coupled with our recent amazing tenant satisfaction survey results, proves to me that the community controlled co-operative model continues to deliver dazzling results.

The project team, headed by Stephanie Marshall (Depute Director WWHC), has done a tremendous job. I take my hat off to them. “The first houses to benefit from the scheme will be in Kintore Tower, Arran Tower and Benmore Tower with supply commencing this month, with all 543 properties in the scheme connected before Christmas.

Muriel Alcorn a tenant and treasurer of the Housing Co-operative said  “We just go from strength to strength, from one success to another, it is fantastic. We set up the Co-operative 25 years ago, never in our wildest dreams could we have imagined we would go on to achieve so much. It makes us very proud. “

Cambuslang’s MP, Tom Greatrex, who is also Labour’s Shadow Energy Minister, said: “This project is really positive news for members and tenants of West Whitlawburn Housing Co-operative. With warmer homes, more controllable heat, lower bills and a reduction in emissions – it is win for residents and the environment alike.

“It is no surprise to me to see that WWHC Committee members, staff and tenants are at the forefront of this innovative project. Their determination, tenacity and commitment is well known. With the cost of energy such a real issue for many people in Lanarkshire, as it is across the UK, I am sure many others will be seeking to learn from the West Whitlawburn scheme in months to come.”

ISLAND and coastal organisations that want to develop marinas and other boating facilities have been given a boost by the Crown Estate.

Harbour associations and development trusts can now buy coastal land from the Crown to develop their business and projects.

Half of Scotland’s foreshore is managed by the Crown Estate, a property company linked to the Queen, but a new initiative will give coastal organisations the chance to take ownership.

In recent years the Crown Estate has worked with community organisations such as harbour associations and development trusts to increase local control.

In 2012 it launched local management agreements (LMAs) designed to help projects for local benefit.

LMA projects benefit from a tailored package of support from the Crown Estate, which includes help over leasing foreshore or seabed, support on project management and securing funds and in some cases investment.

There are four LMAs in Scotland, at Lochmaddy, North Uist; on the Isle of Gigha; at Tobermory on Mull; and at Portree on Skye.

Crown Estate portfolio manager Alan Laidlaw said: “We want to help local groups realise their big ambitions for coastal developments.

“This initiative will give community organisations the chance to own foreshore adjacent to land they already have. That opportunity could really expand their business and development opportunities.

“We can support by providing commercial expertise to develop proposals and helping them access support and resources to get projects off the ground. We’re calling on community groups who may have land next to Crown Estate-managed foreshore to contact us and see how we can help.”

Author: BBC Scotland

A statue (to see photograph of statue click here) is to be unveiled honouring the woman behind the internationally recognised Craigmillar Festival, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Dr Helen Crummy’s venture has been lauded worldwide for its innovative approach to community arts, social change and community action.

She set it up when her son’s school refused to give him a violin lesson.

The sculpture, by Tim Chalk, is being unveiled on Friday outside the East Neighbourhood Centre.

Dr Crummy has also been to the European Parliament to speak about its success.

The statue shows Dr Crummy handing her son a violin bow.

The sculpture, one of only three public statues in Edinburgh to honour women, also incorporates work by local adults and children who will sing at the unveiling ceremony.

Edinburgh art patron, professor Richard Demarco will unveil the statue.

Dr Crummy’s son’s original violin will also be played at the Niddrie Road ceremony at 14:00 on Friday.

The statue was funded by the City of Edinburgh Council, with a further contribution by Craigmillar Castle Regeneration Group.

Author: The Stove

Dumfries-based artists’ group the Stove Network has challenged the town to create a ‘people’s charter’ for the future of Dumfries. The 1395 Royal Charter for the Burgh of Dumfries is read out each year as part of Guid Nychburris (Good Neighbours) Festival – this year there will be an alternative version as well.

The Dumfries Charter 14 is made up of contributions from individuals and community groups and begins with the premise that people are responsible for making their place – and they do not need to ask anyone’s permission other than their fellow citizens.

Artist from The Stove Network Katie Anderson commented: “We have been overwhelmed at the response we have had. People have contributed through face-to-face meetings, by letter and by social media. Connecting with other projects and groups in the town in this way is building a rich and powerful potential for the future regeneration of Dumfries”.

Dumfries & Galloway Multicultural Association said: “We were delighted to be approached to contribute to the new charter. We exist to give a voice to people who do not always feel included and we feel very proud to be part of a charter which reflects local people’s commitment to increase understanding and promote equality.”

The Stove artists plan to make the revealing of the Dumfries Charter 2014 as interactive as possible. It will be launched on the High Street on a series of giant canvas banners with ‘secret’ text on the banners requires the application of water to make it visible. Stove members will be inviting members of the public to assist them in ‘applying’ the water and revealing the Charter to the world.

Stove member Matt Baker said: “The day promises to be great fun and we hope people enjoy being part of launching the charter. But there is also a serious side to this and we hope this new People’s Charter will inspire more people to believe that they can and will play a part in making Dumfries the best place for everyone to live, work and play”.

People will also be invited to edit, stamp, sign and seal their own personal version of the Charter to take away with them, with members of The Stove team there to help and talk. Proceedings will also be helped along by the visit of a mystery guest from history who has been close to radical movements in Scotland.

An article by Dr Linda Pollock at Newcastle University – Beyond the Rural Cringe – describes in more detail the work of the artistic collaboration,The Stove, which has been the driving force behind the initiative to present a more contemporary charter for Dumries – not a royal charter but a people’s charter. The article can be accessed here

Author: Kevin Curley, New Start magazine

Lamlash Bay is unique for being the first marine reserve in Britain where fishing is banned on the recommendation of local people. After a campaign organised by theCommunity of Arran Seabed Trust, known as Coast, a large part of the bay was declared a No Take Zone in 2008 by an order of the Scottish parliament. No recreational or commercial fishing from shore or boat is permitted, and no shellfish can be taken. Just five years later, research by York University has shown that the bay is 40 per cent more complex and healthier than the area outside the No Take Zone. The scallops and lobsters are bigger and more fertile, so their eggs spread to neighbouring waters, giving commercial fishermen bigger and better catches.

Remarkably, Coast has a supporter base of 2,000 people on Arran – more than half of the adult population. With this strong community support, the organisation tried for 15 years to reach a voluntary agreement with the Clyde Fishermen’s Association to protect declining fish stocks. “It was a long, hard fight with people who had a very short-term vision,” says Andrew Binnie, Coast’s marine conservation officer. “In the end, the voluntary agreement would not work and we had to petition parliament for a change in the law.”

What was won for the community was the Inshore Fishing (Prohibition on Fishing) (Lamlash Bay) (Scotland) Order 2008. It’s a striking example of why community groups should use the law to seek the changes they need, rather than rely on voluntary agreements or the endless pursuit of consensus between conflicted interests.

My visit coincided with the UK Environmental Law Association’s annual Wild Law weekend on Arran. Its coordinator, Ian Cowan, says: “Groups like Coast have had to use the law to fight for the people’s right to have our waters managed for everyone’s benefit.” Without the use of environmental law, the argument with commercial fishermen would still be unresolved as fish stocks plummet.

Coast’s next battle is to get the sea around the south of Arran designated as a Marine Protected Area. Unlike the No Take Zone, this will not stop people from sea angling or creeling, but it will create an area protected from bottom trawling and dredging. Again, the community is up against trawlermen, but after the success of Lamlash Bay, it will confidently use the law to challenge commercial interests. Coast’s experience encourages all community groups to combine popular support and charitable mission with legal action to take the fight to vested interests.

Kevin Curley is a voluntary sector adviser