Community planning

DISCLAIMER
The duties listed below are currently under review and have not yet been formally signed off by the relevant professional association. The information provided is for reference only and should not be treated as final or authoritative guidance. Please verify any decisions against approved sources or seek professional advice. Updates will be published once sign-off is complete.

Consider reductions in socio-economic disadvantage in the exercise of strategic functions

Councils must plan and make decisions in ways that help reduce inequalities caused by socio‑economic disadvantage.
Set up scrutiny arrangement for Police and Fire and Rescue Services

Councils must establish robust scrutiny arrangements for the Police and Fire and Rescue Services operating in their area.
Approve local policing plan and local fire plan

Councils must approve the Local Policing Plan and the Local Fire and Rescue Plan for their area.
Monitor and provide feedback to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) on local service delivery

Councils must monitor the delivery of local policing and fire and rescue services and provide feedback to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).
Establish and lead a Community Planning Partnership

Councils must establish and lead a Community Planning Partnership (CPP) for their area.
Publish Local Outcome Improvement Plans (LOIPs) and Locality Plans for areas facing the greatest inequality

Councils must publish a Local Outcomes Improvement Plan (LOIP) for their area and prepare Locality Plans for communities experiencing the greatest levels of inequality.
Facilitate community planning and improve local outcomes

Councils should work in partnership with public bodies, businesses, and community groups to identify priorities and deliver shared goals.
Prepare and publish a Good Food Nation Plan

Councils must create a local strategy that explains how the council will make food healthier, fairer, and more sustainable for everyone.
Produce annual Local Child Poverty Action Reports

Every year, councils must work with health boards to publish a Local Child Poverty Action Report (LCPAR) showing what they’re doing to tackle child poverty in their area.
Promote and facilitate community ownership, decision-making, and empowerment initiatives

Councils should actively promote and facilitate community ownership, decision-making, and empowerment initiatives.
Transfer or lease land/buildings to community bodies at less than market value to achieve community benefit

Councils can transfer or lease land and buildings to community organisations for less than market value, provided doing so creates a clear benefit to the local area.
Promote and improve the wellbeing of place and people

Councils should promote and improve the wellbeing of their area and its people.
Respond to community participation requests

Councils have a responsibility to give communities a formal route to influence decisions.
Provide feedback on engagement outcomes

Councils must let people know how their views have been considered after public engagement or consultation.
Promote participatory budgeting

Councils should encourage and support communities to have a direct say in how public funds are spent.
Prepare and submit a scheme for the establishment of community councils

Councils must create a plan (called a “scheme”) for setting up community councils in their area and send it to Scottish Ministers for approval.
Support community councils and local groups

Councils should assist community councils and local community groups by providing advice, guidance, and resources that help them represent residents effectively.
Ensure inclusion and remove barriers for seldom-heard or disadvantaged groups

Councils should assess community learning and development (CLD) needs to understand the skills, knowledge, and support required by local people and groups.
Advance well-being of communities and residents

Councils have the power to do anything they believe will improve the well-being of people in their area.
Apply the Sustainable Procurement Duty

Before starting any regulated procurement, councils must consider how the process can deliver wider benefits beyond the contract itself.
Prepare for and respond to emergencies

Councils must plan ahead for emergencies and act quickly when they occur.
Prepare for and Respond to Emergencies
Carry out risk management for serious offenders

Councils must assess and manage risks for individuals under lifelong restriction orders, working with the Risk Management Authority.
Provide restorative justice and victim support

Councils may offer restorative justice programmes where offenders meet victims to understand the impact of their actions.
Participate in Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA)

Councils must work together with the police, health services, and other agencies to manage and reduce the risk posed by serious offenders living in the community.
Have due regard to preventing people from being drawn into terrorism

Councils must have due regard to preventing people from being drawn into terrorism by taking reasonable steps to identify and reduce risks that could lead individuals toward extremist views or actions.
Participate in Local Employability Partnerships

Councils can lead or participate in Local Employability Partnerships (LEPs) to help people into work.
Promote sustainable transport

Councils have the power to promote sustainable transport, which means encouraging travel options that are better for the environment and reduce congestion.