Engaging with the Political Structures in Scotland

Jill Flye Parliamentary Information Officer SCVO

Access Panels Conference February 07

Why Participate?

• Do you want to make changes?

• Do you want to improve something?

• Do you want to keep something the same?

• Do you want to make sure people are involved in decisions?

Reasons Why Not to Participate

• Subject is not of significance to us• We don’t have time to respond properly• We don’t have the resources• We have no faith in the consultation• The decision has already been taken• Others have already spoken on our behalf

NB But you can make a nominal responsenominal response

What are the Political Structures?

• Community Planning Partnerships

• Local government

• Scottish Parliament

• Scottish Executive

• Westminster

• Europe…

And not forgetting…

…Other Political Structures

• Community Councils

• Political parties

• Community health partnerships

• Transport partnerships

• Umbrella bodies / voluntary organisations

How to Get Involved With Community Planning

…

• Join up, eg voluntary organisations

• Local CVS

• Local paper, library, community centre

• Council newsletters etc.

"If you want to know how the shoe fits,…

• …ask the person who is wearing it, not the one who made it."

Routes in – Local Government

• VOTE• Speak to your local councillor – surgery• Member with responsibility for your issue• Spokespeople from different parties• Committee chairs• Briefing for meetings• Go to/ hold events• Meet with local parties• Not forgetting access panels!

Areas Devolved to Scottish Parliament

• Agriculture and food standards

• AREA Regeneration and Planning

• Justice system• Economic development• Education and training• Environment• Forestry and fisheries• Health • Housing• Local Government

• Passenger transport and roads

• Police and Fire services• Prisons• Tourism• Trade and exports• Scots electoral law• Social Work• Sport and the Arts• Statistics public registers

and records• Voluntary sector

Routes in Scottish Parliament

• Petitions• Consultation responses• PQs and Motions• Brief a Committee• Brief MSPs before a

debate• Suggest amendments to

legislation• Suggest Member’s Bill…

• Meet your constituency / regional MSPs

• Party spokesperson• Email/ phone contact• Committee clerks• Cross Party Groups• Events• Manifesto• Protests

Routes in Scottish Executive

• Written Consultation Response

• Consultation events

• Contact with Minister/ Deputy

• Contact with civil servants

• Working group/ stakeholder group

• Through MSP/ Scottish Parliament

Areas Reserved to Westminster

• Employment• Equality Legislation• Social Security• The Constitution• UK foreign policy including EU policy • UK defence and national security• UK fiscal economic and monetary system• Common markets for UK goods and services• Transport safety and regulation• Company Law• National Lottery

Routes in - Westminster

• Consultation response• Contact your MP• Contact MP on relevant committee• All Party Groups• PQs• Early Day Motions• Petitions• Meetings

Main Activities of EU include -

• Free movement of persons, goods, services and capital

• Non discrimination on basis of nationality

• Equal treatment for men and women

• Environment public health and consumer protection

• Citizen’s freedoms and rights

• Tax harmonisation

European Institutions

• European Commission

• European Parliament

• The Council of Ministers

• Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER)

• Committee of the Regions

• Economic and Social Committee

Routes in - Europe

• Contact your MEP

• Contact relevant Commissioner

• Contact intergroups

• Through MP/ MSP

• Local government

• Umbrella body/ coalition

• Petition

Cynicism or High Expectations?

• What is really up for grabs? (or is the fiendish villain simply going through the motions)

• Consultation, not a referendum

• Get in early

• Getting feedback

• What else is going on?

Exclusion vs Consultation Fatigue

• Get on the right lists

• Choose your battles carefully

• Focus on where changes can be made

• Focus on your key priorities

• Be prepared for further consultation…

Group Exercise

• In your groups can you give an example of where the lives of individuals have been affected by each of the following:

1. European legislation/ directives etc

2. Westminster legislation

3. The Scottish Parliament/ Executive

4. Local Government / other local bodies

Resource List• Scottish Parliament - www.scottish.parliament.org.uk• Scottish Executive - www.scotland.gov.uk• Westminster - www.parliament.uk• European Parliament website - www.europarl.europa.eu/• EU politics newsletter - http://eupolitics.einnews.com/ • Scotland Europa - www.scotlandeuropa.com• European Union online - http://europa.eu/g• Community planning info - http://www.communityplanning.net• COSLA - www.cosla.gov.uk• Voting in May 07 elections - www.votescotland.com • SCVO - www.scvo.org.uk• CVS network - www.scvo.org.uk/cvsnetwork• The Consultation Institute – www.consultationinstitute.org