Why is this National Outcome important?
People are more able to live fulfilling lives and realise their social and economic potential in strong, resilient and supportive communities. An inclusive and respectful society, with communities that embrace diversity, and where people help each other, provides a better quality of life for all citizens. It allows more people to contribute to a growing economy, lead healthier, more independent lives and live in a more sustainable way that is better for the environment. A cohesive community is more likely to get involved in local issues. It minimises crime, antisocial behaviour and their social and economic costs. Our communities set the wider social context in which acceptable behaviour is defined. Communities that embrace diversity, protect the rights of others, but also set appropriate boundaries on behaviour support a culture of dignity and respect.
A strong and healthy community is one which is confident, secure and welcoming, with access to high quality services and amenities for all. It is a place where people recognise their rights go hand in hand with responsibilities and that these are underpinned by a legal framework whose laws and practices respect and protect diversity, promote equality and maximise the opportunities for everybody to thrive. This will increase the attractiveness of Scotland as a place to live, work and invest.
What will influence this National Outcome?
Many of Scotland's communities are great places to live and work. However, some remain blighted by prejudice, inequalities and poor physical conditions. These are not problems that can be turned around overnight, but by working in partnership we can improve the quality of life and the opportunities for those living in these communities, who suffer from a range of problems often associated with deprivation. Tackling these challenges will require a joint commitment from all sectors of Scottish society.
We can create the conditions in which strong communities grow by developing well-designed, sustainable places. Government must create the right environment for investment and increased housing supply; taking targeted action in the most disadvantaged communities and devolving power to the local level so that communities can have more influence and ownership. These efforts involve central and local government, alongside many other organisations and (crucially) Community Planning Partnerships - which are uniquely placed to devise solutions for local communities. This partnership approach can build the strong physical infrastructure required to create economic and social success.
But there is more to this than having the right physical environment. We need a vibrant democracy, with increased engagement in purposeful voluntary activity and public life. Our ability, as a nation, to tackle the corrosive effects of bigotry and prejudice head-on, while supporting vulnerable people to carry on living in their own communities, should be a hallmark of what makes all of us Scottish regardless of whether our backgrounds are from new or long-established communities - a shared and inclusive national identity, of which we can be proud. This requires every one of us to play our part as a responsible citizen. And fundamental to the development of stronger communities is a modern legal framework which commands public confidence, is easily accessible by all and protects people from unfair and inequitable treatment by the state, by businesses or by other people.
The Christie Commission has made it clear that there is a pressing need for reform of public service delivery. This is about more than simply cutting costs. Our aim is to support communities with a justice system that is fair and accessible, cost effective and efficient.
What is the Government's role?
Government cannot create strong, resilient and supportive communities on its own, but it can take the lead in creating the conditions in which these communities can develop and flourish. We can do this through improving the physical environment, targeted investment in prevention, by promoting positive behaviour, tackling discrimination, prejudice and bigotry and providing a fair and modern framework for resolving disputes when they do arise.
We will take action through our Regeneration Strategy and in partnership with our stakeholders to strengthen Scotland's communities, providing additional support to the places and people that need it, tackling deprivation and disadvantage and creating opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish. We will be developing a new programme, 'The Achieving Change Programme', which will promote local public service reform in our most disadvantaged communities with an emphasis on: taking an assets based approach; closer integration of services; better use of data to understand neighbourhoods; and involving local people more deeply in developing and delivering change.
Effective and modern public services can support the development of stronger and healthier communities across Scotland. Police and Fire Reform will ensure that the police and fire and rescue services are in the best possible shape to meet the demands of the 21st century and the expectations of communities. The Making Justice Work programme will drive forward the most radical reforms of our courts and tribunals for at least a century, reducing waste, improving public confidence and user experience, and saving £14m next year, and more in future years.
A radical programme to modernise our civil justice system will be developed, to widen access to justice, give people greater options to resolve their disputes and ensure low value and straightforward cases are dealt with at an appropriate level in the court system.
We recognise the negative impact that sectarianism continues to have on Scottish society and will invest £9m over 2012/13 to 2014/15 to tackle the overt manifestations and underlying causes of this insidious problem. This work will put the needs of communities at the centre and provide robust support mechanisms to deliver tailored interventions. Education programmes will support the preventative approaches suggested by the Christie Commission while community-led work will improve good will, community cohesion, neighbourliness and help to tackle antisocial behaviour at one end of the spectrum and serious crime at the other. All of this work will lead to strong, healthy and empowered communities where everyone can live and raise their family in peace and participate in civic activities without the fear of prejudice or intimidation.
Related Strategic Objectives
Safer and Stronger
Smarter
Healthier
Related National Indicators
Improve people's perceptions about the crime rate in their area
Reduce crime victimisation rates
Improve people's perceptions of their neighbourhood