Brighter and better than all the rest

Lilian Pryde: working in the light of
a progressive local authority

COMMUNITY councils in one part of Scotland are growing straight and tall in the light of a local authority that seems to shine brighter than all the rest. 

Unflattering epithets that stick like glue to some don’t apply here. Instead East Lothian Council (ELC) enjoys praise from all quarters of a region that borders Midlothian, Scottish Borders and the city of Edinburgh.

Like a beacon on the high volcanic hill, the Law, in the seaside town of North Berwick, ELC ranks up there on the top for performance, recognised nationally as an example of best practice for its excellent relationship with community councils (CCs). 

Some of those 20 CCs that represent villages and small towns, which include Dunbar, Dunpender, Haddington and others ranked as probably among the best in the country, say that the support they receive from ELC is crucial to their success.

They identify two distinguishing features of this unique and symbiotic relationship.  First, and most impressive are the funding arrangements in place that are like no other.  

                                                            Money brings power                                                     

SIMILAR to most CCs Scotland-wide, all receive a small administrative grant every year, depending on the size of their population.  But on top of this the CCs in East Lothian are given devolved budgets from a pot of money called the Local Priorities Scheme.  

First allocated in 1996, this money originally came from an excess of funds left over from competitive tendering for contract services.  In 1997/98 the total allocation amounted to £100,000, just over £3,000 for each CC, with smaller or larger groups receiving less or more as appropriate. 

The pot has steadily increased and for the last six years has brimmed at £129,000 overall.  This money is allocated for projects of the CCs' choosing, with community councillors working closely with the department officials to devolve and complete the projects.  They range from helping to refurbish the Corn Exchange building, as in Haddington, to establishing a rural broadband service near the village of Gorvald, to buying a bicycle for the local policeman as in Dunbar.  

Applications for match funding by community councils is encouraged.  In 2007/08, £100,000 of public money was used to attract a staggering more than £800,000 of match funding for the region.

Second, and what key people in the council say must come first, is the now ‘deeply embedded culture’ of service to the community from all council staff.   

CC liaison officer Lilian Pryde, who has been in post for 13 years, speaks typically:  “I’m fiercely protective of my community councils. All our officers share my commitment to liaising closely with CCs and helping them to fulfil their goals as best they can. We are delighted with the relationships that we have established with them.”

Chair of Dunpender CC Judith Priest says that Lilian is almost ferociously tenacious when working to support community councillors and their projects.  She  adds: "We are delighted that we have a dedicated go-to person at ELC.  Lilian never loses sight of the fact that we are all volunteers, and she fights for us like a terrier if we come under unjustified attack." 

A continuous programme of training, offered to all CCs after election, and ongoing staff training for council employees, helps to reinforce the positive attitudes.  “Most of our officials live in the area,” says Lilian, “So they have a vested interest in supporting the work of their own and nearby CCs. 

“But we are also empowered by our elected members, who are very supportive, both to council staff and CCs.  People here genuinely care about their community.”

Chair of Haddington CC Jan Wilson agrees.  “This town has a great community spirit,” she says.  “We have a rich history and many groups that have formed to take the town forward.  A Vision for Haddington has just been formally launched, originally kicked off with a £2,000 grant for an initial report from the CC. That money was generously topped up to £10,000 by the council  We are very fortunate that we all work together here for the same purpose.” 

                                                National recognition

OTHERS speak highly of ELC’s achievements in community engagement.  In January 2012 Nick Wright wrote a provocative article about what some Local Authorities need to do to up their game.

(January archive).

Commenting now on the general praise for ELC he said.  “Local Authorities like this that engage well with the public need to have their achievements highlighted whenever possible.  We want to get rid of attitudes that are stuck in the past, and encourage those officers who want to co-operate with communities.”  

  

Chief executive of ELC Angela Leitch is only too aware of the social capital that has been built in the town.  She ensures that Lilian and her support staff get all the help they need to keep it going.  She says:  "Community Councils play a vital role within local democracy in East Lothian.

“They are consulted fully on a number of issues and provide an invaluable contact between ELC and the communities they represent. The council is committed to supporting them and ensuring they play an active part in the development of local planning and service delivery.

"Financial support to community councils in East Lothian has always been among the best in the country.  Under the Local Priority Scheme, each CC is granted a significant amount of money annually, to enhance their local environment for the benefit of their community.”

The idea of even more responsibilities being allocated to CCs doesn’t go down too well in this part of Scotland.  “We seem to have the level of responsibility about right here,” says Lilian.  “Most CCs say that they would not want any further workload.”

Former Chair of Garvald and Morham CC, Jim Thompson summed up the predominant view: “More power would be a strain.  The majority of us are here because we want to be, not because we have to be.  That makes it different.” 
                                                                                                 © 2012 JENNY MACKENZIE