The Communities Team’s remit is to "promote the wellbeing and safety of communities across Scotland by securing the policies, powers and resources to enable councils to respond flexibly to local needs in promoting safe, healthy, socially cohesive and active communities; in ensuring quality, affordable housing; in providing access to cultural, sporting, learning and recreational opportunities; reducing reoffending and in tackling poverty and disadvantage."
Spokesperson
The Community Wellbeing Spokesperson is Councillor Maureen Chalmers.
Main Policy Areas
- Community Empowerment & Engagement
- Community and Criminal Justice
- Community Safety and Resilience
- Consumer Protection
- Sports, Culture and Leisure
- Employability
- Equalities and Human Rights
- Housing and Homelessness
- Migration and Refugee Issues
- Poverty
- Social Security and Welfare Reform
Advisors
Given the wide-ranging policy areas covered, the Team works with a number of professional bodies to protect and advance the interests of Local Government including ALACHO (The Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers), Directors of Finance, SWS (Social Work Scotland), SOLACE (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives) , SOLAR (Society of Local Authority Lawyers & Administrators in Scotland), Community Justice Partnerships, VOCAL (Voice of Culture, Arts and Leisure)
Team Functions
The Team’s main day to day role is providing a significant element of the policy and secretariat support to the Community Wellbeing Board. Two other teams complement this: Trading Standards Scotland and COSLA’s Migration, Population and Diversity Team - also support the work of the Executive Group.
The Communities Team also includes COSLA’s European Function based in our Brussels Office.
The combined teams also support and brief the Community Wellbeing Spokesperson in their work with Ministers and the Parliaments.