Chamber and committees

Briefly, could participatory budgeting perhaps play a role in making that a reality for people?

I thank the witnesses for joining us today.

Many of you have already touched on innovation. During a Scotland’s Futures Forum event, we heard that

“more innovation means more risk taking, and there will be failures as well as successes.”

What other things can central Government do to support local authorities through that process of innovation?

I will stay with you for a moment, Donna. It certainly sounds as if we need some real systems thinking and systems leadership.

I am aware of the time, so I ask you to comment briefly in response to my next question. Do you feel that progress has been made on preventative spend, shared services and community empowerment?

Thank you. That was helpful. I am happy to hear from Jim or Jonathan, if they have anything to add.

Jonathan, do you have anything to add?

I remind members of my entry in the register of members’ interests. I was a councillor until 2022.

With that in mind, I will direct my last question at Donna Hall, although I would be happy for the others to add to what she says. Does the Verity house agreement say enough about devolving power to communities? I have experience of neighbourhoods being able to do real, full-on asset-based community development—I certainly had some good experience of that. That involved participatory budgeting. I am interested in positive examples that we could look to build on in the future.

I thank the witnesses for being here. The discussion has been incredibly interesting so far, and I am sure that we will have many more sessions on the issue as time moves on.

I will stay with what you were talking about, Chris, but switch the question round a little. Have you been thinking about how AI might help to reduce the workload on teachers, in lesson planning, monitoring pupil progress and so on?

That is interesting. My next question is on how AI can support individualised learning. I am interested in that and the fact that it is almost about children and teachers learning together and learning from each other and valuing that. Teachers will perhaps become more like facilitators and will have an oversight role that is about keeping things respectful and keeping the ethics on board.

It is interesting how AI can spark that interest that makes you think beyond what you imagine initially.

I am interested in what the other witnesses have to say on that issue, on the point about getting the ball rolling initially with teachers, and on the point about things developing naturally as AI develops and becomes part of life.

Thank you.