Chamber and committees

Good morning, panel, and thank you for joining us. The written submission from Aberdeen City Council states that the community planning partnership has

“secured the commitment of partners to divert resources”

for shared priorities. Have other community planning partnerships had that experience? How has that collaborative working under the 2015 act taken place? I mentioned Aberdeen, so I ask Michelle Crombie to give more information on how that has worked.

No worries. Thank you.

Thank you. Does anyone else have anything to add on that?

I am interested in an issue that everyone has touched on—the urban-rural dynamics of your councils and the competing needs that that gives rise to. I think that Lee Haxton said that the needs are just not the same. How does that facilitate the use of a different model? Sometimes, you will have fewer people who might be able to take forward different projects. Interestingly, some communities might not have a council-owned facility. How do you put together support in those circumstances? How do you facilitate the community to take the lead?

Do you want to come in on that, Fiona?

Good morning. Thank you for joining us today. I will ask a number of questions related to inquiries that OSCR can make. Should the powers be extended to allow OSCR to undertake inquiries into former charities and their trustees?

I will bring in Sarah Latto, first, and then anyone online who wishes to come in.

As nobody else wants to add to that, I will move on to my other question on that theme. Should OSCR be able to issue positive directions following its inquiry work? Is it appropriate for designated religious charities to be exempt from the provisions?

I will bring in Madelaine Sproule on that point and then anyone else who wants to add anything.

Thank you, Madelaine.

Do you want to comment on that point, too, David?

Good. Those are all my questions.

Thank you, David.

As no one has any further points to make on that, I will move on to the issue of connection to Scotland, which has emerged and which has been introduced as a requirement in the bill. Should charities have to demonstrate a connection to Scotland? Is that an appropriate measure?

Does anyone else have anything that they wish to add?

As no one else has anything to add, I will move to my second set of questions, which are on the issuing of positive directions following inquiry work.

This morning, we have picked up on the fact that burdens are a real part of what we need to look at—that is important. Vicki Cahill touched on the role of supporting and providing guidance, rather than policing.

Do the witnesses think that it is appropriate for OSCR to be able to issue positive directions following inquiry work? I am not sure of the range of charities that Shona NicIllinein’s organisation supports, but do the witnesses believe that it is appropriate for designated religious charities to be exempt from that provision?