The Local Government Act which sets out the framework for community planning requires that the following organisations should be represented on the community planning partnership: NHS Boards, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Joint Police Boards and Chief Constables, Joint Fire Boards, the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority (SPTA) and the local authority.
In addition to these organisations local authorities are required to consult and co-operate with community bodies and with other public sector bodies as appropriate. The effective and genuine engagement of communities is at the heart of Community Planning. The main aim of community engagement is to improve the planning and delivery of services by making them more responsive to the needs and aspirations of communities.
The Community Planning Advice Notes recognises that culture makes a major contribution to improving the quality of life for individuals and communities across Scotland. The notes say �culture and sport exert a strong beneficial impact on a wide range of other policy areas, for example, health, education, rural and urban regeneration, social inclusion, enterprise and sustainable development.�
It is generally recognised however that there is still some way to go before culture delivers its potential impact within the Community Planning process. The guidance however recommends that a single overarching cultural strategy should be developed at local authority level.
The Scottish Executive's Guidance for local authorities on the implementation of the National Cultural Strategy stresses the role of partnerships and states that it is good practice for local authorities to promote cultural provision within Community Planning.
