Falkirk Council agree to give more 'power to the people'

During a digital meeting earlier today the councillors looked at an updated report on the Enabled Communities initiative – recognising the vital role communities have undertaken to support people throughout the COVID-19 situation.

Members agreed the council should change its ways of working with Falkirk’s communities – engaging with them in a more empowering and collaborative relationship and offering enabling support to build community leadership.

There was also agreement over the implementation of Community Choices, which the council has committed to allocating £3 million towards over the next two years.

Community choices offers the opportunity to redesign how services are delivered, with communities being more directly involved in delivering the services that are important to them, sharing budgets and decision making with communities.

Council leader Cecil Meiklejohn said: “This is a great step forward and I look forward to playing my role as a ward member being an advocate within the communities and as leader of the council.”

Council chief executive Kenneth Lawrie added: “This is one of the most significant reports we have brought forward. This is a significant change in culture and approach. We will succeed in delivering this and it will put us at the forefront of how Scottish councils are working with their communities.

“The choices that emerge from this must be the choices of the community – what comes out at the end of the process must be very much what the communities want.”

During the pandemic the council behaved as an enabling state, took a step back and listened to and supported community led action.

It also worked with already mobilised community organisers and leaders to jointly develop and coordinate community support, providing professional guidance and expertise as required and quick and simple access to financial support for the third sector.

Councillor Gary Bouse said: “I think the communities have learned a lot over the last six months. The have learned the lessons on how to go about doing these things.”

Councillor Robert Bissett said the “power to the people” idea was important, but the council also had to “reach out” and find ways to engage with younger people.