
Local government
Local authorities regularly seek our advice on nature and landscapes.
Local authorities regularly seek our advice on nature and landscapes.
Our advice to local authorities covers areas including:
Changes to how the Scottish Government works with local government means we no longer give grants for certain natural heritage services.
The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2016 formalised the process of Community Planning and added NatureScot to the list of statutory partners who must be involved in the development of a community plan. The focus of community planning is on addressing disadvantage in all its forms. Under the 2016 Act, Local Outcome Improvement Plans (LOIPs) replace the old Single Outcome Agreement as the document that draws together the local priorities and goals. In areas where local partners want to focus their efforts or address particular problems, Locality Plans can be developed (they cover areas of a similar size to Council wards).
NatureScot staff work in Community Planning Partnerships across Scotland. Our engagement varies from place to place depending on the local priorities. NatureScot may be involved as a: