Participation Requests

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What is a Participation Request?

Under the Community Empowerment Act, communities in Glasgow and across Scotland can now ask to participate in certain decisions and processes made and carried out by public bodies, including councils.

Participation Requests are intended to create the opportunity for people and groups to play a greater and more direct role in improving outcomes in their community.

This page will help you learn more about the Community Empowerment Act and how Participation Requests can be made.

Further Information

Participation Requests is an aspect of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. Information on this Act can be found at the following link:
http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/engage/CommEmpowerBill

Specific guidance on Participation Requests can be found at the following link:

http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/engage/ParticipationRequests/ParticipationRequestsGuidance

Who can make a request?

Participation Requests can be made by a 'community participation body'. This may be a:

Community group (with or without a constitution)
Community Council

Before you make a request you should check if there is an existing way in which yo can be involved in improving outcomes to your community.

If you are not sure of the existing consultation or decision-making processes you can get involved in, you can email us at participationrequests@glasgow.gov.uk and we will help you find the right process for you.

Making a Participation Request

if you think your community body might want to make a Participation Request to the council, the first thing you should do is get in touch. We can give you advice on the request process.

You may find this checklist helpful on how you can support local improvements and outcomes:

You are an eligible group (community participation body)
You have an idea or opportunity that you want to explore
You want to be involved and contribute
You have knowlage, skills, experience that help in the decision-making process
You have a clear idea on the outcomes you want to improve
You know which public service authority you need to speak to
You have not had the opportunity to participate through another process or, you've consluded the process already in place and still feel your idea could be a Participation Request

You can email us at participationrequests@glasgow.gov.uk if you would like further information.

What is a 'public service authority'?

A 'public service authority' is an organisation to which Participation Requests can be made. When you are thinking of how you want to participate, also think about the different agencies that should be involved in the process.

For example you may want to improve the health of young people by renovating a local green space. To do this you will need to involve the local authority, perhaps the health board etc.

Here is a list of the organsations that are public aithorities:

Local autority / council
Health Board
Board of Management of a college of futher education
A national park authority
Police Scotland
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
Scottish Fire & Rescue Service
Scottish Natural Heritage
Regional transport partnerships

How long does it take?

A Participation Request goes through three stages:

1. Assessment: When we get a request we check if:

your group qualift as a community participation body
there is any information missing from your application
the request is similar to one already processed
are there other processes you can participate in to achieve the outcome
you have identified any public services authority required to support in the delivery of the outcome or improvement you want

What if your group is not eligible? You will be given advice on any other approacher or processes you can use.

2. Processing your request

Once your request has been assessed it will be passed to the appropriate service. An officer from the service will get in touch with you to discuss your request and work with you to explore the best approach to take.

If other public service authorities have been identified, the officer will get in touch with them and ask if they can contribute to this process.

We will let you know with 30 working days if the outcome you have requested can be delivered. That increases to 45 working days if there are other public service authorities involved.

3. Request is approved

If your request is approved the Council and the other public service authorities have a further 90 working days in which to identify the correct process to take forward the improvement you have requested.

If there is no establised process available, the Council will provide you with a proposal on how it will help to deliver the improvement or outcome. Your group will have 28 days to consider the proposal and make written recommendations if you wish.

Once the plan is approved, having considered all the outcomes, it will be published and the service will begin delivering the agreed plan.

Received Participation Requests

Applicant Name: Drumoyne Community Council

Participation Request: To be involved in the decision making on a parking scheme for the G51 area of Glasgow and any associated road issues - with a view to achieving a scheme based on the G51 alternative to the GCC's Linthouse & Shieldhall TRO - and in line with the aspirations of our community.

Participation Request Response: pdf icon Participation Request Response 17082017 [1Mb]

Applicant Name: Jordanhill Community Council

Participation Request: To be involved in community planning structure specific to Victoria Park and Open Spaces.

Participation Request Response: pdf icon Jordanhill CC Participation Request Decision Notice [32kb]

Applicant Name: Woodlands and Park Community Council

Participation Request: Request to be involved in the outcome of the consultation process 'Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 Consultation on future policy development for the Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation' launched by Glasgow City Council in February 2018, beyond submission of consultation response.

Participation Request Response: pdf icon Woodlands and Park Community Council Participation Request Decision Notice [70kb]

Applicant Name: Mount Florida Community Council

Participation Request: The Community Council believes it has constructively influenced and supported the gradual improvement that residents have observed. However, it believes it has only limited potential to support further improvement without forming closer and more collaborative relationships with relevant Council departments and bodies such as the Multi Agency Group for Hampden events.

Participation Request Reponse: pdf icon Decision Notice Mount Florida Community Council [17kb]