SSN Research: approach & my impressions

1. SSN Research: approach & my impressions Approach • 64 individuals interviewed (some in group sessions) • 39 individuals from 28 local authorities • 8 SSN Steering Group • 9 from Scottish Government • 8 SENCE members • 33 Survey Monkey responses • structured conversations • individuals perspective • Survey Monkey and forced rankings My impressions • overwhelmingly positive – SSN works • willingness to give time • mature attitudes • common themes and minority views • confirmation of what we already knew – or thought we did!

2. Strengths, Weaknesses/ Challenges welcome focus on local authorities community planning & diluting the focus? relevant programme priorities climate change dominant for now tension climate change & sustainable development? balance policy & practice about right networking & practice is “bread & butter” too policy focused? SSN services good quality & useful Pick’n’Mix improvements welcome value of conference? time for networking? difficulties with events? spread too thin? help get the message across to others speaking to the converted group hug! core team are critical to success Ideas & Issues what type of organisation should SSN be in the future? is the annual conference the best use of SSN resources? how much time should be given to improving remote access to events? does it matter that SSN members don’t talk about the Steering Group? SSN Research: strengths & weaknesses

3. SSN Research: future provision Priorities and Challenges • climate change is the top priority • carbon management • focus will be on statutory duties and outcomes with a push to more joined up working • but leadership and decision making? • but behaviour change, communication & community engagement? Members would like SSN to provide: • climate change “what” and “how to” guides • case studies and study visits – part of quarterlies • networking the networks • provision for elected members – but survey monkey? • capacity building - tailored introductory provision • benchmarking and accreditation – but lots of reporting mechanisms? • horizon scanning and scenarios – part of quarterlies? – but survey monkey? • “No” to SSN Awards Scheme

4. Funded Projects Ideas include: behaviour change, community engagement, effective communication low carbon economy and alternatives to GDP sustainable consumption (and food) fully rounded impact appraisal (economic, social & environmental/ carbon) emissions trading models and public sector incentives The characteristics of these ideas were: strong policy drivers imperfect knowledge of how to do potential for funding cross boundary and organisations combining policy approaches scale up local good practice Ideas & Issues Are there any critical gaps between the plan for 2010/11 and this research? Does it suggest areas for more/less focus? Where can we make the most difference to mainstreaming? What is “good enough” SSN delivery? How smart can we be in achieving multiple wins from our work? Are there others better placed to deliver some activities? SSN Research‏: future provision funded projects, ideas & issues

5. Communication & Engagement SSN brand is strong with the conference hugely helpful SSN has relationships with the right organisations but some require harder work than others need to engage senior management and elected members Membership & Funding how does membership work – two way traffic? widening the membership whilst maintaining trust community planning partners corporate membership – potential benefits membership fees yes, no, maybe and reasonable fees Survey Monkey much more negative other sources of funding Scottish Government should be the main funder “pragmatic” event sponsorship EU, secondments, private sector contributions (utilities) and SSN as a consultancy don’t chase the money Ideas & Issues How do we secure a more active contribution from more members? What should be done to clarify/change the terms of membership? What further sources of funding should be explored? SSN Research: improving service delivery

6. Scottish Government Themes making real progress with climate change crowded organisational landscape Arbuthnott Review and joint working sustainable development is still important Leading by Example sustainable consumption resource scarcity & natural capital improving decision making systems thinking & mediation elected members volunteering, third sector & social enterprises community development new cross boundary models low carbon economy and economic strategy Potential SSN Contribution public sector duty consultation and consistent approach to delivery? making progress on climate change through collaboration, networking and capacity building SSN help to share good practice in behaviour change across ALL sectors? sharing good practice on carbon appraisal and improved reporting the international agenda and the low carbon economy – links to key groups SSN Research: external insights • SENCE Group • value SSN as an effective local authority network • common drivers around climate change, sustainable development and SOA • make full use of tools such as LFP and LCLIPs

7. Recommendations SSN is working well with an appetite for more rolling programme, resources and realism doing things differently rather than doing different things Delivery in 2010/11 “Its climate change stupid!” Starting with policy and moving quickly to practice engage & influence senior decision makers capacity building, membership & key networks multiple wins from the same input making the best use of past, present and future work smart planning and design more active engagement from more members Networking and good practice Terms of membership Exploration in 2010/11 new sources of funding and resources systems thinking & mediation more geographically specific and cross sector approaches tools & best practice for behaviour change, community engagement & communication Next Steps further review after the APM finalise reports follow-up work on specific topics desk research work packages for development SSN Research : recommendations & next steps

8. SSN Research: discussion papers • APM focused on 3 topics • How to secure senior level engagement • Smart ways of working – how to make use of existing assets and score multiple wins • “Ask not what SSN can do for you, but what you can do for SSN • 3 discussion papers developed and discussed at SSN Steering Group 26 April • Future SSN Funding • Enhanced SSN Membership • Conference Design & Funding • Context • Climate change and sustainable development • Economic climate (spending review timetable) • UK & Scottish parliamentary elections • Building for current strengths to meet members future needs • SSN working well and no pressing financial issues

9. SSN Research: discussion papers • Future SSN Funding • Current position • core team small & fully utilised • annual conference can generate some income • significant in-kind contributions and goodwill • Issues • security • efficiency effectiveness & long-term thinking • sources of funding • fall back position • in-kind contributions • outcomes & SOA

10. SSN Research: discussion papers (Funding)

11. SSN research: discussion papers (Funding)

12. SSN Research: discussion paper (Membership)

13. SSN Research: discusssion paper (Conference) • 3 ideas for the design & funding of the annual SSN conference • Sponsorship • Secure sponsorship from the private/public sector • Take care not to dilute the quality or content of the conference • Strategic alliance • Annual flagship conferences to inspire progress • Active engagement and support of existing key groups • Demonstrate leadership across sectors • Encourage new and deeper collaboration, networking & capacity building • Focus on win wins and outcome delivery • Senior decision makers • Key way to secure necessary scale and pace of change • Actively tailor the marketing, content & structure of the event – two-stage conference? • Delivered in partnership with COSLA and SOLACE?

14. SSN Research: discussion papers (Conference)

15. SSN Research: discussion papers • Take on board comments from Steering Group and today • Progress explicit membership process • Progress sponsorship for SSN Conference 2010 • Detailed discussions with KSB Funding Development Officer – invite to attend future Steering Group meeting • Maintain development of the ideas outlined in the discussion papers • Realistic • Flexible • Strategically opportunistic