Single Outcome Agreements (SOAs)

Background
The Scottish Government has five national priorities towards creating ‘a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish through increasing sustainable economic growth.’ These are:
1. A wealthier and Fairer Scotland
2. A healthier Scotland
3. A safer and Stronger Scotland
4. A smarter Scotland
5. A Greener Scotland

In 2007 Cosla and the Scottish Government set out a new working relationship between national and local government (The Concordat). The Concordat focuses on what has to be achieved rather than how it is to be achieved and identifies 15 national outcomes against which each Local Authority is expected to demonstrate progress against the five strategic priorities and set local priorities:

1. We live in a Scotland that is the most attractive place to do business in Europe
2. We realise our full economic potential with more and better employment opportunities for our people
3. We are better educated, more skilled and more successful, renowned for our research and innovation
4. Our young people are successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens
5 Our children have the best start in life and are ready to succeed
6 We live longer, healthier lives
7 We have tackled the significant inequalities in Scottish society
8 We have improved the life chances for children, young people and families at risk
9 We live our lives safe from crime, disorder and danger
10 We live in well designed, sustainable places where we are able to access the amenities and services we need.
11 We have strong, resilient and supportive communities where people take responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others
12 We value and enjoy our built environment and protect and enhance it for future generations
13 We take pride in a strong fair and inclusive national identity
14 We reduce the local and global environmental impact of our consumption and production
15 Our public services are high quality, continually improving, efficient and responsive to local people’s needs

What is the Single Outcome Agreement?
Local authorities are required to produce a Single Outcome Agreement (SOA) which sets out how they will contribute to the 15 national outcomes in a local context as well as achieving their local priorities. The SOA is document demonstrating an agreement between the Scottish Government and the local public sector. As well as contributing to the achievement of the national outcomes it is also a local improvement plan for Community Planning Partnerships and includes joint commitments to outcomes and targets for the benefit for the local community.

Who does the SOA cover?
Because the outcomes go beyond organisational boundaries, the SOA covers other public sector bodies as well as Councils, and is also relevant to voluntary groups and the private sector. For example, in the Highland Council area partners include The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, NHS Highland, Northern Constabulary, Highland and Islands Fire and Rescue Service, UHI Millennium Institute, the Northern Community Justice Authority; Job Centre+; Skills Development Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage, named private sector
organisations; and named partnership groups. More partners and voluntary organisation will be brought into the agreement as it develops.

Why are SOAs important?
The SOA reflects the new relationship between the Scottish Government and local Government. The Agreement is based upon the Concordat between the Scottish Government and COSLA, which includes arrangements for funding packages, streamlining performance reporting, and a new framework for Community Planning.

Many of the National Outcomes and their local agreements involve women’s lives, directly or indirectly. Funding for projects, policy priorities and development will have to relate to the SOA including strategies to deal with equality, child poverty and health.

“We have tackled the significant inequalities in Scottish society”.
Tackling inequalities is one of the National Outcomes. Improving outcomes for those who face barriers because of their race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or faith remains a major challenge for the Scottish Government. Poverty and inequality not only diminish opportunity and life experience, they detract from Scotland's economic success and wellbeing as a nation. Success will also be influenced by the quality of the data and information available on the nature and extent of inequalities in Scotland. The Government is committed to:
• Work across public and private sectors to identity the key determinants of inequalities in Scotland and agree shared responsibility for action.
• Ensure that public funds are invested, where appropriate, with a focus on deprivation.
• Take forward action to promote and advance equality and challenge discrimination and prejudice.
• Address key issues such as supporting women and children affected by domestic abuse and tackling the wider issues of violence against women.

How well this approach works will be determined in the next few years. The emphasis for SOAs for each council allows local concerns to be addressed. It is undeniably ambitious, but there is recognition that circumstances will evolve over time, and reviews will be incorporated. There is also the opportunity for local groups to become involved.

Further information
Full details of the agreements between local councils and the government can be found on relevant council websites. In the W@W project area, these are

Highland Council
Moray Council
Argyll and Bute Council

Voluntary Action Highland has also published a useful summary of what the SOA means to voluntary groups; see also the toolkit developed for Voluntary Action Highland to help voluntary groups help and shape the delivery of the SOA.


http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/06/30092907
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/scotPerforms
http://www.improvementservice.org.uk/core-programmes/single-outcome-agreements-/