Local authority anti-poverty strategies in Scotland

Abstract

This study examines the management and development of Scottish local authority anti-poverty strategies. Whilst studies of anti-poverty strategies have been carried out within England and Wales, nothing of the same depth has been conducted in Scotland. The study was carried out immediately prior to local government reorganization in order to understand key issues and gain lessons for good practice. The research involved the distribution of a postal survey to the chief executives and leaders of each of the then 65 local authorities in Scotland. In addition to the postal survey five case studies of anti-poverty strategies were carried out. This involved conducting semi-structured interviews with members and officers within five local authorities which were known to operate such strategies. The findings of the research illustrated that 25% of the responding local authorities operated anti-poverty strategies. The study identified and discussed a number of common themes generally associated with such strategies. These included the corporateness of the strategy, social inclusion, decentralization, partnerships, differences between rural and non-rural areas and differences between statutory and non-statutory services. The study also investigated and reported on, strategy development, member and office support, resource targeting and budgeting, monitoring and evaluating strategic and likely implications of local government reform.