Press Release
10th September 2000
Citizens' Juries
The Scottish Executive yesterday affirmed its support for the citizens’ jury scheme, saying that it will place the views of local people at the heart of the regeneration of Scottish Communities. As a Social Inclusion Partnership Area, Greenock and Inverclyde will host its first citizens jury in October, giving members of the community a real say in addressing the issues facing the area.
In an Oral Question in the Scottish Parliament yesterday, Duncan McNeil, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Greenock and Inverclyde, asked the Scottish Executive whether it would "make a statement on support for local community involvement in regeneration through citizens juries?"
The Minister for Communities, Wendy Alexander, replied:
"We are determined that the views of local people are at the heart of regenerating Scottish communities. I therefore announced, at a Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations conference last month, our support for a people’s jury in every community that we support through our Social Inclusion Partnerships. The juries will address issues chosen by representatives of the local community."
Duncan McNeil followed up with:
"I welcome the minister’s response. As I have already referred in the chamber to the serious problems of crime, ill health and poverty in the Greenock and Inverclyde district, I also welcome the fact that the first citizens jury in Greenock will take place at the end of October. Ordinary people will be allowed to discuss key concerns in the community. Given that there are 30 citizens juries in the United Kingdom and six in Scotland, does the minister agree that they are a well tried and trusted method of canvassing the views of communities? Can she assure me that the Scottish Executive will take seriously the views of those citizens juries? What other ideas does she have for further consultation with communities?"
Wendy Alexander responded:
"The people’s juries will be an important way of putting communities at the heart of decision making. I would like to stress that the wider programme involves having a representative of the voluntary sector on every partnership board, and spending £2 million in the next three years on a new national skills development programme for community representatives, so that they can influence decision making in their local areas."
ENDS
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