THE success of the Scottish Procurement Alliance’s (SPA) Community Benefit Fund (CBF) will be celebrated at the organisation’s upcoming AGM.
The CBF has delivered £910,000 worth of funding in seven years, with an additional £1.1 million in match funding. Insights into the programme are being offered to public sector bodies, which are being urged to sign up to attend the AGM.
Lesley Anderson, regional director for SPA, Scotland’s largest free-to-join procurement organisation, said, “This is a unique opportunity for public sector organisations to gain deep insights into the transformative impact of community benefits across Scotland and the importance of investing in communities.”
Joining SPA at the September 24 event in Livingston will be experts from LHC, Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC), South Ayrshire Council, Hawthorn Housing Cooperative and South Lanarkshire Council.
Lesley Anderson added, “Those who attend will hear directly from industry experts and public sector organisations who have successfully implemented community-led projects. That will provide invaluable lessons on best practices and innovation while offering insight into the mechanisms and processes that have led to success.
“We’ve got a fantastic range of workshops and presentations from those at the forefront of community development all geared towards offering a clearer understanding of community benefits. One of those is SCDC, who are experts in community engagement and actively works with our partners, hosting workshops, training sessions, and offering vital consultancy services as well as playing a crucial role in informing government policy on community development.”
A variety of organisations will share insights into their projects and explore how they’ve achieved success alongside their future ambitions.
David Allan, deputy director from SCDC, added, “SCDC are delighted to see the work that SPA are doing around community benefits. It is vitally important for public sector organisations to understand the real needs and issues within communities and to be able to engage with local residents about how these needs should be addressed and how money should be allocated. Community-led action research and participatory budgeting are becoming much more widely used and can be extremely valuable in helping this to happen.”
SPA is part of the LHC Procurement Group, which has been supporting public sector organisations with technical procurement for close to 60 years.
The AGM will highlight key initiatives in product development and community impact. Shona Snow, director of product innovation at LHC, will discuss the role of product innovation and future project opportunities. George Stevens, LHC’s director of communities, will introduce the transition from the Rebate Programme to the CBF and outline LHC’s social value strategy to enhance the impact of its work. 1st Step Development Ventures will showcase community-led projects, while representatives from South Ayrshire Council, Hawthorn Housing Cooperative, and South Lanarkshire Council will share stories of tackling local issues with LHC support.
Attendees will also receive updates on SPA’s performance for 2023/24, upcoming initiatives, and a preview of the organisation’s strategic direction.
To register for the AGM, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spa-agm-2024-tickets-957038035527
