Strategic Stakeholder Feedback

The Authority, in collaboration with Police Scotland, sought feedback from key stakeholders in developing the draft Joint Strategy for wider public, community and partnership engagement.

A summary of the review work undertaken was shared with strategic stakeholders, including Scottish Government, HMICS and Local Authorities. A total of 13 responses were received, which were supportive of the overall direction with some specific suggestions reflected in the consultation draft (Appendix A).

Many stakeholders supported additional emphasis in relation to: tackling cyber-/online criminality (including sexual and hate crime); pursuing public health preventative approaches; strengthening the partnership response to mental health and vulnerability, including person-centred, trauma-informed approaches; embracing new technologies to widen access and participation from communities; tackling violence against women and girls and promoting positive workplace behaviours and culture; and emphasising rights-based, ethical and inclusive policing practices.

Several stakeholders also commented that greater emphasis would be welcomed in relation to: acknowledging and addressing the effect of the current cost-of-living crisis affecting many sections of society and some communities more severely; responding, through collaboration and efficiency measures, to the expected constraints on future public spending; improving the availability and speed of public contact channels, primarily 101; recognising the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly on young people and their mental health.

The draft Joint Strategy presented with this report has been revised to take account of the feedback received from stakeholders as relevant.  Additional consideration of this feedback will inform planning in the key areas referenced