Latest News >SOA Pledges Better Services for Citizens

Aberdeen's second Single Outcome Agreement was signed on Thursday 30th July 2009 by the Scottish Government and Aberdeen's Community Planning Partnership, The Aberdeen City Alliance (TACA).

The Single Outcome Agreement (SOA) 2009-10 lays down a series of local priorities for action in the context of the Scottish Government's national aspirations – and spells out how the city council and its community planning partners will work together to meet agreed targets.

The commitments made in the SOA represent a shared direction for all the partner organisations, based on the Concordat between the Scottish Government and community planning partners. The document aims to stimulate even closer co-operation to make services more effective and deliver ever-improving results for the citizens of Aberdeen.

Targets and timescales are laid down under a range of themes, including the economy, education, health, housing, children and young people at risk, crime and disorder, sustainability, the environment, sport and culture, and public services.

The SOA lays down commitments for the next three years but will be updated each year to ensure it is fully up-to-date with local and national improvement priorities.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney represented the Scottish Government at the signing at the Town House in Aberdeen.

The event was also attended by – Lavina Massie, Chair of The Aberdeen City Alliance; Aberdeen City Council Leadership Board members Councillors Kate Dean, Kevin Stewart, Barney Crockett and Alan Milne; City Council Chief Executive Sue Bruce; Colin McKerracher, Chief Constable of Grampian Police; Richard Carey, Chief Executive of NHS Grampian; David Dalziel, Chief Fire Officer of Grampian Fire & Rescue Service; Derick Murray, Director of NESTRANS; Maggie McGinlay Regional Director of Scottish Enterprise Aberdeen City and Shire; Ian Paterson, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations; Ross Grant, Chair of Aberdeen Civic Forum; and Tom Smith, Chair of Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future.

Mr Swinney said: "This agreement between the Scottish Government and the Community Planning Partnership reflects local circumstances and priorities to improve the lives of Aberdonians.

"Working together, we can reach our goal of increasing sustainable economic growth and help Aberdeen become a more successful city in a more successful Scotland."

Lavina Massie said: "I am delighted to be signing Aberdeen City's second Single Outcome Agreement on behalf of The Aberdeen City Alliance. I have only recently become the chair of TACA but I have seen the development of the SOA over the last two years and it is clear to me that each of the partners has welcomed this as an opportunity to take our community planning to the next level.

"The SOA sets out our shared vision of making Aberdeen the place we want it to be and commits us all to delivering on our promises. We need better housing and education, less crime and antisocial behaviour, a better environment, a healthier population, and a growing and diversified economy. All these aspirations can only be achieved by working together."

Councillor Dean said: "We and our partners are working together to improve the lives of Aberdeen's citizens and the Single Outcome Agreements are helping us turn our vision into a reality.

"The SOA commits us to achieving a series of goals in the context of what the Scottish Government is aiming to achieve nationally. Community planning has been a key principle at Aberdeen City Council for several years so we already have very close working relationships with our many partners. We are stronger when we work together – and this can only pay dividends for our citizens and our business community."

Mr McKerracher commented: "Only by working together can we make Aberdeen a safer, more welcoming and more prosperous city for all. I believe we have responded well to the social and economic challenges we all face. This agreement is a commitment by the partners involved to work together to deliver lasting solutions."

Mr Carey said: "We place a very high value on our partnership working with Aberdeen City Council and the many other agencies which are key to the community here in Aberdeen. The Single Outcome Agreement helps us to focus our efforts on our shared priorities for the benefit of all who use our services."

Maggie McGinlay, Scottish Enterprise Regional Director, said: "Scottish Enterprise welcomes the opportunity to continue to play our part in delivering the Single Outcome Agreement. Over the last year we have demonstrated our commitment to work in partnership to deliver sustainable economic growth and we look forward to continuing this strong working relationship with Aberdeen City Council and other partners to ensure Aberdeen City and Shire continues to make a major contribution to the Scottish economy."

Community planning in Aberdeen is based on the simple and straightforward principles of listening to what local people say, agreeing on our priorities, tackling them together and striving to make real and lasting improvements for all citizens.

back to top