Finance and Public Administration Committee
National Performance Framework: Ambitions into Action
Background
In 2007 the Scottish Government introduced the National Performance Framework (NPF). It sets out the government’s ambitions for society and the values that guide its approach.
The framework says it aims to get everyone in Scotland to work together. This includes:
- national and local government
- businesses
- voluntary organisations
- people living in Scotland
To help achieve its purpose, the framework sets out National Outcomes - currently 11 in total.
The framework measures Scotland’s progress against the National Outcomes. To do this, it uses ‘National Indicators’.
These indicators give a measure of national wellbeing. They include a range of economic, social and environmental indicators.
Committee Inquiry
The Finance and Public Administration Committee is looking at how the National Outcomes shape Scottish Government policy aims and spending decisions, and in turn, how this drives delivery at national and local level.
Inquiry Remit
The remit for this inquiry is to look at the current structures, processes and cultures that are in place to help deliver the National Outcomes.
The committee will consider whether these work as well as they can or should be improved.
Considering how appropriate and effective the National Outcomes are is not part of this inquiry. These will be reviewed separately by the Scottish Government later in 2022-23 and this Committee will have a role in that review.
Your views
To inform this inquiry, the Committee is looking for written views from organisations with experiences of using the National Outcomes in the NPF to shape their policy making and decision taking as well as delivery at national and local level.
The committee is particularly keen to hear from:
- local government
- the public sector
- business organisations
- the voluntary sector
This consultation closed on 22 April 2022
Alongside seeking written views, the Committee will also take oral evidence and undertake fact-finding visits. The Committee’s views will be reported later this year and will also inform the Committee’s later work on the Scottish Government’s review of the National Outcomes later in 2022/23.
Written Submissions
The Committee received 38 submissions to its call for views. 22 submissions were received on Citizen Space and can be read on that platform. 16 further submissions were received via email and are reproduced below:
Submission from Bord na Gaidhlig (210KB, pdf) posted 20 April 2022
Submission from COSLA (110KB, pdf) posted 20 April 2022
Submission from Dr Ian Elliott (74KB, pdf) posted 20 April 2022
Submission from Dr Max French (103KB, pdf) posted 20 April 2022
Submission from Carnegie UK (96KB, pdf) posted 20 April 2022
Submission from Children in Scotland (123KB, pdf) posted 20 April 2022
Submission from East Ayrshire Council (85KB, pdf) posted 20 April 2022
Submission from Equality and Human Rights Commission (111KB, pdf) posted 20 April 2022
Submission from Oxfam Scotland (299KB, pdf) posted 20 April 2022
Submission from Public Health Scotland (146KB, pdf) posted 20 April 2022
Submission from Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (258KB, pdf) posted 20 April 2022
Submission from Scottish Sports Association (72KB, pdf) posted 21 April 2022
Submission from Scottish Enterprise (70KB, pdf) posted 25 April 2022
Submission from Citizens Advice Scotland (70KB, pdf) posted 28 April 2022
Submission from Glasgow City Council (73KB, pdf) posted 29 April 2022
Submission from the Auditor General for Scotland (116KB, pdf) posted 12 May 2022
Note: We aim to make all of the information we publish fully accessible. However, when documents are provided by external organisations this is not always possible. If you need the document provided in an alternative format please contact the Clerk to the Committee. Further information is available on our accessibility statement.
SPICe Summary of Submissions
The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) produced a summary of the written submissions received to its call for views. The summary can be viewed below at the following link:
SPICe Summary of Submissions (179KB, pdf) posted 17 May 2022
Oral Evidence
The Committee took evidence on the following dates:
Tuesday 31 May 2022
The Committee took evidence from the Scottish Government.
Read the agenda, papers and Official Report (substantially verbatim transcript) for this meeting
Tuesday 24 May 2022
The Committee took evidence from:
Panel 1: COSLA and Fife Council;
Panel 2 (in a roundtable format): Children in Scotland, Open University in Scotland, Oxfam Scotland, Public Health Scotland, Revenue Scotland, Scotland CAN B, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.
Read the agenda, papers and Official Report (substantially verbatim transcript) for this meeting
Supplementary Written Evidence
Following the meeting on 24 May 2022, Fife Council and Open University in Scotland wrote to the Committee will follow-up information on issues raised during the meeting:
Supplementary Written Submission from Fife Council of 31 May 2022 (141KB, pdf) posted 06 June 2022
Supplementary Written Submission from Open University in Scotland of 22 June 2022 (101KB, pdf) posted 24 June 2022
Tuesday 17 May 2022
The Committee took evidence from Dr Ian Elliott, Northumbria University, Dr Max French, Northumbria University, and from Carnegie UK.
Read the agenda, papers and Official Report (substantially verbatim transcript) for this meeting
Tuesday 29 March 2022
The Committee took evidence from the Scottish Leaders Forum Accountability and Incentives Action Group.
Read the agenda, papers and Official Report (substantially verbatim transcript) for this meeting
Committee Engagement Events
The Committee held a number of engagement events as part of its inquiry into the National Performance Framework. Notes of the events are reproduced below:
Tuesday 3 May 2022
Note of Engagement Event with Scottish Government Officials (86KB, pdf) posted 17 May 2022
Tuesday 10 May 2022
Note of Engagement Event held in Dundee (98KB, pdf) posted 23 May 2022
Note of Engagement Event held in Glasgow (100KB, pdf) posted 23 May 2022
Committee Report
The Committee's report was published on 3 October 2022. Read the report at the following link:
Scottish Government and COSLA Responses
The Scottish Government and COSLA have responded to the Committee's report. Read the responses at the following links:
Scottish Government Response to the Committee's National Performance Framework Report
COSLA Response to the Committee's National Performance Framework Report
Timetable
March/April 2022
Call for evidence
Late May/June 2022
The Committee will hear oral evidence
September 2022
The Committee will publish its report