Statement from the SCD Board – Wednesday 31st August 2022
In response to the petition on the paths project, we are taking the concerns of the community very seriously and are taking appropriate action to address the points made in point 1 of the petition, while reserving the right to make any further comment necessary on point 2 and point 3 once Highland Council have responded on these points.
What appropriate action is the Board taking? We are working with the Development Trust Association Scotland (DTAS), the advisory body for development trusts and companies in Scotland, who have provided the following statement:
“As a member of DTAS (Development Trust Association Scotland), DTAS will work with Strathdearn Community Development (SCD) by providing support and advice to enable SCD to better represent and meet the needs of its community.”
In addition, following further advice from DTAS, we are also going to undertake an independent evaluation which will be carried out by Evaluation Scotland to see if there is anything we could have done better or anything more we could have done to keep the community better informed.
Once we have the answers to these questions we will engage with the whole community in our usual way. Working through the evaluation and seeking advice from DTAS first, rather than rushing headlong into immediate engagement with the community, will allow us to be much better informed. SCD will then be able to engage much more meaningfully with the whole community at the end of this process. We will fully update the community on the outcome of the Evaluation and any other actions recommended by DTAS, as well as any further actions the Board considers may be beneficial to the resolution of the paths dispute.
We are not too proud to accept that lessons may need to be learned but what we are not prepared to accept is abuse on Facebook/social media or harrying demands from groups within the community for instant solutions, without first pausing for review and reflection to make sure that any mistakes we may have made will not be repeated. We will not be bullied and consequently will not be responding to either.
In the meantime, we will, of course, continue posting information about our other events and activities in the usual way:
- On the dedicated SCD Facebook page and the Community Website.
- On the Notice Boards.
- Via the normal written monthly report to the Community Council.
- In the Newsletter
We will also continue to offer our monthly ‘Meet a Director’ sessions usually the day after the Community Council meeting, alternating between a daytime slot (10am-12 noon) and an early evening slot (5-7pm) to make these meetings as accessible as possible for those who go out to work as you requested. In addition, contact on everyday matters can also be made by emailing to info@strathdearn.org
With all good wishes.
The Board and Staff of SCD
