Community Learning and Development Strategic Leadership Group minutes: December 2025

Attendees and apologies

Ben Macpherson MSP (Chair), Minister for Higher and Further Education

Cllr Maureen Chalmers, COSLA Spokesperson for Communities and Wellbeing

Cllr Tony Buchanan, COSLA Spokesperson for Children and Young People

Sheena Devlin, Association of Directors of Education in Scotland

Dr Marion Allison, CLD Standards Council

Dominique Carlisle-kitz, CLD Managers Scotland

Gill Ritchie, HM Inspectorate of Education / Education Scotland

Celia Tennant, Inspiring Scotland

James Russell, Skills Development Scotland

Clare Henry, Scottish Local Authority Economic Development

Paul Vaughan, Society of Local Authority Chief Executives

Jacqui Brasted, Scottish Funding Council

Alexis Camble, COSLA

Gayle Findlay, COSLA

Catherine Damen, COSLA

Will Quinn, Scottish Government

Sim Scott, Scottish Government

James Brook, Scottish Government

Paul Gibson, Scottish Government

Apologies

Ishabel Bremner, Scottish Local Authority Economic Development

Items and actions

Welcome & introductions

The Chair opened the meeting and thanked Members for attending in person.

Statement of Strategic Intent

• Sim Scott outlined the work undertaken since the last meeting to further develop the draft Logic Model toward being published as the CLD Statement of Strategic Intent.  A summary of the revisions was outlined to validate, strengthen, clarify, consolidate and structure content, as well as the inclusion of a proposed CLD Vision.
• Members welcomed the inclusion of a vision for CLD.
• Members rejected the proposal of the term ‘The CLD Strategy’ to supersede Statement of Strategic Intent / Logic Model on the basis that a strategy would be more detailed and descriptive.  Members therefore proposed the following:
  • CLD Outcomes 2025-2028 – a separate, high-level summary – drawn from the logic model - containing the vision and outcomes to set a clear direction of travel for meaningful change across the CLD sector.
  • Logic Model – (superseding the term Statement of Strategic Intent) the detailed document of inputs, activities and outputs to deliver the outcomes.
• Feedback from members is to be incorporated into the Logic Model and this – along with the ‘CLD Outcomes 2025-2028’ – will be endorsed by correspondence to enable progress toward publication ahead of the next SLG.

Strategic Delivery Group (SDG) – update and next steps

• Sim Scott outlined proposals for SLG and SDG interaction.
• Members agreed the need for a clear delivery plan for the SDG to take forward tangible actions, with the ability for outputs to be adaptable and flexible to achieve CLD outcomes.
• Members agreed that a workstream approach to delivery is most suitable for what the SDG and SLG are striving to achieve - aligned to the CLD Vision, CLD Outcomes and Logic Model.
• James Brook updated on the work undertaken regarding the consideration of SDG Chair, acknowledging this work has taken longer than anticipated due to the appointment processes and procedures, including remuneration.
• Members agreed the optimal approach of seeking a low-administrative/cost approach - with the potential for this to be a current SLG member to provide the ‘bridge between the two groups’.
• Previous nominees will be contacted to advise.

Action plan – strategic updates

ESOL survey - Catherine Damen

• Outlined interim findings from the survey COSLA undertook in relation to the provision of ESOL for New Scots across local authorities.
• A report of findings will be presented to the New Scots Expert Advisory Group on ESOL w/c 08 December 2025.

ESOL thematic review - Gill Ritchie

• Thematic inspection of ESOL underway by HMIE: being undertaken over three phases with HM Inspectors focusing on the experience of learners in accessing provision within communities and colleges and how providers respond to demand.
• Activity in fieldwork stage with a final report to be published early 2026.

Workforce - Marion Allison

• CLD Standards Council work to support recommendation 5.2 of the Independent Review of CLD report, which includes a CLD workforce needs survey.
• CLD Workforce Development Group also established, focused on four key themes: Qualification Pathways; Career and Job Pathways; Career long professional learning; and what Scotland needs going forward.

Learner World Café

• Members met with learners who are engaged in South Lanarkshire CLD services.
• The session focussed on four key themes: Workforce Development, Adult Learning, ESOL and Volunteering.
• The session was welcomed by all as an opportunity to see and hear about grassroots CLD delivery.  A survey will be issued for members to share feedback and proposed outcomes arising from the session.
• The co-chairs will send a letter of thanks on behalf of the SLG to the learners for taking the time to share their insights and experience.

Next steps and next meeting

• The Chair proposed the sixth meeting of the SLG takes place in late-February 2026, in St Andrews House, Edinburgh. Members were content with this suggestion.