Community Learning and Development Strategic Leadership Group minutes: June 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans (Chair)
• Cllr Tony Buchanan, COSLA Spokesperson for Children and Young People
• Sheena Devlin, General Secretary of Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES)
• Nicky MacCrimmon, Vice Chair, CLD Managers Scotland
• Dr Marion Allison, Director of the CLD Standards Council
• Jackie Halawi, Head of ELC, Communities and Families (CLD and Parental Engagement), Education Scotland
• Celia Tennant, Chief Executive, Inspiring Scotland
• Gillian Ritchie, Head of Scrutiny, HMIE
• James Russell, Interim Senior Director of Transformation, Skills Development Scotland
• Sarah Kirkpatrick, Deputy Director of Assurances and Outcomes, Scottish Funding Council
• Clare Henry, Scottish Local Authorities’ Economic Development (SLAED)
• Naureen Ahmad, Deputy Director, Lifelong Learning & Skills, Scottish Government
• Will Quinn, Scottish Government secretariat
• Elisha Fisher, Scottish Government secretariat
• James Brook, Scottish Government secretariat
• Kirstie Corbett, Analytical Unit Head, Scottish Government (in part - logic model)
• Alexis Camble, COSLA Policy Manager
• Catherine Damen, COSLA Policy Officer

Apologies

• Cllr Maureen Chalmers, COSLA Spokesperson for Community Wellbeing
• Janie McManus, Chief Executive, HMIE
• Gillian Hamilton, Chief Executive, Education Scotland
• Ishabel Bremner, Chair of SLAED
• John Howie, Public Health Scotland
• Paul Vaughan, Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE)

Items and actions

The Chair opened the third meeting of the CLD Strategic Leadership Group and thanked members for attending, noting the benefits of in person meetings. The Chair asked members to consider community venues to hold future meetings.

Following presentation at the previous meeting in April, an updated logic model was circulated to members prior to the meeting. Scottish Government analysts would present the updates.

It was noted that Kate Still has offered to attend the SLG again if further input and clarity is required from the independent reviewer and this would be kept open as an option. 

Updated logic model

Kirstie Corbett presented the updated logic model. Feedback from the previous meeting has been incorporated and the group wanted the model to reflect the work that is undertaken across CLD. Further discussion explored development of a framework measuring short, medium, and long term outcomes for learners.

It was agreed the logic model would be published as a living document setting the direction of travel for providers. The logic model will be scheduled for evaluation in March 2026 to reflect further progress of the group.

SLG Priorities 2025/26

The Chair thanked everyone for feeding in their thoughts on the priorities for the group. Members agreed the immediate priorities for 2025/26 should be centred around recommendations:

• 1.2 – The work of the SLG should be supported by a working-level CLD Strategic Delivery Group (SDG)
• 2.2 – the Scottish Government should develop and communicate a clear Statement of Strategic Intent for CLD.
• 3.2 – The Scottish Government working alongside New Scots partners, Colleges and Local Authorities needs to take immediate action to tackle the current ESOL crisis.
• 5.2 – The CLD Standards Council should lead work to develop a CLD Workforce Plan for consideration by the Strategic Leadership Group.

Members discussed crossover between the agreed priorities and the remaining recommendations. The Chair proposed that the group discuss progress for the remaining recommendations at the next meeting and the secretariat should prepare an appropriate paper.

Priority Actions

COSLA officers facilitated a session on the actions that would support positive outcomes toward the agreed priorities. In addition to agreeing publication of the logic model as Statement of Strategic Intent, members agreed a variety of actions to ensure quality frameworks reflect the priorities and principles set out in the logic model; develop a CLD workforce plan; and gather an initial evidence base on current provision. Discussion included communicating a clear understanding of alignment to national and local structures such as the National Performance Framework and Community Planning Partnerships.

Members committed to ensuring that the needs of learners are fully understood and outcomes are consistently measured. 

Members also noted the opportunities presented to improve partnership working; strengthen the understanding of the learner needs; and develop strong leadership.

Delivery Group

The group discussed the need to identify a group membership that can deliver demonstrable outcomes. Members discussed the expectation for the delivery group to work together to meet the needs and measure the achievements of CLD learners.

The secretariat should develop a Terms of Reference and agree delivery partners through correspondence covering the diversity and breadth of CLD, before the next meeting in September.

It was noted that publication of the logic model as a statement of strategic intent demonstrates the group’s commitment to improve CLD delivery.

AOB, review of session, next steps

The Chair summarised the actions from the meeting and the group discussed the responsibility for members to provide clarity on CLD, raising awareness of the positive impact on learners.

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, 2 September 2025.

Actions

• Members – to add further actions for the delivery group.
• Members – to identify lead partners for actions.
• Members – feedback on terms of reference for delivery group.
• Officials – circulate logic model to stakeholders and arrange publication.
• Officials – circulate actions and identified delivery partners to members.
• Officials – draft immediate priorities to set up delivery group
• Officials – prepare a note of the recommendations - to support the next SLG meeting