Wellbeing economy toolkit: supporting place based economic strategy and policy development

Stage 5: Operationalising Results

Based on the priorities identified through this evidence-based, system-wide process, policies and interventions that have the potential to most effectively ‘shift the dial’ on multiple outcomes can be developed, coordinated or targeted to drive the transition towards a place-based wellbeing economy.

The key wellbeing outcomes, drivers and intervention opportunities identified through the earlier stages offer an overarching framework and vision for local and regional strategies and programmes. Work already underway across the local area or region can be linked up and coordinated to maximise the opportunities for improving wellbeing outcomes across the local system.

Working in partnership across the local authority or region with communities as well as the public, private and third sectors will help to take a system-wide approach and offer the greatest opportunity to successfully deliver these policies and interventions.

Focusing on wellbeing outcomes as the primary goal of local economies will also help local authorities, in partnership with stakeholders, to tackle poverty (particularly child poverty), reduce inequality, build economic resilience and contribute to Scotland’s just transition to a net zero, nature-positive, circular economy with fair work at its heart.

Clackmannanshire Stage 5 Case Study

Clackmannanshire Council has used the results of its prioritisation process to map out the policies, projects and practices already in place that will contribute to improving key outcomes. This process has also helped to identify where there may be opportunities to build on this work and maximise the wellbeing outcomes for individuals, communities and businesses in both the short and long term.

To ensure wellbeing outcomes are at the heart of work happening across the local area, Clackmannanshire has committed to developing a refreshed Local Outcomes Improvement Plan which will focus on transitioning to a wellbeing economy. This aims to embed the agreed wellbeing economy priorities in the local authority’s long term strategic plans and set the collective vision for its delivery partners.

Community wealth building (CWB) is one of the key practical ways that Clackmannanshire is already taking action to address the long-standing systemic challenges facing the local economy and to realise its vision for a local wellbeing economy. Clackmannanshire is one of the Scottish Government’s CWB pilot areas, and it has developed a Community Wealth Building Action Plan. At a regional level CWB was built into projects in the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal.

Linked to this, Clackmannanshire is also establishing a Wellbeing Economy Anchor Partnership, which will bring together local anchor institutions including representatives from the council, educational institutions, housing associations, NHS health board and large local private sector employers. Delivery groups will be established to focus on delivering interventions targeted at the priority outcomes. A Clackmannanshire Good Employment Charter is also being developed to address quality of employment and earnings, and ways to roll this out through the Wellbeing Economy Anchor Partnership are being investigated.

Stage 5 Actions

1. Map out the policies, projects and programmes underway at a local and national level that are already contributing to improving the key wellbeing outcomes identified and assess, where possible, the current or expected effectiveness of these interventions.

2. Using this map, identify where there are opportunities to build on work already underway, or gaps where further interventions will be required.

3. Embed the key wellbeing outcomes within the strategic outcomes for the local area, ensuring these all remain aligned and rooted in the NPF.

4. Make connections with key delivery partners and stakeholders across the local area to ensure that interventions are coordinated and delivered efficiently.

• Establishing an anchor partnership and working groups could help with this process and join up activity for maximum effectiveness.

5. Consider how the key wellbeing outcomes can be embedded into decision-making processes, including budgeting processes.

• This will help to ensure that policies and investments are directed towards improving wellbeing outcomes holistically and consistently across the local area.