Single Outcome Agreement Indicators

In 2007 the Scottish Government agreed a concordat with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA), establishing a renewed relationship between central and local government, based on mutual respect and partnership and a wish to simplify relationships and funding and reporting requirements. These principles extend to the wider public sector, including Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The concordat is underpinned by a common objective of seeking to achieve the outcomes within the National Performance Framework. Funding for certain natural heritage services is now routed directly to local government by Scottish Government and each local authority, working with its Community Planning Partnership, now reaches a Single Outcome Agreement with Scottish Government.

A Single Outcome Agreement sets out local priorities and aspirations, including for biodiversity, and shows how Local Authorities and Community Planning Partners will work together for shared outcomes for the benefit of people, place and community.

Developing indicators

Indicators are being developed an effort to ensure that biodiversity and the natural heritage contributes across the social, economic and environmental outcomes being set out in Single Outcome Agreements.

A Scottish Natural Heritage commissioned report 337: Single Outcome Agreement Indicators Development helps to set out and appraise options for contributing to indicators within SOAs for setting local priorities and for measuring progress towards local outcomes.