1. Strategic Migration Partnership NILGA Conference 19 th April 2012 Derek Mitchell

2. Strategic Migration Partnership Role of COSLA Political lobbying organisation for local government in Scotland The representative voice of Scotland’s 32 local authorities Promotes local governance and the perspective of local authorities

3. Strategic Migration Partnership Policy focus on migration issues Supporting local authorities to develop a strategic response to migration Supporting local authorities to better understand their migrant populations and their rights and entitlements Supporting local politicians’ roles in shaping public attitudes towards migration Working with different spheres of Government (Scottish and UK) Role of Strategic Migration Partnership within COSLA

4. Strategic Migration Partnership Partnership’s Vision To work across the spheres of government in Scotland and with other key stakeholders to ensure that Scotland is a welcoming place for new migrants, and to support cohesive and inclusive communities.

5. Strategic Migration Partnership Overview Policy Toolkit –Why ? Policy Context –Background and aims –Structure and focus –Implementation Engagement Where/what next

6. Strategic Migration Partnership ‘Policy Toolkit’ – Why? Policy Environment –Local/national/UK –Scottish Government’s economic strategy –Historical trends and extrapolations in a Scottish context –Need for strategic, long term planning

7. Strategic Migration Partnership Policy Context UK context –Migration ‘problem’ –Emphasis tends to be on negatives –Resultant policies Scottish context –Economics and demographics –Emphasis tends to be on positives –Broad political consensus –Resultant policies

8. Strategic Migration Partnership ‘Policy Toolkit’ Background 2008 Conference: Public Sector Dialogue on Migration - need for strategic approach to migration acknowledged CSMP developed toolkit and first published in May 2010 Subsequently received funding from Scottish Government to work with local authorities and Community Planning Partnerships to implement the toolkit Toolkit piloted in 2010/11 Work carried out last year to revise the toolkit in light of political changes implemented after initial publication. Version 2.0 of the toolkit was launched at the CSMP Board meeting in September 2011. Currently engaging with a number of councils who have an interest in utilising the toolkit going forward

9. Strategic Migration Partnership ‘Policy Toolkit’ Aims 1.Help local authorities to understand: Their demographic needs Their migrant populations 2.Support them to develop a strategy suited to their needs to: Attract migrants into their areas Retain existing migrants Integrate migrants so they become long-term residents

10. Strategic Migration Partnership ‘Policy Toolkit’ Structure Clustering –locating local authorities into clusters facing similar demographic challenges; Data collection –creating an evidence base in which local authorities can access relevant migration data; and Policy areas –which cover a breadth of policy options that will support Community Planning Partners to attract, retain and integrate migrants in their area.

11. Strategic Migration Partnership Clusters – What are they and why? Cluster 1 Characteristics: -The total population of the area is increasing -The working age population is increasing as a proportion of the total population Prognosis: This is probably the best situation for a local authority to be in. The increasing total population may lead to increasing demand on services, but this demand is supported by a significant working age population (as long as worklessness can be kept low). Cluster 2 Characteristics -The total population of the area is decreasing -The working age population is increasing as a proportion of the total population Prognosis: This is a reasonably good situation for a local authority to be in. Demands on social care services are likely to be manageable because the working age population is increasing as a proportion of the total population (although worklessness may still be an issue). The biggest risk for these local authorities could be depopulation. Cluster 3 Characteristics: -The total population of the area is increasing -The working age population is decreasing as a proportion of the total population Prognosis: This is a potentially difficulty situation for a local authority to be in. The total population is increasing, but the working age population as a proportion of the whole is shrinking. This will lead to increased demand on social care service and a smaller workforce to provide these and other services. Cluster 4 Characteristics: -The total population of the area is decreasing -The working age population is decreasing as a proportion of the total population Prognosis: This is possibly the worst situation for a local authority because of the likelihood of depopulation leading to decreased viability for some services, coupled with a growing non-working aged population and linked demand for social care services with fewer working aged people to work in this sector.

12. Strategic Migration Partnership ‘Policy Toolkit’ Focus Focus on integration and community cohesion Manage community relations –Manage resources effectively –Local politicians as opinion formers –Promote positive messages about migration Welcome packs in relevant languages –Many local authority examples Co-ordination across council services/departments Partnerships with other agencies through community planning

13. Strategic Migration Partnership ‘Policy Toolkit’ Focus Ensuring services are accessible: –Housing –Schools –English for Speakers of Other Languages tuition –Employment advice –Skills transfer Advertising skills shortages and marketing your area: –Communicating with Migration Advisory Committee –Potential for co-ordinated responses –Promoting the particular attractions of areas e.g. lifestyle, location, scenery.

14. Strategic Migration Partnership ‘Policy Toolkit’ Format

15. Strategic Migration Partnership Policy Toolkit Key Themes Community cohesion: –Civic leadership from local politicians –Supporting frontline staff –Policing and community safety Growing your population: –Skills shortages –Marketing and promoting the local area Employment –Employers’ responsibilities

16. Strategic Migration Partnership Policy Toolkit Key Themes Education (children and adults) –English as an Additional Language (EAL) Health and Social Care –Overseas Disclosure checks –Health services for migrants Housing and Homelessness Humanitarian Programmes –Asylum dispersal

17. Strategic Migration Partnership Use of the Toolkit to Date Piloted with: –Shetland Islands Council –Glasgow City Council Utilised by Dumfries & Galloway Council Ongoing discussions with various councils and clusters of councils

18. Strategic Migration Partnership Engagement Formal CSMP Support Programme: –Development of proposal –Engagement with senior council staff and politicians –Agreed timescales and goals Stand alone use of toolkit –Utilise as part of wider work programme –May only use certain elements of the toolkit –Ability to tap in to expertise of CSMP staff as and when required

19. Strategic Migration Partnership Key Questions for LAs to Consider Do you want to grow or maintain your population and why? What are your ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors? What are you doing already and can you identify particular strengths and weaknesses? What more could be done? What do other agencies need to do? How is migration incorporated into your strategic plans / SOAs? What outcomes would a more strategic response to migration focus upon? Would it be useful to work together with neighbouring LAs in considering a strategic approach to migration?

20. Strategic Migration Partnership Where/What Next Currently involved in discussions with a number of individual councils Potential for multi-authority approach Regional engagement Seminars National conference on migration

21. Strategic Migration Partnership My contact details: Derek Mitchell E: Derek@cosla.gov.ukDerek@cosla.gov.uk T: 0131 474 9242 COSLA Strategic Migration Partnership Cadell House, Suite 2/3 27 Waterloo Street Glasgow G2 6BZ http://www.migrationscotland.org.uk