Evidence library

The starting point for partners in this commission was to engage stakeholders in discussion about their vision for a coherent infrastructure for the third sector in West Lothian. During October and November 2008 just over 100 stakeholders from both the voluntary and statutory sectors took part in a range of opportunities which included a combination of one-to-one, small group and telephone interviews, staff and committee meetings and large and small workshops. Participants included members of the West Lothian Voluntary Sector Strategic Group (VSSG), the Voluntary Sector Forum, the Community Planning Partnership (CPP), the Scottish Government, the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), Volunteer Development Scotland (VDS), staff and board members of the Volunteer Centre (VC) and the Council for Voluntary Service (CVS). This participation was supplemented by desk research including analysis of other structural arrangements within the CVS and VC networks, as well as a review of business plans, national and local policy and various documents provided by stakeholders. Review and analysis of all the recordings led to findings which were distilled, presented and discussed with nominated staff and board members at a joint VC and CVS (Voluntary Action West Lothian) working group. This final session informed the findings and options which are presented in this report and will form part of wider discussion with community planning partners and other stakeholders.