Work areas

Work in Scotland

Scotland has always been governed differently from the rest of the UK. Since the re-establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999, this distinction has become more clear-cut. CAG Consultants appreciates that work in Scotland has to take on board this different context.

We have an office in Edinburgh and a proper appreciation of:

• the workings of the Scottish Parliament, Executive and its Agencies
• the changing role of Local Authorities in Scotland as outlined in the 2003 Local Government Act
• the distinct socio-economic, environmental and cultural situation in Scotland, from Lanarkshire to the Hebrides

CAG has worked closely with the Scottish Parliament, Local Authorities, Government Agencies, NGOs and communities in Scotland on a wide range of sustainable development projects.

We offer:

• strategic research, policy advice and support for sustainable development to the Parliament, local authorities and other public agencies
• particular expertise in sustainable communities issues, and social and environmental justice

Some examples of our work include:

Scottish Parliament

We completed a review of whether the Scottish Executive is ‘structured and positioned to deliver sustainable development.’ The report has helped inform scrutiny of the Executive by the Environment and Rural Development Committee of the Parliament

Scottish Executive

Working in partnership with other consultancies, we undertook a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the West Edinburgh Planning Framework review for the Executive.

West Dunbartonshire Community Strategy SEA

We completed all stages of the SEA of the Community Strategy on behalf of the Community Partnership. The reports are available on their website.

Forestry Commission

In partnership with Strathclyde University (CADISPA project) we have recently completed an evaluation of the social value of forests for the Commission

Highlands and Islands Enterprise

Working in partnership with CADISPA at Strathclyde University we undertook an evaluation of the potential for the sustainable development of the Breakish Estate, Isle of Skye. The study was funded by the Community Land Unit at HIE

Aberdeenshire Council

We audited the Council’s Sustainable Development Charter and suggested actions and targets to take the Council’s work on sustainability forward over coming years

Dundee and Angus Councils

We undertook a sustainability appraisal of their joint Structure Plan

Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Council

We undertook a sustainability appraisal of the joint Structure Plan

Angus Council

We undertook a Sustainability Appraisal of the Angus Local Plan

Forward Scotland

We have undertaken a range of work including:

• An evaluation of the Community Environmental Renewal Scheme (CERS)
• An appraisal of the economic, social and environmental sustainability of four distinct Scottish Communities
• An appraisal of local environmental projects across the country. This used sustainability appraisal methodology and worked with Paul Zealey Associates to develop a series of best practice case studies on local sustainable development in Scotland

Amhuinnsuidhe Estate, Isle of Harris

We evaluated the potential for socially and environmentally sustainable economic development on the estate in advance of a community buy out

WWF Scotland

We prepared the 'Smart, Successful Sustainable Scotland' report for WWF Scotland on the potential for a green economic revolution north of the border

Education 21 Scotland

We undertook an appraisal of the commitment of all main Scottish political parties to Education for Sustainable Development in advance of the 2003 Scottish Elections

For more information contact

Tim Maiden
0191 224 1390
tm@cagconsult.co.uk