Single Outcome Agreements
What do they mean for museums?
What are SOAs?
Single Outcome Agreements (SOAs) are written agreements between local authorities and the government. They state how each council will contribute towards the purpose of the government and the associated 15 National Outcomes, whilst reflecting locally determined priorities. They are based on the principle that progress at local level also equals progress towards national performance. Each SOA is different to truly reflect local need.The Government has asked the Community Planning Partnerships to focus on delivery of the local outcomes in their SOAs 2009/10. They will report via a new performance reporting system introduced by the Scottish Government to simplify and improve local government reporting.
For further information about the purpose and future development of the SOAs look at the website of the Scottish Government and the Improvement Service. There is also an article on SOAs in issue 15 of MGQ.
What do they mean for museums?
The SOA is not intended to include the complete range of a council’s services or activities. It is rather an expression of high level issues towards which many services may contribute. Museum services and/or cultural services may not appear within a SOA, but that does not mean that the council does not recognize the value of the service.
Museums can improve their own ability to report the value of what they do by being aware of the content of both the local community plan and the SOA relating to it. It is worth identifying areas where museum activities can contribute, and to reflect the language of the SOA in planning services and reporting outcomes. The MGS Quality Improvement System (QIS) can support the gathering of evidence for outcomes-based reporting.
For further assistance with, or to discuss how to, link museum activity with a SOAs contact the Head of Research and Standards.