Published Date: Aug 19th, 2025
Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee visited Dunfermline on Tuesday 19 August 2025 to support the growing work around local democracy and community decision-making.
The visit took place at Abbeyview Community Hub, where Minister McKee met with local councillors, officers from the Electoral Reform Society Scotland (ERS Scotland) and Fife Council to discuss the progress and future ambitions of the Dunfermline New City Assembly.
Citizens’ Assemblies offer a powerful platform for communities to deliberate and shape local decisions on issues that matter most to them. This pilot initiative, supported by the Scottish Government, is part of a broader commitment to improve community empowerment and democratic renewal.
Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee said: “Empowering local communities to play a greater role in key decisions in their area is vital to increasing democratic engagement.
“The plan for the Dunfermline Citizens Assembly pilot is ambitious and I look forward to seeing how it develops as a model that can be rolled out more widely.”
ERS Scotland, in partnership with Fife Council, has been leading outreach efforts to ensure diverse community involvement in the Assembly. Willie Sullivan, Director of ERS Scotland, commented: “It was great to have the Minister come to Dunfermline to see how the Citizens Assembly is taking shape. The opportunity to have the people who live here address how the growth and change of their city can best serve them is a nationally important test of how to make democracy work for everyone."
Over the summer, ERS Scotland, Fife Council and community representatives have been working closely to plan the Assembly. This includes designing the structure of the Assembly, identifying key themes for discussion and ensuring inclusive participation.
Cllr James Calder, Area Convenor for the City of Dunfermline Area Committee, added: “We’re proud of the progress made so far and grateful for the continued support from the Scottish Government. Dunfermline New City Assembly will give residents a real voice in shaping the future of our city.”
As part of this work, residents and community groups are encouraged to sign up to the Dunfermline Declaration at www.dunfermlineassembly.org, showing their support for a more participatory and community-led approach to decision-making.
In October 2025, residents will have a chance to be invited by lottery to participate in the Assembly, which will convene in January and February 2026. These sessions will bring together a representative group of Dunfermline citizens to deliberate on local priorities and propose recommendations to the City of Dunfermline Area Committee.
For more information about the Dunfermline Citizens’ Assembly and to sign the declaration, visit www.dunfermlineassembly.org.
