An introductory presentation by a representative of Communities Scotland noted that it was now three years from the introduction of Scotland’s 2003 Local Government Act. Given this, it was an opportune time to reflect on progress in community planning. A review of community planning had just been published by Audit Scotland.1 This endorsed the important role of community planning partnerships but also set out the challenges involved in addressing some key issues: the need to prioritise policy and action and taking real steps to put communities and local councillors at the heart of the community planning process. A recent Parliamentary Committee report for the Scottish Parliament also noted the link of community planning to addressing issues of poverty and disparity of opportunity. The Committee recommended more attention to regeneration outcomes and simplified funding regimes. In concluding, the speaker from Communities Scotland noted there was much research evidence and personal experience of partnership and community planning. It was now time to undertake some radical thinking about how to improve outcomes and the quality of participation rather than just focus on structures. Scotland ought to be able to take advantage of its relatively small size in population to foster such learning.