Call for action on rural economy
Recommendations for sustainable future
The CEO of a Blairgowriebased enterprise support organisation has welcomed the Scottish Government’s report into the future of the rural economy.
The consultation, which was coordinated by the National Council of Rural Advisers (NCRA), an independent body providing advice and recommendations on rural policy to the Scottish Government, took place earlier this year.
The recommendations made in the report, which is described as a blueprint for Scotland’s rural economy, include recognition of the strategic importance of the rural economy and ensuring that it is included within all policy and decision-making processes.
Jackie Brierton from GrowBiz is a member of the NCRA.
She said: “Scotland’s rural economy is bursting with talent and potential.
“With an abundance of natural capital, world-renowned heritage and vibrant, diverse communities, our rural economy is not just crucial to Scotland’s national brand, it is crucial to our national prosperity.
“However, national policy making processes do not always effectively represent rural interests and have not delivered the best economic outcomes for Scotland.”
She added: “It is only by addressing the complex structural issues that prevent change can we realise the vast opportunity that rural Scotland presents.
“The Scottish Government has embraced our call for a rural economic strategy putting the rural economy at the heart of the national economic plan, and we now need to build on that momentum with radical changes to redefine the contribution the rural economy makes to Scotland and ensure recognition and support of its significance.
“Rural economic policy must be mainstreamed within the national economic agenda within the next two years.
“This report is the first step towards ensuring Scotland is recognised as a world-leader in rural economic development and inclusive growth.”
The report recommends developing an interim rural economic framework to provide a structure for the development and implementation of a new approach to rural policy, development support and investment.
The creation of a rural economy action group to ensure that the recommendations of the report are set in place and that those involved are held to account is also called for in the report.
Other outcomes include investment plans encouraging sectoral diversity to recognise the opportunities for growth in non-traditional rural areas, providing female-focused enterprise programmes and support for women returning to work, and creating rural skills work experience opportunities. A rural challenge fund in place of LEADER is also called for.
Improved access to rural housing and other services such as public consultation aims to get the most out of Scotland’s rural economy transport and wider transport links, child care, and broadband and digital connectivity, were also highlighted in the report.
Rural economy secretary, Fergus Ewing, said: “We need decisions and structures that support rural businesses and communities, while recognising the value and importance of the rural economy. That is why the council’s call for the rural economy to be mainstreamed within all policy and decisionmaking processes is compelling.”
Links to the report and the consultation responses can be viewed online at www.ncra.scot