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Rural Scotland: What Next ?
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The future provision of public services in rural areas of Scotland is the focus of a new publication from the Scottish Executive.
The report - Innovative Methods of Service Delivery in Rural Scotland: A Good Practice Guide - highlights four main categories of innovative service provision:
The sharing of premises
The report says:"...useful in reducing costs across service providers and creating a point of focus for the community...Purpose-built community buildings have higher costs in the short term but may be more flexible and sustainable in the long-term."
Mobile facilities
The report says:"...can be expensive to run but are an effective means of taking services out into remote communities."
New technology
The report says:"...can be a useful way of reaching many people."
Community-run services
The report says:"...often work where public and private services do not as the incurred costs of staff tends to be less, and so the unit cost of provision is lower."
Throughout the report,the author ( Jon Pickering, of the University of Cardiff ) makes extensive use of case studies, varied in both their geographical location and the method of service provision, which were identified by the Scottish National Rural Partnership Services Sub-Group and also through consultation with local authorities, Social Inclusion Partnerships and CADISPA.
Scottish Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie, launching the publication at the 3rd Annual Rural Services Conference, in Carnoustie, outlined the Executive?s four priorities for rural Scotland as:
? Rural economic development.
? Improving opportunities, particularly for young people.
? Conserving and enhancing natural and cultural heritage.
? Improving access to services
?Improving access to services is vital in maintaining vibrant and viable rural communities," says Mr Finnie. "We want to see communities with a bright future where young people and families choose to live and work.
?There are many examples of this in the steps the Executive is taking to realise this ambition. These include the expansion of the rural transport initiative, the development of community health service centres and the role of community hospitals, and the bringing of cultural opportunities to rural communities.
?The Partnership Agreement contains specific commitments on all four of our priorities for rural Scotland. We want to make sure that all policy makers consider the needs of rural communities, the impact of their policies, and the best way for their programmes and policies to be delivered in remote and rural areas.
?From securing a sustainable future for our rural industries to providing more flexible and available childcare and increasing the availability of affordable housing in rural areas ? these priorities range across the Executive?s portfolios.?
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