Wednesday 20 Feb 2008 @ 16:56
Scottish Government
Scottish Government
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Review of Rural Policy
Independent rural policy experts today gave a vote of confidence to the Scottish Government's approach to rural development.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published its review into rural policy in Scotland, highlighting a number of key areas which the Scottish Government is already addressing.
These include:
* Reducing the number of government bodies delivering rural policy and getting those that remain to co-ordinate and streamline their work
* Creating opportunities for business and economic diversification through regional delivery of the £1.6 billion Scottish Rural Development Programme
* Harnessing Scotland's potential as a producer of energy from renewable sources
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment Richard Lochhead said:
"This Government is committed to supporting our rural communities and the OECD report presents some valuable insights to inform debate and help us move forward.
"The report is well balanced, highlighting both positives and negatives, the later of which, I am pleased to note, are largely already being addressed.
"I was also struck by the comments about the fragmented delivery landscape - a landscape currently being reshaped through our programme to renew and reform Scotland's public services.
"As part of this we have given a firm commitment to simplify Scotland's public services to deliver more effective government and contribute to our core purpose of creating a more successful Scotland. This means fewer national public organisations with less duplication and less bureaucracy.
"I was pleased to note the complimentary remarks about the level of innovation, both in quantity and quality, throughout rural Scotland.
"This is something to be proud of and something which we, as Government, wish to encourage. However, we cannot do this alone and that is why we are building different relationships with local authorities, stakeholders and with people living and working in rural Scotland.
"We aim to support vital, diverse and sustainable rural communities and look forward to reflecting upon the contents of this report and consider what lessons we can draw from it and from the wider international context.
"I am confident that Scotland will rise to the challenge and become a positive international showcase."
The OECD was invited by the Scottish Executive to conduct a review of rural policy in Scotland in 2006. The review was undertaken in 2007 with a review panel visiting Scotland twice to be discuss policy with senior Government officials as well as to visit Islay and Dumfries & Galloway.
Related Information
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published its review into rural policy in Scotland, highlighting a number of key areas which the Scottish Government is already addressing.
These include:
* Reducing the number of government bodies delivering rural policy and getting those that remain to co-ordinate and streamline their work
* Creating opportunities for business and economic diversification through regional delivery of the £1.6 billion Scottish Rural Development Programme
* Harnessing Scotland's potential as a producer of energy from renewable sources
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment Richard Lochhead said:
"This Government is committed to supporting our rural communities and the OECD report presents some valuable insights to inform debate and help us move forward.
"The report is well balanced, highlighting both positives and negatives, the later of which, I am pleased to note, are largely already being addressed.
"I was also struck by the comments about the fragmented delivery landscape - a landscape currently being reshaped through our programme to renew and reform Scotland's public services.
"As part of this we have given a firm commitment to simplify Scotland's public services to deliver more effective government and contribute to our core purpose of creating a more successful Scotland. This means fewer national public organisations with less duplication and less bureaucracy.
"I was pleased to note the complimentary remarks about the level of innovation, both in quantity and quality, throughout rural Scotland.
"This is something to be proud of and something which we, as Government, wish to encourage. However, we cannot do this alone and that is why we are building different relationships with local authorities, stakeholders and with people living and working in rural Scotland.
"We aim to support vital, diverse and sustainable rural communities and look forward to reflecting upon the contents of this report and consider what lessons we can draw from it and from the wider international context.
"I am confident that Scotland will rise to the challenge and become a positive international showcase."
The OECD was invited by the Scottish Executive to conduct a review of rural policy in Scotland in 2006. The review was undertaken in 2007 with a review panel visiting Scotland twice to be discuss policy with senior Government officials as well as to visit Islay and Dumfries & Galloway.
Related Information
