Together we can, together we will: analysis of consultation responses

Vision: Useful data sources

Examples of data sources that participants highlighted as worthy of review by the NCRA

• The Federation of Small Businesses referred to research undertaken by the Centre for Local Economic Strategies, Local Procurement: making the most of small business, one year on: Scotland report [2]
• NFUS referred to two of its policy documents, Steps to change: a new agricultural policy for Scotland [3] and A new agricultural policy for Scotland post-Brexit [4]
• NFUS also referred to the join industry document Educate, sustain, promote: the industry vision to promote a good food nation [5]
• NFUS also referred to Citizen Advice Scotland’s report Delivering for business: Scottish SMEs use of postal services [6] when describing poor or variable access in some rural areas to broadband
• North Ayrshire Council referred to a recent report published by the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee Inquiry, Scotland’s economic performance [7] to highlight uneven growth in Scotland
• Dumfries and Galloway LEADER Programme Local Action Group and North Ayrshire Council directed the NCRA to James Hutton Institute’s work for the Scottish Government in developing a Socio-economic Performance report in 2015 [8]
• The South of Scotland Alliance recommended to the Scottish Government the Policy Statement [9] which emerged from the 11 th OECD Rural Development Conference which took place in Edinburgh in April 2018 and the OECD’s Policy Note Rural 3.0. A framework for rural development [10]
• The South of Scotland alliance cited figures from a 2012 report published by EKOS entitled Creative sector in the south of Scotland [11] to highlight the contribution the south of Scotland’s cultural industry makes to the economy
• One individual respondent referred to a report by Europa, Report by the Commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress [12]
• The same respondent also referred to a report published jointly by Pearson, Nesta and the Oxford Martin School at the University of Oxford, The future of skills: employment in 2030 [13]
• The National Rural Mental Health Forum indicated that the issue of mental health was missed by the consultation and referred to research carried out by Scotland’s Rural College with support from Support in Mind Scotland, National rural mental health survey Scotland: report of key findings [14]
• East Lothian Council and Tayside and Central Scotland Transport Partnership referred to the Scottish Government’s Understanding the Scottish rural economy [15] research paper
• One individual respondent said the Museums Galleries Scotland data and research can evidence multiple examples of community centres, museums and attractions which have dual benefits.

Vision: Additional illustrative quotes

An example of a successful social impact model is the Care & Wellbeing Cooperative in Highland Perthshire, which is a non-profit umbrella for 32 micro-enterprises and self-employed individuals coming together to provide a range of care and wellbeing services in a remote rural area. This cooperative was set up in response to self-directed support legislation and is now contracted by local health services and other businesses including drivers, therapists, carers etc. and has shown to be a very successful model.
Women’s Enterprise

Study visits (or something like that) where the people can chat, explore, discuss and consider different approaches etc. Communities can take "short cuts" by learning from others and may (possibly) recruit some supportive expertise.
Individual

Until the Scottish Government recognises the massive contribution that tourism brings to our economy and provides levels of support (financial, bureaucratic and legislative) commensurate with that contribution to the economy, the local workforce will continue to consider working in this sector as second rate. A highly successful tourism strategy creates opportunities in the adjacent industries to support it - infrastructure, retail, food, farming, support services, transport etc.
Individual

The concept of sticky money (rural multiplier effects) should be part of the appraisal of public financial support for new local economic developments.
Donald McPhillimy Associates Ltd.

Rural tourism is something that is measured in England but not Scotland. Perhaps the contribution of the rural economy to tourism would be more highly valued by if we measured it in Scotland?
Individual

If this means more paperwork, please spare us!
Individual

Renewable and new energy sources will need to be developed to meet our climate challenge, offering further opportunities.
South of Scotland Alliance

The jobs of the future will be located in rural as well as urban areas. The importance of innovation in supporting economic growth is equally important in the rural setting. There is a growing application of digital technologies to the rural setting whether through the use of satellite navigation for crop management and harvesting, the use of drones for asset survey and management and new packaging techniques that enhance the life of products.
Tayside and Central Scotland Transport Partnership