In March and April 1995, the University of Dundee Centre for Planning, with Rural Forum, organised a questionnaire survey to identify the key issues in rural Scotland from a wide range of perspectives.

The questionnaire was sent to 1400 individuals drawn from Rural Forum's membership and other contacts database. This included local government officials, farmers, staff with environmental Voluntary Organisations, councillors, MP's, officials in government departments and agencies business people and many others. There was a 14% return and these were analysed at the University of Dundee.

Those invited to the workshop sessions were also asked to return, beforehand, a list prioritising issues affecting rural Scotland and measures to address these. These two sources of written evidence are summarised below.

SUMMARY OF QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES

Respondents were asked to rank the principal problem areas facing rural Scotland which they considered should be addressed in the forthcoming White Paper.

The responses suggest that economic issues are perceived to be the most important for the future of rural Scotland. Interestingly, environmental issues are seen as less of a priority. Amongst economic problems, poor job prospects, unemployment and low quality employment are rated as the most severe.

When asked what forms of inward investment would contribute most to rural economies, tourism was rated most highly followed by technology and services. Manufacturing and the use of natural resources trail behind service and financial sectors. These priorities correspond quite well to the actual areas of growth in rural economies, but place a heavier emphasis on tourism and "alternative" practices than do current rural strategies.

Distance and access were seen as the principal difficulties facing rural businesses. Financial restrictions are also given a high priority, reflecting a general feeling that there is a shortage of investment capital in rural areas. Skills shortages are not ranked highly as a problem. In overcoming distance and access difficulties, the principal transport issue was seen as fuel costs, and threats of rising prices. The importance of rail was stressed, followed by road and ferries.

Respondents were asked whether they considered the relevant appointed government agencies (Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the associated LECs) devote sufficient policy attention and resources to enhancing the economy of rural Scotland. The responses suggest that just over half the respondents are not convinced that the two principal economic development agencies devote sufficient resources or policy to rural areas.

Amongst social and community problems, priority is placed upon the affordability of housing, poor transport networks and poverty and disadvantage, in that order.

When asked to rank the principal environmental problems which were likely to be significant for the future of rural Scotland, respondents clearly rate shortcomings in our ability to manage environmental issues as more serious than the environmental problems themselves. Unclear government objectives are seen as the greatest problem, followed by too many bodies and too much bureaucracy. Lack of access to resources is ranked third, further emphasising the concern about who is managing the environment and for what reasons. Only a minority of respondents consider Scottish Natural Heritage to be devoting sufficient policy and resources to the Scottish rural environment.

SUMMARY OF WRITTEN RESPONSES OF WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS

Community Involvement

The importance of communities as key participants in rural development is stressed. Participation is not seen as something limited to the implementation of policy or projects, but is seen as extending to an active role in policy development.

Community involvement is not seen as a process for the community alone. The view is that to operate effectively it must be based on partnerships with government and other agencies. It is felt that the voluntary sector is heavily relied upon to work in the area of community involvement, yet has been kept out of shaping things at the strategic policy level. Neither the third sector nor communities themselves are seen as being sufficiently resourced to play their full role in partnerships. It should be recognised that communities especially have to acquire the support, training, skills and confidence that would enable them to participate effectively. For people to become involved they must feel that it is worthwhile and not an excessive burden.

Partnerships need to be able to operate within a coherent context. It is felt that the task of a rural policy should be to provide such a framework.

Community involvement is seen as being threatened by essentially the same forces that threaten communities: employment and housing problems, forced mobility, inadequate and expensive services and lack of choice. Pressures on the family obstruct peoples involvement in the wider community, as does by increasing social divisions and inequalities, within the community. Community Involvement, therefore is seen as being closely tied to wider social and economic forces.

The potential to enhance community involvement is felt to be curtailed by barriers to genuine participation, not just in partnerships but in the sometimes closed and unaccountable workings of agencies, QUANGOs and local government.

In certain areas it is felt that communities have become detached from local affairs because they have become distanced from the use and management of local resources. Community involvement might therefore involve greater access to resources and the loosening of constraints on how they use them.

Measures identified to further community involvement prioritise a policy commitment towards decentralisation and a commitment to maintaining rural communities. More specifically, it is recommended that community capacity is reinforced through training and resources. It is also felt that agency staff could be trained to work more effectively with communities. Research directed at the community level should increasingly adopt a participatory approach.

An experimental approach to action at community level would be welcomed, with networking between communities to share experiences, enhance learning and boost confidence.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Written responses echo the workshops thinking in recognising the link between economic prosperity and conservation. The main threats to sustainable development are clearly placed on the social and economic development side, rather than the purely environmental.

Intensive or exploitative patterns of resource use are seen as the principal environmental threats. Agriculture and forestry are named as major sources of pollution and environmental degradation. The nature of subsidies, to primary sectors in particular, is seen as generally acting against the principles of sustainability.

A clearer policy framework to harmonise macro-economic and environmental objectives is called for. A general framework is seen as only part of the solution, the other part being local strategies to reflect local physical and social conditions.

Suggested measures to further sustainable development stress the free-ing up of resources along with improvements in resource management. Restrictive controls and protection are not seen as the way forward.

More specific priority measures include the funding of serious research into how the concept of sustainable development can be turned into practical policy and measures.

Substantial reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and Common Fisheries Policy is seen as necessary if they are to contribute to, rather than contravene, sustainable development.

EFFECTIVE SERVICE DELIVERY

Written submissions prioritise a number of issues on effective service delivery. Services must be accessible which means they must be delivered locally. They must also reflect local needs. Forces encouraging centralisation are not helpful in this respect and people feel that a satisfactory balance of public and private provision is yet to be found. People require access to a number of services and so wish that they be delivered in a co-ordinated manner.

The cost and limited options in transport prevent people from meeting delivers 'half-way" and discriminates strongly against remoter communities and non car owners.

Information is a vital part of delivery and is seen as inadequate and in need of rationalising. The flow of information should be two way with "front-line" mechanisms for delivery of services being geared up to receive feedback on their provision.

Measures proposed to improve service delivery stress a strengthening and better co-ordination of regional and Scottish Office functions. More local involvement in the design of services and service delivery is seen as important to improve sensitivity to customer needs.

It is suggested that the co-ordination of service delivery could be improved by training for providers, local "one-stop" centres and the use of information technology.

INTEGRATION

Peoples' descriptions of problems facing rural society and the rural economy emphasise how they are interrelated. Interrelated issues need to be met with integrated policies and integrated mechanisms for delivery.

Nor are the issues raised exclusively "rural". It is recognised that an attempt to treat rural Scotland without regard to relationships with urban areas and the wider economy would prevent a comprehensive understanding.

Barriers to integration are seen as coming primarily from the sectoral workings of government departments and agencies. In addition to such "horizontal" disintegration, "vertical" disintegration between the maker and the subjects of policy is recognised. "Top down" approaches are preventing decision-makers from coming to terms with the holistic reality of peoples lives. The lack of connection between European Union policies and local aspirations or strategies is felt keenly.

Lack of integration is seen as undermining the effectiveness of agencies and organisations by creating duplication of effort, unnecessary competition and conflict. People are faced by a confusion of activities and responsibilities.

Tensions between private and public agents are viewed as contrary to attempts at integration. There is a feeling that the diminished role of local authorities prevents them playing a co-ordinating role.

A general measure to enhance integration was to achieve greater community involvement, on the belief that local decisions would reflect better the multi-faceted nature of peoples lives.

The preparation of local strategies would provide a basis for communities to integrate more effectively with other levels.