Scotland to look into plans for ‘rural parliament’

PLANS for a rural parliament would empower communities and give them a “stronger voice”, it has been claimed.

A report highlighted the experiences of countries which already have rural parliaments and an initial meeting took place earlier this month to consider what one could look like in Scotland.

A further meeting has been organised for May when Scottish representatives meet officials from existing European rural parliaments.

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “Scotland’s rural areas have a vibrant and dynamic community spirit borne from a strong sense of place.

“Surrounded by the magnificent landscape for which our nation is famous and with so much of our world-renowned natural larder on the doorstep, there are many benefits to living in Scotland’s more rural areas.

“But the distances involved bring with them different challenges from those faced in less remote parts of the country.

“Scotland’s Rural Parliament will empower our rural communities, giving them a stronger voice and genuine access to decision-making.

“By doing this I am confident that our resilient and entrepreneurial rural communities will get the support and opportunities they need to flourish and grow.”

Sweden, the Netherlands, Estonia, Finland, Hungary and Slovakia all have rural parliaments in operation.

The Government has said a rural parliament would bring it closer to rural Scotland, rather than the introduction of a further layer of government.

The Rural Parliaments in Europe report was produced for the Scottish Government by the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC).

Dr Mike Woolvin, from the SAC’s Rural Policy Centre said: “Our study found that Government involvement and commitment to setting up a Scottish rural parliament is important but that it must be done in partnership with others.

“Enthusiasm, engagement and drive from the grassroots is vital, as a rural parliament cannot be imposed from the top-down. It is particularly vital that the parliament is well resourced from a variety of sources and that recommendations are quickly translated into actions by policy-makers and politicians.

“There is great willingness from others involved in rural parliaments in Europe to share expertise.”

Vanessa Halhead, director of the European Rural Community Association (ERCA) welcomed the initiative.

She said: “Rural parliaments have proved themselves to be an excellent vehicle for giving the rural communities a strong presence and voice on the national stage.

“For rural Scotland, this is the start of a very exciting initiative, and will have full support from ERCA.”