Rural services

The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands has announced the appointments of Emma Bucky, Jilly Duncan Grant and Carrie Ruxton as Members of the Quality Meat Scotland Board.

To help address the cost of living crisis, Community Councils Scotland have set up a Cost of Living Hub for Community Councils

Up to £25 million is being made available to help councils identify affordable homes for key workers in rural communities.

Projects to support mental health and address social isolation and loneliness in adults will share a further £15 million this year.

The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults, launched in 2021, has now provided around 3,300 grants to community organisations delivering mental health and wellbeing support, bringing total investment to £51 million.  

Local groups and organisations with great ideas to make their communities even better places to live are invited to apply for funding from the People’s Health Trust.

Active Communities is their funding programme for community groups and not-for-profit organisations, with an income of less than £350,000 a year or an average of £350,000 over two years.

Yesterday (18 April) saw the launch and publication of new policy prospectus by First Minister Humza Yousaf, setting out what the government will deliver for Scotland over the next three years

The ‘Equality, opportunity, community. New leadership – A fresh start’ publication sets out Ministerial priorities to be delivered by 2026 and describes what the Scottish Government aim to achieve, which when taken together will deliver upon the three key missions:

First Minister Humza Yousaf has published a new policy prospectus, setting out how the government will deliver for Scotland over the next three years.

In his first major statement to Parliament, the First Minister said three missions, centred on the themes of equality, opportunity and community, will be central to his government.

After awarding its final grant for the financial year just last week, the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places (SCSP) Open Fund brought the total numb

Plans to enable councils to raise the amount of council tax paid on empty and second homes will be included in a new consultation to help increase housing availability.

The world’s first rewilding centre has been opened near Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands by charity Trees for Life – showcasing how large-scale nature recovery can give people inspiring experiences, create jobs and benefit rural communities.