Scottish Rural Action publish rural manifesto

Scottish Rural Action have launched a new rural manifesto ahead of the second Scottish Rural Parliament event.

The manifesto will be agreed at the Scottish Rural Parliament taking place in Brechin, Angus from 6 to 8 October. Around 400 people are expected to attend the event.

The manifesto has been created following a series of events across rural Scotland, and an online survey, with people sharing their views on the issues that matter the most to them.

The manifesto includes proposals for improvements in policing, tourism, business development, communities, democracy and governance, depopulation, education, energy, environment, housing and planning, health services and land ownership.

It also contains recommendations from the Scottish Rural Action (SRA) Broadband Working Group and calls for a Scottish Broadband Conference – bringing together all stakeholders, including the Scottish Government, community projects, network providers and suppliers, to resolve delays in broadband roll-out and share views and solutions.

Amanda Burgauer, chair of SRA, said:

"The manifesto has been formed following engagement with people across rural Scotland – from the Borders to Shetland and Fife to Benbecula.

"It presents the shared views of people in rural communities about the issues of greatest importance and the measures which are needed to ensure these communities thrive.

"The manifesto will be agreed at the Scottish Rural Parliament in Brechin, Angus, from 6th-8th October this year by 400 participants in the event.

"SRA, which is responsible for the Rural Parliament, will take forward selected actions, advocating on the behalf of and with rural communities to influence decision-making and policy."

Visit the Scottish Rural Parliament website for more information.

Registration is open for the Scottish Rural Parliament event in Brechin, Angus.

If you want to know more about the Scottish Rural Parliament and what you can expect from the event, read our guest blog from Scottish Rural Action National Coordinator Emma Cooper 'A powerful voice for the people of rural Scotland'.