Mike Danson, Geoff Whittam (both University of the West of Scotland) and George Callaghan (Open University in Scotland)

Transcription

1 Mike Danson, Geoff Whittam (both University of the West of Scotland) and George Callaghan (Open University in Scotland) Innovation in remote and peripheral regions : Innovation in community and public services in remote areas European Policies Research Centre, University of Strathclyde, Tuesday 15 June 2010

2 Remoteness and peripherality

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5 Assynt

6 Theoretical and literature background on community buy-outs, community ownership and assets, social capital, enterprise, etc. Land reform and legislation Policies and strategies on renewables, forestry, governance Survey data and analyses Discussion and conclusions

7 Peripheral and marginal regions inappropriate application of core values, processes and strategies belief that ideas, innovation etc flows from core periphery Gaelic language and economic development survived especially in Gàidhealtachd but also in industrial cities by innovation and adaptation Land reform against 200 years of landlordism, clearances, degradation of land and communities Local and regional economic development researching and applying lessons across boundaries of importance of enterprise, social capital, assets

8 Issue: Ownership of land and assets stifling enterprise and sustainable community development, and natural environment - degradation of flora, fauna, landscapes, land through ownership of land for consumption of [private] leisure Solution: community buy-out or common ownership But classical issue over land held in common economic literature identifies The Tragedy of the Commons Argument that, without recognisable stewardship, land and resources can be over-utilised cf. underutilised under private landlordism

9 The Tragedy highlights the issue that.. different interest groups with different agendas, have conflicting opinions on certain issues (Morgan- Davies and Waterhouse 2010) and under private ownership / landlords no forum to resolve conflicts Solution offered by the right to buy (CRtB) legislation permitting communities to own and manage the land Necessitates the establishment of companies, limited by guarantee, to manage the common resource

10 Slee report (2008) highlights the main feature of CRtB In particular, community ownership and involvement were promoted as means of overcoming possible constraints imposed by restrictive tenancy agreements and landlord monopoly control of land and development opportunities.

11 Change in ownership led to: New governance structures to facilitate change Release of energy and enthusiasm in remote areas for new enterprises, alternative energy sources and increased social capital (Callaghan, Danson and Whittam, Scottish Affairs, forthcoming) But new constraints Resources especially financial: land has no value because of CRtB, so no collateral for loans Volunteer burn-out small remote communities Disagreements and conflicts, problems exaggerated in small remote communities

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13 Scottish Land Fund (financed from the national lottery) administered by state regional development agencies. Aims to contribute to sustainable development in rural Scotland by assisting communities to acquire, develop and manage local land or land assets. Pioneering in stimulating investment in community development

14 Renewables ~ sustainable economic growth for Scotland... plan seeks to drive low carbon energy production, in a way which capitalises on Scotland's unique resources, and delivers maximum benefit to her people and her economy (Scottish Government s Renewables Action Plan ) Forestry ~ Scotland is a relatively lightly wooded country. It was not always so and the current situation is the result of centuries of deforestation, largely as a result of man s activities... [woodland cover] is about half of the average of other EU countries and less than one quarter of the woodland area that once covered much of Scotland s land surface. (Scottish Government s Rationale for Woodland Expansion ) Governance ~ land reform (from 2003), five strategic objectives

15 to provide unambiguous backing for the renewable energy sector, driving progress and identifying and overcoming obstacles to energy generation, business success, jobs growth, and carbon reductions; to coordinate and facilitate the highest degree of partnership working across the public sector, with increasing alignment behind the Government's renewables objectives, and our binding Climate Change obligations; to provide the most coherent interface possible with the private sector, building on the strong existing connections between agencies and organisations, including public/private partnership working in key areas such as technology development; to reinforce the role of the Energy Advisory Board, and its Renewable Energy sub-group the Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland ( FREDS), as the "centre of gravity" for renewables in Scotland; to lead by example in exploiting renewables potential on the public estate.

16 Vision : To maximise the benefits for communities from renewable energy, not only in terms of access to locally produced low carbon energy, but in terms of social cohesion and economic development. Headline Ambitions: added value for communities: including, increased skills base for local trades, a stronger partnership within communities delivering wider social and economic benefits from renewable projects, and greater awareness within communities of renewables and climate change; a reduction in reliance on imported energy by making communities more self sufficient on meeting their own energy needs, particularly in off-gas grid areas; an increase in renewable energy capacity in Scotland, contributing towards renewable targets in Scotland; a reduction in energy bills.

17 Helping to tackle greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon sequestration, timber and fuel production. Restoring lost habitats and adapting to climate change. Forest habitat networks and new native woodlands. Helping to manage ecosystem services. Sustainable flood management, and protection of soil and water resources. Underpinning a sustainable forest products industry. Consistent and reliable timber supply for timber processing and wood fuel investments. Supporting rural development. Supporting local businesses and farm diversification. Providing community benefits. Provision of welcoming and wellmanaged woodlands in and around communities and where health and community need is greatest. Enhancing urban areas and improving landscapes. Improving derelict, underused and neglected land, improving degraded or unsightly environments and diversifying farmed landscapes.

18 "To focus Government and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth. Wealthier and Fairer : "Enable businesses and people to increase their wealth and more people to share fairly in that wealth." Healthier : "Help people to sustain and improve their health, especially in disadvantaged communities, ensuring better, local and faster access to health care." Safer and Stronger : "Help local communities to flourish, becoming stronger, safer place to live, offering improved opportunities and a better quality of life." Smarter : "Expand opportunities for Scots to succeed from nurture through to life long learning ensuring higher and more widely shared achievements." Greener : "Improve Scotland's natural and built environment and the sustainable use and enjoyment of it."

19 Assynt Crofters Trust (1993) Knoydart Foundation (1999) Isle of Gigha Trust (2002) North Harris Trust (2003) Assynt Foundation (2004)

20 Land rights

21 Renewable energy Entrepeneurialism (mainly tourist related) Forestry Generational thinking and planning Social capital

22 Owning the land, having the security of knowing it ll still be there in 20, 30, 40, 50, 100 years time allows you to make these longer term commitments.

23 Gigha Wind Turbine

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25 Knoydart Foundation

26 Great achievements Economic difficulties Social difficulties Uncertain funding