1. The Longannet Experience
Rural/economic development for local community activists and local democracy
The Longannet Experience
September 2017

2. The Context The context is one where Scottish Government
Expressed its commitment to supporting rural life, rural communities and the rural economy
'Mainstreamed' the needs of rural Scotland within all of its policies
Scotland's Rural Parliament
Development of Local Development Strategies through LEADER
Scottish Rural Development Programme
Enhancing the rural economy
Supporting agricultural and forestry businesses
Protecting and improving the natural environment
Addressing the impact of climate change
Supporting rural communities
Carnegie Charter for Rural
Communities
advocating for ‘dynamic, engaged, vibrant,
sustainable rural communities’. The Charter
Had ten interrelated characteristics;
Optimising assets
Achieving fairness for everyone
Empowering local governance
Increasing financial resources for community benefit
Enjoying locally relevant services
Enriching social capital and well-being
Valuing local distinctiveness:
Developing reliable infrastructure
Enhancing environmental capacity
Supporting a dynamic local economy

3. CRT’s Work Coalfield Communities Coalfields Community Futures
Coalfields Regeneration Trust
(community agent)
Coalfields Community Action
Coalfields Enterprise and Training
Coalfields
Area Based Initiatives
The core of the CRT Strategy for Scotland is to build on our success by encouraging use of local resources in a way that enhances economic opportunities while improving social conditions in a sustainable way. Our overarching priority is to develop community capacity; everything that we do is about supporting coalfield communities
Coalfield Communities
There are 89 Coalfield communities supported by CRT Scotland.
Across 13 community planning partnerships.
Coalfields Community Futures
Local action plans created and devised by the communities.
33 complete with 7 pending.
Participatory budget attached to each community.
Coalfields Enterprise and Training
We aims to stimulate community enterprise and grow the social investment market in coalfield communities.
Key priorities and an action plan responsive to their needs
Help community organisations to become more enterprising.
Provide and broker the resources and services that are currently not available.
Coalfields Area Initiative
The closure of Longannet Power Station kick started the area based model.
Work with the community organisations locally to rebuild community and capacity.
7 Futures anchor communities (12 total)

4. If rural communities are to engage effectively within this context and take best advantage of recent policy developments including land reform (e.g. Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016) and community empowerment and stronger local democratic and governance structures (e.g. Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015) then the characteristics which underpin our approach and the enabling factors driving it;
growing the capacity of local people, agencies and professionals that support rural communities
enhancing community assets through building capital
increasing the scope and quality of local community planning
are particularly relevant.

5. Thank you
Gary Porter
Alex Downie

6. WHERE WE ARE www.coalfields-regen.org.uk ENGLAND SCOTLAND WALES
1 Waterside Park,
Valley Way, Wombwell,
Barnsley S73 0BB
Tel:
SCOTLAND
The e-Centre,
Cooperage Way Business Centre,
Cooperage Way, Alloa FK10 3LP
Tel:
WALES
Part Unit 3 – Maritime Office
Woodland Terrace, Maes-y-Coed,
Pontypridd CF37 1DZ
Tel:
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust is a Charity registered in England and Wales (No ), a Charity registered in Scotland (No. SCO39277) and a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales (No ).