The Jimmy Reid Foundation has published several papers over the past decade arguing for building stronger communities. In a new paper, Building the Local Economy, by Reid Director Dave Watson, the Foundation focuses on the economic problems many communities across Scotland face.
The paper argues that governments and councils focus too narrowly on retail operations when developing policies for the local economy. While retail does need action on planning, funding and taxation, the problems pre-date online shopping with global corporations capturing the high street. Governments must understand that the local economy must be viewed in the broader community context. The local economy is not simply a cold economic calculation based on population, employment and productivity. To function, a healthy, supportive community is needed. That requires investment in the social infrastructure that binds communities together, with decent housing, health, education, transport and a cleaner, safer environment.
The paper is critical of the measures taken by all governments— City Deals, levelling up, town centre action plans, etc. They are all piecemeal initiatives and not consistently applied. They lack the broader perspective of what makes communities work and don’t provide long-term consistent funding. All the while, core council funding is cut.
The solutions proposed in the paper include devolving revenue-raising powers and building back Scotland from the bottom up. Devolution has stopped at Holyrood, and local services have been centralised. A strong local economy needs a strong local democracy—a place where local people and businesses have a real say in how the community is organised, and resources are allocated. Getting more local people involved in the governance of our lives will help drive the local economy forward, empowering them to shape their own future.
You can also watch the launch presentation here.