There is increasing support among people in Scotland for the Scottish Parliament to be granted more power, according to a new study. But it also found a growing perception that the Scottish Parliament has less influence than first thought.
Source: Scotland Votes? Public attitudes towards Scottish Parliament elections, Electoral Commission (020 7271 0500)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
A booklet examined how local authorities can involve local people in decision-making, in the light of new legislation in Scotland requiring authorities to improve community planning and consultation processes.
Source: Graham Atherton and Stuart Hashagen with Gabriel Chanan, Charlie Garratt and Alison West, Involving Local People in Community Planning, Community Development Foundation (020 7226 5375)
Links: Summary
Date: 2002-Sep
A new book examined the legal, constitutional and economic questions that would be posed if Scotland chose to become an independent country.
Source: Jo Eric Murkens with Peter Jones and Michael Keating, Scottish Independence - A Practical Guide, Edinburgh University Press (0131 650 4218)
Links: Press release (pdf)
Date: 2002-Sep
A report argued that the limited policy-making capacity of devolved territories may prove a serious constraint on new policies being developed, especially in view of a uniform United Kingdom welfare state.
Source: John Adams and Peter Robinson (eds.), Devolution in Practice: Public Policy Differences within the UK, Institute for Public Policy Research and Economic and Social Research Council, available from Central Books (0845 458 9911)
Links: Summary
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123, paragraph 10.4
Date: 2002-Jul
A study found that nearly 50 per cent of Scottish councillors feel that devolution has weakened local government in Scotland.
Source: Michael Bennett, John Fairley and Mark McAteer, Devolution in Scotland: The Impact on Local Government, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 431213)
Links: JRF Findings 722
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123, paragraph 10.4
Date: 2002-Jul
Researchers evaluated how public service organisations in Scotland use customer feedback and consultation in planning services.
Source: R. Stevenson and P. Gibson, Customer and Citizen Focused Public Service Provision, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jun
