A study examined how far the economic and social aspects of regeneration were being effectively linked, and the extent to which political devolution in Scotland, Wales, and London was bringing greater strategic attention to the needs of deprived areas. New and emerging governance structures needed a more integrated approach to tackling worklessness and other economic problems facing deprived areas.
Source: David North, Stephen Syrett and David Etherington, Devolution and Regional Governance: Tackling the economic needs of deprived areas, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 430033)
Links: Report | JRF Findings | JRF press release
Date: 2007-Oct
A report examined best practice in the setting up and early operation of urban regeneration companies in Scotland.
Source: Liz Shiel and David Smith-Milne, Best Practice in Establishing Urban Regeneration Companies in Scotland, Scottish Government (web publication only)
Date: 2007-Sep
A think-tank report said that poorer communities in Glasgow (the largest city in Scotland) had failed to benefit from the regeneration of the city, and feel left behind by its progress. City leaders had put architecture and the tourist industry above improvements to residents' quality of life.
Source: Gerry Hassan, Melissa Mean and Charlie Tims, The Dreaming City: Glasgow 2020 and the power of mass imagination, Demos, available from Central Books (020 8986 5488)
Date: 2007-May
Researchers evaluated an initiative designed to promote community involvement in regeneration projects in Scotland.
Source: Beverley Oakman and Smart Consultancy (Scotland) Ltd, Interim Evaluation of the Community Voices Network, Report 88, Communities Scotland (0131 313 0044)
Date: 2007-Mar
A report by a committee of MSPs said that the Scottish Executive needed to fundamentally change its way of working if community planning partnerships were to became significantly more effective.
Source: Community Planning: An initial review, 2nd Report 2007, SP Paper 770, Scottish Parliament Audit Committee, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report | SP press release
Date: 2007-Mar
A guide explored how to create attractive and well-managed places that met the needs of all sections of the community in Scotland.
Source: Nick Bailey, Anna Haworth, Tony Manzi and Marion Robert, Creating and Sustaining Mixed Income Communities in Scotland, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 430033)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Mar
An audit report welcomed a number of improvements by Scotland's local authorities: but it warned of substantial financial pressures, including the cost of equal pay settlements.
Source: Overview of the Local Authority Audits 2006, Audit Scotland for Accounts Commission and Auditor General (0131 477 1234)
Links: Report | Audit Scotland press release
Date: 2007-Feb
A think-tank report examined the relationship between central and local government in Scotland. It said that local councils should lose control of schools and community care, which should be run directly by the Scottish Executive though 15 boards.
Source: Jim Gallagher, Kenneth Gibb and Carl Mills, Rethinking Central Local Government Relations in Scotland: Back to the future?, Occasional Paper 70, David Hume Institute (0131 667 9609)
Links: Paper | BBC report
Date: 2007-Feb
