We now turn to consider what structures are needed to maximise the opportunities for Government and rural communities, working together, to achieve sustainable development in the face of the challenges which lie ahead. Partnerships figure large in the legacy of the previous Government. The new Government believes that partnerships have a potentially important role to play in delivering sustainable development for rural Scotland, but wishes to scrutinise the reality of how effectively partnerships are working with a view to making improvements. More Effective Partnerships 85. The Government believes that all Government Departments, agencies, local authorities, the private and voluntary sectors, and local communities must work together if the overall aims of rural policy are to be achieved.
Partnership has a vital role to play at both national and local level.
There are many organisations and individuals active in rural areas and all have a part to play. Various partnerships have been operating in both rural and urban Scotland for some time. The Government wishes to ensure that the role and structure of rural partnerships are right in order to deliver sustainable development. The National Rural Partnership was established in 1996 for the purpose of providing advice to Government on the co-ordination and implementation of rural policy. It includes representatives of Government Departments, agencies, local authorities and the private and voluntary sectors, all of which are working in rural Scotland and are concerned for its future.