national conversation about how local democracy can be revitalised, what the nature of democracy is and what structures and activities are best suited to deliver it. coordinated and inclusive and which seeks to communicate and build on existing proposals, identifying the next steps for empowering communities and fostering local democratic collaboration. Active engagement by the Scottish Government in the growing movement for change around local democracy, including addressing concerns about community council powers and budgets, community planning partnerships and the transparency of local Increased understanding and development of participatory democracy as an approach, building on the example and practice of the Scottish Rural Parliament Engage with relevant partners, including Scottish Government, to broaden and deepen debate on revitalising local democracy: Improve understanding of issues around local democracy within rural communities by publishing a pamphlet with a series of democracy-related essays from a wide range of thinkers by January 2016. Run a series of at least 20 events in rural Scotland to examine issues of local democracy by June 2016. Identify our collective and informed view on the next steps to take towards reforming local democracy by Oct 2016. Convention of Scottish Local Authorities Commission on Strengthening Local Democracy Electoral Reform Society Rural communities, including through regional alliances and networks where these exist. 1.2 Concerns about community councils are addressed. Scottish Government to respond to the concerns of rural communities about community councils. Prepare a statement which reflects the differing views of people in rural Scotland about community councils and submit this to Scottish Government by October 2015, and ask for a formal response to the concerns raised before determining what further action to take. Rural communities Community councils Scottish Government Rural communities should be empowered to take action for themselves.
6.1 Mobile phone signal in rural areas is significantly improved over the next 5 years. The Mobile Infrastructure Project is reviewed and the effectiveness of this project for rural Scotland is maximised. Gather and collate information and concerns about mobile coverage in rural areas by Sept 2015. Raise concerns about the MIP with the UK Government by Oct 2015. UK Government Scottish Government Mobile Operators Association 6.2 Broadband of sufficient speed reaches all rural communities as quickly as possible. Greater transparency from BT over the delivery dates of broadband to rural areas and in particular clarity over the areas broadband does not reach. There is a Universal Service Obligation in place for broadband which specifies a minimum speed. Seek immediate clarification of the status of different areas of Scotland, to enable communities to work with Community Broadband Scotland to identify a solution for their local area where this is necessary by July 2015. Contribute to the Ofcom review of telecommunications and encourage other rural organisations and communities to respond to the public consultation by Oct 2016. BT Ofcom Rural communities Community Broadband Scotland Digital Scotland