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SECTION 4 DEVELOPING A CONFIDENT, DEMOCRATIC SCOTLAND
Introduction
This section reports on the Executive's achievements in the areas of governance and finance.
In 2003 we said that we believed that a forward-looking successful country needs a democratic framework that works well for its people. Since then we have changed the way that local authorities will be elected and changed the way councillors are rewarded for their commitment.
We have invested for our future, securing a settlement in the 2004 UK-wide spending review that delivered an increase of over 10% in real terms. We have already started work on planning for the spending review in 2007.
Making a difference
Community planning has been introduced across Scotland. While it will take time to reach its full potential, it has been put in place to improve services and benefit local communities, providing a strategic framework and building co-operation and trust.
We have continued to represent Scotland in the EU and have promoted Scotland's interests worldwide. Since 2003 we have extended our international work, opening an office in Beijing and starting a programme of co-operation with Malawi.
In 2003 we said that we would work with the rest of the public sector in Scotland to ensure that we reduce energy use and use public purchasing to enhance the status of recycled goods. We have invested in over 600 projects throughout the public sector to make this happen.
Headline achievements:
- Scottish Water has been transformed into a more effective and efficient organisation, delivering £1.8 billion of investment in water and sewerage infrastructure whilst saving customers and taxpayers nearly £1 billion in operational and cost savings - equivalent to £211 for every household in Scotland
- Renewed local democracy with a new voting system for local government
- Environment in the public sector - over 600 projects to reduce energy use have been initiated
Case study:
International Development Fund and Scotland - Malawi co-operation
The Executive's International Development Fund, initially a commitment of £3 million per year for a three year period, recently received a further £3 million to help some of the world's poorest people. This 50% increase means a resource of £4.5 million for years 2006-07 and 2007-08, bringing the total funding package for the three year period up to £12 million. The fund will help dozens of Scottish-based groups with their work in countries like Malawi, Ethiopia and Namibia.
Scotland has had links with Malawi for 150 years, with Scots having worked with the people of Malawi, helping them develop basic education and health systems. A co-operation agreement was signed between the two nations in November 2005. It aims to build a civic coalition in both our countries - a partnership of skills and expertise, strengthening the African country's young democracy and fighting poverty and disease.
A total of 24 projects in Malawi, Swaziland, Ethiopia, Namibia and the areas affected by the tsunami and the Asian earthquake will receive £3.1 million over the next three years. Since the fund was set up last year, 58 individual projects have been awarded more than £7.7 million.
Among the schemes being assisted is an Edinburgh-based project to help an association of macadamia nut growers in Malawi sell their crop directly to countries like Scotland. Another group called Deaf Action will work with deaf people from Scotland, Malawi and Swaziland to help train and register sign language interpreters. And we are supporting Scottish International Relief's 'Mary's Meals' programme which provides a free meal for 11,000 children - for many their only hot food of the day.
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