The Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill: What It Means for Local Authorities and Public Bodies

Building on the Scottish Government’s agenda to empower local communities, the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill (the Bill) has been heralded as a ground-breaking move for local economies. The introduction of the Bill reflects the Scottish Government’s wider ambition to reduce inequality and empower local communities, and builds on initiatives such as Community Empowerment, Community Asset Transfer, Fair Work and Sustainable Procurement.

What is Community Wealth Building?

Community Wealth Building (CWB) focuses on ensuring that economic wealth is ‘generated, circulated and retained in local communities’. There are five pillars to CWB:

1. Local spending: ensuring money is spent locally through procurement and commissioning. Public authorities can support local businesses through frameworks and tender opportunities.
2. Workforce: ensuring fair work practices, developing local labour markets and improving access to local employment.
3. Land and property: ensuring local land and property can be accessed and used by the community for the benefit of that community.
4. Inclusive ownership: supporting the development of social enterprises, employee-owned structures and co-operatives.
5. Finance: ensuring money flows into local economies and investment is retained in the local area to support communities and businesses.