Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill E&R 17 03 26- AM reviewed
Renfrewshire Council · 17 March 2026
Back to Economy and Regeneration Policy Board — 17 March 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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PUBLIC ___________________________________________________________________ To: Economy and Regeneration Policy Board On: 17th March 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill 1. Summary 1.1 The Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill has now completed all parliamentary stages and has been passed by the Scottish Parliament. This marks a significant milestone in progressing the Scottish Government’s commitment to embedding Community Wealth Building (CWB) as a statutory driver of local economic development. 1.2 This paper provides an update for elected members on the key provisions of the Bill as passed, what the Bill means in practice, the steps that will follow, and how it links to ongoing work across Renfrewshire to support good jobs, stronger local businesses and more investment in our communities. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 Board members are asked to: • Note that the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill has been passed by Parliament and will shortly proceed to Royal Assent. • Note the key duties that will apply to local authorities and CWB anchor partner organisations once the legislation comes into force. ___________________________________________________________________
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PUBLIC 3. Background 3.1 The Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill was introduced on 20 March 2025 and is part of the Programme for Government commitment to create a consistent, place-based framework for local and regional economic transformation. The Bill has now been formally passed by the Scottish Parliament and awaits Royal Assent; the full documentation can be found on this link: Bill as passed 3.2 The Bill places new duties on local authorities and relevant public bodies to work together as a Community Wealth Building Partnership to prepare and deliver a shared local action plan for the area focused on supporting local jobs, local business growth and community-led development. 3.3 This approach aligns strongly with Renfrewshire’s long-standing commitment to building a resilient and inclusive local economy. It builds on established partnerships working across the area - bringing together businesses, colleges, the health board and community organisations. 3.4 Following Royal Assent, the legislation will become the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Act 2026. ___________________________________________________________________ 4. Overview of the Bill as Passed 4.1 Scottish Ministers must publish a national CWB Statement within 18 months of the legislation coming into force. This will set out practical actions government will take to help reduce inequality, support sustainable and inclusive economic growth and retain more wealth locally The measures will include a focus on: i. local procurement ii. employment, skills and fair work iii. supporting local businesses, co-operatives and social enterprises iv. encouraging community ownership of assets v. promoting local investment 4.2 Each local authority, working jointly with specified public bodies, must: • prepare a CWB Action Plan within 3 years of commencement of the Act • publish the plan and report on implementation every 5 years • include local indicators and produce an indicative target for local procurement spend • consult widely with communities, businesses and third sector organisations • implement the plan “so far as reasonably practicable”;
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PUBLIC 4.3 Relevant public bodies include health boards, colleges, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, regional transport partnerships and others as set out in the legislation. 4.4 The Scottish Government will produce national guidance to support the implementation and delivery of the Bill. This will explain how CWB anchor partnerships should approach planning, reporting and collaboration at a local level. 4.5 The Bill aligns strongly with ongoing economic development work to grow the local economy, support fair work, strengthen supply chains and help local businesses thrive. 4.6 With a CWB Coordinator already in post and strong partnerships across anchor institutions, businesses and the third sector, Renfrewshire Council is well placed to meet the Bill’s duties and develop a robust CWB Action Plan that ensures every public pound will benefit local people, communities and businesses. ___________________________________________________________________ 5. Expected Next Steps 5.1 The Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill will proceed to Royal Assent within 6–8 weeks, at which point commencement regulations will follow. 5.2 Following Royal Assent, the Scottish Government will publish: • a Ministerial Community Wealth Building Statement, setting out expectations for each CWB Partnership • statutory guidance covering the scope, structure and required content of Renfrewshire’s CWB Action Plan 5.3 Further reports will be brought to this Board as soon as the national statement and guidance are published. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – The Bill identifies that some funding will be made available to support the new duties. 2. HR & Organisational Development – There are no implications 3. Community/Council Planning – Strong alignment with existing priorities across the Council Plan, Procurement Strategy, National Planning Framework (NPF4) and CLD Plan. 4. Legal- Statutory duty to publish a CWB Action Plan within 3 years of the commencement of Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Act 2026.
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PUBLIC 5. Property/Assets- Measures to be set out in the Bill may include; diversifying ownership of land, energy or other assets by facilitating or supporting community ownership, and bringing vacant and derelict land back into use in a way that provides financial, social or environmental benefit to the community. 6. Information Technology – There are no implications 7. Equality & Human Rights- There are no implications 8. Health & Safety- There are no implications 9. Procurement - The community wealth building action plan for Renfrewshire must set an indicative target for the percentage of the total expenditure incurred pursuant to public contracts entered into by the community wealth building partners which is to go to local economic operators. 10. Risk- There are no implications 11. Privacy Impact- There are no implications 12. Climate Risk – There are no implications 13. Children’s Rights – There are no implications 14. COSLA Policy Position- COSLA strongly supports the concept of Community Wealth Building (CWB), advocating for its implementation across Scotland through legislation and collaborative efforts with local authorities, businesses, third sector organisations, and communities to ensure wealth generated within communities is redistributed and benefits local residents; essentially seeing local government as a key "anchor institution" to drive CWB initiatives. _________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers • “Renfrewshire Council Community Benefits (Community Wealth Building)Economy and Regeneration Board, 26th August 2025 • “Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill”; Economy and Regeneration Board, 20th May 2025, • “Community Wealth Building in Renfrewshire”, Economy and Regeneration Board, 25th March 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Authors: Morag Doig, Community Wealth Building Coordinator, Renfrewshire Council email: morag.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk Ruth Cooper, Economic Development Manager, Renfrewshire Council Email: ruth.cooper@renfrewshire.gov.uk