Community Wealth Building CPP partner charter 19th Sept 2025
Argyll and Bute Council · 19 September 2025
Back to Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership - Management Committee — 19 September 2025 and its agenda
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Community Wealth Building – A CPP Member Charter for Argyll and Bute 1.0 Purpose To seek endorsement from [Organisation Name] Board to sign the Argyll and Bute Community Wealth Building (CWB) Charter as part of a collective commitment by Community Planning Partnership (CPP) members to support the implementation of CWB principles across the area. 2.0 Recommendations That the Board of [Organisation Name]: 2.1 Notes the work undertaken by the CPP CWB Steering Group to review and develop recommendations for embedding CWB in Argyll and Bute. 2.2 Recognizes the CWB Charter as a shared statement of intent by CPP partners and supporters to support the five pillars of Community Wealth Building. 2.3 Agrees to sign the Charter as an anchor institution, signaling commitment to embedding CWB principles in advance of forthcoming national legislation requiring local anchor institutions to prepare a CWB Action Plan. 3.0 Background and context 3.1 In June 2025, the CPP received a detailed report from the Community Wealth Building Steering Group, which reviewed opportunities for implementing CWB locally. This review considered national policy direction, local priorities, and practical actions across the five recognised pillars of CWB: spending, workforce, inclusive ownership, finance, and land and property. 3.2 The Steering Group’s work included developing recommendations on how anchor institutions in Argyll and Bute can use their economic role as employers, procurers, landowners, and investors to strengthen local resilience and ensure wealth is retained and shared more equitably within communities. 3.3 Following this, the CPP Steering Group agreed that a Community Wealth Building Charter should be developed as a collective statement of intent. The Charter sets out shared commitments, aligns with the Local Outcome Improvement Plan and Economic Strategy 2024–2034, and complements Climate Action priorities. It also references two specific Models of Opportunity—employee ownership and community energy—as practical routes for early action. CWB CHARTER FOR CPP MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS Date: YOUR LOGO
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3.4 The Scottish Government has introduced legislation which will require anchor institutions to produce a local CWB Action Plan led by the local authority. Signing the Charter demonstrates early leadership, alignment with national policy, and commitment to collaborative implementation at local level. 3.5 The five pillars of CWB The five principles of Community Wealth Building have been developed by the Centre for Local Economic Strategies1 over a number of decades through work with anchor institutions across the UK and the World. These are:- • Plural ownership of the economy. • Making financial power work for local places. • Fair employment and just labour markets. • Progressive procurement of goods and services. • Socially productive use of land and property. Anchor institutions are identified as statutory and third sector bodies which can influence ‘economic engines’: The term is used to refer to organisations which: • Have an important presence in a place, usually through a combination of: being largescale employers, the largest purchasers of goods and services in the locality, controlling large areas of land and/or having relatively fixed assets. • Are tied to a particular place by their mission, histories, physical assets and local relationships. Examples include local authorities, NHS trusts, universities, trade unions, large local businesses, the combined activities of the community and voluntary sector and housing associations. The Scottish Government has published proposed Community Wealth Building legislation2. 3.6 Summary of the Argyll and Bute Report on Community Wealth Building (OPTIONAL section) 3.6.1 Introduction The Argyll and Bute Community Wealth Building (CWB) report, commissioned by the CPP, prepared by the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) and published in April 20243 sets out a transformative approach to local economic development. It identifies systemic challenges such as depopulation, housing shortages, and land value extraction, arguing that traditional economic models have failed to address these issues adequately. The report asserts that "community wealth building should be intrinsic to the economic strategy of Argyll and Bute" and cannot be treated as an add- on but must be fully embedded in local policy.” 1 https://cles.org.uk/what-is-community-wealth-building/the-principles-of-community-wealth-building/ 2 https://consult.gov.scot/economic-development/community-wealth-building-consultation/ 3 https://www.argyll- bute.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/s206441/Appendix%201%20Argyll%20and%20Bute%20Report%20F inal.pdf
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3.6.2 Economic and Social Context Argyll and Bute faces acute economic challenges, including: • Depopulation: The region has been experiencing a steady decline in population, particularly among young people, leading to a shrinking workforce. • Housing Crisis: High property prices, a shortage of affordable housing, and the prevalence of second homes make it difficult for local workers to live in the area. • Extractive Economic Model: Many local assets and industries, including energy and tourism, generate wealth that is extracted from the region rather than reinvested locally. The report states: "Market forces are negatively shaping the local economy, impacting citizens' wellbeing and quality of life. To address these deep-rooted challenges, there needs to be a step change towards an approach which has community wealth building firmly rooted at its core." 3.6.3 Recommendations using the Five Pillars of Community Wealth Building The CLES report to CPP outlined five pillars through which CWB can be implemented and made 23 recommendations. The CPP CWB steering group considered the first three sets of recommendations relating to pillars 1—3 in detail and will continue working on pillars 4 and 5. The details and commentary are set out in appendix 2 but the table below summarises those recommendations for priority action:-
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4.0 Conclusion By signing the Argyll and Bute Community Wealth Building Charter, [Organisation Name] will join CPP partners in affirming support for building a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable local economy. This is an important opportunity to show leadership ahead of legislation, strengthen partnership working, and embed the principles of CWB in our own organisational strategies and operations. For more information, please contact: Internal sponsor and author name Links CWB legislation was introduced at stage 1 on 20th March 2025 – https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/s6/community-wealth-building-scotland- bill Poverty Alliance citizen’s panel on CWB October 2023 - https://www.povertyalliance.org/get-heard-scotland-community-wealth-building/ EDAS guide to CWB January 2023 - https://edas.org.uk/community-wealth-building-guide/ CLES November 2022 publication on interviews with UK local authorities re: CWB and five areas for action:- https://cles.org.uk/publications/a-light-in-the-dark/ NEW North Ayrshire Community Planning partnership, 2024-2027 CWB Plan https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/Document-library/cwb-strategy.pdf The role of the NHS as an anchor institution – The Health Foundation https://www.health.org.uk/publications/reports/building-healthier-communities-role-of-nhs- as-anchor-institution Example CPP CWB mapping and action plan Outer Hebrides March 2021 - https://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/media/17452/S%2019B%20-%20Appendix%20- %20Community%20Wealth%20Building%20in%20the%20Outer%20Hebrides%20Action% 20Plan.pdf
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[YOUR LOGO AND CPP LOGO] Appendix 1: Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership Community Wealth Building Charter Our Commitment We, the members of the Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership, affirm our commitment to embedding the principles of Community Wealth Building (CWB) across our region. As anchor institutions rooted in place, we recognise our collective power to shape a fairer, more inclusive, and resilient local economy where wealth is created, retained, and shared more equitably across our diverse communities. Our Vision To build an economy that works for people, place and planet—where wellbeing, sustainability, and equity are core outcomes of economic activity. We will support and work towards an inclusive model of development that maximises local opportunity and minimises the extraction of wealth from our communities. Our Shared Principles We will advance the five pillars of Community Wealth Building: 1. Spending: Maximise community benefit through procurement, grow inclusive supply chains, and support local enterprises to access public contracts. 2. Workforce: Promote Fair Work, support the real Living Wage, and develop inclusive employment and training pathways in collaboration with local employers and partners. 3. Inclusive Ownership: Support diverse and democratic business models, including social enterprises, co-operatives, and employee-owned businesses, that root wealth in local communities. 4. Finance: Use our financial power to support local investment, explore ethical and social finance opportunities, and ensure community benefits are reinvested locally. 5. Land and Property: Make socially productive use of land and assets, support community ownership, and collaborate to unlock affordable workspace and housing. Our Role as Anchor Institutions We acknowledge our responsibility as major employers, landowners, procurers, and investors. We will: • Embed CWB into our strategic plans and operational decisions. • Act collaboratively through the CPP and local area groups to develop shared strategies, joint investments, and coordinated actions. • Build capacity in the third, social enterprise and community sectors to participate in and shape our local economy. • Engage and consult citizens in key decisions that affect their economic future. Our Next Steps • Support progress towards implementation of CWB ahead of legislation with reference to the Argyll and Bute CWB Action Plan and the two Models of Opportunity on employee ownership and energy. • Prioritise actions that align with our Local Outcome Improvement Plan, Economic Strategy 2024–2034, and Climate Action priorities. • Monitor our progress at a local level and share learning to accelerate transformation across Argyll and Bute. Signed on behalf of the Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership, [Space for Signatures / Logos of CPP members] September 2025
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Appendix 2 (OPTIONAL) For information only: CPP CWB recommendations from CLES report 2024 – priorities June 2025 The CWB Report prepared for Argyll and Bute CPP in 2024 contained 23 recommendations split across the five pillars and one overarching workstream. From January to May 2025 the CPP’s CWB steering met to discuss priorities and a response to the CWB Bill. Below are listed the recommendations, where reviewed, with a priority ranking and a commentary for next steps. A. CPP Recommendations Recommendation Priority Ease of Implementation Commentary CWB intrinsic to economic strategy 1 Medium Already embedded in economic strategy refresh (section 1.3 page 5). How do we track progress and embed in the work of other partners? - Captured in the Argyll and Bute Economic Strategy Action Plan, 2024-27. - Annual review to assess how the actions in the Economic Action Plan aligns with CWB principles but perhaps the CWB action plan process contained in the Bill supersedes this. Decide on correct avenues to deliver CWB across Argyll and Bute 1 Medium Requires collaboration across local government and stakeholders - Requirement for an overarching CPP CWB Charter. Time-limited groups for Models of Opportunity 2 Easy/Medium Local group established for Cowal and Bute promoting Community Ownership in Renewable Energy schemes; third meeting pending Glenbarr example. Employee ownership - upskilling of business support providers on this type of model. Complicated agenda. Map out good practice case studies, including approaches and enablers. Awareness of existing resources such as that provided by Co-operative Development Scotland. B. PILLAR 1 - Spending Recommendation Priority Ease of Implementation Commentary Establish a CPP procurement working group 1 Easy A top priority - who and when? - Working with organisational procurement teams. Clear
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guidance needed to Heads of Procurement meetings with regard to alignment with CWB priorities. Ask specific questions. - Note template charter from Stirling Council. - Timing of the legislation and associated activity prior to publication for the legislation. - Case study: scope to review barriers for local contractors. - Requirement for an overarching CPP CWB Charter. Build collective market intelligence 1 Easy What does this look like and how would we share the findings to capacity build local providers? - Data on local suppliers is captured by local heads of function and GDPR issues to consider. - Opportunity to support supplier capacity (register on PCS) for shared services. Publish a collective procurement pipeline 1 Medium When, who and how? Question to all CPP partners in sharing forward procurement plans for 2025/26. CPP meet the buyer events 1 Medium Events scheduled with Council - capture progress and evaluate next steps? Partnership with Scotland Excel? NHS? - Joint MTB events with all partners - capture all contracts of various scale. Not necessarily in person MTB events; videos, social media, etc. Develop procurement training for suppliers 1 Medium Supplier training framework in development Aligns with MTB events such as Supplier Development Programme and other local training provision as appropriate. C. PILLAR 2 - Workforce Recommendation Priority Ease of Implementation Commentary Real Living Wage Place 2 Medium Initial discussions with businesses ongoing - inserted into contracts? Legislative requirement.
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Pathways into Work 2 Medium Pathways into work are being delivered across Argyll and Bute driven by funding streams such as NOLB and UKSPF. Skills needs and demand assessment for Argyll and Bute - align to work of HIREP Skills and Labour Group. Argyll and Bute Employment Charter 2 Medium Requirement to draft charter under consultation Employment Charter support 2 Medium Pulling and signposting existing information, such as Skills for Growth, Skills Development Scotland. Support framework in early stages. D. PILLAR 3 - Inclusive Ownership Recommendation Priority Ease of Implementation Commentary Identify ownership opportunities in growth sectors 2 Medium Review of key sectors - who? Review of co- operative business support 2 Medium Co-operative business support structures to be reviewed - who? Could it be included in the TSI’s forthcoming stakeholder survey? Peer support networks 2 Medium Develop connections between the different networks to share resources and identify gaps Brokering supply chain opportunities 2 Medium Discussions with key supply chain entities ongoing via procurement teams. Sharing of knowledge and progress to date? E. PILLAR 4 - Finance Recommendation Priority Ease of Implementation Commentary Mapping the alternative financial infrastructure 2 Medium Check in with national studies and mapping exercises and identify any local reviews and summaries Mapping, pooling and strategic planning of community benefits 1 Medium Place planning process means the conversations are starting to be had with some communities already along the development/community trust path route. No uniformity in strategic approach yet
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but groups seem willing to pool resources, data and evidence. Community Benefits conversation needed at a national and UK level meaning this area is complex and time consuming. Develop a local finance initiative proposal 3 Hard Exploring viable finance models and explore partnerships with existing initiatives F. PILLAR 5 - Land and Property Recommendation Priority Ease of Implementation Commentary Vacant and derelict land 3 Hard Land audit commenced Rationalisation of the public estate 3 Hard Public estate rationalisation strategy under discussion Convene a Local Landowners Forum 3 Hard NFU representative engaged in discussions
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