Appendix 2 - CWB Report and Recommendations
Argyll and Bute Council · 26 November 2025
Back to Argyll and Bute Council — 26 November 2025 and its agenda
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Appendix 2 For information only: Summary of the Argyll and Bute Report on Community Wealth Building 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 20241 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.” 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." 1 https://www.argyll- bute.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/s206441/Appendix%201%20Argyll%20and%20Bute%20Report% 20Final.pdf
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CPP CWB recommendations from CLES report 2024 – summary The CLES report to the 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 more detail from page 3 of this appendix, but the table below summarises those recommendations for priority action.
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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.
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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 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
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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. 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.
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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 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
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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 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