Community Wealth Building Bill Steering Group minutes: January 2023

Attendees and apologies

• Martin Avila, Chief Executive, Community Enterprise in Scotland
• Colin Borland, Director of Devolved Nations, Federation of Small Business
• Kyrstie Brown, Policy Assistant SCVO (substitute for Anna Fowlie)
• Gillian Cameron, Programme Manager, Supplier Development Scotland
• Rob Davidson, Strategy Manager, Community Wealth Building, South of Scotland  Enterprise
• Kirsten Hogg, Head of Policy, Research and Campaigns, SCVO (substitute for Anna Fowlie)
• Euan Leitch, Chief Executive, Scotland’s Regeneration Forum (SURF)
• Calum Lindsay, Policy Manager, COSLA
• Cllr Gail MacGregor, Environment and Economy Spokesperson, COSLA (for part of meeting)
• Emma McMullen, Senior Manager Economic Policy, North Ayrshire Council
• Valerie McNeice, Programme Manager, Glasgow City Region
• Mags McSporran, Head of Social Enterprise Development, Highlands & Island Enterprise
• Paul Morris, Economic Development Strategy Officer, Clackmannanshire Council (substitute for Nikki Bridle)
• Barbara Morton, Director, Sustainable Procurement
• Sinead O’Donnell, Project Manager, Fife Council
• Jackie Smith, Representative, Business Service Association, Scotland
• Duncan Thorp, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Social Enterprise Scotland
• Naila Wood, Head of Social Impact, Balfour Beatty
• Darah Zahran, Social Economy Manager, Scottish Enterprise

Apologies

• Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth
• Nikki Bridle, Chief Executive, Clackmannanshire Council
• Malcolm Burr, Chief Executive, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
• Anthea Coulter, Chief Executive, CTSI 
• James Dunphy, Director of Access, Learning and Outcomes, Scottish Funding Council
• Shona Dunsmore, Business Service Association, Scotland
• Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
• Uzma Khan, Vice Principal Economic Development and Innovation, Deputy Chief  Operating Officer, University of Glasgow
• Ian Manson, Chief Executive, Clyde Gateway
• Dona Milne, Director of Public Health, NHS Lothian
• Morag Watson, Director of Policy, Scottish Renewables

Scottish Government Officials 

• Stephen White, Head of Community Wealth Building (Chair)
• Neil McInroy, Community Wealth Building Advisor to the Scottish Government
• Julie McLachlan, Community Wealth Building Legislation and Policy Manager
• Tracy Jackson, Community Wealth Building Policy Manager
• Lorraine Wylie, Senior Legislation and Policy Officer
• Kimberley Holland, Senior Legislation and Policy Officer
• David Fitzpatrick, Policy Officer

Items and actions

Welcome from the Chair

The Chair welcomed attendees to this meeting of the steering group. The chair advised the purpose of the meeting was to update the group on the upcoming launch of the CWB legislation consultation.

Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed by the steering group.

Update on CWB Consultation

SG CWB team thanked the group for the contributions given to the drafting of the consultation paper. Advised this is an opportunity for all stakeholders to input and participate in the development of legislation to ensure we advance CWB in Scotland. The consultation recognises the work already underway across all pillars however the Scottish Government has a desire to go further and embed CWB as a key economic development model. The consultation contains an ambitious proposal a duty to advance CWB and SG welcomes views to determine what this duty will look like and how it will interact across related policy areas as well as other proposals to advance CWB across Scotland.

The Chair invited steering group members to share any further comments in relation to the consultation paper, and also welcomed suggestions of specific engagements that could support the consultation process.

Members discussed the consultation paper and engagement and highlighted key areas of feedback including:

• Members welcomed the 12 week consultation period which allows adequate time to discuss the consultation with stakeholders. Helpful to see document pulled together in comprehensive way and the aspirations that are outlined.
• Funding was highlighted as a particular constraint.
• How we ensure accountability for implementation as an important area of focus.
• The role of local government in convening partners to focus on CWB at local level, also seeing CWB incorporated into some Regional Economic Strategies.
• Coordination and cohesion will be required for national bodies to align with local activity and there is a particular CWB role for enterprise agencies.
• A CWB Champion on public bodies boards could help advance CWB aspirations.
• In relation to procurement, some private sector organisations are keen to explore how we ensure the community benefits that are delivered through procurement are those that are most relevant to a place.
• Could we be more specific about our expectations of the private sector in CWB.
• Early engagement with local government has highlighted a willingness to explore what further powers may be afforded to advance CWB.
• Need to consider how we make CWB as a concept and the consultation paper accessible to all.
• More needs to be done to engage the third and voluntary sector in movement building and practice.
• Getting local organisations engaged will be difficult however if we offer the opportunity this might result in stronger responses.

Discussion on consultation engagment

The SG CWB Team welcome support from the steering group to promote and improve understanding of the consultation. The SG CWB Team offered to undertake specific engagement sessions with steering group members and their networks to explain CWB and the consultation in more detail and seek views.

Any other business

There were no further items raised. The Chair thanked steering group members for their participation in the meeting.

Actions arising

Steering group members to promote consultation to their networks and get in touch with CWB team regarding specific engagement events.