Stage 2
The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill
A Bill to make provision about national outcomes; to confer functions on certain persons in relation to services provided by, and assets of, certain public bodies; to amend Part 2 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003; to enable certain bodies to buy abandoned or neglected land; to make provision for registers of common good property and about disposal and use of such property; to restate and amend the law on allotments; to enable local authorities to reduce or remit non-domestic rates; and for connected purposes.
Stage 3
Stage 3 amendments to the Bill will be considered by the Parliament on Wednesday 17 June 2015.
Amendments lodged for Stage 3 consideration up to 10 June 2015 (268KB pdf)
Stage 2
On Wednesday 18 February 2015 the Scottish Parliament passed two motions setting out how Stage 2 consideration of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill would proceed.
For further detail's on the Stage 2 amendments, please see the following link: Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill - Stage 2 consideration
The Committe completed its consideration of the Bill at Stage 2 at its meeting on 18 March 2015.
Stage 1
The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill was introduced in the Parliament by John Swinney MSP on 11 June 2014. The policy objectives of this bill are to:
1. Empower community bodies through the ownership of land and buildings and strengthening their voices in the decisions that matter to them; and
2. Support an increase in the pace and scale of Public Service Reform by cementing the focus on achieving outcomes and improving the process of community planning.
In doing so, this Bill aims to support approaches that can contribute to improving outcomes in all aspects of people‘s lives.
Please see the attached link for information of the Scottish Governments consultation on the Bill, including the consultation paper, individual responses and the research findings.
The Scottish Government have produced an easy-read version of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill Policy memorandum, it can be read here.
Committee Scrutiny
The committee agreed its to scrutiny of the Bill on 25 June 2014.
Please see the attached document for information on the Committee's scheduled timetable for the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill. Dates are subject to change.
Correspondence
On 20 October 2014 the Committee wrote to Gavin Whitefield, Chief Executive of North Lanarkshire Council regarding the Committees meeting on 8 October 2014, requesting a response by 24 October 2014.
On 27th October 2014 the Committee spoke with The Usual Place in Dumfries as part of the Committee's visit. The Committee wrote to Dumfries and Galloway Council to clarify information regarding the progress of the groups lease application. You can read the correspondance below:
Following the publication of the Stage 1 Report, the Scottish Woodlot Association wrote to the Committee. Read the Letter here:
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights wrote to the Committee with information on an increase of funding for the Broomhouse Health Strategy Group in Edinburgh on 2 February 2015. Read the letter here:
Evidence
Written Evidence
The Committee launched its call for written evidence on Thursday 26 June 2014, which had a closing date of 5 September 2014.
Read the written submissions
Following evidence sessions, the Committee received supplementary written evidence.
Read the supplementary submissions
Correspondence
Correspondence on the Bill was received from the following organisations/individuals:
- North Lanarkshire Council
- Dumfries & Galloway Council
- Scottish Woodlot Association
- Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights
- Dr Amanda Fox, Food, Drink & Rural Communities, Scottish Government
Read correspondence to and from the Committee here.
Work By Other Committees
The Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment (RACCE) Committee scrutinised and reported on Part 4 of the Bill. Their report was inclided as an annexe to the LGR Committee's report. Read RACCE's report and Bill page here:
The RACCE Committee also have further information on their website: RACCE Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill page.
Report
The LGR Committee published it's Stage 1 Report on the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill on Monday 29 January 2015. Read the report here:
On 25 February 2015, the Scottish Government resonded to the above Stage 1 report. Read the response here:
Additional Information
As the Bill moves into the final stage of the legislative process, Convener, Kevin Stewart MSP, has reflected on the changes the Committee has made to the Bill – all based on suggestions from people and community groups the length and breadth of Scotland.
The Committee produced a video upon completing first stage of law-making process:
Prior to making a call for views, the Committee made a short video on the Bill:
The Committee also produced a short video on Community Food Growing: