East Lothian Council Approach to CWB
Community Wealth Building – a new approach for East Lothian
East Lothian has adopted a new approach to supporting economic development – Community Wealth Building (CWB). This is a key part of the recently approved East Lothian Local Economy Strategy and builds on previous approaches by increasing the prominence of people and environment as core to the local economy.
Essentially, CWB involves retaining wealth locally and giving communities a greater stake in that wealth. It relies on ‘anchor organisations’ (large, often public sector organisations) with procurement and employment power and which hold land and assets. CWB supports and encourages these anchor organisations to procure as much as possible from their local area, not only purchasing goods but also employing locally and from priority groups, and applying fair work principles. In turn, this allows smaller local businesses to grow, develop, and create more flexible and fair employment (a community benefit)
CWB also benefits the community by encouraging the transfer of land and assets which have become surplus to the requirements of anchor organisations, to community ownership and management.
Anchor organisations East Lothian Council, NHS Lothian, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh College and Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VCEL) have signed up to the East Lothian Community Wealth Building Charter. Supporting partners include Police Scotland, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, East Lothian Housing Association and East Lothian Advice Consortium.
Activities already taking place include the flagging of procurement opportunities to local businesses and supporting to get them ready to tender for these opportunities, and planned community awareness-raising sessions.
“Community Wealth Building has never been more important as we tackle the gap between rich and poor, child poverty and the effects of the rising cost of living. I am pleased that the council is spearheading this innovative, forward-thinking approach in East Lothian and the support from partner agencies, local businesses and communities is proving invaluable. I’m sure we will soon."
The council’s Community Wealth Building Officer Angela Lamont is urging East Lothian communities to respond to the ESES Communities Community Wealth Building survey. She can be contacted at cwb@eastlothian.gov.uk for more information on anything relating to Community Wealth Building. For further information, visit the East Lothian Council website.