The Bill creates a strategic foundation for community wealth building in Scotland.
This is a Government bill
The Bill was introduced on 20 March 2025 and is at Stage 1
This Bill is at Stage 1 of the process to decide if it should become an Act.
Community wealth building is an approach to economic development. It focuses on ensuring that economic wealth is generated, circulated and retained in local communities.
The Bill, as introduced by the Scottish Government, would instruct Ministers to publish a community wealth building statement. This would set out the measures they intend to take in relation to community wealth building.
Ministers must also publish guidance on community wealth building.
Under the proposals in the Bill, each local authority would need to work with certain public bodies (such as health boards) in their areas to publish a community wealth building action plan for that area.
Local authorities and public bodies must implement any measures set out in those action plans.
The Scottish Government has introduced the Bill to ensure consistent implementation of the community wealth building model across Scotland.
Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill as introduced (574KB, pdf) posted 20 March 2025
Explanatory Notes (134KB, pdf) posted 20 March 2025
Policy Memorandum (249KB, pdf) posted 20 March 2025
Financial Memorandum (299KB, pdf) posted 20 March 2025
Delegated Powers Memorandum (136KB, pdf) posted 20 March 2025
Statements on legislative competence (118KB, pdf) posted 20 March 2025
Explanatory Notes (218KB, pdf) posted 20 March 2025
Policy Memorandum (302KB, pdf) posted 20 March 2025
Financial Memorandum (410KB, pdf) posted 20 March 2025
Delegated Powers Memorandum (222KB, pdf) posted 20 March 2025
Statements on legislative competence (162KB, pdf) posted 20 March 2025
All Bills introduced in the Parliament must be accompanied by specific documents. For most Bills, this includes:
Explanatory Notes: this document provides an overview of what the Bill does, plus a more detailed explanation of individual provisions.
Policy Memorandum: this sets out the objectives of the Bill. It also lists any alternatives considered, details of consultations, and an assessment of the effects of the Bill on a range of areas.
Financial Memorandum: this sets out estimates of costs, savings, and any changes to revenues expected to result from the Bill.
Delegated Powers Memorandum: this is needed if a Bill gives powers to make subordinate legislation or allows Scottish Ministers to issue directions, guidance or codes of practice.
Statements on legislative competence: two short statements, one by the Presiding Officer and one by the Member introducing the Bill. “Legislative competence” means the powers the Parliament has to make law.
The Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe) prepares impartial research and analysis to assist MSPs in their examination of Bills and other parliamentary business.
A research briefing will be published in due course.
The Bill was introduced on 20 March 2025
At Stage 1, the Bill is given to a lead committee. This is usually the committee whose remit most closely relates to the subject of the Bill. The lead committee will consider and report on the Bill. Other committees may also examine the Bill and report to the lead committee. Finally, there is a debate and vote by all MSPs on the general principles of the Bill. If the general principles are not agreed to, then the Bill ‘falls’ and can’t become law.
The lead committee for this Bill is the Economy and Fair Work Committee.
The lead committee will usually examine the Bill through evidence sessions. This will involve contributions from individuals and organisations, known as 'witnesses', with knowledge of the subject matter. The committee might also discuss the Bill in private sessions.
The Committee is running a call for views to help inform its examination of the Bill.
Share your views on the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill
The call for views will be open until Friday 23 May 2025.