East Lothian is embracing Community Wealth Building - a progressive economic model being adopted by the Scottish Government. 1. Community Wealth Building is a new people-centred approach to local economic development, which redirects wealth back into the local economy, and places control and benefits into the hands of local people. It does this through five pillars:-
Plural ownership of the economy
Fostering more socially and environmentally orientated enterprises which are more generative for the local community. This includes social enterprises, co-ops and employee-owned businesses, locally owned by the community.
Progressive procurement of goods and services
Of large anchor organisations which regularly procure works/services. For example, a Council may procure construction services to build local schools, or the NHS catering, cleaning and carer services.Community Wealth Building seeks to ensure as much of this is provided by local suppliers as possible. It also seeks to deliver meaningful community benefits from large contracts.
Fair employment and just labour markets
Through:
a. anchor organisations which hold significant employment potential, and
b. a diverse business base which is supported to develop and grow so it can offer fair pay, good conditions etc.
Employers are encouraged to:
- be Real Living Wage employers.
- increase employment opportunities for local people and from priority groups.2
Socially just use of land and property
Increasing the amount of land and assets that are owned and managed in ways which are generative for local citizens rather than enclosed by private interests.
Financial power
Ensuring flows of investment work for local people. Examples are increasing the amount of local investment in anchor organisation pension funds and supporting credit unions.
East Lothian has a sixth pillar
Climate Change
Progressing meaningfully towards net zero carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.
1 Community Wealth Building legislation is expected spring 26.
2 These include young people with disabilities/long-term health issues; experiencing poverty and/or with caring responsibilities.
Strategy and Anchors
East Lothian has made Community Wealth Building central to its Local Economy Strategy 2024-34 so it is a bedrock for new community and economic development.
East Lothian also has a Community Wealth Building Charter being signed up to by local anchor organisations.
East Lothian's anchor organisations are:
- East Lothian Council
- NHS Lothian and East Lothian Health & Social Care Partnership
- Queen Margaret University
- Volunteer Centre East Lothian
- Edinburgh College
Supportive partners include Police Scotland (Lothian & Borders); Fire & Rescue Scotland Lothian & Borders; East Lothian Housing Association and East Lothian Advice Consortium.
Download the East Lothian Community Wealth Building Charter
Listen to East Lothian's Community Wealth Building Officer explain what Community Wealth Building means for East Lothian in this Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VCEL) podcast.
Watch this video by Edinburgh and South-East Scotland (ESES) Communities on Community Wealth Building across the City Region. It features local Dunbar organisation The Ridge.
