Question reference: S6W-20827
- Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 23 August 2023
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Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 31 August 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that local communities are aware of their rights in terms of community land ownership, and are better supported to access those rights.
Answer
Communities have a number of rights in terms of community ownership. There are four separate community rights to buy, most of which are compulsory purchase rights, as well as the right to request an asset transfer of an asset from a public body.
In addition, the Scottish Land Fund, which was increased to £11m this year, is available to community groups across Scotland, whether they are acquiring an asset through any of these rights, or entering into a negotiated sale with a willing seller. We have committed to increasing this to £20m by the end of 2026.
The Scottish Government Community Land Team regularly assist community groups with guidance on the rights to buy, whilst the Community Empowerment Team can help with asset transfer rights.
The Scottish Government also provides grants to Community Land Scotland to promote and educate community groups on all aspects of community ownership. This includes the annual Community Land Week which allows anyone to go along to a participating community group and see for themselves the benefits that ownership can bring.