Press release: Community wealth building in Clackmannanshire

Community Wealth Building to play central role in shaping economy

Clackmannanshire councillors have heard how Community Wealth Building will play a central role in shaping the future economy of County during a full council meeting today (Thursday, 10 December).

The Council has been heavily focused on responding to the Coronavirus Pandemic this year but is also looking towards recovery and the future through it’s Be the Future Transformation Plan.

As part of this, the Council has been working with colleagues at Scottish Government on a Wellbeing Economy project to examine how they can deliver an improved economy for Clackmannanshire which works better for residents and businesses and makes the best sustainable use of our resources.

Community Wealth Building is a people-centred approach to local economic development. It reorganises local economies to be fairer and aims to reduce wealth flowing out of our communities, towns and cities by helping local investments and assets to generate more and better jobs for local residents and businesses. It is a practical way to support the delivery of an economy in Scotland centred on the ambitions of local people.

Clackmannanshire is the first of five areas in Scotland where the Scottish Government is supporting the delivery of Community Wealth Building Action Plans.

Neil McInroy, Chief Executive of the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES), the organisation behind the Community Wealth Building Centre of Excellence, said:

“During the autumn we examined how the Council approaches a number of areas of work as well as speaking to Councillors, Council Staff, Community organisations and Local Businesses. We can see that Clackmannanshire is a place that needs a new approach to it’s economy and that the energy and vision required to do that is there. This plan offers the Council and it’s partners a set of practical actions that will help them achieve their hopes and aims for the County.”

Clackmannanshire Council Leader Councillor Ellen Forson has taken a lead on the work and said:

“We very much welcome the report and the support of both CLES and the Scottish Government. We are more determined than ever to deliver a fairer future for Clackmannanshire.  The Community Wealth Building Action Plan, whilst it doesn’t come with a magic wand, gives us practical steps to take which will, over time, deliver lasting improvements.”