Community Wealth Building Bill Reaches Stage 3

3 February 2026

We, alongside other members of the Scottish Community Coalition on Energy, welcome the progress made during Stage 2 of the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill. Several important amendments have been agreed that significantly strengthen the Bill’s potential to deliver tangible and lasting benefits for communities across Scotland.

Strengthening the definition of economic growth to be “inclusive and sustainable” and aligning this with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This recognises that financial wealth cannot be separated from social, cultural, environmental, and community wealth.
Reframing the measures to be set out in the Community Wealth Building Statement, from measures that Scottish Ministers ‘may’ take to those they ‘must’ take, helping to ensure greater consistency and impact across Scotland.
Explicit inclusion of energy assets on the face of the Bill, recognising the transformative role that community and local ownership of energy can have in increasing community wealth.
Ensuring common good property is used to deliver Community Wealth Building, acknowledging the important role common good assets can play in local wealth creation, including through transfer to community ownership.
Introducing stronger monitoring and reporting requirements to enable a more holistic assessment of the progress of Community Wealth Building activity across Scotland.
Committing to more detailed guidance facilitating & supporting the development of community-owned renewable energy.

This represents a positive step towards embedding Community Wealth Building at the heart of Scotland’s economic future, and we will continue to work proactively in the lead-up to Stage 3 to broaden the scope of, and further strengthen, the legislation.

You can also read our briefing which addressed the amendments being considered by the Economy and Fair Work Committee during the stage 2 process here.

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