Community Support
As part of our commitment to make Scotland a better place to live and work through a more inclusive economy, we recognise that strong, sustainable local communities are the key to achieving this vision.
We are committed to community wealth building, which you can learn more about at our Community Wealth Building Hub. This means that we want to live in a country that puts economic development of local communities in the hands of the people who live there. Our community support service is dedicated to realising that goal.
What we do
Our advisers work with local people in their own neighbourhoods to bring people together, empower residents and develop a community voice. In doing so, we enable positive change for and by the local community.
We work with, and on behalf of, Registered Social Landlords, Local Authority, other stakeholders as well as the local community directly to help create enterprises and projects that make local communities better places to live and work.
How we do it
We offer assistance with the following:
Asset Transfers
Are you looking to take over an asset for the benefit of your community? Many local authorities and other public bodies use a process called Community Asset Transfer (CAT) which involves the transfer of the responsibility for an asset from the Council to a community group or voluntary organisation. This can be done through either a transfer of management responsibility, short or long term lease, or through the transfer of outright ownership. CEIS advisers can help you navigate this process and through our links to other agencies can help you draw on other areas of expert support
Place Planning
Local Place Plans are community led plans providing proposals for the development and use of land. Introduced by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, it is a chance for community stakeholders to voice their own ideas and aspirations about the places they live, work and spend time in. Once completed and then registered with the planning authority, they are to be taken into account in the preparation of the relevant local development plan.
The fundamental requirements for a Local Place Plan are that it must fulfil the following criteria. It must:
- be prepared by a Community Body;
- be a proposal as to the development or use of land; and
- fulfil the legal requirements set out in the 1997 Act and the 2021 Regulations.
Further information on LPPs can be found here: Planning circular 1/2022: Local Place Plans – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Place Planning can also take a wider approach, looking beyond the requirements of the LPP and considering the wider elements of what is good in a place. It will look to be aspirational and set a clear long-term vision for the community, it will be collaborative in its approach, involve Public, Private and Third Sector partners, local business and local residents in its preparation and consultation. It will look to understand the local community’s needs and aspirations, look to incorporate best practice into solution design, and may include the principles of urban design to enhance the people’s experience in the spaces or places created.
Placemaking is ultimately about the community. For the community and by the community. Our role at CEIS is to understand the needs of your community and to use our experience in working with communities across Scotland to support you and your community to realise your Place Planning ambitions.
Developing Communities
Local Place Plans are community led plans providing proposals for the development and use of land. Introduced by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, it is a chance for community stakeholders to voice their own ideas and aspirations about the places they live, work and spend time in. Once completed and then registered with the planning authority, they are to be taken into account in the preparation of the relevant local development plan.
The fundamental requirements for a Local Place Plan are that it must fulfil the following criteria. It must:
- be prepared by a Community Body;
- be a proposal as to the development or use of land; and
- fulfil the legal requirements set out in the 1997 Act and the 2021 Regulations.
Further information on LPPs can be found here: Planning circular 1/2022: Local Place Plans – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Place Planning can also take a wider approach, looking beyond the requirements of the LPP and considering the wider elements of what is good in a place. It will look to be aspirational and set a clear long-term vision for the community, it will be collaborative in its approach, involve Public, Private and Third Sector partners, local business and local residents in its preparation and consultation. It will look to understand the local community’s needs and aspirations, look to incorporate best practice into solution design, and may include the principles of urban design to enhance the people’s experience in the spaces or places created.
Placemaking is ultimately about the community. For the community and by the community. Our role at CEIS is to understand the needs of your community and to use our experience in working with communities across Scotland to support you and your community to realise your Place Planning ambitions.
Consultations
Many community groups have ambitious projects to improve the well-being of the communities they support but it is always best to listen to the view of those you wish to work with and support at the outset. Community consultation is an informed, 2-way communication process between the any organisation and the community on a particular issue and effective consultation builds trust and empowers citizens to actively participate and to assist in developing their community. CEIS advisers can help you design, undertake and deliver effective and impactful community consultation exercises.
Ready to Transform Your Community?
At CEIS, we believe in the power of community-led change. Our expert team is passionate about working with local people, organisations, and authorities to create thriving, inclusive communities across Scotland. Whether you’re a community group with a vision for your neighbourhood, a housing association looking to engage residents, or a local authority seeking to drive community wealth building, we’re here to help.