Resources: Policy and Research

COSS Briefing Paper Scot Gov 2023

A briefing for the Scottish Government to inform the review of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act; highlighting the experience of community groups going through the asset transfer process, general trends and specific issues that have emerged since the Part 5 Community Asset Transfer went live in January 2017. 

PDF icon COSS Briefing Paper Scot Gov 2023 .pdf

Community Empowerment Action Plan

The Community Empowerment Action Plan, jointly developed by the Scottish Government, COSLA and colleagues in the third sector, encourages people in both rural and urban areas to participate in the running of their neighbourhoods. The action plan provides clarity on what community empowerment is, why it is important and how communities can get involved.

PDF icon Community Empowerment Action Plan (Scottish Government and COSLA)

SULU Previous Questions

Questions that Scottish Universities Land Unit (SULU) students have been asked as part of the programme.

PDF icon SULU Questions.pdf

Community Right to Buy - Guidance - March 2016

Full guidance for community bodies, land owners and third parties.

Published by The Scottish Government, March 2016.

Links below to the SG CRtB website with information on how to make an application, templates etc

PDF icon Crtb guidance.pdf

Community Right to Buy Abandoned, Neglected or Detrimental Land - Full Guidance

This guidance is intended to support communities through the right to buy abandoned, neglected or detrimental land process. The guidance covers most aspects from the initial identification of land to the completion of a purchase. It provides a step-by-step guide, setting out the considerations that need to be taken into account, the legal requirements that must be met and the various decision-making stages. Although the majority of the information is relevant to community groups, there is also useful information for landowners and other parties who may have a reason to be involved in the process.

PDF icon Community Right to Buy Abandoned, Neglected or Detrimental Land - Full Guidance.pdf

DTAS-COSS GDPR Privacy Notice

GDPR Privacy Notice reffering to the personal details we hold on clients for Scottish Government reporting purposes and how we process this.

PDF icon DTAS GDPR PRIVACY NOTICE V1.pdf

The Christie Commission - Future Delivery of Public Services

In contrast to previous work concentrating on specific aspects of public service reform, this Commission was asked to look across the whole field of public service delivery, and examine the challenges, obstacles and opportunities that lie before us. On this basis, the commission were asked to map out a way forward for the reform of public services.  This included recommentations that recognise "effective services must be designed with and for people and communities – not delivered ‘top down’ for administrative convenience."

PDF icon Chrsitie Commission.pdf

Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015

The detail of the Act in full.  This should be used to relate the Asset Transfer Guidance Notes from the Scottish Government to the specific sections referred to within the Act.
 
PDF icon CEA in full.pdf

Asset Transfer Guidance for Relevant Authorities

This guidance has been developed for relevant authorities.  Relevant authorities are required to have regard to guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers in carrying out their functions in relation to asset transfer.

PDF icon Asset Transfer RA Guidance Notes.pdf

Disposal of Land by Local Authorities (Scotland) Regulations

The purpose of this guidance is to provide local authorities in Scotland with information that will assist when considering the disposal of land

PDF icon Disposal of Land by Local Authorities (Scotland) Regulations: General Guidance

Public Asset Transfer: Empowering Communities

A review of Council policy and practice in relation to asset transfer across Scotland

PDF icon Public Asset Transfer: Empowering Communities (DTA Scotland)

Asset management in local government: Audit Scotland

This study evaluates the extent to which councils manage their assets to ensure effective service provision and achieve value for money, and makes recommendations for improvement. 

PDF icon Asset management in local government: Audit Scotland

Communities controlling assets: a better understanding

This report contains the findings from research commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on the experience of community organisations controlling assets in the UK.

PDF icon Communities controlling assets: a better understanding (Joseph Rowntree Foundation)

Energising Community Halls

REAP's community energy guide "Energising Community Halls" can help your community building save money and look at what renewables might be suitable for your site. This guide is the result of a year-long CCF funded project by REAP based in Keith, Moray.

PDF icon Energising Community Halls

Promoting Asset Transfer - Project 2009-2011 – Final Report

The final report on DTA Scotland's Promoting Asset Transfer programme

PDF icon Promoting Asset Transfer - Final Report