Woodlands, halls, leisure facilities and even shops could all be put in the hands of community groups if Edinburgh is bold enough to seize the opportunities of proposed community empowerment legislation.
That will be the message coming from a public meeting hosted by Edinburgh Green Party this Thursday, 27 September.
The Scottish Government is currently consulting on a flagship Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill, which proposes radical new ways of strengthening community bodies and transferring assets into their control. Edinburgh Green Party has organised a special public meeting to identify what opportunities there might be in Edinburgh once that legislation goes live.
Green councillor Maggie Chapman said:-“The days of community groups sitting back and accepting whatever remote companies or public agencies gave them are long past. More and more groups are taking up the challenging of wanting to own and run things for themselves.
“From Leith Waterworld to community wind-turbines; local shops to community gardens; and neglected halls or urban woodland – local groups believe that they can do a better job than current owners.
“The new community empowerment laws are an exciting opportunity to build on that momentum – but only if Edinburgh is geared up to take full advantage.”
The meeting will feature Scotland’s land expert, Andy Wightman, and also local campaigner, Robin McLaren, who is leading efforts to buy community woodland in south west Edinburgh.
The meeting is from 8pm – 9.30pm at the Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace on Thursday 27 September. It is free and open to anyone who wishes to attend.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
