Councils can make places thrive, investing in public spaces, transport systems and local economies. The world is changing, and we must help communities thrive while we transition to a net zero economy. A place-based approach to policymaking is essential.
We are calling for:
Full embedding of the Climate Delivery Framework.
Councils and a new Scottish Government working together effectively can make a positive difference on climate change and help meet the next carbon budget. Together we must align resources against the biggest carbon challenges to help communities across Scotland.
An improved housing offer.
Local government is committed to providing good quality affordable housing, reducing the social housing waiting list, and meeting our homelessness duties. That means a sustained commitment to building new affordable housing and a new Scottish Government must look again at levers held by them, local government and in some cases the UK Government.
A new Scottish Government must:
- Provide multi-year funding to Local Government that truly reflects increasing costs and provides certainty.
- Work with COSLA to lobby UK Government to write-off the historic Housing Revenue Account debt to provide capacity for new supply.
- Increase housing supply through the development of new affordable homes, realising existing properties and streamlining planning processes.
- Devolve management of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme to councils, bringing more transparency whilst allowing greater flexibility to match spend to local need.
- Adjust land compensation rules, reducing land values for social and affordable housing and explore legislative powers to restrict the sale of housing in pressured areas for second and holiday homes.
- Invest in heat in buildings to help eliminate fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions.
Increased investment in public transport.
We must connect communities with low carbon transport options. Capital investment at a national level is required to improve transport across the country and tackle remote, rural and island inequality, including connecting these areas to bolster Scotland’s local and national economy. A review of the rural revenue funding allocation is required to reduce the current detriment to rural communities, as well as a legal requirement for rural impact assessment similar to that associated with policy in an islands context.
Economic Development.
Councils work with local, regional and national partners to strengthen the economy and ensure local areas and populations benefit from inclusive economic growth. We are asking for a redistribution of funding from the new Scottish Government and the enterprise agencies to local government, to maximise the benefits that regional economies can realise, including additional investment in the Business Gateway service. We must be supported and provided with further levers to drive Community Wealth Building.
