Urban, rural and region - Same Difference? SURF seminar, Perth 7 November 2006 Alasdair McKinlay Learning Connections Manager Communities Scotland

Outline Asset ownership and Communities Scotland Opportunities What works Same difference?

Registered Social Landlords have loads of assets, 177 landlords own almost 260,000 homes ; are regulated; have stable income streams; have professional staff and support structures; SFHA, SHARE, EVH Role not limited to housing

RSLs Audit Scotland found post stock transfer: - Tenants consider the service is better -Transfers have promoted greater tenant control

RSLs’ Wider Role Between April 2003 and end March 2006 £5.518m of WR funding had been spent supporting the development, purchase and creation of community assets Most are RSL owned multi purpose community facilities (the majority in Glasgow but with a spread right across the country)

RSLs’ Wider Role However there are some examples of community transport, work on renewable energy proposals, community owned workspaces, recycling centres WR funding always part of a wider package of funding

Futurebuilders Not all community based organisations But, are social economy and often targeted at communities of interest Over 60% of Investment Fund invested in urban areas and overall £11m invested in asset development

Futurebuilders Sense Scotland, £250,000 towards a £3.6m scheme to refurbish and renovate an office block in Kinning Park, Govan Inspire, £350, 000 towards a £1.6m new-build in Aberdeen Asset ownership as a way of increasing sustainability

Development Trusts Less active in urban areas and tend to be smaller scale But this changing Support to DTA Scotland to expand their work in Urban areas

Opportunities Capacity building to support BLF’s Growing Community Assets programme £250,000 per year 06/08 initially targeted at West central Scotland Focus on smaller groups with less capacity Make strong links to local Social Economy Partnerships - and do National development work

Opportunities Development and implementation of guidance and regulations on disposal of public sector land Social Investment Scotland, bespoke loan responses to community need

What works Role of RSLs can be very positive Not just as leaders, but as advisers and supporters Expertise in property development and management Can spin off new social enterprises, for example Development Trusts

What Works Supportive public sector As paying tenants, or by delivering mainstream services from assets Transferring assets Building community capacity

Same Difference? Similarities? need to be business like; need for ongoing revenue income; need broad community buy in; Technical issues in asset development and management - whether buildings or land

Same difference? Issues/Differences? Scale - Greater Easterhouse vs Gigha - defining urban communities in relation to assets Community organisations’ confidence and capacity and who builds it

Same difference? Generating revenues in the most disadvantaged areas - for example finding tenants, running money making businesses Risk of narrow focus on buildings? For example community centres?