South Scotland MSP Brian Whittle has urged the Scottish Government to make the most of their proposals to expand investment in local community initiatives across Scotland.
His call comes as the Scottish Government debated Community Wealth Building, an approach to local economic development that aims to encourage councils and other public bodies to prioritise their spending in the local area, supporting small businesses and social enterprises and benefiting their communities.
Scottish Conservative Brian spoke in support of Community Wealth Building in the debate but questioned whether the Scottish Government are backing up their warm words with actions. The SNP Government came in for criticism from across the Chamber with MSPs arguing that the SNP have a long track record of centralising services, rather than supporting local ones.
Brian also argued that one of the keys to the success of Community Wealth Building projects will be good transport links. A long standing advocate for better transport infrastructure in south west Scotland, Brian highlighted the continuing lack of investment in local trunk roads like the A77 and the ongoing rail chaos as two major failings by the SNP that could seriously affect the local economy. He also pressed the Scottish Government to make the most of new UK Government funding coming through Levelling Up Funds and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to give communities the support they need to flourish.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“It makes total sense for councils and other public bodies to put businesses and community enterprises in their local area first when it comes to public procurement. I’ve long been a supporter of councils like East Ayrshire, who source as much as possible from local farmers and food producers for school meals.
Community Wealth Building could make that approach standard across the country, but I’m not convinced that the SNP will follow through on their warm words with actions.
This Scottish Government has always preferred to centralise and take decision making away from councils, not support local decision making. Not to mention their utter failure to deliver the investment in transport and connectivity that rural communities across Ayrshire need to flourish.
Whether it’s upgrading the Bellfield Interchange, investing in the A77 or delivering 5G phone signal and full fibre broadband, the SNP’s record is all talk and no change.
Properly used this is a policy that can bring not only jobs, but new opportunities for sport, leisure and all those things that create a genuine sense of community.
If the Scottish Government are serious about creating and keeping more wealth in our communities, they need to get serious about showing it.”
