Author: Pauline Hinchion, Director of Scottish Communities Finance
Date: 4 June 2019
As part of What Works Scotland community sector inquiry work, Pauline Hinchion, Director of Scottish Communities Finance, returns to the Christie Commission’s report to consider the fundamental challenge of empowering low income communities and the potential for asset-based approaches to work alongside public services.
She reflects on the lessons that can be drawn from the ingenuity and entrepreneurship shown by some Scottish communities in embracing both the public service reform and community engagement agendas. Examples include:
- the acquisition and refurbishment of harbours, woods and land
- the purchase and operation of local shops, pubs and post offices
- the creation of community energy companies and the takeovers, and
- the management of both a ferry service and a caravan park.