PRESS RELEASE

Communities Scotland - A Fresh Approach to Regeneration	11th September 2001
A new executive agency called Communities Scotland was launched today by Scotland's Social Justice Minister Jackie Baillie. Bob Millar, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, pledged to bring a fresh approach to community regeneration through neighbourhood renewal, community empowerment and housing investment. "Working on behalf of Scottish Ministers, Communities Scotland will invest funding and expertise in the development of communities that are able to thrive, flourish and become more self-reliant" said Mr Millar. " We will be expected to make a significant contribution to achieving the Scottish Executive's Social Justice targets, and I look forward to taking up this challenge." Communities Scotland takes over from Scottish Homes on 1 November, but has a broader remit. It will have three divisions which will focus on Regeneration, Regulation and Inspection and Investment and Performance. It will retain an Edinburgh headquarters and seven offices around the country, including Inverness, Glasgow, Paisley, Dundee and Aberdeen. Regeneration Communities Scotland will establish a Neighbourhood Renewal Centre by 1 April 2002. This centre will develop the Minister's policy priorities and have new and imaginative methods of operation - linking with academia, professionals and practitioners. It will encourage innovation and promote good practice; commission research and advanced thinking; develop effective and productive networks and create and disseminate knowledge and information. The area regeneration division of the Scottish Executive, which manages Social Inclusion Partnerships, will move into Communities Scotland. This will add to the agency's community regeneration role, and strengthen the links between central government and local communities. Communities Scotland will also address the issue of good practice and best value with the construction industry. It will encourage better employment practices, and offer support in modernising procurement practices. The agency will also make better links with voluntary organisations and the private and public sectors to address issues related to the social economy, and will work with the Executive on the Supporting People initiative. Regulation and Inspection Communities Scotland will, for the first time, regulate and inspect all social housing in Scotland, including council housing and its homelessness function. This is a major new piece of work, as up to now, only registered social landlords were registered and inspected. The new system will most importantly mean a better deal for tenants. It will also protect public and private sector investment in social housing, and encourage innovation and the exchange of best practice. Investment and Performance Communities Scotland will advise Ministers on the national housing investment programme. It will also manage some national initiatives such as New Housing Partnerships, Rough Sleepers and the Central Heating Initiative. Communities Scotland will also support local authorities in the preparation of Local Housing Strategies which are a new requirement under the Housing Act. Following on from this, from 2003, the agency will aim to begin transferring the £215 million of development funding which is currently spent in Scotland to local authorities which have the skills and systems in place to manage this budget. The agency will have 500 staff. A residuary body, retaining the name Scottish Homes, will manage the 4,000 houses which have not yet transferred from Scottish Homes to community ownership. These houses are expected to transfer as tenants vote in local ballots over the next few years. Note: The Housing Act, which was passed by the Scottish parliament this summer, included provision for Scottish Homes to cease operating as a quango and become an executive agency, directly accountable to Scottish Ministers.
Mary Mowat Tel: 0131 479 5178