Communities Scotland
Encyclopedia
Communities Scotland was an executive agency
of the Scottish Government from 2001 to 2008. The Agency was responsible for housing, homelessness, communities and regeneration throughout Scotland
.
Communities Scotland was headquartered in Edinburgh
with 8 area offices throughout Scotland.
The Agency was charged with meeting the objectives of the Scottish Executive as set out in the Parnership for a better Scotland, a joint statement of the Scottish Executive to improve the life of people in Scotland.
On 31 October 2007 Nicola Sturgeon
, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing
, announced that she had decided to abolish Communities Scotland as a separate agency and bring its main non-regulatory functions into the core Scottish Government. She confirmed that its regulatory functions would be reformed to operate outside the Government and independently of Ministers.
Communities Scotland was disbanded on 1 April 2008, when most of its responsibilities transferred to the Housing and Regeneration directorate of the Scottish Government. A new Scottish Housing Regulator was formed to take over the work of Communities Scotland's Regulation and Inspection division.
Communities Scotland was granted a budget of £800 million in 2006-07. It provided grants to individuals, organisations and local authorities in Scotland for housing and community projects.
It also acted as an inspector and regulator for registered social landlords and local authorities in the provision of social housing (e.g. council house
s).
Executive agency
An executive agency, also known as a next-step agency, is a part of a government department that is treated as managerially and budgetarily separate in order to carry out some part of the executive functions of the United Kingdom government, Scottish Government, Welsh Assembly or Northern Ireland...
of the Scottish Government from 2001 to 2008. The Agency was responsible for housing, homelessness, communities and regeneration throughout Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
Communities Scotland was headquartered in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
with 8 area offices throughout Scotland.
History
Communities Scotland was formed in 2001 as the Executive’s housing and regeneration delivery agency.The Agency was charged with meeting the objectives of the Scottish Executive as set out in the Parnership for a better Scotland, a joint statement of the Scottish Executive to improve the life of people in Scotland.
On 31 October 2007 Nicola Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon is the Deputy First Minister of Scotland, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy, Deputy Leader of the Scottish National Party and Member for Glasgow Southside....
, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing
The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy, commonly referred to as the Health Secretary, is a cabinet position in the Scottish Government...
, announced that she had decided to abolish Communities Scotland as a separate agency and bring its main non-regulatory functions into the core Scottish Government. She confirmed that its regulatory functions would be reformed to operate outside the Government and independently of Ministers.
Communities Scotland was disbanded on 1 April 2008, when most of its responsibilities transferred to the Housing and Regeneration directorate of the Scottish Government. A new Scottish Housing Regulator was formed to take over the work of Communities Scotland's Regulation and Inspection division.
Role
The Agency had five stated objectives:- To increase the supply of affordable housing where it is needed most.
- To improve the quality of existing houses and ensure a high quality of new build.
- To improve the quality of housing and homelessness services.
- To improve the opportunities for people living in disadvantaged communities.
- To support the social economy to deliver key services and create job opportunities.
Communities Scotland was granted a budget of £800 million in 2006-07. It provided grants to individuals, organisations and local authorities in Scotland for housing and community projects.
It also acted as an inspector and regulator for registered social landlords and local authorities in the provision of social housing (e.g. council house
Council house
A council house, otherwise known as a local authority house, is a form of public or social housing. The term is used primarily in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Council houses were built and operated by local councils to supply uncrowded, well-built homes on secure tenancies at...
s).
External links
- Official website (statement of closure date with links to successor bodies)