Central Scotland – views from the feedback session

We held the second of our regional engagement events with community representatives in Central Scotland. These are some of the key points raised by attendees. Do you have any views on the points shared?  

Technologies in Scope, Fund Levels  

• The proposed fund level for solar is too low when compared with what solar developments can make, in particular when compared to community‑owned solar.
   
• The ‘per megawatt’ rate for fund levels doesn’t capture real returns from renewables developments – a profits-based approach would give a fairer result to communities. 
   
• Clear guidance is needed on deciding the area and communities to benefit, particularly where several renewable projects sit close together (e.g. co-located). This will prevent neighbouring communities being treated differently and remove confusion caused by developers applying their own criteria. 
   
• It needs to be clear when community benefits should start, with maximum timelines in the guidance.
   
• Fund levels should increase according to the number of other developments in the area. 

Running community benefit funds 

• It’s important to be clear about definition of host community, and how that should be decided for each development.
    
• A longer term strategic plan that aligns with the lifetime of the development (eg 25 years) could help communities see more impact from their community benefit funds.
   
• Communities should be able to borrow against future funds from developments to support bigger projects.
   
• The guidance needs to set clear expectations for community engagement so that developers follow consistent approaches, such as when discussions begin and whether community ownership should be offered. 
   
• The guidance needs to clarify the role of local authorities in managing community benefit funds, including how to avoid delays, reduce bureaucracy, and ensure communities are central to decisions on how fund are designed and used.  

Support for communities 

• Attendees felt very strongly that more support for communities was needed at all points of the cycle of a community benefit arrangement, with continuous upskilling.
   
• Communities need funded staff or dedicated support roles to help manage funds, engage with developers, and reduce reliance on overstretched volunteers – such as community connectors.
   
• Everywhere is different, and no one size fits all. Support should be easy to use and flexible enough for both new and experienced groups. A suite of support options to suit different communities in different ways is needed.  
   
• Improved tools, resources and peer‑learning opportunities need to be provided in a way that helps communities without adding extra work or expectations.  
   
• Signposting to support should come from multiple trusted sources and not just from developers.

Views from the South of Scotland are an important part of feedback, and we want other people in the region to be able to see and feed back on issues raised at the session.