Community Development officers

Many communities, especially small rural ones which are where most wind farms are, have little or no experience of community development and often the Third Sector Interface for their authority is based in a more urban area with limited resources to provide in-depth support. Would it not make sense for community benefit funds to be made available to provide that in-depth support to affected communities through provision of Community Development Officer posts alongside support and training as required? A comprehensive package could be put in place to include the potential for networking opportunities as many of the communities affected by windfarms are close to each other, even if they are more isolated from the larger urban conurbations that seem to determine what happens to the "community benefit funds". 

Why the contribution is important

This is important because it means that local people will be deciding on the future of their own communities, but also because such a set up will mean that local people will have the opportunity to build capacity within their own communities. 

by ClydesdaleAnn on February 23, 2026 at 03:14PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.1
Based on: 11 votes

Comments

  • Posted by smithm31 February 24, 2026 at 11:35

    I strongly support the proposal to use community benefit funding to support Community Development Officer posts in affected areas. Many small and rural communities do not have the experience, capacity or volunteer base required to manage large and complex funding streams effectively. Without dedicated support, there is a real risk that funds are underused, misdirected, or become a source of local conflict.

    Providing funded Community Development Officer roles would help communities build the skills, governance structures and confidence needed to make informed, strategic decisions about their future. This support should include training, networking opportunities and collaboration between neighbouring communities that are impacted by similar developments.

    This approach would not only improve the management of community benefit funds but would leave a lasting legacy of local capacity and leadership. Investment in people and skills is just as important as investment in physical projects, particularly in rural areas where access to professional support is limited.

    Ensuring communities are properly supported strengthens local decision-making, promotes resilience, and helps maximise the long-term value of renewable energy developments for the areas hosting them.

  • Posted by killie97 March 01, 2026 at 18:46

    Often such posts are on very short term contracts. Essential that communities are supported on a long term basis and the funding must be secured and ring fenced to at least match the lifetime of the developers project

  • Posted by GMH March 13, 2026 at 11:03

    Agree with original post and comments - at least there would be real local jobs created in this way rather than the "phantom" jobs which are generally cited by developers in their applications - BUT, the creation and scope of those jobs should be a matter for the communities impacted, not the developer.

  • Posted by Raven1 March 13, 2026 at 13:36

    Agree with original and supporting comments.

  • Posted by Bonanza March 16, 2026 at 11:42

    Empower the community to do what it wants to do with Community Benefit, do not over prescribe what it is used for. Fully support getting a development officer but please do not tell me I have to!

  • Posted by Clephan March 17, 2026 at 09:22

    Strongly support the provision of external support for expert advice including creation of paid development officers to progress projects. We need support from people who can do stuff, not sit on the sidelines giving advice to a small number of unqualified volunteers (with other jobs) on what to do.

  • Posted by LoreineatBingera March 17, 2026 at 16:09

    While I support the need for Community Development Officers, these officers need to be accountable to local communities and NOT LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

    The last thing communities need is Community Development Officers whose first loyalty is to their local Council. While such Officers will be required to work in collaboration with Council staff, their accountability, responsibilities and direction rests with the Communities who employ them.

    A word of caution for those Communities who seek to use the services of a Community Development Officer of Highland Council - be very aware of the costs associated with such an officer because these costs will be substantial and every conceivable cost which can be charged against a Community's Benefit Fund will be charged and each year these costs will increase. Also worth remembering that a local authority Community Development Officer is accountable to his LA boss and to the objectives of the local authority itself. These objectives may differ significantly with those of the Community.

    Local Trustees of our Common Good Fund (CFG) (ie local authority councillors) approved the appointment of a p/t Common Good Officer who to all intents and purposes should be working under the direct instruction of the CGF beneficiaries, ie the local people of the Area, but this is not the case in practice and local people have little, if any, say in any proposals and decisions except where the local authority is required under Law to act in a certain manner. Admin and staffing costs have risen by >30-40% and everything including the kitchen sink is being charged to the CGF.

    Local people see this arrangement as a nice income generation stream for the Local Authority to the detriment of their CGF.

  • Posted by Insight26 March 18, 2026 at 17:03

    Yes agree -- and the employer should not be hte Local Authority
    Again, should be considered as part of local package(s), potentially across several small communities

  • Posted by BrunoSantos March 25, 2026 at 09:43

     I agree the fund should be able to be used for this, but this should be a choice made by the local community rather than being a prescribed condition for the fund.
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