Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at 3:03 pm on 30 October 2024.
To ask the Scottish Government how youth groups can access funds to buy community assets. (S6O-03853)
The Scottish land fund is a funding source for community groups that are looking to purchase assets in their community. It is open to all groups that are community led, community controlled and defined by a geographic area. That can include youth groups based in those communities. Any such group should contact the National Lottery Community Fund, which administers the Scottish land fund on behalf of Scottish ministers, and it will be given guidance and assistance on how it can apply to the fund.
The 18th Inverness (Muirtown) scout group wishes to apply to Scottish Canals for an asset transfer of its scout hall. However, the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 does not designate scout groups as community bodies that are eligible to make asset transfer requests. Scottish ministers have the powers under the act to designate and make eligible such organisations. Will the Scottish Government designate scout groups as bodies that are eligible under the act to make asset transfer requests? Their activities fall within the spirit of the act.
For transparency, I should say that my husband is a scout leader with the 18th Inverness (Muirtown) group.
As I said, the opportunity to purchase assets is open to all groups that are community led, community controlled and defined by a geographic area.
I am happy to take up separately with the member the specific instance that the she mentioned, to explore what opportunities there are to ensure that the scout group is able to be part of the process, because, as I said, it can include youth groups that are based in those communities.