The plan confirms that 12 new Bills will be launched in 2018/19

The Scottish Government has today published its Programme for Government for 2018-19.

Entitled “Delivering for Today, Investing for Tomorrow”, the plan sets out the legislation and other actions that the Scottish Government intends to deliver over the next 12 months.

It features the following statement on regeneration:

Regeneration

Our Regeneration Strategy recognises that a sustained and co-ordinated place-based approach across the public sector and its partners, working with people and communities, is needed to address the deeply ingrained economic, environmental and social issues faced by some of Scotland’s communities. And community led regeneration delivers inclusive growth by supporting interventions which respond to local circumstances and increases opportunities to attract investment and jobs in those communities, while building community and regional cohesion.

Over the duration of this Parliament we will continue to deliver and support regeneration through funding and investment. We will continue to stimulate inclusive growth through the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund in partnership with local government. We have now invested in more than 110 projects since 2014, with projects recommended in this financial year expected to support or create around 1,400 jobs, refurbish and bring back into use a number of historic and landmark buildings, create more than 26,000 sq. m of business space and support over 80 community facilities and services. Our SPRUCE investment loan fund will continue to provide new investment for projects utilising recycled funds with 11 investments now complete and the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund we deliver with local authority partners will continue to bring back land into use. We will also continue our sponsorship of Clyde Gateway.

We will look for opportunities to facilitate more support to enable people and communities to take charge; and, beyond our funding and resources, we will address the need to work across government and the wider public, private and third sectors to combine resources more effectively and fully involve communities.

The Programme for Government also confirms:

  • That a Rural Economy Action Plan will be developed, “which will steer our transition to more sustainable and inclusive economic growth in rural areas”.
  • That a Bill to formally create a new South of Scotland Enterprise Agency will be introduced to Parliament in 2018-19.
  • That SURF partner Scotland’s Towns Partnership will be supporting a “new generation” of Business Improvement Districts to have a wider regeneration reach.
  • That the ongoing Local Governance Review will continue for the remainder of 2018, and feed into a Local Democracy Bill.
  • That investments committed to City Region Deals have now exceeded £1bn.

The full Programme for Government is available for download on the Scottish Government website.