Fife working well to keep wealth local

Benarty primary school pupils tuck into their school lunches

PROGRESS on work to keep wealth, jobs and economic success in the Kingdom has been welcomed by Fife Councillors.

A meeting of Fife Council's Cabinet Committee discussed the council's approach to community wealth building, welcomed progress and approved priorities and next steps for 2026 and beyond.

Community Wealth Building is a people-centred approach to local economic development that aims to keep wealth in communities, support fair employment, and strengthen local supply chains. Fife Council has led the way in Scotland, working closely with partners including NHS Fife, Fife College, and the third sector.

Highlights from the past year include:

  • Life Chances Plus: A recruitment programme that supported 77 placements in 2024/25, helping people facing socio-economic disadvantage into employment. Plans are in place to more than double this in 2025/26.
  • Procurement Reform: A refreshed strategy has increased local spend and community benefits, including donations, volunteering, and support for grassroots organisations across Fife.
  • Build Fife Programme: Local businesses in construction and food & drink sectors have received targeted support to grow and bid for council contracts.

A Community Benefit Request Form has also been introduced to help local organisations communicate their needs more effectively to suppliers. The form allows community groups to submit specific requests for support that can potentially be met through suppliers' community benefit commitments or voluntary contributions.

Over 100 requests have been logged from a variety of organisations across Fife’s third sector including:
▪ Friends of Craigtoun requested support to replace the workshop roof.
▪ Glenrothes Camera Club requested a donation of a laptop.
▪ Kirkcaldy Parks Running Festival requested financial support/sponsorship.
▪ Headwell Community Council requested benches and planters.
▪ CLEAR Buckhaven and Methil  requested a financial donation to support the purchase of plants and garden/litter picking tools.
▪ EATS Rosyth requested financial donation to support its community larder.
▪ Lo’gelly Lunches  requested financial donations and transit van hire.

And the pupils of Benarty Primary School are now enjoying a new dining experience to encourage them to enjoy lunches at school thanks to a request through the Community Benefits Request Form, which was shared with the council’s suppliers. The school received:

* New tables for indoor lunches with laminated graphics of fun, educational facts supplied by Findel
* A new outdoor area where children can grow vegetables and herbs. Donations for gardening equipment and PPE were supplied by Carruthers
* Picnic tables for outdoor lunches and a planting area supplied by Alliance
* Televisions in the dining area to provide educational facts during mealtimes supplied by Irruptus

Convener of the Cabinet Committee, Councillor David Ross, said:

“Community Wealth Building is about making sure our economy works for everyone. This report shows the real difference it’s making — from helping people into jobs to supporting local businesses and community organisations. The Committee’s endorsement of the next phase signals our commitment to building a fairer, stronger Fife.”

The strategy aligns with the Scottish Government’s proposed Community Wealth Building Bill, which will place a duty on local authorities to prepare and implement action plans. Fife Council is actively contributing to national discussions and preparing for future legislation.