Moray partners invited to work together to keep more wealth local
Key public bodies are being invited to work with Moray Council to help keep more money, jobs and opportunities in Moray.
Following approval of an update to the council’s Community Wealth Building Strategy, the Council Leader will write, in her role as chair of the Community Planning Partnership, to UHI Moray, NHS Grampian, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and HITRANS, inviting them to join a new Community Wealth Building Partnership.
The partnership will work together on a joint action plan setting out how public bodies can use their spending, land, buildings and other resources to deliver more benefits for local people, businesses and communities.
The move follows the passing of the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Act 2026, which will place new duties on councils and named public sector partners. Moray Council is working with partners now so the area is ready for the new requirements.
Council Leader Cllr Kathleen Robertson, chair of the Community Planning Partnership, said: “Community Wealth Building is about making the money and resources we already have work harder for Moray. By working together, we can look at how more of our spending supports local businesses, creates jobs and skills opportunities and brings lasting benefits to our communities.
“I’ll be writing to our key public sector partners to invite them to join us in this work. We all have a part to play and building on earlier work through a joined-up approach, we have a real opportunity to keep more wealth in Moray and make sure local people and communities benefit.”
The council’s Community Wealth Building Strategy has been in place since 2024. Recent work includes the launch of the Community Identified Benefits Portal, which connects businesses with requests from local community groups. Ten businesses and 28 community groups have registered so far.
Research into council procurement has also identified opportunities to increase the amount spent locally. In 2024/25, 26.8% of procurement spending went to businesses with a registered or operational presence in Moray, while 14% went to businesses with a registered address in Moray.
Councillors have also agreed to update Community Wealth Building planning guidance, with earlier involvement from Moray Pathways to help make sure major developments create as many local jobs, training and skills opportunities as possible.