Views are being sought on proposals to help grow the local economy.

The Scottish Government is asking residents and businesses to take part in a consultation as it considers plans to ensure funds are kept in the hands of communities.

The proposals include creating fair work opportunities for local people and those who face barriers to employment.

In addition, they aim to ensure land and property are used for the benefit of communities.

Tom Arthur MSP, the Scottish Government’s minister for public finance, planning and community wealth, is hoping as many people as possible will get involved.

“Community wealth building is about enabling people to have a stake in the wealth that their local economy generates,” he said.

“This is central to our plans to reform Scotland’s economy for the wellbeing of current and future generations.

“While community wealth building has grown in popularity in recent years, legislation has the potential to achieve more rapid benefits for communities, helping people to earn incomes from fair work and more locally-owned businesses to bid for public sector contracts.

“Money spent locally is more likely to stay in the local economy and support local jobs.

“This consultation will inform a Community Wealth Building Bill, which we will introduce to Parliament to achieve these aims.

“I look forward to hearing a wide range of views on how we can use this process to transform our local economies to become greener, fairer and more prosperous.”

To have your say, visit consult.gov.scot/economic-development/community-wealth-building-consultation.