Felix Spittal

The Smith Commission's recommendation to devolve the Crown Estate is an important step, but the proposals for radical land reform announced in the legislative programme show how much can be achieved with existing powers.  Read more

I’ve been involved with the Community Empowerment Bill for around three years now and as time has passed its limitations have become increasingly apparent. I remember when it was “potentially the greatest transfer of power since devolution” but now some serious life needs to be... Read more

Hi! For those of you who don’t know me, my name’s Felix and I work in the charity sector.  And as we all know, that means that the only thing I am good for is knitting. Read more

The first details have emerged of the new exemption scheme for water rates and it is good news for Charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs... Read more

Thankfully for the vast majority of the sector the answer is likely to be “no” Read more

Focus on engaging communities rather than enabling community action makes the Community Empowerment Bill frustratingly inconsistent Read more

Now we have a chance to really move forward on land reform Read more

The Commission on Local Democracy’s interim report aims to provide a starting point for the reform of local democracy, but will it end up gathering dust on a shelf or can it deliver real change? Read more

Half of Scotland's private land in the hands of a small but powerful group. With changes on the horizon is radical reform finally a possibility? Read more

The odious stream of negativity targeted at third sector campaigning rumbles on. Read more