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lots of these, Aberdeen's is not particulary unique
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Aberdeen's '''Common Good Fund''' is a fund to benefit the people of [[Aberdeen]], [[Scotland]]. It was created as a result of [[Robert the Bruce]] granting the cities Great Charter in 1319, after they sheltered him during his days of outlaw.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clanmcalister.org/robbruce.html|title=Robert the Bruce|accessdate=2007-05-15}}</ref> In 2005, the value of the fund was £31 million.<ref name="andywightman">{{cite web|url=http://www.andywightman.com/commongood.htm |title=Campaigning for the Common Good |accessdate=2007-05-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060517093956/http://www.andywightman.com/commongood.htm |archivedate=17 May 2006 }}</ref>


A '''Common Good Fund''' is a fund held by a [[Local government in Scotland|local authority]] in [[Scotland]], consisting of property that previously belonged to a [[burgh]]. The fund may include both [[movable property]] (money or objects) and [[heritable property]] (land and buildings), and are legally distinct from other assets owned by a local authority. The funds have their origins in the 11th century, when the first burghs were established by royal charters that granted them certain lands, rights and privileges. The [[Common Good Act 1491]], which remains in force, required that this property "be observed and kept for the common good of the town".<ref name=land/> The use and sale of Common Good is restricted by law, and the proceeds from these assets is retained in the relevant Common Good Fund. The income of a Common Good Fund is required to be used for the of benefit the inhabitants of the burgh to which they belong.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/10167/Common-Good-Property|title=Common Good Property|access-date=17 November 2021|publisher=Renfrewshire Council}}</ref>
Along with the Great Charter, Bruce gave Aberdeen the Forest of Stocket (now the [[Mid Stocket]] area of the city), in return for a yearly rent. As a result of the finances generated from the forest, the Common Good Fund was created to benefit the people of the city. Later, the lands of Cruvie (now Woodside) and [[Rubislaw, Aberdeen|Rubislaw]] were also granted to the people.


Since [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973|re-structuring of local government in 1975]] and [[Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994|again in 1996]], it is often not clear which property now comprises the Common Good of the former burghs.<ref name=land>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.scot/publications/land-reform-review-group-final-report-land-scotland-common-good/pages/36/|title=The land of Scotland and the common good: report|page=36|access-date=17 November 2021|publisher=Scottish Government|date=23 May 2014}}</ref> The [[Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015]] required all council to establish and maintain a register of property which is held by the authority as part of the common good.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.scot/publications/community-empowerment-common-good-property-guidance-local-authorities/|title=Common good property: statutory guidance for local authorities|access-date=17 November 2021|publisher=Scottish Government|date=23 July 2018}}</ref>
The fund helped to create [[Marischal College]] by giving land to [[George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal]] to help him build the institution; it helped the people during the 1640 plague and also gave funds to [[Aberdeen Art Gallery]], the [[Central Library, Aberdeen|Central Library]], [[Aberdeen Royal Infirmary]] and the purchase of [[Hazlehead Park]].<ref name="NFCG">{{cite web|url=http://www.nfcg.org.uk/groupmags/aberdeen.htm#The%20Common%20Good%20Fund|title=The Common Good Fund|accessdate=2007-05-15}}</ref>


According to land campaigner and former MSP [[Andy Wightman]] there are 196 Common Good Funds across Scotland.<ref>{{cite book|title=Who Owns Scotland|author=Andy Wightman}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Common Good—A Quick Guide|author=Andy Wightman}}</ref>
In recent times it has been used to provide the elderly with tea dances and a festival for older people.<ref name="BruceStatue">{{cite web|url=http://www.creativeculturescotland.co.uk/default.aspx.locid-03jnew0ai.Lang-EN.htm |title=Artists invited to design statue of Robert the Bruce |accessdate=2007-05-15 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927023313/http://www.creativeculturescotland.co.uk/default.aspx.locid-03jnew0ai.Lang-EN.htm |archivedate=2007-09-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is also used to help charity as has been a substantial contributor to the Instant Neighbour Trust in the past.<ref name="NFCG"/>


==Other Funds==
==Aberdeen==
Aberdeen's Common Good Fund is a fund to benefit the people of [[Aberdeen]], [[Scotland]]. It was created as a result of [[Robert the Bruce]] granting the cities Great Charter in 1319, after they sheltered him during his days of outlaw.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clanmcalister.org/robbruce.html|title=Robert the Bruce|accessdate=2007-05-15}}</ref> In 2005, the value of the fund was £31 million.<ref name="andywightman">{{cite web|url=http://www.andywightman.com/commongood.htm |title=Campaigning for the Common Good |accessdate=2007-05-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060517093956/http://www.andywightman.com/commongood.htm |archivedate=17 May 2006 }}</ref>


Along with the Great Charter, Bruce gave Aberdeen the Forest of Stocket (now the [[Mid Stocket]] area of the city), in return for a yearly rent. As a result of the finances generated from the forest, the Common Good Fund was created to benefit the people of the city. Later, the lands of Cruvie (now Woodside) and [[Rubislaw, Aberdeen|Rubislaw]] were also granted to the people.
There are 195 other Common Good Funds around Scotland. See "Who Owns Scotland" and "Common Good—A Quick Guide" by Andy Wightman.

The fund helped to create [[Marischal College]] by giving land to [[George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal]] to help him build the institution; it helped the people during the 1640 plague and also gave funds to [[Aberdeen Art Gallery]], the [[Central Library, Aberdeen|Central Library]], [[Aberdeen Royal Infirmary]] and the purchase of [[Hazlehead Park]].<ref name="NFCG">{{cite web|url=http://www.nfcg.org.uk/groupmags/aberdeen.htm#The%20Common%20Good%20Fund|title=The Common Good Fund|accessdate=2007-05-15}}</ref>

In recent times it has been used to provide the elderly with tea dances and a festival for older people.<ref name="BruceStatue">{{cite web|url=http://www.creativeculturescotland.co.uk/default.aspx.locid-03jnew0ai.Lang-EN.htm |title=Artists invited to design statue of Robert the Bruce |accessdate=2007-05-15 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927023313/http://www.creativeculturescotland.co.uk/default.aspx.locid-03jnew0ai.Lang-EN.htm |archivedate=2007-09-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is also used to help charity as has been a substantial contributor to the Instant Neighbour Trust in the past.<ref name="NFCG"/>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 13:22, 17 November 2021

A Common Good Fund is a fund held by a local authority in Scotland, consisting of property that previously belonged to a burgh. The fund may include both movable property (money or objects) and heritable property (land and buildings), and are legally distinct from other assets owned by a local authority. The funds have their origins in the 11th century, when the first burghs were established by royal charters that granted them certain lands, rights and privileges. The Common Good Act 1491, which remains in force, required that this property "be observed and kept for the common good of the town".[1] The use and sale of Common Good is restricted by law, and the proceeds from these assets is retained in the relevant Common Good Fund. The income of a Common Good Fund is required to be used for the of benefit the inhabitants of the burgh to which they belong.[2]

Since re-structuring of local government in 1975 and again in 1996, it is often not clear which property now comprises the Common Good of the former burghs.[1] The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 required all council to establish and maintain a register of property which is held by the authority as part of the common good.[3]

According to land campaigner and former MSP Andy Wightman there are 196 Common Good Funds across Scotland.[4][5]

Aberdeen

Aberdeen's Common Good Fund is a fund to benefit the people of Aberdeen, Scotland. It was created as a result of Robert the Bruce granting the cities Great Charter in 1319, after they sheltered him during his days of outlaw.[6] In 2005, the value of the fund was £31 million.[7]

Along with the Great Charter, Bruce gave Aberdeen the Forest of Stocket (now the Mid Stocket area of the city), in return for a yearly rent. As a result of the finances generated from the forest, the Common Good Fund was created to benefit the people of the city. Later, the lands of Cruvie (now Woodside) and Rubislaw were also granted to the people.

The fund helped to create Marischal College by giving land to George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal to help him build the institution; it helped the people during the 1640 plague and also gave funds to Aberdeen Art Gallery, the Central Library, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and the purchase of Hazlehead Park.[8]

In recent times it has been used to provide the elderly with tea dances and a festival for older people.[9] It is also used to help charity as has been a substantial contributor to the Instant Neighbour Trust in the past.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b "The land of Scotland and the common good: report". Scottish Government. 23 May 2014. p. 36. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Common Good Property". Renfrewshire Council. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Common good property: statutory guidance for local authorities". Scottish Government. 23 July 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  4. ^ Andy Wightman. Who Owns Scotland.
  5. ^ Andy Wightman. Common Good—A Quick Guide.
  6. ^ "Robert the Bruce". Retrieved 15 May 2007.
  7. ^ "Campaigning for the Common Good". Archived from the original on 17 May 2006. Retrieved 15 May 2007.
  8. ^ a b "The Common Good Fund". Retrieved 15 May 2007.
  9. ^ "Artists invited to design statue of Robert the Bruce". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 15 May 2007.

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