Provisions of the act are spread over eleven parts, covering different areas relating to community empowerment and public participation in policy and planning.

This allows Scottish ministers to compel private owners of land to community bodies if they deem the sale likely to contribute to sustainable local development.

Part 5, Asset Transfer Requests, provides community bodies with the right to request to purchase, lease, manage or use land and buildings held by local authorities, Scottish ministers and other Scottish public bodies, of which relevant authorities will be required to create and maintain a publicly available register.

In deciding whether to agree to asset transfers, public bodies are to consider the reduction of inequalities though there is a presumption of agreement unless there are reasonable grounds for refusal.

It also requires local authorities to inform and consult community bodies before disposing of or changing the use of common good assets.

Elliott, I.C., Fejszes, V. and Tàrrega, M. (2018), "The Community Empowerment Act and localism under devolution in Scotland: The perspective of multiple stakeholders in a council ward", International Journal of Public Sector Management.

(2010), “‘Community empowerment’ in the context of the Glasgow housing stock transfer”, Urban Studies, Vol.