The Community Right to Bid, created by the Localism
Act, came into force yesterday. This means that communities can 'stop-the
clock' on the sale of valuable local assets and amenities like post offices,
village shops or community pubs, giving them time to put in a takeover bid of
their own and protect it for the wider community's benefit.
The new right gives voluntary and community organisations
and parish councils the opportunity to nominate an asset to be included on a
list of 'assets of community value', delaying the sale of a successfully listed
asset for six-months, giving communities the time to prepare a bid and get a
business plan together. Previously the community had no opportunity or time to
gather resources to bid to buy or take them over.
One example of what can be done has been seen in Norden,
where local people formed a trust to buy and refurbish a historic old library
building and reopen it as a community centre.
Elsewhere in Cranleigh the local community is planning to use the new
Right to Bid to turn their old village hospital into a support centre for the
elderly in the area.
A few months ago I took myself on a course on this topic at
the Local Government Association and so if anyone in the Ward is interested in
taking a step of this sort at any time I am well equipped to offer help!
Pieces of land as well as buildings can be registered, and I
can think of one or two places in Waldingfield that could well be included on
our own list of ‘ assets of community value’.
I hope that Babergh, who have to maintain the list, have got themselves
organised to receive nominations.
I intend writing to find out today.
 |
| Local shops could be taken into community ownership |
No comments:
Post a Comment