1. RICHARD BRIDGE Director of Operations richard.bridge@communitymatters.org.uk

2. Community Matters is the National Federation of Community Organisations and it represents the largest network of grassroots community organisations in the UK. We have over 1200 members across the country which includes, community organisations, local authorities, voluntary groups, housing associations……. Whether through partnerships, programmes, or developed in-house tools, Community Matters strives to meet the needs of communities at every level. Our vision is for active and sustainable communities in which everyone is valued and can play their full part. www.communitymatters.org.uk

3. Localism Act and new rights: o Right to Challenge o Right to Bid o Right to Build o Neighbourhood Plans To read the full act got to: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2011/20/contents/enacted/ data.htm http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2011/20/contents/enacted/ data.htm www.communitymatters.org.uk

4. It aims to keep valued land and buildings such as your local pub, shop, library or football ground in community use. All local authorities must publish a policy and procedure for local groups to apply to lists facilities as ‘being of community interest’ and maintain a public register of buildings and facilities on the list Once listed (they can be privately or publically owned) then if they come onto the market the council must inform the local community and all groups have three months to invoke a 6 month moratorium on the sale with in which period to put together their bid There is no obligation to sell to the community and there is no power to require a less than market price. For more information go to: http://mycommunityrights.org.uk/community- right-to-bid/http://mycommunityrights.org.uk/community- right-to-bid/ www.communitymatters.org.uk

5. This right enables communities to challenge to take over local services that they think they can run differently and better. All local authorities must publish a policry and procedure on how and when they will received challenges and how they will judge them. A challenge will be considered by a local authority and may be accepted or rejected,. If it is accepted does not mean you will necessarily get to run the service as the council would have to run a tendering exercise which anyone can bid for, including the private sector. For more information go to: http://mycommunityrights.org.uk/community-right-to-challenge/ http://mycommunityrights.org.uk/community-right-to-challenge/ www.communitymatters.org.uk

6. A Neighbourhood Plan is a community-led framework for guiding the future development and growth of an area. IIt may deal with a wide range of issues (like housing, employment, heritage and transport) or it may focus on one or two issues that are of particular importance in a local area. It requires a Neighbourhood Forum to be set up (minimum of 21 members) to be the guardians and developers of the Plan The first step is to get a Neighbourhood Area agreed with your local planning authority. Once the Plan has been produced – it will need to show that it has been produced with extensive and wide-ranging consultation with all the community – it then goes to planning authority who may require revisions. Once accepted by the planning authority an Independent Inspector ensures it is consonant with all other planning documents. Finally if approved by the Inspector ir goes to a vote of all residents (and sometimes businesses)in the area For more information go to: http://mycommunityrights.org.uk/neighbourhood- planning/http://mycommunityrights.org.uk/neighbourhood- planning/ www.communitymatters.org.uk

7. Community Right to Build is an enabling Right supporting local people to undertake community led development (communities collectively owning, developing and/or managing their own land and developments). As an alternative to the traditional application for planning permission, it gives communities the power to decide for themselves what happens in their neighbourhood. It depends entirely what local people decide their community needs. The benefits of these developments, such as any profits generated, will be managed by a community organisation on behalf of the whole community For more information go to http://mycommunityrights.org.uk/community-right-to-build/ http://mycommunityrights.org.uk/community-right-to-build/ www.communitymatters.org.uk

8. Support programmes run by Locality and Social Investment Business and other partners. Right to Bid and Right to Challenge programmes provide pre-feasibility grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 or a feasibility grants of between £10,000 and £100,000 Right to Bid will also support Community Asset Transfers (CAT) Neighbourhood Planning and Right to Build support programmes also provide some grant support for costs and some free consultancy, support and advice Programmes run this financial year and also into next financial year although a possible smaller pot for grants in next year. For more information go to: http://mycommunityrights.org.uk/http://mycommunityrights.org.uk/ www.communitymatters.org.uk

9. Organisations with a valid reference number from the Community Rights Advice Service Community interest groups with well evidenced local connections including Registered charity; Community interest company; Company limited by guarantee that are non-profit distributing Industrial and Provident Societies that are non-profit distributing, or a parish council Based and working in England Able to demonstrate good levels of local control with local people and local representatives making the majority of decisions Have not previously received a pre-feasibility grant from this fund or the Community Right to Challenge Grant Programme Not able to finance the work required from the organisation’s own fund www.communitymatters.org.uk

10. Able to complete feasibility works within a 6 month timeframe. Able to provide evidence having identified a specific asset or a number of options that have the potential to meet the asset need. Or provide evidence of specific commissioning opportunity where you have already submitted an expression of interest or intend to do so shortly. Able to provide evidence of initial business planning and research. Able to provide credible evidence of organisational strength and relevant expertise in relation to asset management/delivery of relevant type of commissioned service. Able to provide evidence of a detailed work plan and timeline that links to specific steps that need to be completed to become investment ready and able to take on an asset/compete in a competitive tender. Able to demonstrate the benefits that arise from the proposed Community Ownership and Management of Assets/ or the delivery of service by your organisation. www.communitymatters.org.uk

11. Pre-feasibility grant funding is available for revenue expenditure which relates to internal capacity building and management capability Feasibility grant funding is available for revenue expenditure which relates to developing investment proposals, carrying out feasibility studies and equipping organisations to take on asset ownership and managemen/be commission ready. Examples of the types of revenue expenditure that qualify include: Purchasing external expertise Development of comprehensive business plans Training Market research and product development Examples of the types of capital expenditure that qualify include: Professional fees to produce building related plans, e.g. drawings, ground/building surveys, planning consent, leases, and other hard outputs. Other one-off fees e.g. legal fees. www.communitymatters.org.uk

12. Neighbourhood Planning The Supporting Communities in Neighbourhood Planning programme will support groups developing neighbourhood plans in two ways: direct support – advice and support, with an average value of equivalent to £9,500, tailored to meet the needs of supported neighbourhoods direct support grant payments – up to £7,000 per neighbourhood area, to contribute to costs incurred by the group preparing a neighbourhood plan or order. grant payments You can apply for either direct support, or a grant, or BOTH. More details at http://mycommunityrights.org.uk/neighbourhood-planning/http://mycommunityrights.org.uk/neighbourhood-planning/ www.communitymatters.org.uk

13. Right to Build The funding is to help community organisations by providing a contribution towards the costs of preparing a submission for a Community Right to Build Order, including consulting in the local area and developing the scheme proposal. Download application forms and Guidance notes at http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/community-right-to-build http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/community-right-to-build www.communitymatters.org.uk

14. o Community Matters Online Guidance and information www.communitymatters.org.uk/onlineguidance o Community Matters Free Advice Service www.communtymatters.org.uk/support or phone 08454 847 4253 Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings o Richard Bridge, Director of Operations richard.bridge@communitymatters.org.uk or phone 0207 837 7887 www.communitymatters.org.uk