Making Bath & North East Somerset an even better place to live, work & visit The Localism Act- New “Community Rights” A Quick Guide from the Policy and Partnerships Team

Making Bath & North East Somerset an even better place to live, work & visit Quick Summary Localism Act 2011 Community Right to Challenge- now enacted Community Right to Build- part of Neighbourhood Planning “Community Right to Buy/Bid” – Assets of Community Value – To begin from October 2012 Friday 1st April 20112

Community “Right to Bid/Buy” Communities identify assets of community value Communities get time and support to bid for assets Local authorities hold and control a list of assets of community value More communities take control of local assets

Making Bath & North East Somerset an even better place to live, work & visit THE LIST OF ASSETS OF COMMUNTIY VALUE- QUICK SUMMARY Requires local authority to maintain a list of land assets nominated by the community that are considered to be of community value. The criteria for entry onto this register are The actual current use of the building/land must further the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community, and it must be realistic to think that this can continue (albeit in another form). Recent uses can also be included in this definition. Those able to request that something be placed on the register of assets of community value will be limited to parish councils and voluntary or community bodies with a local connection There are exemptions to what can be included- eg residential dwellings, and assets that form part of a larger estate which is to be disposed of as a going concern. Once an asset is placed on the list, the owner cannot dispose of it unless they have notified the local authority in writing and complied with specific time restrictions, as set out in the next slide

Making Bath & North East Somerset an even better place to live, work & visit

This right gives voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, charities, parish councils and relevant local authority staff the right to submit an expression of interest (EoI) to take over the running of a local authority service. If the EoI is accepted, the Council must undertake a procurement exercise for that service. Community Right to Challenge

Making Bath & North East Somerset an even better place to live, work & visit COMMUNITY RIGHT TO BUILD –Part of new approach to Neighbourhood Planning contained in the Act –Alternative to a traditional application for planning permission- designed to allow a particular scheme (eg new affordable housing or community facilities) to go forward so long as there is local support and the processes required are followed- including approval through a local referendum. –The local community would need to identify the land and other resources needed for the project and the idea also is that the benefits of the development will be retained by the community

Making Bath & North East Somerset an even better place to live, work & visit What might the new community rights be used for? What do you want to achieve? Protecting an existing local facility Securing additional facilities Improving existing local facility or service What Tool could you use? Assets of Community Value (“Community Right to Bid”) Community Right to Build (Planning) Community Right to Challenge

Making Bath & North East Somerset an even better place to live, work & visit Are there other ways of achieving? What do you want to achieve?“Tools for the Job” Use existing planning designations; increase usage/viability of facility Use existing planning system; make funding cases Directly approach service provider with ideas; identify funding opportunities Protecting an existing local facility Securing additional facilities Improving existing local facility or service

Making Bath & North East Somerset an even better place to live, work & visit Taking a step back What do you want to –Change? –Stay the same? –Create anew? –What is the evidence for this? What is the Plan for achieving this and over what timescale? What tools are best used for achieving this Plan? –Neighbourhood Planning? –Community Rights? –Influence? –Partnership working? –External funding?

Making Bath & North East Somerset an even better place to live, work & visit Contact us Keynsham and Chew Valley – Bath and Environs – Somer Valley – Friday 1st April