Reduced Services
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
In line with social distancing advice and to protect residents and staff the Council has taken the decision to close the Council offices to the public until further notice.
Whilst the offices are closed to visitors, you are still able to access services and information from this website 24/7.
Information and advice on coronavirus (COVID-19) and how to access Council Services during this period can be found on our Coronavirus information page
You are invited to view and contribute to the The Mayor's Covid Record of Reflection
TIER 4 Message from the Mayor Colin Riley and Leader Norman Smith
Community Right to Bid
The Community Right to Bid, introduced as part of the Localism Act 2011 enables town and parish councils and local voluntary and community organisations to nominate local land or buildings to be included in the List of Community Value held by the Council.
Who can do what?
- Its current primary use of the building or land or use of the building or land in the recent past furthers or has furthered the social wellbeing or social interest of the local community.
- It is realistic to think that now or in the next five years there could continue to be primary use of the building or land to further social wellbeing or social interests of the local community (whether or not in the same way)
- Letting the local authority know they intend to sell or grant a lease of over 25 years
- Waiting until the end of the six week interim moratorium period if the local authority does not receive a request from a community interest group to be treated as a potential bidder
- Waiting until the end of the six month full moratorium period if a community group requests that they are treated as a potential bidder.
The Process
- The groups that can make nominations, which include community groups of 21 persons or more, incorporated community groups, Parish Councils, neighbourhood forums and charities that have a local connection to the area
- Premises that are exempt which are primarily residential
- What steps the local authority would have to take to when considering to list land as an asset of community value and upon listing that land which includes notifying the relevant parties
- Arrangements for owners to make appeals on decisions to list or award compensation on only losses incurred in the as a result of being listed (internal reviews and external tribunals)
- Exemptions to the six month moratorium being applied when land is put up for sale or long term lease
Who to contact
Other Considerations
- Support on the use of this right can be found at the Locality My Community Rights website.
- If a building is listed as an asset of community value this may be a material consideration if the owner applies for a change of use
- Neighbourhood plans can allocate assets for community use in site allocation proposal plans. If there is good evidence to support the case (which may include sites that do not meet the criteria for assets of community value) this may give additional weight to any decision and be informed by the list of nominated community assets
- The Local Plan aims to promote the retention and development of local services and community facilities which will be taken into account when assessing planning applications
- If the local authority owns the building or land the community groups may wish to consider Community Asset Transfer more information can be obtained from the Asset Transfer Unit