Community right to bid

The Localism Act introduced new community rights that aim to devolve power from government to communities, local authorities and individuals. Find out more, visit www.mycommunityrights.org.uk

The community right to bid allows voluntary and community organisations to nominate privately and publicly owned assets for inclusion on a register of assets of community value.

If something on the register is offered for sale community interest groups will have up to a maximum of six months to prepare a bid to buy it:

• The owner of the property must advise us when they intend to sell the property and we will inform the nominator.
• If an eligible community interest group notifies the council within six weeks that it wishes to bid for the property, it will have up to six months in which to prepare its case.
• If no community interest group notifies the council within six weeks that it wishes to bid, the owner is free to sell their property as they see fit.
• At the end of the six month period, the owner is free to sell to whoever they choose and at whatever price.

This gives community groups an increased chance to save local facilities by developing a proposal and raising the required capital.