RESIDENTS will have the right to bid for shops, pubs and libraries threatened with closure.
The Government today unveiled its Localism Bill, which will allow communities to attempt to buy vital assets.
The bill, which will be presented in the House of Commons on Monday, will give residents the right to nominate shops, pubs, libraries and leisure centres to be registered on a most wanted list.
If a listed asset was due to go on the market, the sale would be delayed triggering a ‘community countdown’ giving people time to prepare a business plan and raise funds to bid.
The Localism Bill will also establish a community right to challenge.
Voluntary groups, frontline council workers and parish councils will be able to attempt to take over running children’s centres and social care services.
Under the new law, councils must respond to this challenge and consider the positive impact the proposal could have.
If the challenge is turned down, the council must publish the reasons for its rejection.
Communities secretary Eric Pickles today welcomed the bill.
“For too long people have been powerless to intervene as vital community resources disappear from their areas,” he said.
“This bill will put control back where it belongs – with the people at the heart of our villages, towns and cities.
“This is a massive opportunity for the community and voluntary sector to demonstrate their innovation and the new ideas they can bring to the table for better, cost-effective services.”
Kirklees Council leader Clr Mehboob Khan welcomed the planned right to bid for assets under threat.
