In a move hailed by community groups and local leaders as a groundbreaking moment for grassroots empowerment, ministers in England have announced that communities will be given the power to buy and control community assets – such as pubs, shops, and healthcare facilities – for the first time.
The new law, which comes into effect next month, gives local people who want to help others the right to purchase and manage these vital community assets. This move is seen as a significant shift in the balance of power between local authorities and community groups, allowing them to take ownership of initiatives that benefit their areas.
“This is an amazing moment for communities across England,” said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. “For too long, community groups have been at the mercy of local councils when it comes to decision-making on vital community assets. With this new law, we are giving them the power to take control and make decisions that benefit their own communities.”
The law is part of a wider package of reforms aimed at empowering local people and giving them more control over their communities. It builds on existing measures such as co-operative ownership schemes and community land trusts, which allow local groups to purchase and manage assets in their areas.
Community groups have been campaigning for years for greater control over community assets, citing examples such as struggling pubs and shops that are often sold off by local councils to private developers without any input from the communities they serve. The new law provides a way for these groups to come together, pool their resources, and take control of initiatives that benefit their areas.
“It’s about time we gave communities the power to decide what happens in our own backyards,” said Sarah Jones, chair of the Community Asset Trust, which has been instrumental in campaigning for the new law. “We’ve seen too many examples of community groups being marginalized by local councils when it comes to decision-making on vital assets. This law gives us a chance to take control and make decisions that benefit our own communities.”
The law is expected to have a significant impact on communities across England, particularly in areas where local authorities are under-resourced or disempowering local groups. It will also provide an opportunity for community groups to come together and develop innovative solutions to address local needs.
As the new law comes into effect, community leaders and activists are eagerly awaiting their chance to take control of vital community assets. With the government providing support and guidance to help them get started, it’s clear that this is just the beginning of a new era of community empowerment in England.
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