Thomas Bridge 03 February 2015

Hand communities more power over services and pubs, say MPs

Communities should be given more power to shape local services, save pubs from closure and build housing, MPs have said.

Members of the Communities and Local Government Committee today urged ministers to undertake sweeping changes to Community Rights measures, which were introduced two years ago to help residents have a greater say over buildings and land.

 

MPs argued residents should be allowed to halt the sale of local pubs nine for months instead of the current six, giving them more time to develop a bid of their own and 'save a much-loved local'.

Councils were called on to explore how to 'more routinely' involve communities in the commissioning and delivery of local services outside of the potentially confrontational Right to Challenge, which MPs branded a 'nuclear option'.

Pressure was also raised to strengthen awareness of where residents can express an interest in local land, alongside removing complexity surrounding community efforts to build housing.

Committee chair, Clive Betts, said: 'The opportunity to take on and run a pub, a post office or a community centre is the opportunity to make a real contribution to local life. But the Government's Community Rights programme currently puts too many obstacles in the way for most local people to turn this opportunity into reality.

'The Government also needs to make people more aware of the Community Rights by focusing on what people want to achieve in their local area and promoting the Rights as one potential solution. As part of this, the Government should redirect some resources to community group umbrella organisations who could provide more face-to-face support and advice.

'We also need new forms of community engagement, particularly in areas of deprivation, so people can develop their skills in community organisation and ultimately use the existing Rights themselves.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Early Help Family Practitioner - 12 month FTC

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£39150.00 - £42861.00 per annum
Be the support that helps families find their strength and move forward.Be the support that helps families find their strength and move forward. As England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development

Swansea Council
£73,908 - £85,884
As Head of HR and OD Swansea (Abertawe)
Recuriter: Swansea Council

Early Help Practitioner

Durham County Council
Grade 6, £28,142 - £31,022 per annum
Durham County Council are on a continuous improvement journey in relation to its Early Help service. We are one of 75 Local Authorities who are part o Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Legal Clerical Assistant

Durham County Council
£26,403 to £28,598 p.a. (Grade 5)
A vacancy has arisen within Business Services for a full time, permanent Legal Clerical Assistant to provide legal clerical support to solicitors and Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Practice Coordinator

Durham County Council
Grade 13 - £47,181 - £51,356
Do you love supporting practitioners to bring their best selves to their work? We are looking for a Practice Coordinator to support our Social Worker Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner