The government has unveiled more than £60m of funding to support people in local communities to take over local assets such as pubs and community halls.
Steve Reed, the communities secretary, yesterday announced the £61m Community Right to Buy Fund, aimed at helping people revive or maintain assets with value to their local community.
The community right to buy, which was passed into law earlier this year, allows local organisations to purchase an asset of community value without competition when it comes up for sale, if they have sufficient funds.
This could include community venues or local spaces, youth clubs or even empty shops.
Speaking at an event in London yesterday, Reed said: “I want communities to take more power for themselves.
“A new £60m Community Right to Buy Fund will support groups to take over and run pubs, clubs, community centres and sports halls.”
Reed said there was more the government could do to extend “outcomes-focused commissioning” as the default way decisions were made.
“This opens up the space dramatically to new cross-sector partnerships and collaboration, and to finding new and better ways to support people that respect the relationships that sustain them and the place they belong to,” he said.
Ed Wallis, director of policy and engagement at Locality, a membership body for community organisations, said the fund was “an important step forward” but warned more money would be needed.
“The announcement of the £61m Community Right to Buy Fund is a welcome move to help save our spaces and improve our communities – because rights without resources aren’t really rights.
“However, we know demand will far outstrip the money available, so this needs to be the start of an ambitious step change for community ownership.
“We look forward to working with the secretary of state, alongside funders and social investors, to make sure this money has maximum impact.
“With the right support, communities can transform their local area, and make a real difference to people’s lives.”