Assets of Community Value

Part 5, Chapter 3, of the Localism Act 2011 ('the Act'), and the Assets of Community Value ( England ) Regulations 2012 ('the 2012 Regulations') together deliver the 'Community Right to Bid' scheme.

This scheme gives communities the opportunity to:

  • Identify assets of community value;
  • Have the assets registered with the District Council, and;
  • When the assets are put up for sale, allow communities more time to raise finance and prepared bids for the assets.

 

Making a Nomination

Under the 2012 Regulations only specified community groups/representatives (which are defined as having a 'local connection' to the District) are able to nominate assets for registration:

  1. A parish/town council.
  2. A local neighbourhood forum.
  3. An unincorporated body whose membership must be formed of at least 21 individuals registered to vote in Cannock Chase District , and which does not distribute any surplus made to its members.
  4. A charity.
  5. A company limited by guarantee which does not distribute any surplus made to its members.
  6. An industrial and provident society which does not distribute any surplus made to its members.
  7. A community interest group

Under section 88(1) of the Act, a building or other land in the District is land of community value if in the Council's opinion:

  1. An actual current use of the building or other land that is not an ancillary use furthers the social wellbeing or social interest of the local community, and;
  2. It is realistic to think that there can continue to be a non-ancillary use of the building or other land which will further (whether or not in the same way) the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community (see S88(1) of the Act.

Residential properties and land are not considered to be land of community value, and therefore cannot be listed.

To submit a nomination, please complete the form available listed further up this page.  Please provide all relevant details, including; the address of the property, details of the owner, the extent of the site and why you feel it is an asset of community value.  Please also attach a plan, where possible, showing the correct boundaries of the site outlined in red.

Once complete, email the form to: membersservices@cannockchasedc.gov.uk or by post to:

Democratic Services
Cannock Chase District Council
Civic Centre
PO Box 28
Beecroft Road
Cannock
WS11 1BG

What we will do next

Once we have received the completed form, we will consider and check the eligibility of the nomination and if we feel the asset does have community value it will be added to the "Register of Assets of Community Value".  Assets will remain on the register for five years and charges will be registered against the property.  Nominations will be assessed within 8 weeks of being confirmed as a valid nomination.

If we decide to register the asset you will be advised that the assets has been added to the register and of the date in five years time when it will be removed.  When the five year period has expired you may submit a new nomination.

Once the asset has been registered, the asset owner has the right to request a review and there will be a process for an appeal to an independent body.  Further guidance will be provided to the owner of the asset at that time.

We will notify the nominator and other interested parties of our decision, and if we have refused the nomination we will also provide an explanation as to why it was unsuccessful.  In these circumstances, the property will be added to the register of 'List of Unsuccessful Nominations for Assets of Community Value' and will remain on the register for five years.  Nominators are not able to appeal the decision made in respect of the asset.

Making a Bid / Expression of Interest (EoI)

Once the asset is registered, the owner of that asset must notify us of their intention to sell that property.  This will be publicised on our website and all interested parties will be notified in writing.

Any eligible community group (as defined in the 2012 Regulations) wishing to make a bid must write to us within 6 weeks of receiving our written notification, confirming its 'Expression of Interest (EoI)' to purchase the property.  An EoI form together with guidance notes can be downloaded further up this page.

Once complete, email the form to: membersservices@cannockchasedc.gov.uk or by post to:

Democratic Services
Cannock Chase District Council
Civic Centre
PO Box 28
Beecroft Road
Cannock
WS11 1BG

The group will then have a period of 6 months within which to place its bid.  If there is more than one community group interested in purchasing we would encourage those groups to work together.  The 6 months runs from the date the owner notifies us of their intention to sell the property.

At any point before the end of the 6 months period you may enter into negotiations with the owner of the property provided the owner is willing to do this.  You must, however, keep us informed of developments.

At the end of the 6 months period, provided you have successfully put a bid together, the owner has the option to sell to the community group or to sell it freely on the open market

 

Last Updated:

A to Z of Services