Community Rights

Community Rights is about giving more decision-making powers to individuals, communities and councils. 

Community Rights cover a wide range of issues related to local public services, with a particular focus on the general power of competence, community rights, neighbourhood planning and housing.

For more information visit the website my Community.

Community Right to Bid -  nominations

Community Right places a duty upon us to maintain a list of assets (land and buildings) in our area that are of community value. These are nominated by the local community and include unsuccessful nominations.

For a list of past and present nominations see assets of community value nominations.

What is an asset of community value?

Building or other land should be considered an asset of community value if:

• It is at least partly within the local authority area
• It's actual current use furthers the social wellbeing and interests of the local community, or a use in the past has done so
• That use is not an ancillary one
• For land in current use it is realistic to think that there will continue to be a use which furthers social well being and interests, or for land in community use in the recent past to think that there will be community use within the next 5 years
• It does not fall within one of the exemptions listed in the Regulations. These are listed in the Asset of Community Value Regulations (see related links)

Who can nominate an asset of community value?

The following voluntary and community organisations with a local connection can nominate an asset for inclusion on the list:

• Neighbourhood forums
• Parish councils
• Unincorporated bodies of 21 named members
• A charity
• Company limited by guarantee
• Industrial or provident society
• Community interest company

How to nominate

You can nominate by completing our online nomination form.

Community right to bid nomination form

To view a flow chart outlining the nomination process see flow chart nomination process (PDF) [173KB] .

Pre-nomination discussion

We would strongly encourage any group who is interested in nominating an asset to engage in a pre-nomination discussion by contacting cwbinfo@preston.gov.uk.

We will not normally enter into correspondence with local groups making a nomination.

We will determine the outcome of any submission based upon the evidence provided to us.  However, we may, at our own discretion, seek clarification if certain matters need clarification. 

Any group considering making a nomination should therefore ensure that it complies fully with the requirements of the nomination process before it is submitted to us.

Community Right to Bid - expression of interest

If any assets of community value come up for sale, the local community will be given 6 months to prepare a bid to buy the asset. The right to list does not apply to residential property.

To view the process regarding sale of an asset, see sale of asset process (PDF) [355KB] .

Community Right to Bid is aimed at levelling the playing field by giving communities more time to prepare a bid for key assets that are for sale on the open market. It does not restrict in any way who the owner of a listed asset can sell to, or at what price, and it does not confer a right of first refusal to community interest groups.

Current assets for sale

No current assets for sale.

Grants and support

Funding and support is available to help local people take control of land and buildings, local services, neighbourhood planning and the local economy.

Grants and support are currently available for:

• Neighbourhood Planning
• Community Economic Development

How to express an interest

To express an interest in an asset of community value complete the following form:

Community Right to Bid - express an interest

What happens next?

Once you have completed and submitted your form, we will contact you within five working days to discuss the next steps of your expression of interest.

Frequently asked questions

But what does social interest and social wellbeing mean?

Social interests include (a) cultural interests; (b) recreational interests; (c) sporting interests.

Wellbeing is the things that people value in their life that contributes to them reaching their potential (economic, social or environmental).

Is it realistic to think that there can continue to be a main use of the building or land which will further the social interests or social wellbeing of the community?

We will need to determine whether or not there is a realistic prospect of continued use of the asset to be nominated.

Whilst there is not an expectation that any group provide a fully costed business plan, nominations will be expected to demonstrate how the asset would be purchased, funded, and managed. This might therefore include: 

• Evidence of what the expected purchase price/cost of long term lease of the asset is, and that specific funding sources have been identified which are capable of meeting these costs.
• Details of what consideration that has been given to the potential running costs of the asset.  Again, this does not have to be exact, but any information that is provided must be able to demonstrate the amount that would need to be budgeted for on an annual/monthly basis to keep the asset open/operational and to provide the services/activities that you hope to provide.
• An indication as to how these running costs would be funded on an ongoing basis, eg, would this be from grant funding or income?
• Details of the type of activities to be provided by the asset.