Assets of Community Value

(Community right to BID)

The Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations implement the Assets of Community Value scheme set out in part 5 of the Localism Act 2011.

The provisions give local groups a right to nominate land or property to be listed as assets of community value if the principal use of the asset furthers their community's social well-being or social interests and is likely to do so in the future.

If the asset is listed the provisions have the effect of allowing specific community groups a fairer chance to mobilise themselves to bid for it should the owner wish to dispose of it. However, it is a right to bid and not a right to buy.

Who can nominate an asset?

The voluntary or community bodies which may make community nominations are defined in the regulations as:

• A parish council or neighbouring parish council if it borders an unparished area
• An unincorporated body with at least 21 local individuals who appear on the electoral role within St Helens Borough Council's area or neighbouring local authority and which does not distribute any surplus it makes to its members
• A neighbourhood forum
• Community interest groups with a local connection which must have appropriate one of the following structures:
  • A charity
  • A community interest company
  • A company limited by guarantee that is non profit distributing
  • An industrial and provident society that is non-profit distributing

What counts as an asset of community value?

Section 88 of the Localism Act states that the asset will be considered to be one of community value if all of the following apply:

• Its actual current use furthers the social wellbeing and interests of the local community, or a use in the recent past has done so (recent past is considered to be five years)
• That use is not an ancillary one
• For land in current community use it is realistic to think that there will continue to be a use which furthers social wellbeing and interests, or for land that has been in community use in the recent past, it is realistic to think that there will be community use within the next five years
• It does not fall within one of the exemptions

How is a nomination made?

A nomination has to include specific information. To ensure that you comply with the regulations, please use the nomination form in the 'Downloads' section below.

Nomination forms can be returned to propertyservices@sthelens.gov.uk

View our Assets of Community Value Listings