Issue - items at meetings - Community Rights Under Localism Act 2011

Report of the Monitoring Officer (copy attached).

(1)               That the introduction of the Community Right to Challenge and the Community Right to Bid and the new rights they afford to local communities be noted;

(2)               That a window of opportunity for expressions of interest under the Community Right to Challenge as set out at paragraph 3.13 of the report be approved;

(3)               That the proposed procedure for administering an expression of interest under the Community Right to Challenge as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, including delegation to the relevant Strategic Director or Director the assessment of timescales for determining expressions of interest, within a minimum and maximum time period of 6 to 26 weeks be approved;

(4)               That the Head of Property and Design and to the Head of Law be granted delegated authority to take all steps necessary to comply with the statutory obligations placed on the Council in relation to the Community Right to Bid, including authority to determine appeals and claims for compensation; and

(5)               That officers be instructed to publicise details of the Community Right to Challenge and the Community Right to Bid on the Council’s website, and in Town Halls and libraries, including how to submit expressions of interests and nominations.

62.1         The Principal Lawyer introduced the report which outlined two new community rights which had come into force following the Localism Act 2011; and sought approval for the process outlined to accommodate these new rights that were available to local communities.

62.2         Councillor G. Theobald welcomed the report and the proposed arrangements to enable the council to deal with any issues raised under either of the two rights.

62.3         The Chair noted that the proposals enabled the council to plan ahead for any matters that may be raised and therefore supported the recommendations which he put to the vote.

62.4         RESOLVED:

(1)         That the introduction of the Community Right to Challenge and the Community Right to Bid and the new rights they afford to local communities be noted;

(2)         That a window of opportunity for expressions of interest under the Community Right to Challenge as set out at paragraph 3.13 of the report be approved;

(3)         That the proposed procedure for administering an expression of interest under the Community Right to Challenge as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, including delegation to the relevant Strategic Director or Director the assessment of timescales for determining expressions of interest, within a minimum and maximum time period of 6 to 26 weeks be approved;

(4)         That the Head of Property and Design and to the Head of Law be granted delegated authority to take all steps necessary to comply with the statutory obligations placed on the Council in relation to the Community Right to Bid, including authority to determine appeals and claims for compensation; and

(5)         That officers be instructed to publicise details of the Community Right to Challenge and the Community Right to Bid on the Council’s website, and in Town Halls and libraries, including how to submit expressions of interests and nominations.