Local organisations have until 8 February to submit applications for capital grants worth between £100,000 and £500,000 to take over community assets such as local pubs or libraries.
Already more than £230,000 in cash from the DCLG’s Community Assets and Services Grant has been committed to 21 local groups seeking to use ‘Right to Bid’ powers to retain community assets and deliver local services.
The grants scheme is overseen for the DCLG by a partnership formed of the Social Investment Business (SIB), asset transfer experts Locality and third sector leaders group ACEVO.
Steve Wyler, CEO, Locality said: ‘Locality’s community rights advice service has received an overwhelming number of enquiries and enthusiasm for change in communities, from those wanting to run local services, transfer assets, and purchase land and buildings.
‘The Community Assets and Services Grants make local people’s plans possible – giving ownership to those who value and use these amenities. Locality welcomes the capital grants for the purchase of assets which have the potential to be vibrant and essential local hubs.’
Organisations wishing to apply for the Community Assets and Services Grants are advised to contact the Community Rights Advice Service at http://mycommunityrights.org.uk/