Elms Hut NHS Physiotherapy Clinic and Bishops Waltham Youth Hall - the ‘Community Right to Bid’
Winchester City Council has received notice that two buildings regarded as ‘assets of community value’ in Bishop’s Waltham are open to bids from local interest groups. The Elms Hut NHS Physiotherapy Clinic and Bishops Waltham Youth Hut, both in Malt Lane, Bishops Waltham.
A parish council, charity, community interest company, company limited by guarantee or industrial and provident society may submit an expression of interest for these assets as a potential bidder. Interested parties have until 5 September 2017 in the case of Elms Hut NHS Physiotherapy Clinic, and by 11 September 2017 in the case of the Youth Hall to express an interest in writing. To discuss this, please contact Steve Lincoln, Community Planning Manager at Winchester City Council on 01962 840222 (email: slincoln@winchester.gov.uk).
NOTES:
Both buildings were added to Winchester City Council’s list of ‘Assets of Community Value’ in 2013 because of the services they provide to further the social well-being of the local community.
Under the Localism Act 2011 (Section 95) local facilities that are considered to be of value to a community can be placed on the list to give local people a chance to bid for them before they are sold on the open market.
There are two key elements to the Community Right to Bid process:
- Nomination of an asset of community value – this happened in the early part of 2013 for the both buildings, which were nominated by the Parish Council and agreed by the City Council.
- Sale moratorium - an initial period of six weeks once the City Council receives a notification of sale or transfer of a lease. If a request to be treated as a potential bidder is received and accepted from an appropriate community interest group, this period is extended to six months.
The City Council has now received notification of both owners’ intention to dispose of their property, this stops a relevant disposal for six months. Submission of a bid then allows the group a period of six months from the original notification to the Council, in order to prepare and negotiate a competitive bid for the building with the current owner, during which time the property cannot be sold on the open market.