A well attended meeting of representatives from local community groups, held on Thursday 24th April, gave enthusiastic support to a plan to create a list of Assets of Community Value for Marple and surrounding villages. The Right to Bid (and the associated List of Assets of Community Value) is one of four "community rights" conferred by the Localism Act of 2012.
The meeting was addressed by Andrew Stunell MP, Holly Rae, SMBC Corporate Policy Officer and Gillian Postill chair of Marple Civic Society.
Andrew Stunell, who as a government minister helped write the bill, discussed how the Localism Act was intended to provided new opportunities for communities to take greater control of their affairs.
However, whilst welcoming this initiative, he cautioned that the legislation is still new, aspects are still being tested and it will take time for the legislation to "bed in".
Holly Rae explained the listing criteria, the nomination process and how Stockport MBC will work with communities to create and maintain a list. She commented that Stockport has only one "Asset of Community Value" listed currently and looked forward to working with the communities from Marple and surrounding villages to substantially increase the number.
Gillian Postill explained how the Civic Society would work with Stockport MBC by making nominations and assisting other local groups by making nominations on their behalf if they did not meet the nomination criteria.
For further information see the following websites:
My Community Rights
Stockport MBC Right to Bid
Or contact Gillian Postill on 07793 214 591
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