The Localism Bill has been published, giving local people and organisations the right to buy community assets like pubs, shops and libraries. But council spending cuts of up to of up to 28% over four years were also announced. See here for the Localism Bill at a glance.
Pubs and community assets could be bought by community groups if councils put them up on a 'most wanted list' - local people would then have time to prepare a business plan and raise the funds to bid for it. The idea of community groups owning local pubs embodies the Conservative's topical 'big society' idea.
In a CLG press release Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, said:
"This powerful series of measures puts new rights in law for people to protect, improve and even run important frontline services. For too long people have been powerless to intervene as vital community resources disappear from their areas. The Community Rights measures will put control back where it belongs - with the people at the heart of our villages, towns and cities."
Pickles also wrote in the Telegraph that the Bill 'gives town halls back their clout'. But in a Morning Advertiser article, MP and community pubs Minister Greg Mullholland warned the Great British Pub faces a critical year with the VAT rise due and cheap off-sales set to continue.
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