Localism Bill receives Royal Assent

The Localism Bill has received royal assent and, as the Localism Act, will grant new rights to communities to bid for land and run local authority services. The legislation will require local authorities to maintain lists of 'assets for community value'. If any of these assets comes up for sale, the local authority must allow a suspension of six months on the sale of the asset, so that local groups have time to put together a bid to take it over for community benefit. The right to bid in the new Act is weaker than originally proposed by community groups, because it does not give community organisations first refusal when community assets come up for sale. However, community organisations have successfully lobbied against attempts to weaken it further by reducing the suspension period from six months to three. For further information on the Localism Bill visit http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/localism.html.