Love your library, cherish your church, partial to your pub? Consultation to protect community facilities launched

People across Wales are encouraged to have their say on new plans to give communities more power over how local buildings and facilities are run.

The Welsh Government is considering developing a bespoke Welsh law to help communities bid for, own and run assets transferred from the public and private sectors, such as  halls, churches, playing fields, pubs and post offices.

Alternative proposals set out in the Protecting Community Assets Consultation include strengthening existing guidance on community assets, or mirroring the current situation in England through enacting the Assets of Community Value Measures in the Localism Act 2011.

Developing a bespoke law would provide the maximum flexibility to suit the specific needs of Welsh communities and enable the Welsh Government to build on the strengths and weaknesses of the English system.

Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, Lesley Griffiths, said:

“Community halls, playing fields and post offices all play a central role in providing crucial services and keeping people connected in our communities. However, the current challenging financial climate has placed great pressure on such facilities.

“When buildings and services which are working well and are important to the community are at risk of closure, we want to enable communities to take over ownership. This will not only ensure these key services continue, but also create jobs and skills opportunities for local people.

“The consultation I am launching today, sets out ways we can help protect important assets across Wales. This includes exploring whether introducing a new law, specifically tailored to Wales, would best serve communities across the country. I believe in the power of our communities and I look forward to hearing people’s views on this important topic.”

Lesley Griffiths will launch the consultation at Monwel Signs, a successful social enterprise in Ebbw Vale which has been run by the local community since 2013, when ownership was transferred from Blaenau Gwent Council.

Monwel, which is the largest manufacturer of road traffic signs and signage in Wales, provides employment to disabled people and to those who have previously been out of work for a long time or faced barriers to employment.

Leslie Barr, Managing Director, Monwel, said:

“It is a pleasure to welcome Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty to Monwel.  This will allow her to see the good work which is being done following an asset transfer, the safeguarding of employment of 29 local people and a further employment of 5 more.”

Blaenau Gwent Council is a forerunner in community asset transfer, taking positive steps to help transfer facilities to third sector organisations where appropriate. Councillor Steve Thomas, Blaenau Gwent Council’s Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Business Services said:

“In Blaenau Gwent we are working towards becoming a more modern authority and we have been able to use Community Asset Transfers as a positive way of maintaining some services and keeping them at the heart of our communities. Facilities that have been transferred to community groups, social enterprises and charities have ranged from sports halls and community centres to park lodges and even a cinema and we are looking to build on this success over the coming months.”