Help boost the ‘Save the DLI Museum’ fund by clicking on the link provided below and donating as little as £1 to help fund the cause. All funds raised will go directly to help finance any legal and accountancy services needed in such a battle.
We believe in this, and so should you, after all, it’s your heritage, your history, your heart as well so click HERE for more or copy and paste the link below
https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/john-stephenson
I suggest you immediately investigate listing the museum as an Asset of Community Value. Google for further information.
The Localism Act 2011 introduces an important new power for local communities to protect buildings they value. The Community Right to Bid came into effect on 21 September 2012. This is relevant to all civic societies and community groups.
This new right means communities can ask their local council to list certain assets as being of value to the community. If an asset is listed and then comes up for sale, the new right will give communities that want it 6 months to put together a bid to buy it. This gives communities an increased chance to save much loved shops, pubs or other local facilities.
Parish councils or local community groups can nominate both privately and publicly owned assets which meet the definition of community value.
A building or land in your council’s area can be listed as an asset of community value if:
current primary use of the building/land or use of the building in the recent past furthers the social well-being or social interests (cultural, recreational, or sporting interests) of the local community
it is realistic to think that now or in the next five years there could continue to be primary use of the building which will further the social well-being or social interests of the local community (whether or not in the same way as before)
Owners of listed assets cannot dispose of them without:
letting the local authority know that they intend to sell the asset or grant a lease of more than 25 years
waiting until the end of a six week ‘interim moratorium’ period if the local authority does not receive a request from a community interest group to be treated as a potential bidder
waiting until the end of a six month ‘full moratorium’ period if the local authority does receive a request from a community interest group to be treated as a potential bidder
See Civic Voice.
Civic Voice is a member of the Localism Alliance. The Alliance represents over 200,000 individuals and nearly 10,000 grassroots organisations.
Civic Voice, CAMRA, National Association of Local Councils, Plunkett Foundation, The Theatres Trust and Supporters Direct work together to help their members and communities embrace the powers available to them to protect local community assets.
CAMRA
National Association of Local Councils
Plunkett Foundation
Supporters Direct
The Theatres Trust
What sort of things can be listed as an Asset of Community Value?
Although the Act notes that “social interests” includes “cultural, recreational and sporting interests” the phrase “social well-being” can apply to a much broader set of activities. Assets of Community Value might therefore include any land or building listed as below – although this is not meant as an exhaustive or definitive list.
This could include:
Shops
Pubs
Community/Village halls
Nurseries and children’s centres
Health centres, surgeries and hospitals
Sport, recreation and culture
Parks and open green spaces
Sports grounds
Theatres and cinemas
Swimming pools and lidos
Community services
Community centres
Youth centres
More information is available by contacting Civic Voice on info@civicvoice.org.uk.
Learn More
Local authority information for each area here
Locality has produced a useful briefing note here
You’ve got the power – quick and simply guide to community rights here
Information is available from the Government here
Downloads
A – Z of Assets of Community Value
Localism Alliance
Briefing – Community Right to Bid
Understanding the Community Right to Bid
Briefing – community right to bid – ways to take action
Melbourne Civic Society Briefing – Holy Well Listing
Action plan template – Assets of Community Value
Ilkley Civic Society Briefing –
Marple Civic Society Briefing –
Uttlesford District Council
Pinewoods Assets of Community Value
I suggest you start a petition on http://www.change.org to present to the local authority. There are many people that would sign and support such a petition.