Are you concerned about the threat of closure of your local pub or post office for example, then why not take it over? Do you think you are better placed to run a local service currently run by your local authority, then why not investigate the possibility of delivering it yourself?
There are Pre-Feasibility Grants available for amounts of up to £10,000 for organisations to build internal capacity to help them to compete to deliver public services and/or own and manage assets.
These grants can be used to help build management capacity and capability within your organisation e.g. improve your governance and management, support the costs of incorporation or forming consortia and coaching for existing staff to build their abilities to deliver local services and /or manage assets.
Organisations that are likely to be eligible for the grants should be:
• looking to take over a building that is of significant value to your community such as a pub or a post office, former schools or sports centres
• looking to take deliver a service currently managed by your Local Authority such as a library service, working with youth offenders or landscaping services
The Department of Communities and Local Government Community Rights Grant Programmes have been created to support the community rights as outlined in the Localism Bill. The Community Right to Challenge and the Community Ownership and Management of Assets, including the Community Right to Bid will empower organisations and the communities they represent to deliver local services and buy local buildings that are important to their local community with the aim of improving their local area.
To register your interest in the Fund, contact 0845 345 4564