NDM8361 Welsh Conservatives Debate - Community assets

NDM8361 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises that community assets act as local hubs and provide important access to information, services, skills and social experiences.

2. Further recognises community assets improve community cohesion and allow local communities to take control of shaping the area they live in.

3. Notes Audit Wales’s community resilience and self-reliance report which outlines that local authorities find it difficult to empower people and communities to be more self-reliant and less dependent on services.

4. Regrets that there is no statutory right for communities in Wales to buy land or assets as in Scotland, and no right to bid, challenge, or build as in England.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) protect community assets by enabling local people to run and expand facilities that benefit the local community; and

b) introduce a Community Ownership Fund and Right to Bid to support the takeover of assets such as libraries, pubs, leisure centres and green spaces.

Audit Wales: 'Together we can’ – Community resilience and self-reliance

Supporters

Natasha Asghar (South Wales East)

The following amendment was tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete points 4 and 5 and replace with:

Welcomes the Welsh Government’s long-standing commitment to:

a)  protect community assets by enabling local people to run and expand facilities that benefit the local community;

b)  recognise, promote and share best practice across the public sector through Ystadau Cymru; and

c)  establishing a Community Assets Commission with a remit to further stimulate innovative thinking on community ownership of land and assets in Wales.