Following the launch of the Sport England Club Matters Community Asset Guidance, a resource to help communities take control of sporting assets, Albert Joyce from DCLGs Community Rights Mobilisation Team looks at how sport is helping people understand their community rights and acting as a catalyst for community action.
The power of sport to mobilise communities, to give an area a sense of identify and pride is a well-established. Therefore, it was not surprising that people who are involved in sport, be it as participants or as passionate overseers of much cherished facilities and local sporting institutions quickly identified the opportunities which were introduced through the Assets of Community Value (ACV) scheme.
So what does it mean?
In summary the scheme which was introduced through Localism Act more commonly referred to as the Community Right to Bid, allows communities to put a marker down on the buildings and land which they value and more importantly gives them a chance to buy and take over the land should it become available for sale.
The Right to Bid is a very straight forward idea and really simple to do. Just 21 local residents who are on the electoral roll can come together to nominate an asset to their local authority. Nominations can also be put forward by local community organisations or parish councils.
The local authority assesses whether the nomination furthers the social well-being or social interests of the community and could continue to do so in the future. If the nomination meets that definition then the asset should be listed. Since the scheme came into force in September 2012, 2,600 assets have been listed nationally in 269 local authority areas.
Sport and community rights in action
Across England, communities have successfully made the case to their council to list sporting facilities as ACVs. In Liverpool, Aigburth Cricket Club successfully made the case to the council to have their cricket club listed as an ACV. In Chorlton South Manchester, the Friends of Chorlton Baths rallied together to have their local leisure centre listed as a community asset. Across England, sporting facilities for tennis, sailing and bowling have also been listed as ACVs.
The beautiful game
Football fans, and in particular supporter trusts’ with guidance from Supporters Direct have identified the benefits of listing what are often privately owned football stadiums as ACVs. The first trust to successfully have their home listed in May 2013 was the Oxford United Supporters Trust, OxVox, who listed the Kassam Stadium.
Their success inspired fans in other trusts to nominate their grounds as ACVs. Trusts from across the football pyramid, who understand the local connection which puts their local club at the heart of their community have ensured that much cherished grounds across England such as The Valley (Charlton Athletic), Valerie Park (Prescot Cables FC) and Liberty Way (Nuneaton Town Supporters Cooperative) cannot be sold without the supporters trust being informed. Fans of clubs associated with iconic Premier League grounds such as the Old Trafford, Anfield and St James Park have demonstrated the important of these institutions to local people by successfully having them listed as AVCs. 32 grounds in England are listed as AVCs.
Supporters Direct have also been working with supporter trusts involved with rugby league, to help ensure that supporters of this sport are given the same protections and opportunities as fans involved with football.
Growing the movement
DCLG, Sport England the Sport and Recreation Alliance and the Local Government Association have been discussing with the national governing bodies of cricket, tennis and rugby how we can raise awareness amongst enthusiasts for their sports about the opportunities which community rights present to get communities more engaged with sport and their local clubs.
The next steps
If you are interested in getting involved with your local club, whether it is listing it as an ACV, or considering how you and the group involved with your club can explore taking over management of it by turning it into a social enterprise, then there are options and support available. (See below)
Our aim going forward is to ensure that more groups in communities understand that they now have a greater say about what is going on in their neighbourhood, and that there is a network of support to turn their ambition into action.
Funding, support, advice
The Department for Communities and Local Government has partnered with Locality to deliver the My Community website, which is the central resource for those seeking more information on community rights.
Find the Sport England Community Assets Guidance here.
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