Assets of community value assessment process

A 

Is the nomination organisation eligible  

Nomination must be received by a qualifying community organisation, as set out in the government regulations: 

• parish council, including neighbouring parish council 
• unincorporated groups 
• neighbourhoods forums 
• community interest groups with a local connection (charity, community interest company, company limited by guarantee that is non-profit distributing, industrial and provident society that is non-profit distributing) 

In the case of community interest groups, the constitution, memorandum and articles of association or governing document.  

In the case of an unincorporated group, evidence of the membership of at least 21 people who appear on the electoral roll.  

B 

Can the nominating organisation demonstrate a local connection to the asset 

The organisation must demonstrate that its activities are concerned with the local authority area where the asset is located or within a neighbouring authority. 

Any evidence demonstrating local connection for example websites, publications, reports, maps.  

C 

Does the nomination include the information requested on the nomination form?  

This should include:  

• a description of the land and proposed boundaries 
• details of any information the nominating organisation has regarding ownership, occupancy, freeholder and leaseholders  

Nomination form to be checked for this information.  

D 

If the asset is outside one of the categories of exempt assets, as set out in schedule 1 of the regulations.  

• a residence and land associated with a residence, except where any otherwise eligible asset contains residential quarters 
• licensed caravan sites 
• operational land of statutory undertakers as defined in section 263 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 

Evidence will be checked against known information and planning history.  

E 

Is there evidence of the use being described in the nomination, and that this is the main and non-ancillary use of the land or premises, or this has been its use within the last 12 months?  

Any evidence of usage history including number of individual groups, publicity, calendar of events, bookings schedule, etc. 

F 

Does this use further the social wellbeing and social interest of the local community? 

In particular:  

• what is the current level of use of the asset and who uses it? 
• is it used by particular communities of interest or need? 
• what do communities gain from their use of the asset and what would be the impact if it were lost? 

A broad variety of evidence including: 

• evidence of community involvement in managing the asset 
• individual or group usage data 
• policies and management plans relating to the asset 
• report from users of the asset 
• contribute to relevant health and wellbeing outcomes  

G 

What is the nature of the social wellbeing and social interest which the asset particularly supports?

Does the use of the asset: 

• reduce stress and isolation 
• address the needs of disadvantaged members of the community 
• reach vulnerable people  
• support community cohesion or community involvement  
• enable communities to be self-supporting  
• increase access to positive activities 
• provide opportunities for volunteering  

Evidence of previous use of the asset in relation to this criteria e.g. statements from users of the assets. 

H 

Does the local community feel strongly that the asset should be retained as a community asset? 

Any evidence of surveys, petitions, awareness raising, publicity, evidence from parish plans, neighbourhood plan or other local document to support the case.  

I 

Could the asset realistically continue to be used for this or another qualifying community purpose (or could this be achieved within the next five years)?  

Evidence that there has been no significant change to the asset, which might impact on its fitness for purpose for the proposed use, or any business plans available for the asset.  

Condition of the asset and likelihood of funds being raised to remedy any defects to ensure it is fit for purpose.  

Evidence of suitable organisation in a position to take this on.  

Market intelligence to support the case of sustainable community use of the asset.