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NALC and SLCC to co-host an event on the Community Ownership Fund
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC ) will co-host an event on 13 June 2023 with the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) on the Community Ownership Fund following the announcement that it will be open to parish, town and community councils in England and Wales.
With the opening of the next bidding round and the deadline for expression of interest fast approaching (21 June 2023), the event offers a valuable opportunity for attendees to gain a comprehensive understanding of the application process. Expert speakers from the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities and Locality will guide attendees through the steps in framing successful applications and provide critical insights into what the fund looks for in projects. A dedicated Q&A segment will allow attendees to seek clarification and receive tailored guidance.
NALC and SLCC have long advocated for increased direct access to government funding. Both organisations are urging parish, town and community councils to utilise the fund and help ensure the sector receives its fair share of future funding to help serve local communities.
The Community Ownership Fund helps community groups buy or renovate assets that would otherwise be lost to the community. Assets are venues and meeting spaces used by the local community, such as community centres, cinemas and theatres, galleries, museums, music venues, parks, post office buildings, pubs, shops, and sporting and leisure facilities. Some ways an asset may be lost include being closed or sold, neglected, at risk of damage or collapse, or needing to be operated sustainably. The asset must offer value to local people and run sustainably for the long term.