The petition of the residents of Grampound,
Declares that the Dolphin Inn is an Asset of Community Value.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to lend support the Dolphin Inn Grampound, acknowledging that it furthers the social wellbeing and cultural, recreational and sporting interests of the local community.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Noah Law, Official Report, 28 October 2024; Vol. 755, c. 642.]
[P003013]
Observations from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Alex Norris):
The Government recognise the integral role of pubs in our communities. Pubs provide important spaces for the community to meet, socialise and access local services and we are keen to ensure that they are safeguarded.
The assets of community value scheme in England, introduced by the Localism Act 2011, currently provides communities with a route to nominate any building or land which furthers the social wellbeing or interest of the community. The decision on whether a nomination meets this definition is for local authorities, which must maintain a list of their decisions and are accountable to local people for these decisions. Local authorities are best placed to understand the issues affecting their area and determine what represents an asset of community value, and we cannot comment on specific disagreements.
However, the Government are working to ensure the listing process for assets of community value best serves the interests of communities across the country, including Grampound. Through the English devolution Bill, we plan to strengthen the current policy with the introduction of a new community right to buy to help local people to acquire valued community spaces, including pubs, if they come up for sale. This will help keep these assets in the hands of the community.