Locality Brokers
Locality is supporting an exciting new programme to bring together the best private property professionals with the most aspirational community enterprises for mutual benefit
Locality Brokers aims to match firms of property professionals with communities championing a land or building project in England. The idea is to promote relationships that benefit both firms and groups by supporting a mixture of free advice, deferred payment arrangements and joint ventures. There are real opportunities in the way in which services are being rationalised in the public and third sectors, and the way in which the private sector is looking for new business that has both social and environmental benefits. This pilot scheme aims to maximise the potential of these changes and realise opportunities across sectors.
Locality is the recognised national expert supporting community asset acquisition, development and management – reflected in the fact that our 750+ members hold land and buildings worth over £800m for public benefit. Since 2007, we have spear-headed the asset transfer agenda, supporting over 1,500 initiatives and working with two thirds of local authorities. We have also supported investment into community asset-based enterprises totalling more than £100m. Looking ahead, we will play an integral role in supporting communities to exercise the new Community Rights to Build and Bid for community assets that are enshrined within the Localism Act.
Our movement is ambitious for change in local communities. We are committed to social justice, collective action and community self-help. So, whether a community wants to save a library, take over a failing pub, build affordable homes or establish a community owned wind turbine, we believe in fostering a new spirit of enterprise across sectors that can deliver the practical change that lies at the heart of building and rebuilding communities.
Locality members often work in areas of profound deprivation and, therefore, in marginal economies. They bring land and buildings into community ownership to reduce grant dependency through community enterprise. Locality’s members now own combined assets worth over £800m and generate income of £350m per annum. Indeed, they include the majority of the most successful community organisations in the country.
Locality Brokers seeks to build on this experience and expertise - so, during the pilot phase, we are looking for TEN extraordinary projects.
We have tried to keep the bureaucracy to a minimum - expressing an interest in being part of Locality Brokers is easy. Both firms and groups with projects fill in a short form and a broker will be in touch. The brokers are experts and will offer support and advice to anyone expressing such an interest.
For firms expressing an interest, the broker will clarify what can be offered and on what terms. The broker can answer any questions firms may have and flesh out the overall aims of the pilot. For community groups and their projects, the broker will clarify what is needed so that it can be matched with a suitable supplier. The broker can advise and help so that groups can be clear about what they need in terms of support. This makes the success of a match much more likely.
If you are a property firm interested in working with community groups to progress land and building projects express your interest here
If you are a community group seeking professional input into a land or building project express your interest here
