National Assembly for Wales

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the huge contribution community groups have made in supporting local people through the challenges of the pandemic.

2. Notes that Wales is home to thousands of local community groups, with hundreds running significant assets that make their communities better places to live.

3. Notes that the previous Welsh Government agreed with the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee's recommendation that it should “develop a programme of empowering communities across Wales with the voluntary sector, acting as an enabling state for community action”.

4. Welcomes the Welsh Government's work with the Third Sector Partnership Council exploring the development of a new programme of working with communities and community groups

5. Notes that Wales, unlike Scotland and England, has no legislation giving communities the right to buy local assets of community value.

6. Believes that enabling community groups to retain local buildings and land as community facilities and supporting them to develop active and engaged communities is key to building a more prosperous, equal and greener Wales   

7. Calls on Welsh Government to:

a) coproduce a communities strategy to develop an enabling state for community action;

b) legislate to introduce a community right to buy in Wales.

Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee: Impact of COVID-19 on the voluntary sector