Community Right to Challenge

The Community Rights in the Localism Act are aimed at moving power away from central government to local communities. This will help to give communities a bigger say in what is happening around them. One of these new rights, the Community Right to Challenge was introduced on 27 June 2012. This allows local groups that are interested in taking over the running of a council service to send an expression of interest to their council. Councils will consider expressions of interest that are made to them as long as they are submitted by an eligible group and for an eligible service, within the timeframe specified by the authority.
 
In order to facilitate our communities and interested parties to use this new provision to best effect, the Council invites expressions of interest from eligible organisations from 1st July to 31st July each year. Exceptions to this are services where an existing contractual obligation is in place.
 
If an expression of interest is accepted then the council will run an open procurement exercise for that service. This procurement exercise is open to other organisations besides the group/organisation that originally expressed an interest.
 

Making an expression of interest (EOI)

To help our local communities and interested parties to use the Community Right to Challenge effectively, we have set out a window of opportunity to submit an interest in running one of our services of 1st July to 31st July each year.
 

Who can apply?

In order to express an interest in running a council service you need to represent a relevant body. This includes parish and town councils, voluntary or community bodies, charities, two or more Castle Point Borough Council employees.
 

When can I apply?

You can express an interest from 1st July to 31st July each year. Exceptions to this are services where an existing contractual obligation is in place.
 

Are any services exempt?

The Community Right to Challenge applies to all services currently provided by or on behalf of the Council, but certain exemptions do apply. Please see the FAQs available for download below.
 

How can I apply?

If you represent an eligible organisation then please download the application form and guidance below. Your completed form should be returned to ahorgan@castlepoint.gov.uk or alternatively send it by post to Head of Civic Governance, Castle Point Borough Council, Kiln Road, Thundersley, Benfleet, Essex, SS7 1TF.
 
 
Documents to download

Community Right to Challenge FAQs.pdf [pdf] 191KB
Frequently asked questions about the nomination process.
Chart showing the process for assessing an expression of interest.
 
Further details about the Communities Right to Challenge are available from the Government’s Community Rights Website.