Member Article

RICS welcome Community Partnership proposals

Government plans to support localism in England have received the support of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

In January 2011, RICS facilitated the Land and Society Commission Report considers the ways organisations engage with communities to help individuals invest productively in their own towns and cities.

Following the release of the report, RICS have pledged to do more to support local communities by building more community housing, as well as developing guidance on the value of self build homes.

RICS North East spokesman Kevan Carrick welcomes the proposals, and believes there will be also be a positive response from the wider building community.

He commented“ “This is excellent news, especially for voluntary local groups in the North East who are considering taking over community assets.

“Many of these properties, for instance libraries and swimming pools have great value but also have liabilities in terms of repairs, maintenance and insurance. So it is essential that groups take professional advice and are fully aware of their responsibilities.”

The report also recommended that RICS should support and actively encourage its member companies to give up time for community projects and consider free advice sessions for its members.

RICS has now started to work closely with a number of community groups to provide professional advice and support to community groups working on asset transfer projects. If this project is successful, RICS will then look to scale up the partnership throughout the country.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .