Overview

This Bill aims to protect parks and playing fields in public ownership from sale. It mandates public consultation before any sale and requires a local referendum if more than 10% of eligible voters object.

Description

The Bill applies to publicly-funded bodies owning park or playing field land (excluding Royal Parks). Before selling such land, a public body must:

• Conduct a public consultation covering the land's future use, sale proceeds, and amenity replacement.
• Hold a local referendum if a petition signed by over 10% of eligible voters in the affected ward(s) objects to the sale. Eligibility is restricted to Commonwealth citizens, Republic of Ireland citizens of voting age, and registered voters in the affected ward, not subject to legal incapacity to vote (excluding age).

Referendums are decided by simple majority. A negative outcome prevents the sale for 10 years, except in extraordinary circumstances defined by future regulations.

The Secretary of State will:

• Create regulations detailing the petition and referendum process, including ward designation and ensuring administrative independence.
• Define criteria for "extraordinary circumstances" that would allow a sale despite a referendum's rejection.
• Conduct a review of the Act's implementation after five years.

Government Spending

The Bill's financial implications are not explicitly stated in the text. Costs will likely arise from administering consultations and referendums, creating and implementing regulations, and conducting the review. These costs are hard to quantify without further details.

Groups Affected

• Public bodies: These face restrictions on selling park and playing field land, requiring significant consultation and potentially referendums. They also have administrative responsibilities in the process.
• Local residents: They gain the right to participate in consultations and, under certain circumstances, a referendum, influencing decisions about the sale of local green spaces.
• Developers/potential buyers: The Bill could significantly complicate or impede their acquisition of park or playing field land.
• Secretary of State: This individual holds responsibility for creating regulations, conducting a review and potentially additional administrative burdens.

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