Working arrangements giving people the chance to bid for buildings and land to keep them in community use were agreed by Bradford Council’s decision-making executive yesterday.

Under the Localism Act, the community right to bid was introduced earlier this year, requiring local authorities to maintain a register of assets of community value which have been nominated by residents.

The new rules mean the owners of land and property on the list are unable to sell them off without first notifying the Council. This triggers a six-week moratorium, giving community groups and parish councils the opportunity to express an interest in bidding for the property.

If an expression of interest is received, groups then have six months to prepare their bid. At the end of this period the property is removed from the list and the owner can sell it to whoever they want.

Councillors agreed to introduce a £90 refundable deposit to “discourage spurious nominations” and agreed applications would be considered by area committees. Any appeals would be heard by the regulatory and appeals committee.

It also emerged the Council will be required to administer a compensation scheme for private owners who believe they have suffered a loss as a result of the process.