Caroline Voaden MP for South Devon has received our backing over her intervention during the passage of a crucial piece legislation in Parliament.
The MP has called for the establishment of a Community Ownership Fund (COF) within six months of the passage of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.
“We completely support Caroline Voaden MP’s amendment. A Community Ownership Fund is something Plunkett has been asking for since the government closed the previous fund. In our recent Community Ownership Sector Report we have highlighted the necessity for funding to enable a sustained increase in community-ownership: A rural-focused COF would raise awareness of the community ownership model, develop a larger pipeline of start-up groups, build the capacity and confidence of pipeline groups to progress to trading stage and provide blended finance with significant levels of community match-funding.
“This would also represent value for money and a better return on investment for the taxpayer. A £10m investment over 10 years would establish 500 rural community-owned businesses with a total estimated GVA of £264m. This is in contrast to the former £150m COF, saving £140m while supporting 100 more businesses – achievable due to rural areas having lower costs of assets, an existing pipeline of 1,150 groups, stronger traditions for self-help, and with greater access to community share capital.
“We strongly believe both funding and regulation must go hand-in-hand and we ask the government to accept Caroline’s proposal. We are grateful to her and the MPs which back the motion for their support – many of them have seen first-hand how community-ownership has transformed places in their local constituencies.”
James Alcock, Plunkett’s Chief Executive
The Community Ownership Fund (COF) was launched in 2021 to help community groups take ownership of assets that were at risk of being lost. This included sports facilities, arts and music venues, museums and galleries, pubs, and post offices.
The COF was originally due to close at the end of March 2025, but, last December, the Government suddenly closed the fund, despite it having only allocated £135m of the originally announced £150m.
The Government blamed the early closure on the state of the public finances, with officials saying the unspent money would be used to fund other priorities. The COF has not yet been reinstated nor has a replacement been announced.
Caroline Voaden MP stated:
“It beggars’ belief that the Government suddenly closed the Community Ownership Fund (COF) before it allocated all its original funding. In the three years the COF was in place, it saved thousands of cherished community sites which were at risk of closure.
“Thanks to the COF, community groups could generate income, build financial sustainability, and strengthen community ties. Restoring the fund is an absolute must, and that’s exactly what my amendment to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill calls for.”
Caroline Voaden’s amendment to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (NC51) requires the establishment of a community ownership fund, which strategic authorities can apply for to support voluntary and community organisations or parish and town councils to purchase assets of community value that are at risk.
The New Clause amendment is backed by several MPs including: Manuela Perteghella, John Milne, Ian Sollom, David Chadwick, Steve Darling, Mr Lee Dillon, Dr Ellie Chowns, Tim Farron, Wera Hobhouse and Vikki Slade.
Caroline Voaden MP for South Devon and James Alcock, Chief Executive at Plunkett UK, at the launch of Plunkett’s Community Ownership Report at Parliament on 3 November 2025.
The Amendment states:
“To move the following Clause— “Community ownership fund (1) The Secretary of State must make regulations which establish a community ownership fund within six months of the passage of this Act. (2) Regulations under subsection (1) are subject to the negative procedure. (3) Regulations undersubsection (1) must make provision for any strategic authority to apply for funding of up to £2 million to support any— (a) voluntary and community organisation, or (b) parish or town council, to purchase of an asset of community value they determine is at risk in their area.”
Member’s explanatory statement: “This new clause would require the Secretary of State to establish a Community Ownership Fund to which strategic authorities may apply for funding.”
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill continues to progress through Parliament. MHCLG Minister of State, Miatta Fahnbullah, is responsible for the Bill and recently commented at Committee Stage:
“We want there to be enough capability across all our communities, irrespective of the level of social capital, to be able to take on these powers. There is a range of community organisations with the expertise and experience to provide this kind of support to communities, such as Plunkett, Power to Change and Locality, and we are working with those organisations on the additional support that they can provide to communities across the country.”
Read more and get in touch
We will use the research findings in our Community Ownership Report to continue to advocate for change and better funding, and to ensure the voice of our members, is heard.
If you have any questions or comments arising from the report that can further strengthen our policy discussions, please do get in touch with us.
