Concerns raised by the Commission for Rural Communities about the availability of affordable homes in country areas have brought about a change to the Housing and Regeneration Bill. The Commission feared the ability to sell shared ownership homes could make it even harder for people on low incomes to find homes in their local communities. 

Councils are being urged to put forward schemes to give local people control over community assets before the deadline next month. Fifty new pilots are expected to join the scheme when the first phase ends on February 15th but authorities are being warned the chance to be involved is fading fast.
The scheme was established to engage people and improve services by allowing councils to transfer assets such as disused schools, swimming pools and offices into community management and ownership. 

The framework will steer the development of partnership working in delivering health and well-being in the community. It provides for primary caretrusts, NHS trusts, NHS foundation trusts, local authorities and the third and independent sectors to work jointly to drive improved outcomes in health and social care for local areas.