LOCAL AND REGIONAL NEWSPAPERS

Early day motion 2462, tabled 22 November 2011 by Austin Mitchell (Labour). Signed by 33 members.

That this House believes that local and regional newspapers play a vital role in the community; notes that in many places across the country when local amenities have been threatened with sale or closure community groups have taken over their running; further believes that community groups face more significant challenges in terms of timescale and the raising of money than the private enterprises bidding against them; further notes that the Localism Act 2011requires local authorities to maintain a list of assets of community value which have been nominated by the local community; further notes that when listed assets come up for sale or change of ownership the Localism Act 2011gives community groups the time to develop a bid and raise the money to bid to buy the asset when it comes on the open market; and supports the National Union of Journalists' campaign for local and regional newspapers to be listed with local councils as assets of community under the Act.

Signatures by party: Labour 19, Liberal Democrat 5, DUP 4, Conservative 1, Green 1, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.