Locals 'to have more say' in port sell-offs

摘要

Ministers have published new rules covering the sale of UK ports - including a prerequisite for a 'significant level' of community participation. The publication of new criteria has ratcheted-up the proposed Port of Dover sell-off, with transport minister, Theresa Villiers, writing to the chair of Dover Harbour Board (DHB), asking if it would like to amend its application based on the new regime. The DHB application contains a community ele- ment, including the creation of a new charity and employee share ownership. But a rival community membership trust proposal put forward by local Conservative MP, Charlie Elphicke, and claiming to be 'a landmark of the Big Society', aims to keep it in the hands of local people, with cash provided from banking institutions.