The report identifies the ways in which an expansion in the ownership and management of physical assets by communities can be promoted and supported. It outlines the benefits of community ownership and management of land and buildings, and analyses the current state of community ownership. Recommendations are presented under three headings: those that merit early action; those that require greater examination; and those that require consideration in relation to wider issues. Issues considered include promotion, right to buy, funding and capacity building. The appendices include material dealing with rural community buildings, planning obligations, public space and local authority property asset management.

As part of the Government’s commitment to expanding opportunities for communities to manage or own physical assets such as land and buildings, a work group was created to examine ways in which this could be taken forward.

The work group commissioned research into the benefits of community ownership and asset management. The scope of current community ownership and management was considered, as were the legal and financial parameters, the available legal structures, the costs and risks involved, and the resulting funding and capacity building needs and provision. A range of possible options was identified.

It will depend on the circumstances, taking into account the costs and risks involved, whether community ownership and management of physical assets is the best solution. There is evidence for the benefits to be obtained and also for the unnecessary legal, financial and information barriers which can get in the way. Makes recommendations for a high profile promotional campaign to highlight to local authorities and other bodies and communities the wide-ranging benefits of community management and ownership, the importance of public bodies taking a community development approach to their assets, and the range of existing legal powers and provisions which can be used to transfer assets. Suggests the creation of an Incentive Fund to support asset transfer, and greater awareness of recent advice on relaxing the clawback rules. Proposes a Community Right to Buy scheme in England, relaxation of the charitable funding rules, and discussion with the Housing Corporation to broaden out community ownership of housing.

Department for Communities and Local Government
Phone: +44 20 7944 4400
contactus@communities.gsi.gov.uk

01/03/2006

Cross-sector Work Group on Community Ownership and Management of Assets

research

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration

Community development