Beyond Asset Transfer – Final Report

Councillor Sharon Taylor OBE, Chair of the CCIN

Launched: 1st July 2021
As Chair of the Co-operative Councils’ Innovation Network, I welcome the publication of this report and its timely contribution to the debate on the future of community assets.

Effective use of community assets is critical to a well-functioning place and vital for our country’s public services. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic over the last year, I have seen how valuable these assets are in creating strong and resilient communities. Research shows they contribute nearly £220 million to the UK economy every year, alongside benefits for social capital and community cohesion.

But transferring assets to communities or not-for-profit organisations is not always easy, even when we know it is the right solution.  I hope that this report will help overcome some of the hurdles and ensure more of our valued community assets have a sustainable future that is rooted in social value.

I wish to thank colleagues from across the Network for their contributions to this report, especially the fabulous examples from which we can all learn so much.  I look forward to working together to ensure co-operative values continue to be a force for good in our local communities.

Councillor Sharon Taylor OBE
Leader Stevenage Borough Council and Chair of the Co-operative Councils’ Innovation Network

Summary

Community assets enrich our lives, help to create strong and resilient communities, and support the effectiveness of public services. As we continue to manage the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, community assets have never been more important.

The Co-operative Councils’ Innovation Network (CCIN) is a collaboration between local authorities who are committed to finding better ways of working for, and with, local people for the benefit of their local community.

Whilst some local areas have seized upon asset transfer as opportunity, others have not. The Network wanted to find out from its members what has worked well, what has not worked so well, and why. This report aims to learn lessons from these experiences and use them to strengthen practice around asset transfer within local government and its partners.