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April 17, 2007

‘No major barriers’ to community asset transfer

A government review into the community ownership and management of public assets will conclude that there are "no substantive barriers" to the transfer of public assets to community organisations, it has emerged.

Jamie Carpenter

‘No major barriers’ to community asset transfer 


 


Jamie Carpenter


Regeneration & Renewal


13.04.07


 


 


A government review into the community ownership and management of public assets will conclude that there are “no substantive barriers” to the transfer of public assets to community organisations, it emerged this week.


 


 


A briefing note on the progress of the review says the main barriers to the transfer of public assets to community organisations are “more cultural or based on inaccurate perceptions than substantive”.


 


The note, written by the review team, which is headed by Barry Quirk, chief executive of the London Borough of Lewisham, also says that the benefits of community ownership and management of public assets in appropriate circumstances outweigh the risks.


 


Steve Wyler, director of the Development Trusts Association, said: “It’s very helpful that Quirk, as a trusted senior local government leader, is saying that the benefits of asset transfer outweigh the risks.”


 


The briefing note says that the conclusions of the review team will form the basis for the recommendations in its final report, due to be published next month.


 


The review was launched by communities secretary Ruth Kelly last year to examine barriers to asset transfer and consider whether further powers are required to boost the transfer of public assets to community organisations (R&R, 22 September 2006, p3).


 


It was due to be published in March, but was delayed due to the purdah period for local government elections.


 


– Quirk Review Progress Update is available via www.regen.net/doc.