Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has today (28 April) unveiled a series of measures to back a people’s revolution to recycle buildings by putting real power in the hands of locals to support communities during the downturn and beyond. The tougher economic climate has led to renewed interest in communities maintaining local assets, from post offices to pubs.
As part of the Government’s empowerment agenda, Ms Blears has announced a new single advice line – 0845 345 4564 – and other Government support to make it easier for people to take control of community assets, from community centres to theatres. Driving this revolution in the public sector, there are a range of options for local councils to give people real power including handing over buildings as a gift to a community group, selling at below market price, or keeping the building off the market while a local project develops their plans and secures the funding. Already, there are estimated to be over £1billion worth of buildings under community control – with some agreements dating back to the 1970s.
But from today, taking on a local building will become easier. As well as a new single national advice line for anyone wishing to find out how to do it, Ms Blears highlighted key projects that have set the standard – including Coin Street Community Builders in London and the Goodwin Development Trust in Hull – that anyone wishing to do it can learn from. A new Asset Transfer Unit will give local people the information they need to get through any planning, legal and financial barriers.
