Sheffield buildings could be handed over to communities under council plan
Birley Spa Bath House and the SADACCA community centre on The Wicker are among sites that could be turned over to community groups
A policy has been agreed to allow Sheffield City Council to hand over buildings or land to communities to run and manage.
The community asset transfer policy was agreed last week (November 12) by the council’s strategy and resources policy committee. As well as allowing community groups more control, the policy will save the council money on upkeep and repairs.
A report to the committee talked about progress deciding the future of 22 community centres and meeting rooms supported by the council’s Housing Revenue Account.
The first set of cases for transfer are due to be discussed by the December meeting of the finance and performance policy committee.
Buildings which have been discussed include Birley Spa Bath House and SADACCA community centre on The Wicker. Land includes Mickley Lane, Totley, which Totley Community Orchard Group wants to take over, and land at Mount Pleasant Park, Sharrow.
The report adds: “The new Community Asset Transfer Policy reflects extensive engagement with third sector organisations over the past 15 months, alongside discussions to understand national best practice and learning.
“It presents an approach based on fairness and transparency, aiming to be progressive, whilst managing the associated risks for the council, third sector and communities. It is an important step in our work on community buildings.”
Community asset transfers allow the council to license, lease or sell assets such as buildings or land to not-for-profit third sector organisations, usually at less than market value, “to deliver social, economic or environmental benefits for local people and communities”.
The report stresses: “Over the past 15 months we have been actively listening to local community leaders to understand their experiences and knowledge of
developing, supporting and managing community spaces.
“One of the strongest messages we have heard is that community asset transfer is ultimately not about land and buildings; it’s about people and communities.”
Because of spending problems faced by the council, some buildings, including heritage assets, have not had money spent on them for maintenance and repairs. The report admits that “some are now beyond economic viability”.
It also concedes that many community organisations are also struggling to identify funding that would enable them to afford to take on buildings.