Fostering a community enterprise approach through asset transfer John and I have been asked to lead this workshop and we’re hoping to give you an outline to what has happened here at the Linskill Centre and how the transfer of this asset has gone. We hope that at the end of this presentation you will have questions about the processes gone through with regard this transfer and the ups and downs within that process.

The Arena Local Govt versus Joe Public Local Govt working with Joe Public John and I have been part of perhaps one of the most tumultuous asset transfers and yet the fastest one to date. This came about through an enterprising spirit from both Council and the local community. The greatest aid to this transfer was the decision from within Council to work with the community and encourage them to ‘get it right’. Forgive my analogy but as a sports person I am very much into the idea of team work and I’ve used this throughout this short presentation

The importance of working together Signposting to the right personnel Team Selection The importance of working together Signposting to the right personnel Finding the right personnel Avoiding the pit falls Driving the work through Community Enterprise is something that has to be pulled together, it isn’t an individuals’ crusade. To get a community group through the process of an asset transfer both council and group need to acknowledge the need to work together. Signposting – council officers need to acknowledge when their expertise is what is required or when someone else is best placed to offer that it is so important to signpost the community groups to the right personnel. The community groups similarly need to identify their knowledge and skills sets and recruit people who offer any missing skills. With both parties having an open approach to this many of the pit falls that are seen time and time again with the withdrawal of council services can be avoided. Finally both parties also need to be committed enough to drive through the transfer!

Be honest about what you want Expertise The Defence The Game The Attack Be honest about what you want Expertise The Defence Be prepared for give and take Don’t weaken The Game – or should I say the thrashing out of the intricacies of a lease! The best way to win any game is to keep it as simple as possible. The Attack Ensure you are giving the full picture of what you are after. Telling half a story at this point could ruin the end of your story. Here at the Linskill Centre there were delays in finalising exactly which parts of the building the Trust would be granted. Had the Trust not been honest and strong on its conviction of why they wanted an extra bit of the building and how they could use that to generate sustainable income the Centre would look very different today. Expertise – bring onboard people who can help you – accept that perhaps you don’t know it all and you may need to involve others. This goes for council officers as well as the community groups! The Trust benefited immensely by recruiting specialists as did the Council in using the right personnel at strategic points. The time given to drafting a five year business plan and investigation into running costs and true opportunity to become self sustainable was invaluable at this point. Had the Trust not gone to great lengths at this point the transfer may well have happened but the project may well now be struggling – as is seen with many new community groups. The Defence Both parties have to be willing for both give and take. As a community group you can’t just expect to ride roughshod over local government by shouting louder – there are sensibilities that must be listened too and there may even be some remoulding of ideas. The same goes for Council officers – you need to try and place faith in the community group you are working with and not just force on them your own opinions. Frustrations will creep in – don’t weaken – it’s important at this stage to keep focussed on the potential end result and keep pushing for that.

Everyone’s a winner! The End Result The Linskill Trust got a 30 year lease for a building that is truly loved by local people Securing Funds Job Creation Volunteering Opportunities Accommodation for new and growing enterprises and charities Long term provision of community facilities in this area Improvements that will be available for all holding a valuable asset on behalf of the community The End Result On the strength of that lease the Trust have secured the funds to start refurbishing the site; created jobs; created volunteering opportunities; provided low cost accommodation for new and growing enterprises and charities; and the long term provision of community facilities in this area. On the strength of that same lease the Council have ensured the improvements to a building that will be available for the whole community as well as continuing to hold a valuable asset on behalf of that community.

Through a partnership approach so much more can be achieved. . . Joined Up Thinking Through a partnership approach so much more can be achieved. . . This kind of approach and willingness to work together is what will smoothly bring about any asset transfer.