Community Asset Transfers

In the past, HM Government has raised the profile of better utilising assets to meet and deliver upon community needs.  Community ownership of land and buildings can transform neighbourhoods, support thriving community businesses, and unlock the power of community.

A Community Asset Transfer (C.A.T.) is the transfer of a publicly owned asset (usually land or buildings) to a community organisation at less than market value, or at nil consideration (no cost). Under Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 (the Act), the Council has the right to dispose of assets as they see fit, so long as they meet the relevant requirements in the Act. 

Torridge District Council is committed to its assets being used for a wide range of purposes, which includes supporting of and the enabling a community ownership and management of Council owned land and buildings (Assets).  HM Government has issued the General Disposal Consent (England) 2003 (PDF, 110 KB), which grants the Council permission to sell its assets at less than best market value to community organisations if the proposed C.A.T. can provide any of the following:

1. Social and community benefits, without risking wider public interest concerns.

2. A benefit that outweighs the risks involved in community ownership.

3. Any risks can be managed and mitigated by drawing up on the experience of others.

There are clear implications for the Council and other bodies when considering a transfer of the management or an ownership of one of its assets. A C.A.T. application will need to be supported by a Business Plan to support the viability of an idea.

Please note that C.A.T.s are a discretionary decision for the Council, and have no associated right of appeal.

The contact for C.A.T.s is corporate.property@torridge.gov.uk

Please click the following link to view the TDC Community Asset Transfer (CAT) Policy (PDF, 507 KB).