The deadline for the scheme, which will engage people and improve services by transferring local assets into community management and ownership, including disused schools, swimming pools, office blocks and community centres, closes on 15 February.
Thirty four pilots are already underway across the country and this will rise to 50 once applications have closed on 15 February. But with the closing date drawing near, the opportunity for more authorities to join is fading fast.
Councils can hand over any asset to be owned or run by local people if it is in the interest of the local community. But a major report last year found that many were not aware of the benefits, or considering how best to use them which is why the Government is supporting areas that want this opportunity with support and advice.
Projects where local people are directly involved in running local services not only promote a greater sense of community, but they have also been shown to raise public interest and satisfaction. Already in the early stages of this pilot, there is evidence that communities in the areas that have taken part have better knowledge of council policy and activity.
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said:
- "This is a hugely exciting agenda. By giving local assets such as markets, disused schools, libraries, swimming pools and community centres to local people, we can breathe new life into local neighbourhoods. Asset transfer creates new social enterprises, trains a new generation of active citizens, and helps rebuild grassroots democracy. Already some exciting new initiatives are getting started, and I am looking forward to the next wave."
The closing date for submitting expressions of interest is 5pm on 15 February 2008. For details on how to express an interest see http://www.dta.org.uk.
