Asset Transfer Unit

The White Paper, Communities in control: real people, real power, published in July 2008 announced the establishment of a new Asset Transfer Unit (ATU) that will provide expert advice and guidance to support the transfer of under-used land and buildings from the public sector to community ownership and management - helping communities to develop those assets and benefit from long-term social, economic and environmental outcomes. The ATU was launched in January 2009 and is now ‘open for business’, keen to respond to enquiries about community asset transfer from local authorities, third sector organisations and communities alike. 

The ATU is managing the Advancing Assets for Communities demonstration programme, sponsored by Communities and Local Government and delivered by a consortium comprising the Development Trusts Association, Community Matters, Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) and the Local Government Association. Now in it’s third year, the programme recently advertised for expressions of interest from Local Authorities interested in expert support to develop joint plans with third sector partners for the transfer of ownership or management of under-used land or buildings; the deadline for expressions of interest for round three of the programme has now passed, but if your local authority is interested in future opportunities please contact the ATU directly.

The ATU is delivered by the Development Trusts Association in association with Community Matters and the Local Government Association, and funded by Communities and Local Government.

For more information on the ATU or the Advancing Assets for Communities programme please visit www.atu.org.uk or contact 0845 345 4564.