[Ed Hammond]

Leasing remains more common.

The community trust model is still a pretty novel one.

Asset transfer often goes awry because of a poor approach to risk and financial management. Specific examples though... hmm...

[Mike Lodge]

Calderdale is revising its asset transfer policies and our Use of Resources Scrutiny Panel discussed the revised policy on 30 June. This link should take you there, http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/council/cou...ting=17779

Mike

[Jo Charlan]

I think the issue of financial stability has arisen a number of times in relation to community centres, who often turn to the Council when things go wrong. It's clear that in the first instance we wouldn't transfer to a group who cannot manage day to day finances, but it's clear that there is no one stand point that directs us when a stable group finds itself in difficulty. Equally we are guided by local polics that frequently take us off the path of logical support.

Oldham has recently published its Asset Transfer policy and in tendem has transferred a community centre quite successfully following a lengthy negotiation period. I'm not sure what the final position was on the 'how we help when things go wrong' bit, but I have a colleague who I'm sure could offer you some advice or suggestions. I'll get back to you.