Community Asset Transfers in East Ayrshire

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Community Asset Transfer involves the transfer of operational responsibility for an asset, including all maintenance and repair costs, from the Council to a Voluntary and Community Organisation (VCO). This would be through either a transfer of management responsibility, short or long term lease or through the transfer of outright ownership. Consideration will also be given to a phased transfer of responsibility dependent on the nature of the proposal.

The Council has in the past generally pursued long lease arrangements but a disposal at less than market value would be considered where it is necessary to comply with the funding criteria of the proposed project; or for the sustainability of the project i.e. the project is predominantly capital funded or long-term in nature.

East Ayrshire Council's CAT policy has been in place since 2012. To date following its inception, there are over 70 assets that have been transferred to Community Organisations. This compromises of pitches & pavilions, open green space and Community buildings. Here you will see where our CATs are across East Ayrshire and any future potential CAT's available.

The Communities team within Vibrant Communities host the CAT process and if you wish to contact the team, you can do so through the contact us listed below.



Community Asset Transfer Process and Timescale

Stage 1 – Suitability of Assets (internal process)

A multi-disciplinary Officer Working Group will determine whether an asset is suitable for transfer. This will involve a consideration of community need, a review of the assets condition, current running costs and establish whether there are any title restrictions.

Stage 2 – Expressions of interest

If the asset is suitable, a community group will complete an Expression of interest form and provide a summary of the proposal identifying local support.

The Officer Working Group will review the information provided in support of the application to determine the strength of the proposals and the suitability of the community group. If the assessment is satisfactory and no other interest identified, the community group will be invited to stage 3.

Stage 3 – Detailed submission

The community group will require to submit a detailed application including Business Plan which should contain the key elements shown in the Guidance Notes provided to Community groups.

Stage 4 – Consideration of application

The Officer Working Group will then assess the application against the assessment criteria and will report the outcome to Cabinet for approval.

Stage 5 – Cabinet consideration

A report will be presented to Cabinet within 4 weeks of the Officer Working Group recommendation.

Implementation & Transfer

Following a Cabinet decision to recommend transfer, the VCO will work to secure the necessary funding and Council officers will also work with the VCO to finalise the legal aspects of the transfer. Once funding is in place and any necessary planning consent secured, the asset can be transferred to the VCO.

It is recognised that there may require to be ongoing support from Council officers to ensure a successful transfer.


Further Support

Further advice and support is also available for groups to consider through our national partners. Groups may require independent support throughout the CAT process and group governance. Development Trust Association Scotland (DTAS) Support Development Trusts across Scotland however also host the Community Ownership Support Service (COSS). These services are funded through the Scottish Government and can provide specialised support for community organisations considering Community Asset Transfers.

More information can be found here:

Development Trust Association Scotland - (DTAS) Development Trust Support

Community Ownership Support Service - (COSS) CAT Support


Funding

You can register for East Ayrshire Council's Funding Alerts through Stay Connected which give regular updates on what EAC and external funding is available for your project.

Stay Connected Funding Alerts

You can also register for our East Ayrshire 4 Community funding portal to search and apply for other funding available. Create your account here to start: https://funding.idoxopen4community.co.uk/eastayrshire


Community Asset Transfer involves the transfer of operational responsibility for an asset, including all maintenance and repair costs, from the Council to a Voluntary and Community Organisation (VCO). This would be through either a transfer of management responsibility, short or long term lease or through the transfer of outright ownership. Consideration will also be given to a phased transfer of responsibility dependent on the nature of the proposal.

The Council has in the past generally pursued long lease arrangements but a disposal at less than market value would be considered where it is necessary to comply with the funding criteria of the proposed project; or for the sustainability of the project i.e. the project is predominantly capital funded or long-term in nature.

East Ayrshire Council's CAT policy has been in place since 2012. To date following its inception, there are over 70 assets that have been transferred to Community Organisations. This compromises of pitches & pavilions, open green space and Community buildings. Here you will see where our CATs are across East Ayrshire and any future potential CAT's available.

The Communities team within Vibrant Communities host the CAT process and if you wish to contact the team, you can do so through the contact us listed below.



Community Asset Transfer Process and Timescale

Stage 1 – Suitability of Assets (internal process)

A multi-disciplinary Officer Working Group will determine whether an asset is suitable for transfer. This will involve a consideration of community need, a review of the assets condition, current running costs and establish whether there are any title restrictions.

Stage 2 – Expressions of interest

If the asset is suitable, a community group will complete an Expression of interest form and provide a summary of the proposal identifying local support.

The Officer Working Group will review the information provided in support of the application to determine the strength of the proposals and the suitability of the community group. If the assessment is satisfactory and no other interest identified, the community group will be invited to stage 3.

Stage 3 – Detailed submission

The community group will require to submit a detailed application including Business Plan which should contain the key elements shown in the Guidance Notes provided to Community groups.

Stage 4 – Consideration of application

The Officer Working Group will then assess the application against the assessment criteria and will report the outcome to Cabinet for approval.

Stage 5 – Cabinet consideration

A report will be presented to Cabinet within 4 weeks of the Officer Working Group recommendation.

Implementation & Transfer

Following a Cabinet decision to recommend transfer, the VCO will work to secure the necessary funding and Council officers will also work with the VCO to finalise the legal aspects of the transfer. Once funding is in place and any necessary planning consent secured, the asset can be transferred to the VCO.

It is recognised that there may require to be ongoing support from Council officers to ensure a successful transfer.


Further Support

Further advice and support is also available for groups to consider through our national partners. Groups may require independent support throughout the CAT process and group governance. Development Trust Association Scotland (DTAS) Support Development Trusts across Scotland however also host the Community Ownership Support Service (COSS). These services are funded through the Scottish Government and can provide specialised support for community organisations considering Community Asset Transfers.

More information can be found here:

Development Trust Association Scotland - (DTAS) Development Trust Support

Community Ownership Support Service - (COSS) CAT Support


Funding

You can register for East Ayrshire Council's Funding Alerts through Stay Connected which give regular updates on what EAC and external funding is available for your project.

Stay Connected Funding Alerts

You can also register for our East Ayrshire 4 Community funding portal to search and apply for other funding available. Create your account here to start: https://funding.idoxopen4community.co.uk/eastayrshire

Page last updated: 17 Apr 2025, 03:50 PM