Community transfer policy

Oldham Council Cabinet meeting
A POLICY to transfer surplus council properties to community groups has been approved by the council’s senior cabinet.

Successfully handing over Springhead Community Centre to Springhead Community Association was used to test the Community Asset Transfer Strategy.

A management committee made up of local residents now runs the centre and delivers local services.

To take over the running of buildings, community groups will need to demonstrate community use and long-term financial viability by providing business plans and demonstrate how the potential transfer of assets and leasing arrangements supports council objectives.

Oldham Council says the policy is in line with the Government’s approach of providing services at a more local level and the council’s repositioning programme to working more in partnership with local people.

Councillor Mark Alcock said: “By transferring assets, community and volunteer groups have greater control to shape services that local people want. It also provides greater financial independence, allowing them to access funding which was previously unavailable due to council ownership of the facilities. Locally-based services provide significant benefits for citizens including employment opportunities and can act as a catalyst for longer-term regeneration.”

Councillor Brian Lord said: “Springhead is an absolutely excellent example of the community and council working together. The difference in the building is quite remarkable and there’s a good, strong group of community people working hard to improve the building. I hope this is the start of many more to come.”




OLDHAM Council is to team up with the other local authorities to create a Greater Manchester Activity Road Permits Scheme.

The scheme will help councils to control the coordination of street works, to minimise disruption and charge the cost to utility companies.

It replaces the current approach where the council receives notices from utilities stating their intention to undertake works. Councils say working collectively stops duplication and saves time and money.

A service centre will be established to undertake key tasks on behalf of the authorities, but each authority will still be responsible for the final decision. The scheme is expected to employ four new members of staff.