A further 20 local authorities and their civil society partners are to develop plans for community asset transfer after being chosen for support through the Advancing Assets for Communities programme.

The bodies will be assisting in transferring public assets into community control with the help of a package of expert advice and support which is funded by Communities and Local Government and delivered by the Development Trusts Association (DTA) in partnership with Community Matters, the Local Government Association and Action with Communities in Rural England.

Now in its fourth year, the programme has grown to support a quarter of local authorities.

Hugh Rolo, head of assets and investments for the DTA, said:  “The asset transfer wave is building. Against a grim external environment, third sector transfer and community enterprise options are being considered more readily to help communities weather the storm.  

“Viable asset-based community organisations are the model of choice for the succession strategies of the majority of New Deal for Communities schemes and are becoming valued partners in the delivery of a raft of Local Area Agreement targets.  

“From innovative ‘meanwhile use’ projects to the creation of community anchors, third sector transfer can help attract investment, revitalise local areas, engage local people and sustain communities.”

The local authorities that will receive support from April 2010 are:

• Barrow in Furnace Borough Council
• Blackburn with Darwin Borough Council
• Bolton Council, Oldham MBC
• Broadland District Council
• Cambridge City Council
• Cornwall  Council
• Croydon Council
• Darlington Borough Council
• Dudley MBC
• Durham County Council
• Essex County Council
• Lincolnshire County Council
• Plymouth City Council
• Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council
• St. Edmundsbury Borough Council
• Scarborough Borough Council
• Somerset County Council
• Warrington Borough Council
• York City Council