THE transferring of old and unwanted buildings from council to community ownership has generated an incredible £27 million for the Dumfries and Galloway economy.
The council has parted ways with an average of six properties per year that it no longer has use for, handing over the keys effectively for free to various groups in community asset transfer (CAT) deals.
This reduces the council’s overall bill for repairs and ongoing maintenance costs – and also creates opportunities for investment and more services to be provided across the region.
The CAT work and the economic benefits also resulted in the council earning an honour at the Cosla (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) Excellence Awards last year.
The success of community asset transfers and how they are handled professionally in Dumfries and Galloway was highlighted by council chief executive Dawn Roberts in a report on the delivery of the council plan for 2024/25.
She wrote: “Our community asset transfer (CAT) Strategy has empowered communities across the region by transferring 43 properties into local ownership since 2017.
“In addition to reducing pressure on our maintenance budgets, this has levered £27M external investment into our region from a range of funders; and delivers an average of £4.20 social value for every £1 discount from an asset value, through new or updated community facilities, new jobs, volunteering opportunities, work for local businesses and tourist attractions.
“Transferred assets support a range of uses including visitor centres, a gin distillery, a theatre and eco-housing.”
Roberts insisted that the CAT approach has been championed by councillors, and she explained there is an annual survey of community groups in order to receive direct feedback, along with regular training and development sessions for council services and partner organisations.
She continued: “The community asset transfer strategy is integral to the delivery of the council plan action under the economy theme and strategic objective ‘rural communities and places are vibrant and thriving’ to ‘support community asset transfers which empower communities to take ownership of council properties and land.’”
Various council departments, including community development, economic development, legal, and property services, all work together to enable such community asset transfers to take place.
This work was recognised at the Cosla excellence awards in September 2024 as the council picked up the Excellence Award for Strengthening Communities and Local Democracy.
