What is an asset transfer?

At its simplest level, asset transfer is a shift in management and / or ownership of land or buildings, from public bodies, (most commonly local authorities), to communities, (community and voluntary sector groups, community enterprises, social enterprises, etc).

The Council (via it’s Corporate Asset Transfer Strategy) supports a strong and sustainable Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) as a key partner in the delivery of services and in providing a link with local communities. It recognizes that the VCS has a vital role to play in delivering Vision 2030 and the Gateshead Agreement, and is committed to the successful implementation of the Gateshead Community Development Strategy.

The Council recognizes that the way its physical assets are managed can have a positive impact on the long-term strength of the VCS and local communities more generally. Through asset ownership, VCS organizations can grow and become more secure, gaining access to sources of additional investment that the Council itself may not be able to access. The Council’s aim is to ensure that the way assets are managed strongly underpins wider corporate aims and where appropriate, will use asset transfer as a means of enabling VCS organizations to become sustainable on a long-term basis. To be successful, asset transfer requires a long-term partnership approach on the part of the Council and the receiving VCS organization. Our policy approach sets out how the Council supports this objective.

Organisations would be supported through the asset transfer process by officers within the Council to determine suitability, and if such as process would meet service and/or strategic objectives set out by the Council.

The following criteria would need to be applied for sports clubs in order to ascertain the appropriateness of an asset transfer, and which take into account the quality of the club, aligned to its long term development objectives and sustainability.

Recommended criteria for lease of sport sites to clubs/organisations