Community Asset Transfer

Community Asset Transfer (CAT) involves the transfer of responsibility for an asset from the council to any suitably qualified community, voluntary or social enterprise group. Assets may include:

• public halls and community centres
• public conveniences
• parks
• sports facilities
• play areas

Some assets must stay under council ownership to support the:

• delivery of essential services
• economic activity in an area

Other assets may have restrictive title conditions attached. This restricts their use to a defined purpose, for example only for sports and leisure purposes.

North Ayrshire Council is committed to community asset transfer that will benefit communities and contribute towards achieving the council's aims and objectives. Read our community asset transfer policy document.

Under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, we are required to publish a register of property document that North Ayrshire Council owns or leases.

Our guidance pack contains step by step guidance, an application form and additional material.

External advice and information is available from Community Ownership Support.

Planning permission may be needed if the transfer involves any new building or change of use of an existing building or property. Check in advance.

• CAT guide document
• CAT frequently asked questions document
• Initial enquiry interest form document
• CAT timeline document
• Heritage Fund - business plan guide
• Just Enterprise - business plan support
• Community Enterprise - business plan support

We review your completed initial enquiry form. If suitable, we will send you the full community asset transfer form. This form will require information on:

• the request
• the skills, knowledge and experience that your organisation has
• how the proposal will contribute to the local priorities set out by the North Ayrshire Community Planning Partnerships Local Outcomes Improvement Plan
• the Business and Development Plan
• supporting documentation

The £150 million Community Ownership Fund is for communities across the United Kingdom. It has been set up to help communities take ownership of assets at risk of closure. It runs for four years until 2024/25.

Voluntary and community organisations can bid for match funding. Funding may support the purchase and/or renovation costs of community assets. Eligibility is outlined in the Community Ownership Fund prospectus.

Proposals will need to prove:

• the value of the asset to local people
• that the asset can run sustainably for the long-term benefit of the community

Copies of asset transfer requests and accompanying documents/information will be made available here until the request process is complete.

This allows anyone to ask questions or to challenge the request. This is called making a representation. Any representation made about the request will also be made available.

To comply with data protection requirements, personal information will be redacted from these documents before they are published.

Asset transfer requests listed will show the:

• date of submission
• asset they relate to
• dates of the representation consultation period (20 working days)

All representations received will be copied to the community transfer body for their comments and will then be published.

You can make a representation during consultation periods by email.