Ben Willis,
Regen.net,
28 November 2007
The government is to extend a pilot project demonstrating how communities can take ownership of local assets.
Communities secretary Hazel Blears said today that 14 schemes will be added to the 20 projects already exploring how public assets can be transferred to local people at a reduced cost.
The pilot project was launched earlier in the year in response to a report by Lewisham Council chief executive Barry Quirk.
Among the 20 projects underway, Hastings Borough Council is looking at the compulsory purchase of the derelict Hastings Pier, which it then wants to transfer to community ownership.
Blears said in addition to the 34 pilots, the government was hoping to have signed 80 areas up to a community asset transfer project within two years.
"There's no better advocate for local people than local people themselves, no service that can't be improved by their active involvement," she said.
In a separate development, umbrella body the Development Trusts Association this week gave awards to 16 MPs who it said have been active in supporting community groups.
Among them were Home Office minister Meg Hillier and Simon Hughes, MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey.
