Jackie Graham and David Tyler

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Jackie Grahamand David Tyler

• Community Matters

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Quirk Report

• optimising the use of public assets is not the
  primary objective the over-riding goal is
  community empowerment.
• There are risks but they can be minimised and
  managed
• The secret is all parties working together

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Community Anchor Organisations

• An organisation with responsibility for the well
  being of the local community sector,
• What is marginal to everyone else is core to the
  anchor.
• The anchor needs to work out how to protect,
  involve and provide a voice for its community.
• It also needs to build networks beyond the
  community, from the inside to the outside,
  building bridges across, creating pathways for
  communities to other communities and to
  employment and business
• Stephen Thake

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Community Anchor Organisations

• Multi-purpose building run by community
• Home and support for community sector
• Base for activity, local services and meetings
• Base for community development
• Incubator for new groups and enterprises
• Community consultation and engagement
• Building social capital, community cohesion
• Focus for community volunteers

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Managing Risk Quirk Report

• Review the capacity of the organisation to take
  over the management and ownership of a public
  asset.
• Develop, fund and implement an agreed
  organisational development plan adopting quality
  standards.
• For example Community Matters VISIBLE standard
  for community centre organisations

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Risk

• Different categories of risk examples
• - Financial /commercial
• - Governance
• - Legal compliance
• - Reputation
• - Health Safety

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Risk of Transfer

• Organisation does not have the capacity/ability
  to manage the asset
• Organisation cant afford to maintain the asset
• State aid rules prevent public support of a
  project
• Asset is captured by minority interest group
• Confusion about liability of organisation
• Little enterprise opportunity
• Little activity or usage of the building
• Poor reach into wider community
• Constantly changing corporate priorities

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Asset or Liability

• Age and condition of the building
• Listed building?
• Location safety, convenience, footfall, local
  transport, infrastructure
• Plans for the redevelopment of the area
• Proximity to local housing (potential for noise
  nuisance)
• Proximity of alternative venues
• Type and length of tenure, rent, repairing
  obligations, maintenance charges
• Profile and interests of the local community
• Capacity and willingness of the organisation to
  manage and develop it
• Small population in area of benefit
• Local public procurement policy

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How should it be approached?

• Start with a community development approach
• An ongoing partnership approach
• Capacity and skills of staff trustees
• Leasehold transfer as affordable package - 3Rs
• Fourth R Revenue grant-aid commissioning
• Joined-up approach between local departments
• Exit strategy in event of major problems
• Incremental approach - management an option

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How should it be tackled?

• Need for independent advice to community
• Survey and DDA compliance
• Tenure options freehold/leasehold/other
• Viability of building and plans for enterprise
  development
• Full financial picture of transfer options
• Ensuring the building
• Is well managed
• Is well used
• Has extensive and inclusive reach into the
  community
• Builds an active community
• Maintains a wide variety of uses in line with
  community needs

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Operating Standards for Community Organisations

• Background on VISIBLE
• Becoming Visible workbook
• a Voice to represent issues of local concern
• an Independent and politically neutral
  organisation
• a Service provider for local people
• an Initiator of projects to meet locally
  identified need
• a Builder of partnerships with other
  local orgs/ groups a strong
• a Local network of people and
  organisations
• a way to Engage people to become active in their
  communities
• Accreditation

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Useful Resources

• Quirk Report Appendix A - Table of Risks Involved
  in Asset Transfer and Ways to Manage Them
• Charity commission guidance on risk management
• http//charitycommission.gov.uk/investigation
  s/charrisk
• Community Matters VISIBLE Standards

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Contact Details

• Jackie Graham
• North East Regional Co-ordinator
• northeast_at_communitymatters.org.uk
• Community Matters
• 12-20 Baron Street
• London N1 9LL
• Telephone [phone]
• Rekha.wadhwani_at_communitymatters.org.uk