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Councils could make thousands of their empty buildings available to residents under community empowerment plans being rolled out by Hazel Blears. The communities secretary this week urged town halls to speed up her ‘revolution' to improve the use of public assets, such as community centres or theatres, by putting ‘real power' into the hands of community groups. Ms Blears said some councils could make up to 100 publicly-owned buildings available under her fast-expanding scheme, possibly at reduced rents. ‘We want local councils to help more people get their hands on disused buildings so they can put them to work for the community. For too long, too many councils have not even seen it as an option,' she said. Ms Blears this week launched the Asset Transfer Unit, a government-funded service led by the Development Trusts Association, which will help councils and community groups explore alternative uses for buildings. More than 50 local authorities have already trialled the asset transfer scheme, and Ms Blears this week announced a further 22 ‘demonstration' authorities across England. Ms Blears told Localgov.co.uk's sister title, The MJ, the initiative formed part of her wider plan to prevent high streets and communities becoming ‘ghost towns' during the recession. ‘Our ambition is to help groups to use buildings to promote greater community engagement and help residents help themselves in providing education and training services, for example, tailored to their communities' she said. ‘While this is a national initiative, there is no one-size-fits-all format. ‘We're not prescriptive – our aim is to help bring councils, residents and other groups together to discuss the best use of local buildings.' Ms Blears has also set up an advice line – 0845 345 4564 –to help councils and residents to initiate discussions.

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WHITEHALL

Blears' big push for asset transfer plan

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