William Eichler 19 June 2018

Councils sell off 4,000 public buildings a year, FOI requests reveal

Local authorities have sold-off thousands of public buildings and spaces to private developers in order to cover the loss of central Government funding, charity finds.

Freedom of Information (FOI) requests made by the charity Locality to all councils in England have revealed that more than 4,000 buildings and spaces were sold off each year between 2012 to 2016.

Published in their report The Great British Sell Off, the FOI responses also showed that less than half of the councils approached (41%) have a strategy to support community ownership.

Locality, which launch their Save Our Spaces campaign today, warned this revealed a ‘short-term approach’ to public buildings which are permanently lost to the community once they have been sold.

‘More than 4,000 public buildings and spaces are being sold off a year, that’s more than four times the number of Starbucks in the UK. This is a sell off on a massive scale,’ said Tony Armstrong, CEO of Locality.

‘We know that many of the buildings being lost have valuable community uses. Every one of us can think of a local public building or outside space we love and use – from libraries to lidos and town halls to youth centres.

‘They are owned by the public and they’re being sold off for short term gain to fill holes in council budgets.’

Cllr Richard Watts, chair of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Resources Board, defended the sector, arguing: ‘Before a decision is made to sell an asset, the cost of selling it versus the benefit it could bring is considered carefully.’

‘Local councillors, elected by local people, understand the deep connection communities have with their public spaces and buildings,’ he continued.

‘If we are to be able to maintain them and fund front-line services, the Government must address our funding shortfall of over £5bn a year by 2020 as soon as possible.

‘It is essential that the funding for local government, which has faced cuts of 40% over the last eight years, is put on a sustainable footing, so we can support our communities through essential services and vital infrastructure.’

Locality urged local authorities to consider community ownership as an alternative to selling to private developers and it called on the Government to set up a Community Ownership Fund which could provide local community organisations with £200m a year for five years.

‘Many hundreds of local community groups are stepping up and fighting for community ownership,’ said Mr Armstrong.

‘But they urgently need support and help with start-up costs if they are to compete with the commercial developers.

‘Funding to support community ownership has dried up in recent years, and Government, investors and charitable funders must come together to unlock a set-up fund for community ownership.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Occupational Therapist (Grenfell Education Hub)

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Opening up the world to young people - so they can get the best out of it, and themselves.This role sits at the centre of a community deeply impacted England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Director of Finance and Property Services

West Lothian Council
Up to £142,600
Nestled in the heart of Scotland, West Lothian is a vibrant region Livingston, West Lothian
Recuriter: West Lothian Council

Educational Psychologist (Grenfell Education Hub)

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Support the North Kensington community to rebuild, aspire and shape futures beyond tragedy.As an Educational Psychologist in the Grenfell Education Te England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Stock Condition Surveyor - Basildon Borough Council

Essex County Council
£18.0900 - £19.9600 per hour
Stock Condition SurveyorBasildon, Essex£18.02 per hour PAYE / £23.11 UmbrellaFull-Time, Temporary Contract - up to 6 months36.25 hours per week Essex England, Essex, Basildon
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Enhanced Teaching Assistant (SEN)

Durham County Council
£27,269 - £30,060 pro rata
Enhanced Teaching Assistant  (SEN) Grade 6  £27,269 - £30,060 pro rata Permanent Full Time, Term Time Only + 2 Weeks Required as soon as possible Thi Stanley
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner