Community Management of Assets (CMA)

Calderdale Council has a long track record of supporting the community management of assets (CMA). This ranges from:

• Licenses for pitches.
• Offering vacant land to be used for community growing.
• Enabling Community Asset Transfers (CATs). This is where local voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations take on buildings. This is through long-term leases at below market rates. 

In many cases, these assets are no longer needed for Council services and have been released for community use. Local organisations have responded with creativity and commitment, transforming these spaces into vibrant community hubs. Some of these projects have been celebrated nationally for the services they provide. As well as the positive impact they’ve had across the borough.

We want to build on this success.

Guided by the Vision for Calderdale, the Council is working in new ways with residents and communities. Unlocking local capacity and using resources creatively while working together. At the same time, we’re committed to ensuring fair value for money for all residents. Maintaining robust, transparent processes that support the long-term future of community-run assets.

It connects communities with resources and opportunities, to enable them to provide services and opportunities in their neighbourhoods.

This opportunity is open to local community groups and other VCSEs (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises). Their activities must be wholly or mainly based in Calderdale.

To be eligible, organisations must:

• Be set up on a not-for-profit basis, and
• Be incorporated (i.e. have a formal legal structure).

Examples of eligible organisation types include:

• Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASC).
• Community Interest Companies (CIC).
• Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO).
• Town/Parish Councils or Community Councils.
• Co-operatives or Community Benefit Societies.

Please note: This list is not exhaustive. If your organisation meets the core criteria but is structured differently, we encourage you to get in touch. 

• Management agreement;
• Licence to occupy;
• Short lease or tenancy;
• Long lease.

Where available, groups can make a request for a Community Asset Transfer. (Please note: This is not the same as the Community right to bid.)

• Does your group have the ability to manage the asset?
• Will the asset and your proposed use make enough funds? For example, in the case of a longer-term lease or tenancy arrangement, groups are responsible for:
  • all repairs;
  • ongoing maintenance;
  • running costs;
  • and insurance.
• Will you need to apply for external funding to support your proposal?

• For our major assets, please see: Council assets map.

Please read our:

• Community Management of Assets Policy.
• Community Management of Assets Procedure.

Gather evidence about your proposal to show:

• How the local community will benefit from it.
• What local support you have for it.
• How you will manage and fund it.

The first step is to discuss your initial proposal with your local neighbourhood team. Their contact details can be found on our ward forums page.

To check if an asset is available, please email: estate.management@calderdale.gov.uk.

Once you have done  the above, contact our CMA officer, Faye, for a chat. They will outline what options are available and confirm next steps:

• Contact email: CMAG@calderdale.gov.uk.

• Community Assets Transfer Guide (Locality).
• Calderdale Community Asset Fund (VSI Alliance).
• The Community Hub Handbook (Local Trust).
• My Community.