An introduction to the Asset Transfer Unit blog
Hmmmmmm those that know me will know that Micheal Pyner and blogging is, though not incompatible, not something that trips of the consciousness like bacon and cabbage either! But here I am - the Chair of the Development Trust Association, Chief Executive of Shoreditch Trust and well known technophobe to launch the blog for the Asset Transfer Unit.
You may know already that Communities and Local Government have commissioned the Development Trust Association to establish the Asset Transfer Unit (ATU) to facilitate, inform and enable the transfer of assets from stakeholding organisations to community groups who have demonstrated their desire and ability to acquire, manage and develop assets at a stroke maximising their potential and alleviating local authorities and others of sometimes problematic components for their portfolios.
This follows a long, vocal and articulate community campaign which led to asset transfer becoming a hot political potato and a priority. Barry Quirks contribution along with that of Stephen Thake and Andrew Robinson cannot be underestimated not forgetting the indomitable Charles Woodde who sensitively and professionally wove a path through Whitehall.
There is no doubt that there are already wonderful examples of transferred assets that are already making significant contributions to communities across the country. The main purpose of the ATU is to bring forward those who have doubts, fears or simply have some questions and don’t know where to pose them or to whom. They may lack the expertise to develop a business plan, lack the legal expertise to put together a bid. They might not know who to approach or how. What they often won’t lack is passion, energy, local commitment and a track record of excellent service provision.
The blog is another contribution to opening the ATU up to the widest possible audience. Enabling discussions to take place, dialogue to be encouraged and questions asked with answers supplied by people who have credibility and integrity.
What I know as a practitioner in the field is that when Shoreditch Trust began to assemble its asset portfolio it would have been great to have others around to bounce ideas off, to ask what we all thought were the really stupid questions (they weren’t but you know what I mean). We didn’t have that and managed to get it right mostly but are perfectly happy to share what we got wrong as well as I am sure will others who contribute over time to the blog.
What is also clear is that this is a very different introduction to one I might have written even 12 months ago. The financial climate makes it even more imperative that assets are appropriately used, managed and developed. There will not be many who can leave an asset on the books without thought to how it might be best used and who will benefit from that.
There is another aspect to the blog that I hope develops over time. I really hope that local councils, PCT’s whoever is sitting on large assets and wrestling with the challenge of reviewing their use or management or potential will find some comfort in the blog. We in the sector must not lose sight of the fact that it is incumbent on us to provide comfort to those considering disposing of assets that such a disposal can be made with risk appropriately mitigated and all of the elements for success in place. The development of relationships of trust is absolutely key to what we want to achieve here and this is a partnership that must benefit all involved.
The transfer of assets can be a catalytic intervention in the development of a community. It can re-energise and re-focus a community and its impact cannot be underestimated. For this reason if for no other we must ensure that those disposing are assured that the asset is going to be appropriately managed, a business plan is in place, a development plan sitting behind the plan and the community engaged in what is happening. Assets really do have the potential to be anchors in their communities.
In return there must be a level of trust shown in local communities that allows the freedom to work with the asset but also the freedom to make mistakes. As we move forward and more and more assets are transferred we will all know well where it has gone well and where it might have been done better. The ATU will be a repository for good practice and learning and the blog can be a place where that exchange is immediate and dynamic. The ATU can be a broker and that brokerage again can be a catalytic intervention.
Given that I rarely listen to music written after 1750, lack any kind of current cultural references and can still be found sitting at my desk shouting “why is it doing this” at the PC I am showing an extraordinary confidence in blogging! Perhaps this is because I do know that any forum where real people can discuss things with other real people is always a good thing to have. A place where people can come to ask questions and be given answers is always to be welcomed and that can be said of both the blog and the ATU more broadly.
Please do use the blog, please pop in and out and contribute to the discussion as often as you want. I will be drifting in and out and keeping an eye on who’s said what to whom. Anne-Marie and the team have made an amazing start and I am convinced that the ATU will help in transforming the landscape of asset transfer over the coming months; your contributions can only energise that process so thanks for that even before any of you have typed a word!
Micheal Pyner
Chair Development Trust Association