Bradford MDC and Keighley Voluntary Service

Asset Transfer Pilot

Located in the town centre, Keighley’s Central Hall is a Primitive Methodist Church. It was unused for a number of years until Keighley Voluntary Service (KVS) worked with Bradford MBC to develop joint plans for the development and transfer of the asset into community ownership. KVS exists to promote the needs and voices of VCS groups throughout Keighley, and worked for more than five years to consult with the community about its aspirations for the Central Hall site and complete related business planning activity. In Spring 2009, KVS finally secured £1m from the Community Assets Programme - matched by a contribution of £650k from Bradford MBC - to make the building fit for purpose. The Council has agreed to transfer the Hall on a 99 year lease for a peppercorn rent once capital works come to an end in Summer 2010. The aim is to develop a third sector centre of excellence in Keighley – with a mixture of meeting rooms and office space for third sector groups as well as training facilities and spaces able to accommodate wider community functions. A refreshed Central Hall serving all elements of the community will contribute to town centre regeneration plans, and based upon the long term lease agreement, underpin development of a lasting partnership between the public and third sectors working in the area.

Strategic Developments & Support

Support from the Advancing Assets programme helped the Council to consider a number of transfer prospects in the course of its recent ‘Third Sector Review’, as well as assisting KVS in preparing itself to assume responsibility for Central Hall following its refurbishment. Notably, the Council has since opted to employ a dedicated Community Asset Transfer Officer. The officer will work across departmental boundaries and oversee development of appropriate policies and procedures in conjunction with the DTA to facilitate further transfers in the future.

Useful Links

http://www.keighleyvs.org/

http://www.buildingcommunity.org.uk/  Follow the KVS transfer story through the refurbishment phase and beyond via the Asset Transfer Unit’s building community website.