Ambitious community asset transfer and support programme goes live

The scheme aims to empower local organisations to take over the running of some land and buildings so that they continue to be thriving facilities that meet the needs of local people, beyond the life of the Council, which is due to be abolished from April 2027 as part of Local Government Reorganisation. The scheme will also offer grant support to organisations that already operate their own assets in the borough.

Local community groups and organisations can now formally express their interest to run certain community assets or for grant funding via the Community Asset Transfer and Support programme page. The deadline for submissions is midnight on 2 December 2025.

What assets will be considered?

A community asset typically refers to land or buildings that provide a benefit to the local community, and which they value for its social wellbeing or social interest. Examples include community halls, sports pavilions, allotments and open spaces.

Assets which deliver key council services, produce significant profitable income, or are required for future strategic reasons, will not be eligible for transfer.

A grant scheme will provide support to local organisations to enable them to improve assets and secure their future for the long term. Bid support will also be available for smaller community groups in the form of briefings, guidance, and targeted grants.

Empowering local communities

Cllr Ben Green, Executive Member for Finance, Assets and Governance said, “I am excited to bring forward this opportunity for local organisations to take a bigger part in securing long-lasting benefits for their communities. Local government is at its best when we are able to empower residents to do what is right for their own community

“Since I announced the scheme in September, we have had an incredibly positive response, with over 60 organisations pre-registering in advance of the formal launch. I hope to see proposals from a wide range of organisations and community groups who can demonstrate that they can manage these assets in a financially sustainable way and in the best interest of local residents.”

What happens next?

The Expression of Interest form will remain open until midnight on 2 December 2025. An assessment of all expressions of interest will then be made in January 2026.

Proposals will be assessed against criteria in the Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy and Community Asset Support Scheme. Relevant ward councillors will be consulted on the proposals in their area.

Eligible applications will then be invited to produce a full business case during January and February 2026 for assessment. Final decisions will be made in consultation with the Council’s Community Asset Advisory Group in March 2026 and if the bid is successful, the transfer process can begin.

More information

For more information on the scheme, details on how to submit an expression of interest and submission criteria, please visit our Community Asset Transfer and Support programme page. If you have further questions on the process, please email communitypartnerships@reigate-banstead.gov.uk.

The scheme was agreed at a meeting of the full Council on Thursday 25 September 2025, following Executive support on 18 September. Read the report to the Executive meeting on 18 September (see item 4).