Community Asset Transfer FAQs

The team is made up of two members who sit within the property team in the Place Directorate:

• Community Asset Transfer Surveyor: Paula Blellock
• Community Asset Transfer Development Officer: Tom Skewes  

They report into the Assistant Director of Property and Economy and Head of Property.

Get in touch on the following email: CAT@sthelens.gov.uk

Once the council has identified a CAT opportunity, there will be four key stages in the application process:

• Stage 1 - expression of Interest
• Stage 2 - full application and business case
• Stage 3 - assessment and decision
• Stage 4 - agree legal terms
   

Assets identified for CAT will be advertised on our community asset transfer web page, with organisations invited to submit an expression of interest, outlining their eligibility and proposed use for the asset.

Expressions of interest can be submitted by filling out the form on the council's website or emailing CAT@sthelens.gov.uk

Assets available for CAT will be advertised through local press, official St Helens Borough Council communications channels, as well as community networks and partners.

If you're unsure which assets are available, get in touch with the team on CAT@sthelens.gov.uk.

St Helens Borough Council recognises that CAT can be a daunting challenge for many organisations. To ensure the process is open, equal, and transparent, we are working alongside Halton & St Helens Voluntary and Community Action (VCA) who can offer advice and assistance to groups thinking of applying to the council for a community asset transfer.

Halton & St Helens VCA is an infrastructure organisation that provides advice, information, and development support services to voluntary, community, not-for-profit and faith organisations and volunteers in the boroughs of St Helens and Halton.

They can be contacted on info@haltonsthelensvca.org.uk

National organisations such as Locality, Power to Change and Ethical Property Foundation can also provide bespoke, independent advice.

Prior experience of completing a CAT is not critical, however a knowledge and aptitude to complete the CAT process is thoroughly recommended. The council's website has a resource bank of research literature, alongside the sources described above.

CAT is rooted in community-led approaches that generate maximum social value for local communities. Organisations that apply for CAT need to demonstrate how their project supports, and where possible, includes residents.

Organisations that have little or no intention of community benefit should not seek CAT, and instead look at alternative commercial opportunities.
 

The CAT team have a range of contacts with successful experience of CAT, who are keen to share their experiences. The team are keen to connect organisations to share best practice and act as an enabler for organisations to access support networks.

As well as the bank of resources on the council website, the infrastructure organisations listed above can provide specialist support and advice.

St Helens Borough Council's CAT policy is rooted in community benefit, transparency and long-term asset sustainability. This has resulted in a thorough process that is estimated to take around eight to nine months.

This is to ensure that applicants have enough time to complete a suitable business case, and for the council sufficient time to thoroughly assess each application fairly and agree suitable legal terms.

Assets that are deemed surplus to requirements by the council and recommended for CAT will be taken forward under the policy. This reflects the council's Corporate Asset Strategy and Asset Management Plan, ensuring that assets are suitable for CAT.

No. Assets available for CAT will be advertised by the council explicitly under the policy and have already been deemed surplus to requirements.

St Helens Borough Council has had a brand new CAT policy since September 2023 and subsequently appointed a CAT team in spring 2024. 

For any further questions, get in touch on CAT@sthelens.gov.uk