What a Community Assest Transfer is
Community Asset Transfer (CAT) is the transfer of lands or buildings from the council's freehold ownership into the stewardship of Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations.
We lease more than 180 properties to voluntary and community organisations, at less than market value, either on preferential terms or nominal rent. These arrangements range from short-term licences to long leases.
Why we transfer assets to VCSE organisations
We believe that VCSE organisations, which share our aims, are often best placed to manage facilities in their local communities.
They provide employment opportunities for local people, and their local knowledge and hands-on management of the asset is likely to result in better value-for-money, as well as a more intensive use of the asset.
Community management and stewardship of assets:
- empower local communities
- puts local organisations in control
- encourages pride of place
- generates social capital in Bristol's communities
An asset can also provide a VCSE organisation with greater financial viability.
The council is committed to working in partnership with the VCSE sector to ensure that our city's assets deliver the greatest possible benefit for local communities.
Our refreshed policy
In March 2026, we refreshed our pdf Community Asset Transfer Policy,(690 KB) which sets out the criteria for organisations wishing to apply for CAT.
The policy also contains details of the various stages of the application and decision making process, together with anticipated time scales.
Eligibility
Each organisation wishing to apply for CAT need to show they are ready and capable of taking on and managing a community asset.
They need:
- a strong business case
- clear evidence of local community need
- the skills and experience within their leadership team to run the asset effectively
- good governance in place, with sound financial systems
- the appropriate policies expected of a well-run community organisation
Full details of eligibility are in contained in the policy.