The Community Asset Transfer of Leisure Facilities in the UK: A Review and Research Agenda

This paper reviews recent work on community asset transfers (CAT): a transfer of management of facilities from the public sector to the third sector, largely led by volunteers. The review focusses on leisure facilities due to their non-statutory nature, making them more vulnerable to public spending cuts. The experience of CATs is reviewed, including: the motivations of local government and volunteers; the transfer process and management of CATs post-transfer; and the market position of facility types. Overall, paper highlights the need for more insight into the issues/support needed for CAT.