Both the current Government and its predecessor spent a considerable amount of time promoting the benefits of Community Asset Transfer – a way of enabling councils to sell or lease unwanted buildings to voluntary groups at a sensible price.

The principle behind the scheme is first class. All too often local authorities vacate premises which then lay vacant when they could be put to good use by community organisations.

The stumbling block in the past has been the duty placed on a council to get the best possible price for any property sold, which usually rules out a successful bid by third sector groups.

Community Asset Transfer heralds a new dawn, but the initiative risks being strangled at birth by the dire financial plight that public bodies face.

Birmingham City Council has been criticised for selling 17th century Pype Hayes Hall on the open market rather than earmarking it for Community Asset Transfer, but the reality is that most voluntary groups would be unable to afford the huge cost of putting the building into a fit state of repair.

However, the council may have other vacant property more suitable for transfer to community groups. Since volunteers are now expected to take an active role in delivering public services, the provision of low-cost accommodation must be a priority.