My Perspective on Asset Transfers
In my role as portfolio holder for Finance, Estates, and Property Services at North Norfolk District Council, I'm deeply involved in discussions about which assets might be transferred to town and parish councils as part of reorganisation. I'm also a county councillor, former town and parish councillor, and someone who works closely with clerks and staff to strengthen their skillsets, giving me a unique perspective on both sides of these transfers.
The asset question isn't simply about who owns what — it's about maintaining vital community services, managing financial responsibilities, and ensuring local voices continue to determine how these resources serve residents.
What Assets Might Be Coming Your Way?
District and county councils across England hold various assets that might be transferred to town and parish councils during reorganisation. These typically include:
Essential Community Spaces
- Public toilets (often costly to maintain but essential for visitors and vulnerable residents)
- Parks, playgrounds, and open spaces
- Community halls and buildings
- Libraries and heritage sites
- Car parks (potentially income-generating)
Infrastructure Elements
- Street furniture (benches, bins, signage)
- Unadopted roads from housing developments
- Street lighting
- Ponds
- Grass verges and planted areas
In North Norfolk, there are extensive conversations happening about preserving assets where taxpayer money has been invested. Heritage sites like listed piers are just one example of the type of asset that requires careful consideration about its future management.
Balancing Acts: The Income-Expense Equation
One of the most critical aspects of asset transfers is understanding the financial implications. The balance between income-generating assets and cost-heavy ones is crucial. While districts and counties might be eager to offload costly maintenance responsibilities, town and parish councils need to negotiate packages that include both income-generating and service-providing assets.
The question becomes: how can your council create balanced approaches to asset management? If you're taking on maintenance responsibilities, what potential income streams might offset these costs?
The Information Gap
Alarmingly, many town and parish councils report being completely in the dark about potential asset transfers. This information void makes planning impossible. At minimum, councils should request:
- Lists of assets in your area that might be transferred
- Current maintenance costs for these assets
- Potential income figures where applicable
- Condition surveys and outstanding maintenance issues
- Long-term capital investment requirements
This information should be forthcoming, with the understanding that some aspects will be confidential or commercially sensitive. If you're not receiving this information, actively pursue it through your district and county's chief executive and council leader.
Building Capacity for Asset Management
Taking on significant assets requires expertise many town and parish councils currently lack. This leads to legitimate concerns about whether smaller councils have the capacity to manage complex assets effectively. Several strategies are emerging.
1. Consider clustering with neighbouring parishes
This approach allows councils to share the burden of asset management while potentially creating enough scale to hire dedicated maintenance staff. Some councils are already thinking about merging with nearby parishes for strength — recognising that without clustering, they risk becoming a small fish in a very large pond.
2. Invest in professional support
Don't rule out employing additional staff for asset management. While this increases precept costs, it may be necessary to properly maintain valuable community assets. Even larger town councils with dedicated maintenance teams still require external specialists for certain work.
3. Request transition support
Councils transferring assets should provide full documentation and maintenance histories, site meetings to fully understand the asset, transition funding to address immediate issues, and technical support during the process of transfer.
The White Paper Gap
Perhaps most concerning is the lack of guidance from central government. The devolution white paper contains just one vague sentence about strengthening expectations on engagement with town and parish councils — nothing about asset transfers or support mechanisms.
This absence of central guidance means each area is handling transfers differently, creating a postcode lottery for town and parish councils.
Questions Your Council Should Be Asking Now
- Do we know what assets might be transferred to us? If not, who should we be contacting to find out?
- What is the current condition of these assets? Request condition surveys and maintenance histories.
- What are the annual running costs and potential income streams? Demand detailed financial information.
- Do we have the capacity to manage these assets? Consider staffing, expertise, and potential partnerships.
- What support will be provided during transition? Ask for specific commitments on training and funding.
- Could we partner with neighbouring parishes to create economies of scale in asset management?
A Call to Action
The asset transfer process doesn't have to be something that happens to your council — you can take an active role in shaping it. Start conversations now, both with higher-tier authorities and neighbouring parishes. Document your community's needs and the value these assets provide locally.
Most importantly, don't accept transfers without appropriate support and resources. Your council's primary responsibility is to your local community, and taking on unsustainable financial burdens could compromise your ability to serve effectively.
By working together, sharing information, best practices, and potentially resources, town and parish councils can turn this challenge into an opportunity to secure vital community assets with sustainable management approaches.
Asset Transfer FAQ
While car parks are income-generating, some councils are reluctant to transfer them. But it's worth including them in your negotiations, especially if you're being asked to take on cost-intensive assets like public toilets.
Consider your current staffing, expertise, and budget. For larger assets, you might need to hire specialists or form partnerships with neighbouring parishes. Don't underestimate the time commitment required for effective asset management.
This is a complex question. While you may have the right to refuse, consider the potential consequences for your community if essential services are lost. Use refusal as a last resort after attempting to negotiate appropriate support and resources.
This varies significantly by area. Some districts may provide transition funding, while others may offer little support. You should actively negotiate for appropriate funding, especially for assets requiring immediate maintenance or improvements.
This is a legitimate concern. Consider phased transfers to manage the impact on precepts and look for income-generating opportunities to offset costs. The balance of precepts may need to increase, but a structured approach can minimise the shock.
A Note from John Fagan, Founder of Civic.ly
If your council is feeling overwhelmed by the increasing number of assets you're responsible for due to devolution — whether it's public toilets, play areas, or other community facilities — I invite you to explore Civic.ly. Our platform helps parish and town councils efficiently manage all their assets in one place.
With Civic.ly, you can:
- Track inspection schedules and maintenance for all your facilities
- Document compliance requirements
- Manage costs and budgeting
- Create custom reports for council meetings
- Use AI to automatically categorise assets from photos