THE future of 6 vacant properties, including a Victorian chapel, is set to be decided at a meeting of Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet next week.

A report is recommending that the half-dozen Council-owned premises be handed over to charities and community groups operating in the City.

If agreed, the empty properties will be the latest to be added to Liverpool’s Community Asset Transfer (CAT) programme.

It means that, subject to an approved, fully-costed business plan, qualifying groups will be able to take control of the buildings to deliver a range of community-based projects.

The recommended premises for phase 2 of the CAT programme are:-

Anfield Cemetery Chapel
Garston Urban Village Hall
Knotty Ash Community Centre
Joseph Gibbons Day Centre, Sefton Park
St Brendan’s Church/Shrine, Old Swan
Former Lodge Lane Library
 
Liverpool’s CAT programme was launched in 2022 and introduced the idea of exchanging ‘social value’ for monetary value which can be used to offset the cost of Council-owned assets.

Voluntary and community organisations, social enterprises and other not-for-profits can apply to take on ownership of any of the properties under the programme on either a long-term or short-term basis.

The group’s business plan will then be evaluated to ensure that they offer significant social, community or environmental benefits to Liverpool residents. If the plans qualify, the Council will transfer ownership of the premises for less than its market value.

Not only will the successful groups then by able to use the premises as a hub to work from, but they can also use the commercial market value of the land to support any bids for funding or loans.

Phase 1 of the CAT programme offered a number of premises to interested groups, including land on Mulgrave Street, Rosebery Street, Adlam Park Sports Pavilion, and Speke Adventure Playground Centre. Talks are currently taking place between the Council and community-based organisations to secure new uses for the sites.

All premises have been chosen to ensure that there is a variety of land and properties up for consideration across the North and South of the City.

Subject to Cabinet approval, the Council will seek to advertise CAT Phase 2 properties in April on the council website.
 
Councillor Nick Small, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy, said:- “Since the start of our Community Asset Transfer programme, we’ve had a lot of interest from community groups and heard about some fantastic future projects. These new premises would allow us to support even more local groups, who, in turn, are making a huge difference in their neighbourhoods. Each building proposed for the 2nd phase has so much potential but is currently sat empty and unused. By offering them to interested groups within the community, the Council will be able to save on unnecessary maintenance costs and provide charities and organisations with a space they may otherwise be unable to afford. The efforts of our third-party sector are essential in supporting the City’s most vulnerable residents and giving a voice to those in need. Community transfers are a way for us to support the vital work that goes on every single day.”