Marco Biagi MSP joined the Community Ownership Support Service (COSS) yesterday in Livingston to launch their event series ‘Asset Transfer: Communities at the Centre’.

The Livingston event was the first in a series of five COSS workshops to be held across Scotland, focusing on the opportunities for Asset Transfer presented by the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.

Aimed at Community Planning Partners, each workshop involves presentations and roundtable discussions with key policymakers and inspirational communities who have already secured assets.

Marco Biagi MSP, Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment, said:“Our Community Empowerment Act gives people more powers to take over land, buildings and services and is a momentous step in our drive to increase participation and local decision making.

“These events organised by the Community Ownership Support Service are an opportunity to reiterate the benefits of community ownership and how communities can take forward regeneration on their own terms.“It’s important that community planning partners understand how they can meet their obligations and support communities to deliver change under the Act.”

Linda Gillespie, Programme Manager, Community Ownership Support Service, said: “’Communities at the Centre’ brings together organisations and individuals involved in Community Planning Partnerships across Scotland to learn, network and establish best practice in asset transfer.

The Community Empowerment Act presents new opportunities for communities to realise their ambitions for regeneration, economic growth and sustainability through asset transfer. Likewise, the legislation offers opportunities for public bodies to work with these ambitious communities to shape services and address local challenges.

COSS has been working with communities and public bodies for four years to support them in the transferring of assets. We’re delighted to draw upon that experience to deliver this exciting series of events.”

Asset Transfer: Communities at the Centre will run from November 2015 - January 2016, with workshops held in Livingston, Kirkcaldy, Pitlochry, Dumfries and Kilmarnock.

For further information please contact: Chris Mack - chris@dtascot.org.uk / 0131 225 2080 - or visit www.dtascommunityownership.org.uk.