Quirk ReviewQuirk review findings on community asset management and ownership were launched on 15 May at the Burton Street Project, a Sheffield based development trust and member of the Development Trusts Association (DTA) The report states: ‘there are no substantive impediments to the transfer of public assets to communities. It can be done, indeed it has been done legitimately and successfully in very many places.’ The report goes on to say ‘There are risks but they can be minimised and managed – there is plenty of experience to draw on. The secret is all parties working together.’ Steve Wyler, Director of the DTA, commented, ‘At a stroke the Quirk review has demolished the excuses of do-nothing bureaucrats who have pretended for years that they don’t have the powers or that risks are too high or that community asset ownership is not in the public interest. ‘At the same time the report gives hope to those in town halls everywhere with a can-do attitude. To place land and buildings in community hands is to provide the means for people to create profound and long term transformation in their neighbourhood. This is what community empowerment is really about. If anyone still doubts this they only have to look at our development trust members - we have £350m of assets in community ownership, driving change from the bottom up.’ To read the DTA's briefing on the Quirk Review and download a copy of the report, visit the DTA website. |