£1 sports hall transfer window opens

As the football season draws to a close there won't just be premiership stars on the transfer market this year.

Local Government Minister Phil Woolas is challenging councils to breathe new life in to run down sports facilities and other buildings by transferring them to community groups for as little as £1, saying that every council must step up by this time next year.

He announced £400,000 today to kick off forty projects by the end of next season, and a £30m fund will pay for repairs to local council halls so that community groups can take them over. Up to 1,500 groups stand to benefit from the plans.

Phil Woolas said: "This transfer window gives every local community a sporting chance to improve their area, increase physical activity and tackle crime and other issues they face.

"I want every council in England to look at the buildings they own and make them work for the benefit of their communities - whether it's to improve the environment, provide new youth clubs, or create the Champions League stars of the future."

Through its New Deal for Communities the Government has given local groups a greater say in running their communities helping to tackle crime, improve facilities and clean up neighbourhoods. However a major report last week found that despite having powers to sell off buildings to benefit the local community, councils could do much more to boost local services.

Other assets that could be transferred include disused schools, redundant police stations, old hospital sites, empty shopping parades, closed down pubs on estates, swimming pools and leisure centres.

And to prevent any dodgy deals councils must show that the transfer will benefit the local community.