KIRKLEES Council is set to agree a new policy for the transfer of Council land and buildings to community groups, that will widen the pool of potential applicants and introduce a formal grant process for successful groups.

A report set to go before the authority’s cabinet next week details how the revised policy builds on the 2013 document through experience and “lessons learnt” from community asset transfers completed to date.

So far a total of ten transfers have been completed, with a further six approved by cabinet and nine applications in progress.

These include East Bierley Community Sports Association, which was set up to take control of the Hunsworth Lane playing fields and run-down changing facilities from the Council. Their bid for a long-term lease in a community asset transfer was successful a year ago. Work to build new changing facilities is now nearing completion.

In addition, a group set up by residents and local councillors is hoping to take on the Birstall Community Centre and Library building as an asset transfer from the Council.

Ian Blamires, one of the people behind the bid, hopes the move will secure the future of the building. After a public meeting earlier this week, he said the response had been very positive with their plans to initially lease the building prior to a full transfer being well received.

He added: “We have seen the Council’s draft policy and there are things that will be of benefit to us.”

A Council spokesman confirmed: “We are working with the group to agree the transfer and have proposed a six-month lease from April 1, as an interim measure until a transfer is brought forward.”

The deadline for groups to express their initial interest in taking on the former Red House Museum in Gomersal, is on Monday.

The Grade II-listed 17th-century cloth merchant’s home was closed in December due to cuts in the Council’s museums and galleries budget. A transfer would include a covenant for community use.

The cabinet meets on Tuesday, at 4pm, in Huddersfield Town Hall.