Resources: COSS Publications

Module One B - Introduction to Community Right to Buy

Provides communities with a introduction to Community Right to Buy. The guidance covers:

  • Which CRtB option is most appropriate for your community
  • An overview of the three CRtB processes
    • Community Right to Buy Part 2
    • Community Right to Buy - Abandoned, Neglected or Detrimental Land
    • Community Right to Buy - Land to further Sustainable Development
  • Getting ready for CRtB
  • Four case studies from communities that have used the process
  • Tools and resources to help you on your journey
PDF icon COSS Introduction to Community Right to Buy FINAL.pdf

Module One: Introduction to Community Asset Transfer

This module is the first in a series of six which have been produced by the Community Ownership Support Service (COSS) to support the sustainable transfer of publicly-held assets into community ownership. COSS is delivered by the Development Trusts Association for Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government.

Engaging in community asset transfer involves three core elements:

  • Examining the feasibility of an asset transfer
  • Planning for the asset transfer
  • Managing and sustaining the asset when acquired
This series of modules covers each of these areas and provides advice and guidance on making an application for asset transfer helping to ensure it is robust.
 
PDF icon 1 COSS module 1 - Introduction to Asset Transfer.pdf

Module Two: Feasibility

This module aims to provide organisations with the knowledge and practical skills required to explore the feasibility of engaging in community asset transfer. It focuses on a number of areas, including the user demand and organisational asset transfer readiness.

The core learning outcomes of this module are:
 
  • To understand the process of asset assessment
  • To gain knowledge on the factors impacting upon sustainability
  • To understand the importance of proving demand and ensuring strategic fit
  • To gain knowledge of the steps necessary to scope an asset and identify legal issues
  • To gain knowledge of building internal capacity to match the needs of the project
  • To understand how to conduct a risk analysis for the project
  • To understand the key components of a feasibility study
PDF icon 2 COSS Module 2 - Feasibility.pdf

Asset Transfer Route Map

This new PDF has been developed by Community Ownership Support Service (COSS). It is used by COSS advisors to identify where you are in the process, as laid down in Part 5; Asset Transfer, in the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. It helps to guide you through the steps along the way to achieving your goals.  Side one of the poster shows the four phases of the asset transfer process and signposts each phase of the journey.  Side two gives more detail and links to relevant information for each phase.

PDF icon Asset transfer route map web.pdf

Beyond the Usual Suspects

Fundraising for the development and ongoing management of your community asset will be a key part of your early planning. If you haven’t done it before it can seem daunting. This guide aims to help you to establish a funding package; highlighting options to raise money beyond loan and grant funding. It has been updated in 2019 to reflect the recent changes to fundraising regulations.

 

PDF icon DTAS Beyond The Ususal Suspects_WEB.pdf

Involving Your Community

A practical guide to the benefits and techniques for involving and consulting local communities in community asset based projects.

Last updated July 2020

PDF icon Involving Your Community 2020.pdf

Your Church, Your Community (printer friendly version)

Guidance for communities exploring future uses for church buildings. 
 
This guidance has been developed by the  Community Ownership Support Service, Heritage Trust Network and Historic Churches Scotland to meet a growing need from communities for specific guidance around churches and accompanying land.Taking over a building of any type is a big step for a community  and brings with it substantial responsibility. It can appear a daunting prospect, but this document has been designed to guide you through the process

 

PDF icon 2233 DTA Scotland Your Church Your Community Guidance 24pp Doc 20.6.23.pdf

Your church, your community

This guidance has been developed by the Community Ownership Support Service, Heritage Trust Network and Historic Churches Scotland to meet a growing need from communities for specific guidance around churches and accompanying land.
 
Taking over a building of any type is a big step for a community and brings with it substantial responsibility. It can appear a daunting prospect, but this document has been designed to guide you through the process.

 

PDF icon DTA Scotland Your Church Your Community Guidance.pdf

Public toilets – the real cost of spending a penny

This publication has been produced in response to the concern about the closure of public toilets across the country and the awareness of the need for good public toilets to promote health, access and inclusion. Increasingly communities are looking at how they can become involved in saving or providing public toilets, so here we present some facts and examples of how other communities have gone about saving this service.

Below you will also find the accompanying webinar, delivered by Sandra Macaskill of CaskieCo, who has researched and written the publication for the Community Ownership Support Service, this webinar will draw on the experiences from urban and rural communities, discuss the issues to be considered and highlights some of the innovative approaches being taken.

Please note - this resource was written in 2018 and has not been updated to reflect guidance in relation to Covid-19

PDF icon Public Toilets 2022.pdf

Managing Risk in Community Asset Transfer

COSS Guidance for Relevant Authorities - Managing Risk in Community Asset Transfer

PDF icon DTAS Managing Risk FINAL.pdf

Sustainable New Uses for Old Buildings

Introductory guide examining the opportunities and challenges involved with taking former civic buildings into community ownership.
PDF icon Sustainable New Uses For Old Buildings - print version

Profiting from Creativity

Exploring ways to bring creative industries in to the sustainabilty mix for community venues.
 
By Community Ownership Support Service, in association with Voluntary Arts Scotland.
PDF icon ProfitingfromCreativity.pdf

Community Ownership in Scotland - A Baseline Study

Through this study, Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS) has sought to establish the current scale and nature of community ownership of assets across Scotland. The research was conducted by DTAS’ Community Ownership Support Service (COSS). 

PDF icon Community Ownership in Scotland - A Baseline Study