More than 60 representatives from community groups and parish councils gathered at the Alton Maltings Centre for a conference on the future of community development.

Led by East Hampshire District Council, the event on November 14 encouraged communities to identify and enhance local assets.

These include not only physical resources like community buildings and open spaces but also local volunteer groups, residents’ associations and individuals who contribute to community well-being.

Cllr Adeel Shah, the community development and engagement portfolio holder, welcomed participants and explained the opportunities.

He said: “The core of this approach is that every community possesses valuable assets. By harnessing these, communities can become more resilient and self-sufficient.

“Our stakeholder conference highlighted the potential for council-owned assets to be devolved to local communities, enabling them to support local initiatives and deliver services more effectively.”

The conference had two key objectives - to raise awareness of asset-based community development and the council’s commitment to this approach as outlined in the Council Strategy 2024-2028, and to launch the upcoming opportunity for local asset transfers from East Hampshire District Council to town and parish councils and community groups.

The conference was supported by the East Hampshire Association of Local Parish and Town Councils.

Feedback from the conference will inform the council’s draft five-year Community Development Strategy, which will outline its vision for asset-based community development and asset transfer.

Details of the council’s assets will be made available, and specific local area asset transfer pilots will be launched in partnership with town and parish councils and community groups in 2025.