Government plans to sell disused local facilities to community groups will initiate "new era of civic pride"

Disused schools and swimming pools could be sold to community groups for as little as 拢1, as part of government plans to revive disused local facilities.

Ruth Kelly
Ruth Kelly: Initiative will create a 鈥渘ew era of civic pride鈥�

Community secretaries Ruth Kelly will make the announcement today, saying the initiative will create a 鈥渘ew era of civic pride鈥� by giving people more say in how local assets are used.

Councils will be asked to identify unused sites, such as old hospitals, empty pubs and disused police stations.

Kelly will also announce a 拢30m fund to support 20 pilot projects across the country.

The government said up to 1,500 community organisations could benefit from the scheme.