Whitecrooks Community Action Group
Financial planning to support the community asset transfer process
“Community Enterprise’s support helped us with securing a lease with a clause to asset transfer a council building that was ear marked for demolition.”
- Whitecrooks Community Action Group
The challenge
Whitecrooks Community Action Group (WCAG) is a community group delivering a range of benefits in the local area, including community litter picks, a garden grass-cutting scheme and support groups.
The Stand, formerly part of Our Holy Redeemer's Primary School, was a deteriorating building that West Dunbartonshire Council had earmarked for demolition in 2022, with repairs estimated to cost more than £500,000. WCAG sought to acquire the building, lead its redevelopment and create a thriving community hub.
As part of the Community Asset Transfer negotiations, WCAG required additional support to strengthen its financial planning and cash flow forecasts, and to demonstrate the financial viability of its plans for the building.
How we helped
WCAG were referred to Accelerate by DTAS' Community Ownership Support Service (COSS), who had been working closely with the group to support them in securing The Stand.
Working closely with WCAG and COSS, we reviewed the group's financial information and existing cash flow forecasts. We then redesigned the forecast into a segment/product-based cash flow model, with simpler inputting of assumptions and clearer visibility of financial performance across individual activities and the organisation as a whole.
The redesigned forecast made WCAG's financial plans easier for third parties to understand and provided a clearer picture of the group's anticipated financial position, supporting the Community Asset Transfer process.
The result
Derelict asset secured for community-led redevelopment
Stronger financial foundations for the asset's long-term sustainability
Increased social benefits and opportunity for the local community
Since receiving support from Accelerate, WCAG have successfully secured a lease with an option to progress to an asset transfer from West Dunbartonshire Council.
The group has also secured £100,000 in Pride in Places funding from the UK Government and is now planning to begin redevelopment work on The Stand in early 2027.
The improved financial forecasting gives WCAG a clearer understanding of the financial position of their activities and provides a stronger foundation as they move forward with their plans to transform The Stand into a community hub.
Feeling inspired?
If you are part of a community group who is not yet trading
and would like free support to become more sustainable
and enterprising, check out our Accelerate programme.