Government officials in the UK have reveled a plan to sell off underutilized public buildings directly to communities for below-market prices, as low as one pound. They hope the sales will improve public services across the country.
"Councils will be asked to identify unused sites, such as old hospitals, empty pubs and disused police stations."
"This plan follows the publication of a report by Lewisham Council chief executive Barry Quirk, which argues that handing public assets to communities leads to better services and stronger communities."
"Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly will argue that 'if you give local people more power, you'll get a better result'".
"The outcome is 'better services, greater satisfaction with the neighbourhood, and greater satisfaction with the local authority', she will say."
