IT was way back in 2011 when Durham County Council, facing budget cuts of £125m, embarked upon a major review of its 120 community centres, village halls and communal halls.

Four years on, what is believed to be the largest “asset transfer” programme ever seen anywhere in the country is nearing an end.

The results: 87 are expected to remain as community buildings, of which 47 are now controlled by local people.

A further 11 remain in “community use”, as a fitness centre, GP surgery or similar, and 18 were declared surplus, most of which have now closed.

Thirty-six have received funding from a council pot of £2.15m earmarked for investment. Local management committees have secured a further £639,000 in external grants and £272,000 from local councillors’ neighbourhood budgets; and £5.2m-worth of funding bids are in the pipeline.

Overall, council chiefs say the programme has gone better than they could have dreamed. Councillor Brian Stephens, the cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said to have transferred so many buildings to management groups and community organisations was “fantastic”.

Certainly, the council would have struggled to meet the estimated £11.25m repair bill for the decade to 2021. Its annual costs also fell from £870,000 in 2009-10 to £240,600 for 2014-15 – and will be next to nothing from next year.

For some facilities, the process has brought in new supporters, new cash and a renewed sense of purpose.

Macrae House in Murton went from having just six users a week to 150. Manager Allison Fahey said: "We are now able to reach out to the community to put on more sessions than ever before. We now regularly have up to 30 sessions which include bowls, children’s activities, employability classes and healthy eating workshops.”

Stainton Grove Community Centre, near Barnard Castle, has benefited from repairs, a new roof and redecoration, secured new bookings and the community association has taken a long-term lease on the building.

Secretary Sue Chapman said: “It seems to have been a very long, drawn out process, and we were relieved when we finally signed the new lease and could start to look to the future.”

Pelton Community Centre, near Chester-le-Street, has also become better used and gone through asset transfer; picking up the council’s Chairman’s Medal for voluntary service along the way.

For others, it has been more painful. Wood View Community Centre in Langley Park needed major repairs and a new boiler and, despite an impassioned campaign, closed last year.

The council, however, has emerged emboldened and is now inviting community groups to take over running other facilities and services, such as leisure centres or libraries, under The Durham Ask programme. For more information, visit durham.gov.uk/communityassets