PLAYING fields, land, a library, road and even a footbridge could all be transferred or sold to new owners under radical plans to make the most of the few assets still owned by West Somerset Council.

The authority has been undertaking a review of all of its land, property and other assets to ensure they are managed effectively and deliver value for money in the face of ongoing budget cuts.

But the move is also designed to try and safeguard key facilities and services across the district which are seen as important assets to their local communities.

Talks have already been held with parish and town councils about the possibility of transferring the ownership and maintenance of public conveniences in a move aimed at preventing widespread closures.

That initiative could now be widened and include other assets, such as Watchet Library, Minehead's Wellington Square, the Mill Leat in Dulverton and unused land in both Upton and North Hill Road in Minehead.

Members of the council's scrutiny committee will meet on Monday to discuss a list of 21 options deemed to warrant further discussions with a view to either transferring their ownership, gaining up-to-date valuations or selling them.

Sam Rawle, the council's scrutiny and performance officer, will tell councillors the overall aim was to reduce the authority's future liabilities and maximise income opportunities.

In a report to the committee she said: "There is a danger that because of financial pressures the provision of some discretionary services such as toilets could cease to be provided altogether if the council has to continue to fund them.

"Therefore, it was considered to be more important than ever to engage with parish and town councils in order to mitigate the impact of the withdrawal of services on the community.

"The objective of the review was to investigate the council's approach to asset management and to make recommendations to ensure that the council's assets were managed effectively and delivered value for money."

Finance chiefs will tell councillors that while many assets have little commercial value they have huge community value instead.

"As such any proposals to transfer to other bodies will not realise capital receipts but would preserve the assets for the community while reducing the council's liability for any maintenance," councillors will be told on Monday.

The proposals include:

* Minehead - hold talks about transferring the ownership of Townsend House, Wellington Square, an open space at Culvercliffe and "small parcels of land" around the town to Minehead Town Council; gain a valuation on land at North

Hill Road known as Molly's Patch with a view to selling it; and obtain a new commercial rate valuation for Blenheim Gardens Café.

* Watchet - initiate discussions about the transfer of ownership of a shrub area at Mill Street, Watchet Library and a bus shelter at The Cross to Watchet Town Council; hold talks with the town council and West Somerset Railway about the ownership of Watchet Footbridge; review the future for the old Quay West Radio building should it not form part of the current marina operator's plans; look at drawing up and transferring ownership of a new lease for Watchet Boat Museum; investigate the possibility of Somerset County Council taking ownership of the road bridge at Mill Street.

* Dulverton - look into transferring the ownership of the Mill Leat to Dulverton Town Council; investigate the possibility of transferring Exmoor Lawns to the town council and Exmoor National Park Authority; investigate Somerset County Council adopting the road from Barle Bridge to the caravan park.

* Upton - consider obtaining a valuation for district council-owned land with a view to selling it.

* Districtwide - consider transferring the ownership of playing fields to either parish and town councils or Magna West Somerset; look into the possibility of holding further discussions about the transfer of public toilets to parish and town councils.

The proposals also recommend the council retains ownership of the old gasometer site in Quay Street, Watchet, but considers transferring the ownership of non-income generating car parks in Crowcombe, Kilve and Withypool to parish councils.

Scrutiny members will be asked to consider the various recommendations before referring them on to another sub-committee of councillors for further consideration.