Issue - meetings

Connected Communities is one of the objectives within the Corporate Strategy. The Council wants to empower and enable a thriving voluntary and community sector to do more.

This Community Asset Transfer Policy will support communities to access Council property assets for this purpose. It provides a clear framework and process for how applications can be submitted, will be assessed, and determined. The policy is also required to protect the Council’s financial integrity, fiduciary duty, and wider accountabilities such as health and safety.

A Community Asset Transfer (CAT) involves the transfer of a council owned property asset (land and buildings) to the Community, whether that be Town & Parish Councils or voluntary and community groups. It is important to recognise the positive contributions that these groups can make in their local areas, so having a CAT policy in place will provide another option to influence these beneficial outcomes.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)     Cabinet noted that this policy is the first of several asset related policies to be drafted as part of the wider Asset Management Plan development for the Council;

(b)     Cabinet adopts the Community Asset Transfer Policy; and

(c)     Cabinet noted that each CAT application will be considered by the Asset Investment Panel, and if approved, the transfer will be progressed in accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations. 

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth, Regeneration and Transformation

Reason

The Council is in the process of developing a comprehensive Asset Management Plan (AMP) which sets out how it best manages its land and buildings to support the delivery of Council services and the priorities set out in the Corporate Strategy and The Big Plan. Part of the development of the AMP is to establish a suite of policies that assist with the management of assets, and the Community Asset Transfer Policy is one of the first policies to be brought forward for adoption.

BCP Council is committed to facilitating the transfer of appropriate assets to provide sustainable benefits to local communities. This policy has been prioritised in its development as the Council recognises an interest from some local community groups ready to submit applications. By having a policy in place there will be a fair and transparent framework and process for all parties to understand and follow. This Policy will also complement the Council’s approach of Asset Based Community Development across BCP.

The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth, Regeneration and Transformation presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was informed that Connected Communities is one of the objectives within the Corporate Strategy, and that the Council wants to empower and enable a thriving voluntary and community sector to do more.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that this Community Asset Transfer Policy will support communities to access Council property assets for this purpose and provided a clear framework and process for how applications can be submitted, will be assessed, and determined. In addition, Cabinet was advised that the policy is also required to protect the Council’s financial integrity, fiduciary duty, and wider accountabilities such as health and safety.

Cabinet was informed that a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) involves the transfer of a council owned property asset (land and buildings) to the Community, whether that be Town & Parish Councils or voluntary and community groups. It is important to recognise the positive contributions that these groups can make in their local areas, so having a CAT policy in place will provide another option to influence these beneficial outcomes.

Members spoke in support of the policy and thanked officers for all their hard work.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)     Cabinet noted that this policy is the first of several asset related policies to be drafted as part of the wider Asset Management Plan development for the Council;

(b)     Cabinet adopts the Community Asset Transfer Policy; and

(c)     Cabinet noted that each CAT application will be considered by the Asset Investment Panel, and if approved, the transfer will be progressed in accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations. 

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth, Regeneration and Transformation

Reason

The Council is in the process of developing a comprehensive Asset Management Plan (AMP) which sets out how it best manages its land and buildings to support the delivery of Council services and the priorities set out in the Corporate Strategy and The Big Plan. Part of the development of the AMP is to establish a suite of policies that assist with the management of assets, and the Community Asset Transfer Policy is one of the first policies to be brought forward for adoption.

BCP Council is committed to facilitating the transfer of appropriate assets to provide sustainable benefits to local communities. This policy has been prioritised in its development as the Council recognises an interest from some local community groups ready to submit applications. By having a policy in place there will be a fair and transparent framework and process for all parties to understand and follow. This Policy will also complement the Council’s approach of Asset Based Community Development across BCP.