Decision details

(1)  To determine that the subject asset be transferred to Bishop Sutton FC CIC via a Community Asset Transfer.

(2)  To delegate to the Head of Corporate Estate in consultation with the Section 151 Officer the power to enter a Community Asset Transfer.

A Community Asset Transfer (CAT) of the football fields and surrounds to the football club will have a major benefit to the club and community but also to B&NES.

With responsibility and liability for the asset transferring to the football club, B&NES will encounter reduced liabilities, reduced holding costs and management costs.

A CAT will provide better outcomes all round and enable the football club more freedom to develop facilities and secure long-term funding in the knowledge they have secured a guaranteed longer tenure (subject to ongoing assessment that community value is maintained).

Discussions took place on granting either a new short-term lease, or a long leasehold interest to the football club. A third party RICS Red Book was procured and proposals put to the football club on both bases. Due to their inability to secure available funding, due to not being able to evidence a substantive lease agreement, the club confirmed it could not afford either option. Therefore, matters did not progress on this basis.

This was when a Community Asset Transfer was suggested, which if finalised will open multi revenue streams for the football club and provide them with a good chance of securing funding due to them having secured a long-term lease of 30 years.