Issue - meetings

The Council has incorporated its learning from the Community Asset Transfers it has undertaken over recent years to develop a new Community Asset Transfer Policy and Guidance document. This document aims to provide a more structured approach and e a clear and transparent process.

This report contains a recommendation to adopt the policy, following a consultation on a draft document and incorporation of feedback.

Councillor Dine Romero made an ad-hoc statement by highlighting two points.  Firstly, if the land had a planning permission attached would that drive the value to £2m; and secondly, for those assets that were already transferred, such as Bath City Farm, having a 25 year lease would not always be helpful as a longer lease would enable the asset holder to apply for grants.

Councillor Paul Myers introduced the report by saying that he was particularly pleased to see this new ‘Community Asset Transfer Policy and Guidance’ come before Cabinet for consideration.

As the Council faces financial pressures and evolves its role, working in partnership with the community and the third sector has become increasingly important. The community would need infrastructure to play its role and so he passionately believed that the Council had a duty to release the key operational assets with a duty under the Local Government Act 1972 to ensure that ‘best consideration’ was obtained.

The Community Asset Transfer Policy would provide a detailed framework and criteria for organisations wishing to apply, which was outlined in the report.  To achieve this, the Policy has set up a four stage process for each project.

A consultation on the draft policy did take place between 17th December and the 25th January and the report was presented to the CTE Panel on the 21st January.

Overall the feedback has been fully considered and was positive and the introduction of the Policy was welcomed.  Some of the feedback received has been noted whilst, as appropriate, amendments and additions have been proposed in the document.

The key point was that the ‘Assets’ which might be considered for transfer cover a huge spectrum and so in order to provide an overarching policy, the policy needs to provide sufficient breadth in its wording; the policy was for everyone and the whole district.

Councillor Myers said that he was satisfied that a necessary balance has been achieved by Officers and that he would like to thank them for their hard work in developing this policy.

Councillor Paul Myers moved the recommendations.

Councillor Karen Warrington seconded the motion by saying that the policy would set what would be required for Community Asset Transfer.  Councillor Warrington also said that this policy would be clear guidance for partnership working and how the community would be involved, and that was a great opportunity for involvement of the community.

Councillor Charles Gerrish supported the request from Councillor Romero for longer lease terms.  In terms of any planning permission attached to the land the Council would retain the overage– this was done to protect the Council’s position.

Councillor Tim Warren also welcomed the report and praised the work of Bath City Farm.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet agreed to:

1)  Note the outcomes of the consultation on the draft document as set out in Appendix 3. 

2)  Confirm that the feedback received through the consultation process has been accurately reflected and is now incorporated into the current draft of the Community  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86

A report is attached presenting the draft Community Asset Transfer Policy for the Panel’s consideration and comment.

Andy Thomas, Head of Strategy, Engagement and Marketing and Sara Dixon, Locality Manager, Communities Team introduced the report.

Panel members asked the following questions and made the following points:

Councillor Hale asked how fast CATs (Community Asset Transfers) take. The officer explained that each one is different, some are more complex than others.

Councillor Gilchrist asked if people might be put off by how cumbersome the process is. The officer explained that organisations wanted to get it right and welcomed the detailed information.

Councillor Anketell Jones asked if any community groups would be disadvantaged by not having the resources to put a business plan together. The officer reassured the Panel that an equalities analysis had been carried out.

Councillor Butters asked if organisations would be allowed to develop on any land gained as a result of a CAT. The officer explained the Council can only grant a lease if it is receiving benefits so that if there were potential profits made by an acquirer, they would be shared. It was acknowledged that in the past CATS may have had different arrangements. The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources explained that CATS can take longer than they should which has often been the result of legal delays.

Councillor Symonds summarised the consultation response given by Keynsham Town Council. The officer stated that this feedback would be taken into account in the consultation process.

The Panel made the following comments on the draft policy:

·  This progress is encouraging and the Policy will streamline the process.

·  Encouraged by the determination to learn from best practice.

·  Support from the Panel for the draft policy.