Decision details

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Change and Communities seeking approval of a Community Asset Transfer Strategy and associated “Tool Kit” for the Council.

Modified decision:

(i)  To approve the Community Asset Transfer Strategy attached at Appendix 1.

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Communities and Improvement Manager, to progress applications for community asset transfers so that they can be presented for Cabinet consideration.

(iii)  To delegate authority to the Head of Communities, Change and Partnerships, following consultation with the Cabinet Members for Change and Communities, Resources and Children’s Services to approve minor amendments to the Community Asset Transfer Strategy in the light of changing Council priorities and resources.

(iv)  To delegate authority to the Director of Environment and Economy, following consultation with the Cabinet Members for Change and Communities, Resources and Children’s Services to do anything necessary to give effect to the recommendations contained in this report.

(v)  To agree that in the first phase, no youth and play buildings will be included in the Community Asset Transfer process and to delegate authority to the Interim Director of Environment and Economy to review this after implementation of the first phase, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities and Change and the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services.

The recommendations detailed in this report are to ensure that the Council makes decisions in a consistent, transparent, fair and open way and that such decisions are made on the basis of sustainability and robust financial, property and needs assessments. The Council needs a strategy that closely aligns to its property strategy in order to make informed, long term and sustainable decisions.

Do nothing and continue with the existing process of dealing with assets on a case by case basis. This option was rejected as it is could lead to inconsistencies in the Council‘s decision making in the absence of a strategic approach and an agreed process.