Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of City Development proposing the adoption of an updated policy for community asset transfers which would replace the policy approved by Executive Board in September 2012. The updated policy incorporates experience and learning acquired from managing community asset transfers over ten years and would establish revised criteria and process that aligns with current estate strategies and challenges around estate maintenance.

The Director of City Development submitted a report proposing the adoption of an updated policy for Community Asset Transfers which would replace the policy approved by Executive Board in September 2012 (Minute No. 77, 5th September 2012 referred). The report noted that the updated policy incorporated experience and learning acquired from managing community asset transfers for over ten years and would establish revised criteria and process that aligned with current estate strategies and challenges around estate maintenance.

With the agreement of the Chair, supplementary information was circulated to Board Members and published ahead of the meeting for consideration as part of this report in the form of an updated Appendix 2 EDCI Screening document. It was noted that this document had been updated in response to the consideration of the proposed new CAT Policy at the recent Scrutiny Board Infrastructure, Investment & Inclusive Growth meeting, and the timing between the meetings had not allowed this information to be included within the original agenda pack.

The Executive Member introduced the report and in doing so highlighted how the new policy would allow a proactive approach to be taken and how the policy benefitted from the experience of previous CAT processes. The extensive consultation undertaken with Elected Members was also highlighted, together with the fact that the matter had been considered by Scrutiny.

The approach which had been taken to reach the current position on the proposed new policy was welcomed, with a Member commenting upon the assessment process, striking the correct balance between community value and financial liability, having robust processes in place to mitigate against risk and the need to work with Elected Members and communities.

Further details were provided in response to the Member’s comments, with it being noted that the policy looked to provide communities with more certainty around related CAT processes and criteria in order to support those communities who were interested in potentially undertaking CAT’s.

In terms of a list of properties being drawn up which were suitable for CAT, the range of factors that would be taken into consideration as part of this process were highlighted. It was also noted that in presenting any potential CAT’s to Members moving forward, whilst there was a statutory duty to achieve best consideration for assets, the legal framework allowed for less than best disposals. As such, Members would be presented with details of best consideration, to enable Members to consider the value that they were willing to forego against the wider benefits that may be achieved through community and social value.

In conclusion, the Executive Member committed to continue working with Elected Members on such matters, including Scrutiny.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the new Community Asset Transfer policy, as presented at Appendix 1 to the submitted report, which will replace the previous Community Asset Transfer Policy, be agreed;

(b)  That agreement be given to a list of properties suitable for Community Asset Transfer being established and presented to Executive Board in a future report.