The Committee is asked to consider the Community Asset Transfer Policy.

The Cabinet Member for Localism, Head of Property Services and Economy and Community Services Manager have been invited to attend for this item.

The Chairman welcomed the Cabinet Member for Localism, the Head of Property Services and the Economy and Community Services Manager to the meeting.  He explained that the first version of the Community Asset Transfer Policy had been approved by Cabinet in August 2009.  It had been developed out of a need for a clear framework to structure the transfer of community assets.  The Policy had been revised and updated in April 2013 in response to comments from the Council’s external auditors.

Members’ made the initial following comments:  some of the addresses in the appendix were incorrect; the Policy was a little ‘underwhelming’, with not much ‘zeal’ in promoting the transfer of assets to community groups; the future was uncertain with possible change in administration, it would be good to get assets into good community management now; the default position should be that local community groups should be trusted to get on with it and that assets should be transferred to the community; some assets listed as Swale Borough Council (SBC) assets were misleading as in some cases SBC was listed on the deeds, with no management involvement; and some organisations were being held back due to misunderstandings in relation to leasehold/freehold status.

The Head of Property Services advised that organisations could opt for longer term leases if they wished to.

The Cabinet Member explained that asset transfers varied in their complexity with some being straight forward and others requiring significant input from all parties to resolve complex and protracted issues.

In response to a question, the Head of Property Services explained that the gaps in the column ‘Status of Community Asset Transfers’ in Appendix II were because there was no work being carried out on that particular asset, i.e. the occupiers had no desire for a Community Asset Transfer (CAT).

In response to a question, the Cabinet Member advised that all voluntary groups were able to request a CAT, and it was up to the community to come forward to be considered for a CAT.

Members made further comments which included:  it was difficult  to ensure the policy worked well, so that progress was made; it was important for SBC to talk with the organisations listed in the Appendix; SBC needed to invite organisations to come forward and help them towards a CAT in order to make the policy work; the path prospective organisations needed to take could be daunting for some, with a range of departments to negotiate with, if SBC talked to them that could help to move things forward; try to find out what was stopping organisations coming forward for a CAT, was SBC doing anything wrong; the organisations should not be put under any financial risk; freehold option could result in financial instability for an organisation; there were communication issues – were organisations aware of what opportunities regarding CATs were available to pursue; and there were positive and negative factors in terms of rental options of assets by an organisation.

The Economy and Community Services Manager advised that CATs had been promoted and discussed at the Localism Conference a couple of years ago.  She further advised that work towards assisting with CATs was ongoing with a number of organisations and these were prioritised in terms of what was best for both the community and the Council.

A Member advised that the status of the West Faversham Community Centre was not ‘complete’ as stated in the Appendix.

Councillor Mike Henderson proposed that paragraph 3.14 should be amended so that the rent review was carried out every five years onlyin the event that a commercially viable and profitable operation was being carried out from the asset, in order to not put people off a CAT.  Members agreed the proposed amendment for Cabinet to consider.

Councillor Mike Henderson proposed that paragraph 3.19 be removed, and  to revert back to CATs being decided by Cabinet, not delegated to individual Cabinet Members as proposed.  Members agreed this proposal.

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member for Localism, Head of Property Services and the Economy and Community Services Manager for attending the meeting for this item.

Resolved:  That the above comments from the Committee be submitted to Cabinet to consider, specifically that paragraph 3.14 be amended so that rent reviews were carried out every five years only in the event that a commercially viable and profitable operation was being carried out from the asset and that paragraph 3.19 be removed to revert back to Community Asset Transfers being decided by Cabinet, not delegated to individual Cabinet Members as proposed in the report.