That:

1)         the aim to transfer assets identified through Area Reviews to Towns, Parishes or Community organisations through a Model for Community Asset Transfer to be approved by the Task and Finish Group and presented to Executive in March 2016 be approved;

2)         it be recommended to Full Council, via the Constitution Review Working Group, that a change be made to the Constitution whereby following consultation with Services and Ward Members, approval for Community Asset Transfers under leases of 14 -30 years be delegated to the Director of Finances and Resources in consultation with the Executive Member for Regeneration and Communities, the Executive Member of the current service and Local Ward Members;

3)         it be noted that the use of these delegated powers is to be based on the overall financial benefit to the Council and to enable the best community use of property assets. In cases where it appears that a proposal is not in the Council’s best financial interest and/or the capital value of an individual asset exceeds £250,000, then they will be referred to Executive for approval.

The Executive considered a proposed model for Community Asset Transfers which was intended to deliver a more effective use of community assets in the future and in particular avoid arrangements that do not generate an optimal position for the Council.

The Executive Member for Regeneration and Communities thanked Councillor Mark Ashwell for the work he had undertaken over the last year to develop the proposed model.  In the past there had been problems transferring assets from the Borough to either town or parish councils or community groups and by using this model it should be possible to speed up the process.

It was noted that in order to enable leases of 14-30 years to be delegated to the Director of Finances and Resources in consultation with specified Members a change to the Council’s Constitution would be required..

RESOLVED That:

1)         the aim to transfer assets identified through Area Reviews to Towns, Parishes or Community organisations through a Model for Community Asset Transfer to be approved by the Task and Finish Group and presented to Executive in March 2016 be approved;

2)         it be recommended to Full Council, via the Constitution Review Working Group, that a change be made to the Constitution whereby following consultation with Services and Ward Members, approval for Community Asset Transfers under leases of 14 -30 years be delegated to the Director of Finances and Resources in consultation with the Executive Member for Regeneration and Communities, the Executive Member of the current service and Local Ward Members;

3)         it be noted that the use of these delegated powers is to be based on the overall financial benefit to the Council and to enable the best community use of property assets. In cases where it appears that a proposal is not in the Council’s best financial interest and/or the capital value of an individual asset exceeds £250,000, then they will be referred to Executive for approval.