Community Asset Transfer
The Panel will receive an update on Community Asset Transfer by way of a presentation.
Contact: Joanne Bartholomew, Service Director, Development.
Minutes:
Cllr Graham Turner, Portfolio holder for Finance and Regeneration, gave a brief introduction advising the Panel that the information being presented is in relation to the Community Asset transfers.
Referring to the presentation slides, Alistair Kimpton, Strategic Partnership Lead, highlighted to the Panel the breadth of the assets that had been transferred in the past. He advised that the transfers have included the Civic Hall in Slaithwaite, the Staincliffe Community Garden, and Meltham Carlile Institute which is a wide variety and illustrates the cornerstone of the approach being taken which is one of flexibility.
Mr Kimpton explained that it is recognised that all communities are different, and that all community groups are different. The buildings and assets are all quite different from each other and therefore, the approach is tailored, the policy is tailored to deliver flexibility, and it enables officers and community groups to come together to cooperate and make sure that the model is good for both sides.
The Panel was informed that Community Asset Transfer (CAT) - is the transfer of ownership and management of public land and buildings from the council to a community organisation. The last thing the council wants to do is to burden community groups with unnecessary debt, and therefore assets are transferred at less than market value for local, social, economic or environmental benefit. This is to try and ensure that they have a good chance of success.
The purpose of CATs in Kirklees is to bring to life the councils longstanding commitment as an enabling council to:-
- Invest in our communities
- Help our communities achieve their aspirations
- Ensure assets and services remain available for the community
The council introduced the Asset Advancement Policy in 2013, in response to the Quirk Review and subsequent localism agenda and the current policy was updated in 2020 and is the third iteration of the policy. At each policy update, work has been undertaken to understand what has gone well and what needs work. The result of the 2020 policy is a good example of how the community asset transfer can run in practice. A total of 27 CATs have been completed to date, 16 across South Kirklees and 11 across North Kirklees.
The policy has been developed to support the council’s vision and the aim is to enable communities to deliver the services that they require. It was developed in consultation with a wide variety of stakeholders including elected members, community organisations, Third Sector Leaders, Legal Services, Corporate Landlord and localities. The policy sets out a clear and transparent framework for the asset transfer process. Including why and what assets will be considered for transfer and the eligibility criteria. When a community group is looking at an asset transfer, they can be clear on how they can meet the criteria, the conditions of the transfer and how it will be processed.
Mark Valey, Asset Strategy Officer informed the Panel that the conditions of an asset transfer and that all transfers ... view the full minutes text for item 8