Community Asset Transfer Report
To consider the report of the Assistant Director Public Realm.
Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at its meeting on 11 November 2014 and its comments will be reported.
Decision:
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Agreed
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that:-
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Reason for Decision:
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To facilitate asset transfer from the Council to community groups in appropriate circumstances. |
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Minutes:
The report of the Assistant Director Public Realm was submitted to consider the potential to divest the Council’s assets into community use and ownership.
The proposals were being brought forward because of the need to introduce new ways of working necessitated by the significant pressures on the Council budget over the next three years. Further details were provided on the progress of discussions with Exeter College on the Exwick Sports Hub at Flowerpot Playing Fields and with community groups using Heavitree Park.
During discussion, Members raised concerns regarding the need to ensure that the Council assets were safeguarded and their community value retained. Each transfer should be assessed on a case by case basis and it would be important to consult with Ward Members on any proposals.
The Portfolio Holder for Environment, Health and Wellbeing proposed an additional recommendation that any decisions to transfer Council assets to community ownership or a long lease be taken in consultation with the Leader and the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Health and Wellbeing. He added that, as the Portfolio Holder he would ensure that Ward Members were consulted as a matter of course during any decision making process.
The Assistant Director Public Realm clarified the delegated powers of the Corporate Manager Property with regards to asset transfer.
Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at its meeting on 11 November 2014 and the comments of the Members were noted.
RESOLVED that:-
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(1) |
the Co the principle of asset transfer to community organisations be endorsed; |
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(2) |
the expressions of interest in asset transfer already received from Devon Wildlife Trust, Exeter College and Exeter Saracens be progressed; |
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(3) |
the principle of granting a lease or licence on the tennis facilities at Heavitree Park to Tennis for Free be agreed on terms to be negotiated by the Corporate Manager – Property, with further consideration about the long term transfer of this asset to Park Life once the Community Hub and Café redevelopment are completed; |
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(4) |
the commencement of discussions with the clubs associated with the Council-owned bowling and croquet greens and facilities with a view to supporting them to take on responsibility for these assets over the next two years, be supported; |
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(5) any decision to transfer Council assets to community ownership or grant a long lease be taken in consultation with the Leader and the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Health and Wellbeing; and
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the barriers that high costs of insurance can create for community groups be highlighted to Government. |
53 Community Asset Transfer
To consider the report of the Assistant Director Public Realm.
Minutes:
The Assistant Director Public Realm presented the report advising Members of the potential to divest the Council’s assets into community use and ownership.
The proposals were being brought forward because of the need to introduce new ways of working necessitated by the ongoing pressures on the Council budget and the need for significant budget cuts over the next three years.
Further details were provided on the progress of discussions with Exeter College on the Exwick Sports Hub at Flowerpot Playing Fields and with community groups using Heavitree Park. It was noted that Devon Wildlife Trust had, for many years, worked in partnership with the City Council.
Scrutiny Committee - Community supported the report and requested Executive to:-
1) endorse the principle of asset transfer to community organisations;
2) progress the expressions of interest in asset transfer already received from Devon Wildlife Trust, Exeter College and Exeter Saracens;
3) agree the principle of granting a lease or licence on the tennis facilities at Heavitree Park to Tennis for Free on terms to be negotiated by the Corporate Manager - Property, with further consideration about the long term transfer of this asset to Park Life once the Community Hub and Café re-development are completed;
4) support the commencement of discussions with the clubs associated with the Council-owned bowling and croquet greens and facilities with a view to supporting them to take on responsibility for these assets over the next two years; and
5) highlight to the Government the barriers that high costs of insurance can create for community groups.