Purpose

A proposed Community Asset Transfer of the
asset to Bishop Sutton FC CIC.

Decision

(1) 
To determine that the
subject asset be transferred to Bishop Sutton FC CIC via a
Community Asset Transfer.
 
(2) 
To delegate to the
Head of Corporate Estate in consultation with the Section 151
Officer the power to enter a Community Asset Transfer.

Reasons for the decision

A
Community Asset Transfer (CAT) of the football fields and
surrounds to the football club will have
a major benefit to the club and community but also to
B&NES.
 
With responsibility and liability for the asset
transferring to the football club,
B&NES will encounter reduced liabilities, reduced holding costs
and management costs.
 
A
CAT will provide better outcomes all round and enable the football
club more freedom to develop facilities
and secure long-term funding in the knowledge they have secured a
guaranteed longer tenure (subject to ongoing assessment that
community value is maintained).

Alternative options considered

Discussions took place on granting either a
new short-term lease, or a long leasehold interest to the football
club. A third party RICS Red Book was procured and proposals put to
the football club on both bases. Due to their inability to secure
available funding, due to not being able to evidence a substantive
lease agreement, the club confirmed it could not afford either option. Therefore,
matters did not progress on this basis.
 
This was when a Community Asset Transfer was
suggested, which if finalised will open multi revenue streams for
the football club and provide them with a good chance of securing
funding due to them having secured a long-term lease of 30
years.