Purpose

BACKGROUND:
On 18 September 2025 the Executive considered a report (at Annex 1)
making a range of proposals relating to community assets. The
executive agreed the key principles for a Community Asset Transfer
Policy.
The Executive agreed that the Head of Service with responsibility
for Property Services, in consultation with the Head of Service
with responsibility for Community Partnerships, the Executive
Members with responsibility for Assets and Community Development,
and the Monitoring Officer, be authorised to finalise
Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy, in line with the
principles set out in recommendation (v) to the Executive in that
report.
That the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of
the Council be authorised to adopt the Community Asset Transfer
Policy, once finalised in accordance with the key principles set
out in recommendation (v) to the Executive in this report.

CONSULTATION:
Consultation has taken place with the following:
Head of Service Community Partnerships – Isabel Wootton
(31/10/2025)
Executive Member with responsibility for Assets – Cllr Green
(03/11/2025)
Executive Member with responsibility for Community Development
– Cllr Baker (04/11/2025)
Monitoring Officer

The policy has been adopted by the Deputy Chief Executive, Luci
Mould (04/11/2025)
In consultation with the Leader of the Council, Cllr Biggs
(04/11/2025)

REASON(S) FOR THE DECISION:
The Community Asset Transfer Policy secures community benefits for
the borough and its residents whilst also delivering best value,
through use of the Council’s community assets and allocated
revenue reserve funds.

Decision

I (being the Head of Service with
responsibility for Property Services) am agreeing a final version
of the Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy (at Annex
3).

Alternative options considered

Alternatives to approving the Community Asset
Transfer Policy:

Option 1 – Request a revised policy with a more limited
scope. This option will not deliver all the benefits identified
within the Executive report and will delay the work which will make
it unlikely that benefits can be realised within the time line of
Local Government Reorganisation.

Option 2 - Not approve the policy. This option will not enable
action to progress work to enhance and secure the benefits of
community assets within the borough. This is not the recommended
option as it will not support the delivery of community benefits in
a timely manner.