Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property

(a)  That the Asset Transfer Policy relating to the transfer of Council owned property assets of both Low and High Value to Town & Parish Councils together with Voluntary and Community based (third sector) organisations, be agreed

(b)  That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property and the Portfolio Holder for Customer Services & Communities when acting in agreement with each other the authority to determine and approve all such transfers including those decisions that amount to key decisions.

Prior notice will be given in the forward plan for any proposal relating to a transfer amounting to a key decision albeit that the two portfolio holders are identified as the decision makers instead of Cabinet.

Decision - Asset Transfer Policy - Dorset Council (wdwp.local)

Reason for the decision:

Dorset Council recognises that the devolution of assets to local communities, particularly to town and parish councils and voluntary and community based organisations (third sector) can make a significant contribution to enabling them to be stronger, more resilient and sustainable in order to support services within their local areas.

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property presented a report on the development of a policy to facilitate and support communities to access council property assets,  whilst protecting the Council’s financial integrity, fiduciary duty and wider accountabilities.

He confirmed that the policy had been considered by the Place & Resources Overview Committee of the 1 June 2021 (extract minutes of that meeting were set out at appendix 3 to the report).

Cabinet members indicated that they were “minded to” agree the Asset Transfer Policy and associated delegation.  The Portfolio Holder confirmed and as out his decision.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property

(a)  That the Asset Transfer Policy relating to the transfer of Council owned property assets of both Low and High Value to Town & Parish Councils together with Voluntary and Community based (third sector) organisations, be agreed

(b)  That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property and the Portfolio Holder for Customer Services & Communities when acting in agreement with each other the authority to determine and approve all such transfers including those decisions that amount to key decisions.

Prior notice will be given in the forward plan for any proposal relating to a transfer amounting to a key decision albeit that the two portfolio holders are identified as the decision makers instead of Cabinet.

Decision - Asset Transfer Policy - Dorset Council (wdwp.local)

Reason for the decision

Dorset Council recognises that the devolution of assets to local communities, particularly to town and parish councils and voluntary and community based organisations (third sector) can make a significant contribution to enabling them to be stronger, more resilient and sustainable in order to support services within their local areas.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Property and Assets.

The report included on the agenda is the report to be presented to Cabinet on 22 June 2021.  The committee are invited to review the report and provide comments to Cabinet.

The committee considered the report to be presented to Cabinet in respect of the ‘Asset Transfer Policy’.  The committee were invited to raise any comments for consideration by Cabinet.

Councillors discussed the contents of the report and points were raised in the following areas:

·            Recognition of the key role of ward councillors and town and parish councillors who should be notified and be part of the process

·            Ward councillors should be notified at the start of all policy processes as a default position

·            The policies should clearly refer to ward councillors as well as town and parish councillors

·            Local communities should be automatically given first refusal to bid on an asset

·            Discussion on the out of scope transfer process

·            Need to make it clear that there was no obligation for an organisation to take on an asset

·            Dorset Association of Parish and Town Councils would be consulted before the report was discussed by Cabinet

·            Work currently underway to create an asset list

·            Highlighting of issues around listed buildings and surveys required.

‘Minded to’ Recommendation to Cabinet

That Cabinet: -

1.         Agree the Asset Transfer Policy relating to the transfer of Council owned property assets of both Low and High Value to Town & Parish Councils together with Voluntary and Community based (third sector) organisations as attached to the report at Appendices 1 & 2.

2.         Delegate to the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property and the Portfolio Holder for Customer Services & Communities when acting in agreement with each other the authority for determining and approving all such transfers

The Executive Director of Place, having heard the debate, confirmed the ‘minded to’ Recommendation to Cabinet, under delegated powers on behalf of the informal meeting of the Place and Resources Overview Committee.  He also noted the comments that had been raised by the committee for forwarding to Cabinet.