Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Programme Director.

The Committee considered a report in relation to the principles for transfer of assets to Town and Parish Councils and other community groups to ensure consistency of approach. The General Manager - Public Health and Housing, Purbeck District Council, introduced the cross-authority report and summarised the need to provide principles and a framework for councils to use when considering the future transfer of assets, which had followed a period of interest by Town and Parish Councils to secure assets prior to the start of the new Dorset Council from 1 April 2019.  It was also explained that the approach towards the formation of Weymouth Town Council and the impact on Portland Town Council would need to have different arrangements.

Clarifications were also provided that recommendation 1 in the General Manager’s report referred to paragraph 3.4 of the report and not 3.2 as stated.  An amendment to principle (ii) of paragraph 3.4 was also suggested by the General Manager as:

‘Any resolution prior to 26 May 2018 by sovereign councils to dispose of an asset but not yet legally completed may continue unless it contradicts these principles.’

At this point a question was asked at the meeting by Cllr Cheryl Reynolds, in relation to asset transfers by West Dorset District Council. The question and answer are attached to these minutes as an annexure.

Three areas of consideration were raised during the debate on the principles (paragraph 3.4) which related to:

(i) Transfer of Assets to Dorset Council  Comments were received about reference to all assets being transferred to Dorset Council.  In particular that the arrangements needed to establish Weymouth Town Council needed to be defined clearly, together with the impact upon Portland Town Council as a result of the new arrangements.  As such Cllr Jeff Cant proposed that the principle be re-worded to read ‘All assets required for the delivery of Council services and those capable of generating income are transferred to the new unitary Dorset Council, but the unique circumstances of Weymouth Town Council and Portland Town Council will be considered separately.’.

The amendment was seconded by Cllr Daryl Turner.  On being put to the vote the amendment was agreed unanimously.

(ii) Existing Programme for the Disposal of Assets  Comments were received in relation to the suggested amendment summarised in the minute above. Concern was expressed by Cllr Antony Alford that the principle needed to be tightened to explicitly reflect the assets of Town and Parish Councils only, and he therefore proposed that the wording be amended to read ‘Any resolution prior to 26 May 2018 by sovereign councils to dispose of an asset to town and parish councils but not yet legally completed may continue unless it contradicts these principles.’.

The amendment was discussed and points were raised that indicated that the wording should remain unchanged as the principle needed to be open enough for asset transfers to community groups.  The wording suggested by the General Manager was therefore proposed by Cllr Jill Haynes and seconded by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18