DRAFT Asset transfer - Criteria

The assets must be in the ownership of the Council (freehold and long leasehold). The final decision on individual assets will be taken by the Council's Cabinet in line with the constitution of the Council.

The following framework will be applied to each case to assess the assets suitable and relevant for transfer:

The council will not consider applications for transfer in respect of:

Buildings which accommodate fixed or core services (e.g. schools, social care establishments, integrated service centres)
Assets which have, through a review, been identified as having a potential significant capital receipt and where the council is looking at disposal.

The council will consider asset transfer solutions through proactively working with the voluntary and community sector, or consider applications in respect of:

Buildings currently delivering community-based services, where there is a demonstrable need for the building and associated services to continue. For these buildings there may be mutual benefit to explore transfer. The Council would, however, place a condition that the organisation taking ownership of the building does so for community use and continue to provide access to community and voluntary groups currently using the premises.
Buildings which have been identified by the Council as potentially surplus or where there is no clear rationale for retention due to; a) the cost to maintain, b) the condition of the building, c) low levels of participation or utilisation or d) the potential to use nearby facilities to provide services.

On these occasions, the council will consider applications for transfer, alongside opportunities for disposal. Again, the application would need to demonstrate proposed use of the building and community support.

For any transfer, the council would require a proposal outlining the business case, covering financial viability, proposed utilisation, benefits to the organisation and community and evidence of wider community consultation and support. The decision on transfer will be made by the council's cabinet in all cases.