The Director of Resources introduced a report on the proposed adoption of an updated Community Asset Transfer Policy to be applied if the Council decided to discontinue its use of certain buildings and land.

This policy directly supported Wirral’s Community Wealth Building Strategy by encouraging the setup of community-based organisations and cooperatives in  local communities, and underpinned the Council’s ambition to enable communities to become more independent, financially self-sufficient and take ownership of public assets to run them in ways that were beneficial to them.

The proposed updated policy set out criteria for determining:

(a)  which assets were suitable for transfer to community groups;

(b)  how expressions of interest to manage those assets should be dealt with;

(c)  how applications should be evaluated;

(d)  how and on what terms community transfers should be effected.

It was moved by Councillor Jean Robinson, seconded by Councillor Janette Williamson, that the officer recommendations be agreed, subject to the following amendments:

-  The use of the terms “tenants, community groups and community organisations” to be replaced with “not-for-profit organisations”.

-  Removal of lease terms between 3 and 25 years and its replacement with lease terms to be determined based on the quality of each individual business plan.

-  Before an asset is transferred, organisation be made fully aware as to the condition of any asset prior to submitting a business case.

-  Where a community asset is located within an asset still owned and insured by the Council, the option for that insurance to be retained and the not-for-profit organisation recharged as opposed to seeking its own insurance be made available.

-  The terms of any rent increases be included in lease agreements with not-for-profit organisations.

A discussion ensued on whether it would be possible to expedite a community asset transfer for Brackenwood Golf Club.

It was moved by Councillor Tom Anderson, seconded by Councillor Jeff Green, that the Director of Neighbourhood Services be authorised to undertake a virement of the £262,000 revenue cost granted to Libraries, to Brackenwood Golf Club up to a maximum of £30,000, if necessary, to maintain Brackenwood Golf Course to aid a possible asset transfer.

After assurances were given by the Director of Resources that the virement would be lawful, the motion was put and lost (5:10).

On a motion moved by Councillor Jean Robinson, seconded by Councillor Janette Williamson, it was –

Resolved (14:1) – That the updated Community Asset Transfer Policy be approved, subject to the following amendments:

-  The use of the terms “tenants, community groups and community organisations” to be replaced with “not-for-profit organisations”.

-  Removal of lease terms between 3 and 25 years and its replacement with lease terms to be determined based on the quality of each individual business plan.

-  Before an asset is transferred, organisation be made fully aware as to the condition of any asset prior to submitting a business case.

-  Where a community asset is located within an asset still owned and insured by the Council, the option for that insurance to be retained and the not-for-profit organisation recharged as opposed to seeking its own insurance be made available.

-  The terms of any rent increases be included in lease agreements with not-for-profit organisations.