Have your say on asset transfers
Published
Tuesday 20 August, 2024
Updated
Tuesday 20 August, 2024
Swale Borough Council is asking for people’s views on how charities, voluntary organizations, and town and parish councils can work with them, if interested, to take ownership and management of council owned assets.
The council is looking to develop a new Disposal and Community Asset Transfer (CAT) Policy which will outline a framework for identifying and transferring surplus assets, such as land, property, and buildings to charities, voluntary organizations, and town councils.
The goal is to promote greater community ownership and management of local assets.
Key principles which will underpin the approach to community asset transfers will include:
- a focus on community benefit: Disposals and transfers must demonstrate a clear benefit to the local community, such as improving the economy, health, or environment
- financial viability: Transfers will only occur if they are financially sustainable for the receiving organization and meet the long-term goals of the council
- transparency and accountability: A clear process for identifying surplus assets, evaluating them and ensuring ongoing accountability for the management of transferred assets
Taking ownership of an asset comes with challenges, so the policy will also set out what interested organisations need to consider and ensure transfers are successful.
This policy is part of the council’s commitment to working in partnership with local communities and the voluntary sector, as outlined in the council's Corporate Plan 2024-2027 and Property Asset Management Strategy.
Cllr Monique Bonney, chair of the council's economy and property committee, said:
"We believe that community asset transfers represent a significant opportunity to strengthen local engagement and make sure assets are managed in a way that best serves the needs of our residents.
"We’d like all interested parties to review our plans and share their feedback to help us shape a policy that benefits the entire community."
The consultation sets out a series of questions that will help guide the making of the policy and is open from 20 August to 15 October 2024 for charities, voluntary organizations, town councils, and residents, to share their feedback.
Read the draft policies and have your say here: https://swale.gov.uk/news-and-your-council/consultations/disposals-and-community-asset-transfer-cat-policies
If a paper copy is needed, people can contact property@swale.gov.uk or call 01795 417398.
Responses should be returned to the Strategic Programmes and Asset Management Team, Swale Borough Council, Swale House, East Street, Kent, ME10 3HT.
