Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Financial Sustainability introduced the report, directing the Committee to Appendix A which gave the current Community Asset Register. He explained how the legislation pertaining to the register was designed to provide additional safeguard for community facilities.

The Chair thanked the Executive Member for Financial Sustainability for his report.

Councillor Willcocks sought clarification as to why the Yew Tree Public House had a ten-year expiry date of 2027, and why the Crooked Billet remained on the register when it had an expiry date of 9 April 2024.

The Executive Member for Financial Sustainability said that the date of expiry for the Yew Tree Public House was an error, which would be corrected. 

The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy said that new guidance was to keep expired nominations on the register.

Councillor Nicholls observed that a number of assets were due to expire next year, and asked if reapplication was possible. She also asked if the process worked well for communities.

The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy said that officers advised Ward Members and community groups when an asset was due to expire, and that re nomination was a simple process. He said that a handful of assets did transfer to community groups, and that government funding for groups to assist with business cases and purchases would strengthen the scheme further.  

Councillor Willcocks asked if assets would come off the register if they were sold and converted for residential use. 

The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy said that residential properties were exempt, and would not be eligible for renomination.

Councillor Nicholls asked if council property could be nominated.

The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy said that it did not matter who the landlord was, if the property had community value it could be nominated. He added that there was a council owned property on the current register.

The Chair asked if there could be any financial implications for the council.

The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy said that should a landlord be able to prove that being on the register had jeopardised a sale or had a financial impact the Council could be liable for compensation via a First-Tier Tribunal. He said however, that he did not know of any cases where this had occurred.   

The Chair asked if there were any nominations which were pending.

The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy said that there were currently 31 properties listed on the register, with 4 nominations in progress (3 of which were in Watton-at-Stone, and one a footpath in Bengeo).

It was moved by Councillor Willcocks and seconded by Councillor Williamson, that the recommendations, as detailed, be approved. After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that the Asset Register be reviewed and any comments regarding Assets of Community Value be given.