Purpose

For Cabinet to approve the Community Asset Transfer policy. This will provide a clear and consistent framework for the transfer of Council assets to community organisations where demonstrable public benefit can be achieved. The creation of this policy follows the approval of a motion to Council on the 18 March 2025.

Decision

RESOLVED:

1. That Cabinet approves the Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy.
2. That Cabinet approves the delegation routing as per Annexe 1 and agrees to delegate to the Director Land and Property in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure authority to make the decision and also to agree the terms of any Community Asset Transfer and to finalise all associated documentation agreed between parties in accordance with the policy, subject to the limits provided in the Council’s Scheme of Delegations Part 3a.

Reasons for Decisions:

• Community Asset Transfers enable Surrey County Council (SCC) to place land and buildings into the stewardship of eligible, not-for-profit organisations where clear social, economic or environmental benefits will be delivered. CATs can strengthen community resilience and support sustainable service delivery.
  
  
• The Policy provides structured guidance for applicants and clearly outlines the liabilities associated with asset transfers. Its procedures are designed to be accessible, straightforward and subject to regular review to ensure they remain effective in practice.
  
  
• The Policy also safeguards the interests of the Council and residents by ensuring compliance with all relevant legislative and statutory frameworks, including provisions governing disposals at less than best consideration and the duties set out in the Localism Act 2011.

(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee)