Issue - meetings

That the Committee welcomes the work undertaken and support given to organisations through the Community Asset Transfer programme.

The Finance Manager (Community Services) presented a report detailing the status of all 30 Community Asset Transfers (CATs) which were either transferred or close to completion.

It was noted that the Council’s priority was to ensure that CATs nearing completion were completed and that those which had transferred were sustainable over the longer term.  Information was shared on the three stages of transfer and the support available to help identify issues at an early stage and mitigate risk of failure.  The Committee was advised that of the CATs which had been transferred, none were struggling.  Social enterprise work involved the provision of health checks to all social enterprises to support organisations through the CAT process.

The Asset Manager provided clarification to Councillor Hutchinson about a particular building in Buckley.  She explained that the process could only commence once an organisation had submitted an expression of interest and that additional grant funding could be accessed by organisations through lease arrangements.

Councillor Paul Shotton acknowledged the successful CATs which had been completed in Flintshire.

Councillor Tudor Jones referred to two assets which had been transferred at an earlier stage and he asked that these be added to the list of those completed.  He spoke about CATs as a key area of responsibility and asked whether designated officer support had been identified to ensure that progress was being carefully monitored.  The Finance Manager said that the Chief Officer (Housing and Assets) would provide a response and she gave assurance that continued support was in place, including health checks.  The Asset Manager gave a reminder of the independent support provided by the Flintshire Local Voluntary Council to organisations throughout the process.

The Chairman asked that details of the CAT for Carmel Village Hall be added to the list, following correspondence from Councillor Chris Dolphin.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee welcomes the work undertaken and support given to organisations through the Community Asset Transfer programme.