Agenda item

Buckinghamshire Council made a commitment to devolution of property and assets to Town and Parish Councils and other community organisations as part of the Unitary business case. To support the Council’s devolution programme, a Service Devolution and Asset Transfer Policy had been published in November 2019 setting out the approach and arrangements for the devolution of the responsibility for running services and community asset transfer. Over time, the approach to the management of the programme had been refined as the new Council had learnt more about the devolution of assets, particularly following the implementation of five pilot projects.

Cabinet received a report with an updated policy for approval that better reflected the current approach in order that a clear direction of travel was given to Town and Parish Councils and other local organisations who might be interested in pursuing a devolution opportunity.  Cabinet Members were asked to note several small changes in the updated policy, as follows:

·      A clearer focus on the process for the devolution of assets.

·      Reference to freehold only being considered on an exceptional basis, with a final decision made by Cabinet.

·      The Devolution Board considering the criteria with which to assess applications on a case-by-case basis.

·      Heads of Terms to be agreed at the end of the ‘Expressions of Interest’ stage to help applicants develop a business case that responds to any specification or terms provided by the Council.

·      Car parks owned and/or run by Buckinghamshire Council where they generate income, hold an operational benefit, or retain a commercial interest were out of scope. The previous version had a blanket approach to all car parks being out of scope.

RESOLVED –

That the updated Devolution and Asset Management Policy be AGREED. 

Buckinghamshire Council made a commitment to devolution of property and assets to Town and Parish Councils and other community organisations as part of the Unitary business case. To support the Council’s devolution programme, a Service Devolution and Asset Transfer Policy had been published in November 2019 setting out the approach and arrangements for the devolution of the responsibility for running services and community asset transfer. Over time, the approach to the management of the programme had been refined as the new Council had learnt more about the devolution of assets, particularly following the implementation of five pilot projects.

Cabinet received a report with an updated policy for approval that better reflected the current approach in order that a clear direction of travel was given to Town and Parish Councils and other local organisations who might be interested in pursuing a devolution opportunity.  Cabinet Members were asked to note several small changes in the updated policy, as follows:

·        A clearer focus on the process for the devolution of assets.

·        Reference to freehold only being considered on an exceptional basis, with a final decision made by Cabinet.

·        The Devolution Board considering the criteria with which to assess applications on a case-by-case basis.

·        Heads of Terms to be agreed at the end of the ‘Expressions of Interest’ stage to help applicants develop a business case that responds to any specification or terms provided by the Council.

·        Car parks owned and/or run by Buckinghamshire Council where they generate income, hold an operational benefit, or retain a commercial interest were out of scope. The previous version had a blanket approach to all car parks being out of scope.

The Cabinet Member for Communities reported that no new projects would be undertaken currently to ensure completion of current projects, which had been more complex than expected. In the future only two projects would be considered at a time.

In terms of an update:-

• Aylesbury Christmas lights were completed July 2022
• Prestwood Recreation Ground was recently completed in September 2023.
• Aylesbury Remembrance Service would remain with the Council.
• Denham Scout Hut had been delayed due to a fire but the Parish Council were trying to identify funds to progress the project
• Green Street Community Centre was a complex project but with partnership meetings it was hoped to be completed by end of March 2024
• Aylesbury Special Expenses – the leases for all the Centres had been drafted and were being reviewed including Aylesbury Town Council looking at the management agreements in relation to existing tenants and running the Centres. It was hoped that this would be concluded by end of March 2024.

The Leader welcomed the report and commented that originally they had hoped to devolve more resources but this had not been achievable with staff resources and also with the current financial challenges on the capital side assets could no longer be gifted to other organisations. The Capital Programme was already over committed. Confirmation was given that the Council was still committed to this devolution policy within its financial constraints as it was an important part of the unitary offer. In terms of which two projects would be considered next town and parish councils would be asked to submit expressions of interest and two projects would be chosen which would bring most benefit to the Council. This would be considered by the Member Board. A Cabinet Member welcomed this policy and said it was good to have this in place to protect the Council’s assets but also help communities with use of the Council’s land on a shorter- or longer-term leasehold basis e.g nature corriders or using land for a community orchard. However, organisations needed to realise that Councils could no longer give away their assets and this Policy provided the right balance. The Council would only give away a freehold on an exceptional basis.

RESOLVED –

That the updated Devolution and Asset Management Policy be AGREED.