Date:
The council is calling for expressions of interests from local voluntary and community organisations interested in ensuring the ongoing provision of community assets.
A Community Asset Transfer (CAT) policy, adopted at Full Council earlier this month, sets out the framework for the transfer of council assets to community groups for the benefit of local residents.
The CAT policy will enable the council to make essential budget savings and focus its resources into financing core services.
Assets currently displaced and available for transfer to the community include the borough’s centres for the community, sports pavilions and public toilet facilities.
Read the full list of community assets available for transfer.
Successful CAT applications must meet specific criteria that includes:
- delivering sustained valued community assets and enable locally run services to thrive and flourish independent of council funding
- enabling and empower community organisations to directly operate assets and support the growth and development of the third sector
- providing social and economic benefits for the local area, focus on social inclusion and be environmentally considerate.
Cllr Ellen Nicholson, Woking Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Living Well, said: “The recently adopted Community Asset Transfer policy will entrust our voluntary and community sectors with the overall control and management of local assets that the council can no longer afford to run.
“This is a unique opportunity for groups to come forward and transform valued community spaces, keeping doors open to serve the residents of Woking.
“The policy and criteria sets out a robust framework which will enable the new suitable selected owner to seamlessly transition the management of the community asset to best meet the needs of local residents.
“We look forward to hearing from groups who are interested in taking ownership and responsibility for one of our community assets, and from those who have already reached out, by formally submitting an expression of interest as soon as possible.”
To support the transition of ownership of these amenities from the council to the community, funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has been allocated.
Community and voluntary groups should submit an expression of interest online in the first instance and email this to steve.may@woking.gov.uk
Once approved, the council will then request to review a full business case.
Read more about the Community Asset Transfer scheme and download the expression of interest form.