Scrutiny Inquiry Panel - Community Assets

The Community Assets Scrutiny Inquiry Panel met on 27 April 2026 to review what has changed since its inquiry into community asset transfer (CAT), the process by which the Council hands land or buildings to community groups. The minute records that the Panel agreed to sign off the inquiry as complete. The Panel's views are set out in a letter to the Cabinet Member dated 15 May 2026.

1. Progress and impact of the Community Asset Transfer inquiry

   Decided

   The Panel agreed to sign off the inquiry as complete.

   Why

   The inquiry reported to Cabinet in December 2024, and Cabinet responded in March 2025. The report says the inquiry led to a new client-side support post in Property Services, funding from the Community Investment Fund for football clubs and changing rooms, and a rise in enquiries. It says some recommendations are complete, some are in progress, and a public toolkit remains outstanding mainly because of resource needs. In the Panel's letter, members welcomed the progress but raised concerns about staff capacity, the lack of a single system for tracking applications, and the effect of transfers on the wider community, such as fencing and loss of open space.

   Based on the minutes, CAT Inquiry Impact Update Report, Community Assets SIP Letter 27 Apr 26sr

2. Panel letter to the Cabinet Member

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The letter, dated 15 May 2026 and signed by the Convener, Cllr Stuart Rice, sets out the Panel's views after the meeting. It says the inquiry has had a constructive impact and welcomes the Cabinet Member's commitment to keep resourcing under review. It suggests clearer, periodic updates to councillors on expressions of interest and completed transfers. No formal response is required.

   Based on the minutes, Community Assets SIP Letter 27 Apr 26sr

Written by AI from the council's minutes and reports. Sentences with a number or name that can't be found in those papers are removed automatically, but mistakes are still possible. Councils publish no word-for-word record of meetings, so this says what was decided and why. Read the official papers to be sure.

1. 2

   Disclosure of Personal and Prejudicial Interests

   Minute

   Cllr Will Thomas declared a Personal Interest.

2. 3

   Prohibition of Whipped Votes and Declaration of Party Whips

   Minute

   None

3. 4

   Minutes

   Minute

   The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record.

   Papers: Minutes CAT SIP 4 Nov 24
4. 5

   Public Questions

   Minute

   No public questions were received.

5. 6

   Community Asset Transfer Scrutiny Inquiry Progress and Impact Report

   Minute

   The Lead Cabinet Member Cllr Rob Stewart and Officers from the Place Directorate attended the meeting, presented an update on the progress and impact of those scrutiny recommendations that had been agreed by Cabinet. The Panel were pleased with the progress that had been made and agreed to sign off the inquiry as complete. Details of the key points from the discussion and the Panel’s thoughts will form part of a letter from the Convener to the Cabinet member following the meeting.

   Papers: CAT Inquiry Impact Update Report, Appendix B - CAT Evaluation Form (draft)

6. Letter to Cabinet Member

   Papers: Community Assets SIP Letter 27 Apr 26sr

Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.

Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.

• Stuart Rice, ChairUplandsPresent
• Allan Jeffery, Committee MemberLiberal DemocratPresent
• Cheryl Philpott, Committee MemberLiberal DemocratSent apologies
• Chris Holley OBE, Committee MemberLiberal DemocratSent apologies
• Joe Hale, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Michael Locke, Committee MemberLiberal DemocratSent apologies
• Susan Jones, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Victoria Holland, Committee MemberLabourSent apologies
• Will Thomas, Committee MemberConservativePresent
• Yvonne Jardine, Committee MemberLabourAbsent

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