241106 ILE CAT 1 Land Beardmore Cottages (IDT) (combined)
Renfrewshire Council · 6 November 2024
Back to Community Asset Transfer Sub-committee — 6 November 2024 and its agenda
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2 ___________________________________________________________________ To: Infrastructure, Land & Environment Policy Board Community Asset Transfer Subcommittee On: 6 November 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Community Asset Transfer Request – Land, Beardmore Cottages, Inchinnan ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1. The purpose of this report is to ask the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) Subcommittee to approve the sale of Land behind 49 Beardmore Cottages, Inchinnan to Inchinnan Development Trust (IDT) under Part 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 (the Act). 2. Recommendations 2.1. It is recommended that the CAT Subcommittee:- (i) Consider the Community Asset Transfer request, attached; (ii) Agree to the sale of the asset at the discounted price of £1 offered; (iii) Authorise the Head of Economy and Development and the Head of Corporate Governance to conclude the sale of the asset in accordance with the Act and on such terms as required to protect the Council’s interest. 3. Background 3.1. Part 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 provides the right for community bodies to request outright ownership, short or long term lease or other rights over any land or property owned or leased by the Council. 3.2. The Act requires local authorities to assess requests transparently against a specified list of criteria, and to agree the request unless there are reasonable grounds for refusal.
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3 3.3. The CAT Officer Panel met to consider this request on the 15th of October 2024. In accordance with the revised Scheme of Delegation (September 2022), the Panel agreed to recommend the request for approval to the CAT Subcomiittee. 4. Asset: Land behind 49 Beardmore Cottages, Inchinnan 4.1. The asset is a small area of vacant and unused land extending to 322 sqm, or thereabouts, that lies on the northern boundary behind No. 49 Beardmore Cottages. Shown as outlined in red on the attached site plan, reference E3381. 4.2. The property is registered as belonging to Renfrewshire Council, reference REN1719. The title has been checked by legal services and found to be no legal burdens restricting or preventing the sale or disposal of the property. 4.3. Burdens relative to a 1922 Disposition which reserves a line of pipe and supply of water to the farms of Inchinnantown, Greenhead and others with a servitude of wayleave for the pipe and access to it for renewal / repair; and an obligation in relation to the mutual maintenance of fencing alongside lands belonging to the disponer at that time; will pass to the Community Transfer Body (CTB) with the title and are not thought to be preventative for a lease or a sale. 4.4. A full title check in relation to any rights of way or access rights over the land, or any servitudes or wayleaves in addition to those mentioned, will be conducted prior to sale. 4.5. IDT were previously granted permission to site a storage container on the site. 4.6. The site abuts the southern boundary and entrance to the community owned Teucheen Wood. Previously left to scrub, the site was cleared by the Friends of Teucheen Wood volunteers and now provides a space for the ‘Cube’ a small portacabin owned by IDT as an on-site equipment/tool store used for woodland management. 4.7. The site has no residual value to the Council. 5. CTB: Inchinnan Development Trust 5.1. Inchinnan Development Trust (IDT) is a company limited by guarantee with more than 20 members and registered with Companies House, registration no. SC659896. As such, IDT qualifies as a Community Transfer Body under Part 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 and is entitled to seek asset transfer under the Act. 5.2. Articles of Association have been checked and confirmed as compliant under the Act. 5.3. The company was incorporated on 24 April 2020 and was formed to benefit people and businesses principally within the Inchinnan Community Council Boundary. Objects include:
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4 • the advancement of community development (including the advancement of woodland and greenspaces regeneration) principally within the Community; and • the advancement of environmental protection or improvement. The provision of recreational facilities, or the organisation of recreational activities, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended. Capacity to Deliver 5.4. IDT has significant experience and proven capability in managing land having previously been successful in the community buy-out of the privately owned Teucheen Woods in 2021 now made accessible and managed for community benefit; and the successful asset transfer of the India Tyres Playing Fields. 6. Community Asset Transfer Request 6.1. The CAT request is for full ownership of the asset. 6.2. Inchinnan Development Trust have offered to pay £1.00 for the asset as detailed in the attached CAT request form. 6.3. IDT’s main purpose in requesting an asset transfer of this land is for incorporation into their Teucheen Wood project and to support their woodland activities, which include community conservation volunteering, nature wellbeing sessions, and educational programmes. 6.4. As well as maintaining the land for their woodland equipment store, IDT plan to extend their woodland management plan and practises to this currently unmanaged area of land, including, incorporation into woodland assessments/surveys; and the removal of invasive plant species and introduction of new native species. 6.5. The land will be maintained by the group’s conservation volunteers. Community Engagement 6.6. IDT have discussed this proposal with members of the community through the Community Council and have engaged with the immediate neighbours to the site and have not received any objections or concerns to their proposals. While the group has not undertaken extensive formal consultation for this proposal due to the small size of the land and its incorporation into an existing project, there is ongoing support for the group’s work with Teucheen Wood, developed through thorough consultation with the wider community. 6.7. The CAT request was validated on the 16th of September 2024 and published on the Council Website. Notices were placed on site and all close neighbours and interested parties, including Elected Members and the Community Council, were informed directly in accordance with the CAT legislation. 6.8. No formal representations were received.
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5 Benefits 6.9. IDT have indicated that asset transfer of the site securing easy access to the Cube storage facility, supports a wide range of the Trust’s community engagement and woodland activities, which in turn generate multiple benefits, including • Economic Development - opportunities for skills development and learning through work on site and the woodland activities the site helps to support; • Regeneration - improve overall safety through improvements to the access path on site and control of fly-tipping; • Public Health & Wellbeing - weekly adult wellbeing sessions benefiting participants wellbeing through time spent engaging with nature (i.e. green health/prescription); • Social Wellbeing - supports for educational activities within the woodland, providing a meeting place for sessions; • Environmental Wellbeing - habitat management on site will allow for control of invasive species (and encroachment into Teucheen Wood), enhancement of woodland edge habitat, and small-scale ecological projects. 6.10. In addition to their application, IDT have provided a Woodland Management Plan dated December 2023 and a report on access improvements both of which are attached to this report for information. Sustainability 6.11. IDT secured funding from the Villages Investment fund which was used to fund the move of their container to the site and for its exterior refurbishment. 6.12. The asset itself is a small site which will be maintained through the ongoing work of the Teucheen Woods Volunteers and is not expected to require ongoing or significant future investment. 6.13. The trust are in the process of applying to Scottish Forestry for funding through their Woodland Improvement and Sustainable Management of Forests funds to support the management of Teucheen Wood and its surrounds (including this asset). Best Value 6.14. The asset transfer request meets the requirements for best value to the council in terms of • Vision and Leadership – IDT has a strong vision for the advancement of community development, environmental protection and sustainability in line with Council objectives. • Governance and Accountability – IDT is an established organisation with effective governance and accountability.
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6 • Use of resources – IDT uses community volunteers to effect and maintain change. • Partnership and collaborative working – IDT works closely with other organisations in a range of projects including the protection and maintenance of the Teucheen Woods. • Working with Communities – IDT has a strong community mandate for its work. • Sustainability – ethos of the asset transfer is the protection and management of the Teucheen Woods. 7. Subsidy Control 7.1. Discount conferred as a result of asset transfer constitutes as financial assistance under the Subsidy Control Act 2022 and must be included in the calculation for Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA). 7.2. Under the Act, financial assistance is only considered a subsidy where it satisfies all four ‘limbs’ of the test within the regime and where the recipient of the assistance is an enterprise (any person, or groups of persons under common control that is engaged in an economic activity, which means, offering goods and services on a market). 7.3. The transfer of Land, Beardmore Cottages to Inchinnan Development Trust does not satisfy one or more of the limbs, namely • The financial assistance confers an economic advantage on one or more enterprises. • The financial assistance has, or is capable of having, an effect on competition or investment within the UK, or on trade or investment between the UK and another country or territory, or both. 7.4. Furthermore, Inchinnan Development Trust is not considered an enterprise under the Act in that it does not provide goods or services on the market. 8. Proposed Terms and Conditions 8.1. Full title check to be conducted with regards to any rights of way or access rights over the land, or any servitudes or wayleaves in addition to those mentioned at 4.3 above. 8.2. Sale of land to include vehicle and pedestrian access from Beardmore Cottages and a condition of no waiting or parking on the access road. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report
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7 1. Financial – Cat request seeks to purchase 4land at the discounted price of £1.00. 2. HR & Organisational Development – None. 3. Community Planning Our Renfrewshire is well – the CAT supports the wellness and resilience of our citizens and communities. 4. Legal (a) The CAT request and CTB comply with the requirements of Part 5 of The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. (b) A formal offer from the CTB must be received within 6 months of decision to approve. (c) Sale must be concluded within 6 months of a formal offer being submitted by the Club. 5. Property/Assets – Cat requests seeks approval to dispose of the asset reference 123120265. 6. Information Technology – None. 7. Equality & Human Rights (a) The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety – None. 9. Procurement – Not applicable. 10. Risk – None. 11. Privacy Impact – Not applicable. 12. Climate Risk – Not applicable. 13. Children’s Rights - This report does not cover a new policy, function or strategy nor a substantive change to an existing policy, function or strategy which will have an impact on children’s rights. 14. Cosla Policy Position - Not applicable _________________________________________________________
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8 List of Background Papers (a) None. _________________________________________________________________ Author: Sandra Inrig – 0141 487 1447 or 07974 071238. sandra.inrig@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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1 COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 2015 ASSET TRANSFER REQUEST FORM IMPORTANT NOTES: This is a standard asset transfer request form which can be used to make a request to Renfrewshire Council. For assets owned by other relevant authorities, please refer to that authority’s own website. You do not need to use this form to make an asset transfer request but using a form will help you to make sure you include all the required information. You should read the asset transfer guidance provided by the Scottish Government before making a request. All forms and guidance documents are available to download from the Council’s Website You are strongly advised to discuss your proposals with the Council before making an asset transfer request. You can do this by contacting the CAT Single Point of Contact at communityassettransfer@renfrewshire.gov.uk. When completed, this form must be sent to: - The CAT Single Point of Contact Regeneration and Place Renfrewshire Council Renfrewshire House Cotton Street Paisley PA1 1TT Or submitted by email to: communityassettransfer@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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2 This is an asset transfer request made under Part 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 in relation to property owned, leased, or managed by Renfrewshire Council. Section 1: Information about the community transfer body (CTB) making the request 1.1 Name of the CTB making the asset transfer request Inchinnan Development Trust 1.2 CTB address. This should be the registered address (if you have one) or main correspondence address. Postal address: India of Inchinnan Greenock Road, Inchinnan Renfrewshire PA4 9HL 1.3 Contact details. Please provide the name and contact address to which correspondence in relation to this asset transfer request should be sent. Contact name: Maggie Morrison Postal address: Postcode: Email: Telephone: X We agree that correspondence in relation to this asset transfer request may be sent by email to the email address given above. (Please tick to indicate agreement). You can ask the relevant authority to stop sending correspondence by email, or change the email address, by telling them at any time, as long as 5 working days’ notice is given. Renfrewshire Council takes the privacy of your personal data very seriously. For more information see our Privacy Policy. (Please tick to indicate agreement). X We agree that information provided in this asset transfer request, including contact
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3 details, may ONLY be forwarded to relevant officers within Renfrewshire Council for the purposes of assessment and/or in order to provide specialist support to further the asset transfer request as appropriate. Contact details will only be forwarded with your consent for an explicit purpose. (Please tick to indicate agreement).
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4 1.4 Please mark an “X” in the relevant box to confirm the type of CTB and its official number, if it has one. X Company (with no fewer than 20 members) and its company number is SC659896 Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) (with no fewer than 20 members) and its charity number is Community Benefit Society (BenCom), (with no fewer than 20 members) and its registered number is Unincorporated organisation (no number) Please attach a copy of your constitution, Articles of Association or registered rules. 1.5 Has the organisation been individually designated as a community transfer body by the Scottish Ministers? No X Yes ☐ Please give the title and date of the designation order: 1.6 Does the organisation fall within a class of bodies which has been designated as community transfer bodies by the Scottish Ministers (i.e. those listed above at 1.4)? No ☐ Yes X If yes what class of bodies does it fall within? Community-controlled body.
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5 Section 2: Information about the land and rights requested 2.1 Please identify the land / property to which this asset transfer request relates. You should provide a street address or grid reference and any name by which the land or building is known. If you have identified the land on the relevant authority’s register of land, please enter the details listed there. It may be helpful to provide one or more maps or drawings to show the boundaries of the land requested. If you are requesting part of a piece of land, you must attach a map and give a full description of the boundaries of the area to which your request relates. If you are requesting part of a building, please make clear what area you require. A drawing may be helpful. Details of Property: - The area of land is located at the rear of 49 Beardmore Cottages (Inchinnan) and abuts the southern boundary/entrance of community-owned Teucheen Wood. Address: - Site, Northern Boundary 49 Beardmore Cottages Inchinnan, Renfrew Postcode:- PA4 9PE Community Area:- Inchinnan 2.2 Please provide the UPRN (Unique Property Reference Number), if known. If the property has a UPRN you will find it in the relevant authority’s register of land. UPRN:- 123120265
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6 Section 3: Type of request, payment and conditions 3.1 Please tick what type of request is being made: for ownership (under section 79(2)(a)) - go to section 3A for lease (under section 79(2)(b)(i)) – go to section 3B for other rights (section 79(2)(b)(ii)) - go to section 3C 3A – Request for ownership What price are you prepared to pay for the land requested: Proposed price: £1 Please attach a note setting out any other terms and conditions you wish to apply to the request. 3B – request for lease What is the length of lease you are requesting? How much rent are you prepared to pay? Please make clear whether this is per year or per month. Proposed rent: Please attach a note setting out any other terms and conditions you wish to be included in the lease, or to apply to the request in any other way. X
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7 3C – request for other rights What are the rights you are requesting? Do you propose to make any payment for these rights? Yes ☐ No ☐ If yes, how much are you prepared to pay? Please make clear what period this would cover, for example per week, per month, per day? Proposed payment: £ Please attach a note setting out any other terms and conditions you wish to apply to the request.
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8 Section 4: Community Proposal 4.1 Please set out the reasons for making the request and how the land or building will be used. This should explain the objectives of your project, why there is a need for it, any development or changes you plan to make to the land or building, and any activities that will take place there. 4.1.1 Objectives of the Project: The land is directly adjacent to the southern boundary of Teucheen Wood, a woodland which was brought into community-ownership by the Trust in 2021. Since gaining ownership of the woodland the Trust has established a diverse programme of ecological and community-based projects alongside our on-going woodland management work. The Trust is requesting an asset transfer of this land for incorporation into our Teucheen Wood project and to support our woodland activities (which include community conservation volunteering, nature wellbeing sessions, and educational programmes). The main objectives are as follows: Consistent habitat management/enhancement: The Trust would extend our woodland management plan and practises to this currently unmanaged area of land. This would include incorporation into woodland assessments/surveys, work on maintaining land by our conservation volunteers, and work to remove invasive plant species (and introduce new native species) - benefitting both the land itself and adjacent Teucheen Wood. Maintaining the land and our woodland equipment store: The Trust acquired planning permission to relocate a storage container to the land last year. This container houses our woodland management equipment, volunteer hand tools, and equipment used by local forest school educators and within our own educational/wellbeing sessions in Teucheen Wood. As such, the storage container (and land it sits on) is essential to our delivery of our programme of activity within the woodland. Ownership of the land will help the Trust (and our volunteers) manage our storage container and the area around it. This help us allow us to continue to maintain (and make improvements to) the exterior of the container, ensuring it is in-keeping with its natural surroundings (but not over-run with vegetation) and increasing its longevity. Showing active management of the container and surrounds should also help to discourage vandalism and fly-tipping. Improving safety and accessibility: The site stretches across one of Teucheen Wood’s informal entrances. This entrance is the most accessible the woodland has to offer, as a result it is often used as an entry-point for maintenance tools and arboricultural equipment required for management and tree works within the woodland. Gaining ownership of the land will allow the Trust to maintain the grass area leading to the woodland entrance and make accessibility improvements where possible (e.g. widening of entry point, addressing poor ground conditions resulting from tread, and maintaining the grass verge). Maintaining vegetation around our storage container on-site will also ensure ease of access for
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9 those who use it while helping the Trust keep on-top of fly-tipping/rubbish disposal on the land. There are several mature trees located on the land but out with the boundary of Teucheen Wood, a transfer of the land would allow the Trust to incorporate it into our annual Visual Tree Assessments (conducted by Envirocentre Ltd) and undertake any tree safety works which may arise from them. 4.1.2 Why there is a need for your Project The land houses our equipment/tool store which is essential to our operations and community activities within Teucheen Wood. Beyond this, it is essentially an extension of Teucheen Wood in terms of habitat (i.e. woodland edge habitat) and should be managed as such. Without proper vegetation maintenance there is a risk that invasive species (and garden escapees) will begin to dominate the site. As woodland edges are particularly vulnerable to invasive species, there is also a risk that they could spread further into Teucheen Wood outcompeting native flora and decreasing biodiversity. Teucheen Wood has seen an increase in footfall following the Trust’s community buy-out, our formal Woodland Management Plan covers path maintenance/improvement to address this within the woodland. Incorporation of this area of land (including the path to the woodland entrance on boundary of the site) would address the risk of deteriorating ground conditions from footfall, allowing the Trust to maintain the path (and entrance) and make improvements where possible. There is also a risk that the land could fall into neglect without active management and maintenance, not only making the site appear dilapidated but potentially encouraging fly-tipping and rubbish/garden waste disposal on site (which it has been used for in the past). The Trust would ensure the land is well-maintained and avoids becoming an eyesore for residents. 4.1.3 Development / changes / modifications required Changes and modifications will be in the form of general site maintenance (maintenance of overgrown vegetation, removal of fly tipping/rubbish, assessment of trees on site), habitat management (removal of invasive species, enhancing woodland edge habitat), access improvements (maintenance of grass verge/path leading to Teucheen Wood, improvement to access point on boundary), and small-scale ecological projects (planting, habitat creation, green crafting). 4.1.4 Activities that will take place The area will support our community activities within Teucheen Wood while also being incorporated into them. Our Friends of Teucheen Wood volunteers will be essential in the maintenance and improvement of the land, while our well-being and education groups will assist with small scale ecological projects on the site. Habitat management: Regular maintenance to manage vegetation growth, monitor and control invasive species, planting, and species enhancement where possible, monitoring of mature trees, and incorporation into Teucheen Wood’s woodland management plan.
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10 Ground/site management: Management of overgrown vegetation which obstructs access/activities on site, maintenance and improvement of path and entrance to Teucheen Wood (located on grass verge of site), monitoring and clearance of fly-tipping and waste disposal, and visual improvements to site to reduce sense of dilapidation resulting from lack of management. Conservation volunteering: Habitat management and site maintenance will be incorporated into the work of our Friends of Teucheen Wood volunteer group which is made up of members of our local and wider communities. There is also opportunity to involve local schools as part of their curriculum or educational programmes such as the John Muir award. Safety and accessibility improvements: Improvement of the access path and entrance to the woodland, incorporation of trees on-site into the Trust’s annual Visual Tree Assessment, and completion of necessary arboricultural operations. Small scale ecological projects: Green crafting and planting projects on-site will be incorporated into volunteering, educational, and wellbeing sessions. This may include: the creation of planters made from reclaimed wood, species enhancement through planting, and creation of an “insect hotel” on site. The site would also be suitable for small scale green woodworking/bushcraft projects (due to its flatness and proximity to our storage container). Cube improvement/maintenance: Maintenance of on-site equipment/tool store used for woodland management and educational/wellbeing activities, management of vegetation around the store, and work to improve its appearance/incorporation into the site (e.g. painting, climbing vegetation). 4.1.5 If the asset is to be used by the public it would be helpful if you could provide details of letting’s policy and opening times N/A 4.1.6 What provision will be provided for people with disabilities? This area of land has greater accessibility than Teucheen Wood (which is naturally less accessible owing to its terrain/topography), meaning that we can engage a wider range of residents with our activities improving and working on the site. The boundary of the site also has the most accessible entry-point into Teucheen Wood, with ownership of the land the Trust would look to increase accessibility by making improvements to the entrance pathway and entry-point into the woodland.
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11 4.1.7 Any other relevant information? Teucheen Wood’s formal Woodland Management Plan document can be provided upon request. Benefits of the proposal 4.2 Please set out the benefits that you consider will arise if the request is agreed to. This section should explain how the project will benefit your community, and others. Please refer to the guidance on how the relevant authority will consider the benefits of a request. Please explain how the project will benefit your community by detailing how your project will promote or improve: - 4.2.1 Economic development / income generation While the site will not be profit generating, community engagement with work on site and the woodland activities the site helps to support brings many opportunities for skills development and learning within our communities. 4.2.2 Regeneration As outlined in our 2021 - 2026 Strategic Plan document, the Trust’s main goals are: - The advancement of community development (including the advancement of woodland and greenspaces regeneration) principally within the Community. - The advancement of environmental protection and improvement. - The provision and organisation of recreational activities with the object of improving the quality of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended. This asset contributes to each of these aims through its capacity to support our Teucheen Wood projects (and the Trust’s community-based work within the woodland) and the incorporation of its management into our programme of activities (community volunteering, recreation, and wellbeing etc) - giving our community members an opportunity to become actively involved in management of the land and benefitting from the experience/skills, sense of stewardship, and community ties that will bring. 4.2.3 Public Health Incorporation of mature trees into our annual tree assessments, improvements to the access path on site, and control of fly-tipping will improve overall safety of the site.
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12 The storage container on site is also essential to our green health initiatives, storing equipment used by staff and woodland educators/activity leaders. The includes our weekly adult wellbeing sessions funded by Engage Renfrewshire’s Community Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund. These sessions benefit’s participants wellbeing through time spent engaging with nature (i.e. green health/prescription), nature-based wellbeing activities (e.g. nature observation, forest bathing, mindfulness exercises, social activities), and social connection. The site also supports our volunteer and educational sessions within the woodland which take place across the year, also bringing benefit to both mental and physical wellbeing. Work on the site itself (and associated small-scale projects) will also be incorporated into these activities. 4.2.4 Social / Wellbeing As above, the site is essential in its support of our wellbeing and community-based activities within Teucheen Wood. These programmes improve the wellbeing of attendees (and therefore our community at large) through nature immersion/exposure but also by increasing their sense of connection to their local community/environment and providing an opportunity for group socialisation (helping to address isolation and improve community cohesion). The site also supports our educational activities within the woodland, providing a meeting place for sessions and store for equipment/gear. Most recently the site has supported the facilitation of woodland sessions for Inchinnan Primary School as part of their P7’s John Muir Discovery Award and educational sessions for S2 pupils from Park Mains High School. Improvement and maintenance of the site following an asset transfer will also be incorporated into educational programmes (both through our sessions for young people and adult wellbeing and volunteering groups). 4.2.5 Environmental / Wellbeing / Environmental Benefits The Trust is dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of our local environment through responsible, informed management and sustainable development of green assets like Teucheen Wood and its surrounds. The site supports the Trust’s work within the woodland and facilitation of our long-term management plan. The long-term vision for Teucheen is to maintain a safe, biodiverse environment - increasing local biodiversity and resilience against threats from adjacent land use and climate change, while encouraging public engagement. Habitat management on site will allow for control of invasive species (and encroachment into Teucheen Wood), enhancement of woodland edge habitat, and small-scale ecological projects. Activities taking place (both within Teucheen Wood and on-site) provide learning opportunities around environment and conservation for those participating (e.g. through tool use, green crafting, nature education) helping to boost environmental literacy and engagement with local nature within our community.
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13 4.2.6 Does your project contribute to the reduction in equalities? Please detail how. We strive to reach those who have barriers to engaging with nature independently. This can include ‘actual’ barriers and ‘perceived’ barriers such as: economic disadvantage, lack of awareness of (or access to) greenspaces, low confidence in outdoor spaces, poor social confidence, and mental/physical health. As with all of our projects, the Trust will strive to include those with barriers in the improvement/maintenance of this asset and the activities the asset supports in Teucheen Wood. The Trust believes that freely available structured sessions (e.g. our volunteer programme or woodland wellbeing sessions) can help those with barriers gain the necessary confidence and skills to engage with nature/local greenspaces like this. The boundary of the site also has the most accessible entry-point into Teucheen Wood, with ownership of the land the Trust would look to increase accessibility where possible and better maintain this entrance. 4.2.7 Any other relevant information The Trust is in the process of applying for an additional Community Asset Transfer for a site which neighbours Teucheen Wood - an area of arable land to the east of Beardmore Cottages. The project at this site will seek to enhance biodiversity (through the restoration of wet grassland habitat and creation of new, high quality woodland edge habitat) and develop a fully accessible space for the Trust’s nature-based community activities. The delivery of our aims at this site (rear of 49 Beardmore) will help to facilitate this project and our wider ecological work in the area surrounding Teucheen Wood. Restrictions on use of the land 4.3 If there are any restrictions on the use or development of the land, please explain how your project will comply with these. Restrictions might include, amongst others, environmental designations such as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI), heritage designations such as listed building status, controls on contaminated land or planning restrictions. Trees on site are covered by a blanket Tree Preservation Order. While the site itself does not have any environmental designations, adjacent Teucheen Wood has a non-statutory designation as a SINC (Site of Importance for Nature Conservation).
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14 Negative consequences 4.4 Please identify any potential risks which may occur if your request is agreed to? How would you propose to minimise these? You should consider any potential negative consequences for the local economy, environment, or any group of people and explain how you could reduce these. The Trust cannot foresee any negative consequences that could occur if granted an asset transfer of the site. Currently the site is largely unmanaged, with little maintenance of vegetation and incidences of fly-tipping. The land itself, in terms of habitat, is a continuation of the adjacent woodland habitat of Teucheen Wood (woodland edge habitat) and will be managed as such. As with our existing assets, feedback and input from our community members will be considered and implemented in the site’s on-going management. Capacity to deliver 4.5 Please show how your organisation will be able to manage the project and achieve your objectives. This could include the skills and experience of members of the organisation, any track record of previous projects, whether you intend to use professional advisers, etc. Have you / your organisation managed projects or owned / leased land previously? Please provide details of: - 4.5.1 Skills and experience of members of the organisation IDT operates under the leadership of our Board of Directors (composed of 4 local people dedicated to the betterment and development of Inchinnan for the benefit of the community) alongside our two part-time members of staff and various volunteers. Maggie Morrison (Development Manager) - Maggie has over 25 years’ experience working in roles in finance, procurement, project management, and administration. Her people skills and positive attitude are the driving force behind IDT. Lacey Lindsay (Development Officer) - Lacey is an Earth Science (Hons) graduate bringing experience in geoscience and conservation. She supports IDT's environmental ambitions and engaging our community with these. Ali Cush (Director) - Ali works as an Education and Inclusion Advisor at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and is passionate about creating equal access to greenspaces and outdoor learning. Mags O’Neill (Director) - Mags works as an early years educator at Inchinnan Nursery. Having served Inchinnan Community Council for over 10 years, she has been a key contributor to many village projects.
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15 Marci MacCuish (Director) - Marci is an Environmental Health Officer with over 20 years’ experience. Originally from Glasgow, she moved to Inchinnan and fell in love with village life and our friendly community. Brian Thomas (Director) - Brian participates in many organisations based in Inchinnan, bringing his knowledge of our local community and experience from his day job as an Assistant Property Director to IDT. 4.5.2 Do you intend to use professional advisors? The Trust engaged Envirocentre Ltd for the development of our WMP in conjunction with our community members and relevant stakeholders. Envirocentre Ltd continue to advise the Trust and conduct our annual tree assessments within Teucheen Wood. We are currently engaging with Scottish Forestry for the approval of our woodland management plan and funding opportunities to support the management of Teucheen Wood and its surrounds. 4.5.3 Do you currently lease / manage a property from Renfrewshire Council? If yes, please provide details The Trust successfully completed a Community Asset Transfer (long-lease option) of India Tyres Playing Fields. 4.5.4 Please detail how you plan to maintain the asset? The asset will be incorporated into our on-going management of Teucheen Wood. Our Friends of Teucheen Wood volunteer group will assist IDT staff with maintenance and improvement of the asset. This includes habitat management, ground maintenance, small-scale ecological works, and refurbishment/maintenance of the storage container on-site. The site will also be incorporated into the Trust’s annual tree assessments which are undertaken by Envirocentre Ltd with resultant arboricultural works to be completed by Merlin Tree Services. 4.5.5. Any other relevant information? N/A Section 5: Level and nature of support 5.1 Please provide details of the level and nature of support for the request, from your community and, if relevant, from others. This could include information on the proportion of your community who are involved with the request, how you have engaged with your community beyond the members of your organisation and what their response has been. You should also show how you have engaged with any other communities that may be affected by your proposals.
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16 5.1.1 How many people are members of your organisation? Are they in agreement with this application? Inchinnan Development Trust currently has a membership of 117 people alongside four Board Directors and two part-time members of staff. Our membership are supportive of the Trust’s various community and environmental projects across Inchinnan, this includes our management of Teucheen Wood. A breakdown of the Trust’s engagement with our membership during the development of our woodland management aims can be found in our formal Woodland Management Plan document. This document was distributed across our membership (via email with an offer of a physical copy if required). Our members were encouraged to voice their feedback (and concerns) for incorporation into the final draft of the document. Our Board of Directors are also in agreement with our application for a Community Asset Transfer and our intentions to improve this area of land in-conjunction with our management of Teucheen Wood. 5.1.2 How many people are members of your community as defined in your constitution / governing rules? Are they in agreement with this application? As defined in our constitution our community comprises those within the Inchinnan Community Council Boundary. Inchinnan has a population of 1874 persons residing within 760 households. Our community members were formally notified of the Trust’s intentions to complete a Community Asset Transfer of this land during a Inchinnan Community Council meeting in March 2024. No objections to the proposal were raised during the meeting. Those living in properties directly neighbouring the site were informed via letter on June 3rd 2024 and encouraged to raise any concerns they may have about the transfer of the land and the Trust’s proposals. As of July 8th, no objections or concerned have been raised. While extensive formal consultation has not been conducted due to the small size of this area of land and its incorporation into an existing project, the dedicated support for our work with Teucheen Wood (which was and continues to be developed through thorough consultation) provide a solid foundation for this transfer of land to the Trust. During the community buy-out process and management planning for Teucheen Wood, the Trust engaged extensively with our community members and key woodland stakeholders. From the beginning of our work with the woodland our community have voiced their support for utilising Teucheen Wood for community wellbeing, education, and recreation. As this land will be incorporated into our management of the woodland and is essential in supporting the continued delivery of our activities within it, there is no doubt that our community members will recognise the benefits of this transfer. Our woodland volunteer group (Friends of Teucheen Wood), wellbeing sessions, and educational activities continue to have a good level of engagement and participation. Through these we have
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17 received informal feedback on our plans to transfer this area of land from those who most frequently engage with Teucheen Wood - all of which has been positive. 5.1.3 Have you consulted with other local stakeholder groups and agencies? Please provide evidence. The potential for incorporation of this area of land is included in our formal Woodland Management Plan which has been submitted to Scottish Forestry for review, feedback, and approval. 5.1.4 Have you contacted local staff? If yes, please provide details of who N/A 5.1.5 Have you contacted any other communities that may be affected? Letters informing those living directly adjacent to the land (on Beardmore Cottage) were delivered on June 3rd 2024. They were advised of the Trust’s plans to complete an asset transfer of the land and encouraged to voice any concerns they may have over proposals. As of July 8th, no objections nor concerns have been raised. 5.1.6 Any other relevant information A breakdown of the Trust’s stakeholder engagement process in the development of our management plans for Teucheen Wood (which this area of land will be incorporated into) can be found within our formal Woodland Management Plan document. Details of the work already undertaken by our members, volunteers, and Friends of Teucheen Wood can be found both on the Trust’s website and social media platforms. Section 6: Funding 6.1 Please outline how you propose to fund the price or rent you are prepared to pay for the land, and your proposed use of the land. You should show your calculations of the costs associated with the transfer of the land or building and your future use of it, including any redevelopment, ongoing maintenance, and the costs of your activities. All proposed income and investment should be identified, including volunteering and donations. If you intend to apply for grants or loans you should demonstrate that your proposals are eligible for the relevant scheme, according to the guidance available for applicants. 6.1.1 Please show your calculations of the costs associated with the transfer of the land or buildings and your future use of it, including any redevelopment, ongoing maintenance, and the costs of your activities. All proposed income and investment should be identified, including volunteering and donations. N/A
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18 6.1.2 Please also supply details of what funding you have received so far, and any conditions attached. The Trust received £795 from the Village Investment Fund which was used to fund the move of our equipment container to the site and materials to begin the refurbishment of the container exterior. 6.1.3 Details of funding you have applied for but are still waiting on a decision / response We are in the process of applying to Scottish Forestry for funding through their Woodland Improvement and Sustainable Management of Forests funds to support the management of Teucheen Wood and its surrounds (including this asset). 6.1.4 Details of other funding i.e. voluntary donations, borrowing etc N/A 6.1.5 Any other relevant information N/A
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19 Section 7: Other Supporting Documentation To enable the Council to fully consider your application, the following supporting documentation must be submitted as part of your application:- • A copy of your organisation’s Constitution, Articles or Association or other governing rules as appropriate; • A detailed business case (that is proportionate to the nature of the asset transfer request); • A financial projection of income and expenditure for at least three full financial years following the date of this request; • A copy of your organisation’s most recent audited accounts, where available (or a financial projection covering the current financial year where the applicant has been operating for less than one year); • Annual reports (where these are available). Applicants are advised to refer to the Scottish Government Community Asset Transfer Guidance for Community Transfer Bodies for further details of what information should be included in these supporting documents. https://www.gov.scot/publications/asset-transfer- under-community-empowerment-scotland-act-2015-guidance-community-9781786527509/
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20 Declaration and Signature Two office-bearers (board members, charity trustees or committee members) of the community transfer body must sign the form. They must provide their full names and home addresses for the purposes of prevention and detection of fraud. This form and supporting documents will be made available online for any interested person to read and comment on. Personal information will be redacted before the form is made available. We, the undersigned on behalf of the community transfer body as noted at section 1, make an asset transfer request as specified in this form. We declare that the information provided in this form and any accompanying documents is accurate to the best of our knowledge. “I understand that the details provided will be used by Renfrewshire Council for the purpose of assessing the asset transfer request and may be shared with Council Officers and Elected Members for the purposes of providing support in making the application or other purposes as appropriate. Further information on how the Council looks after personal information can be found here : https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/2201/Privacy-policy 1. Name: Maggie Morrison Address: India of Inchinnan, Greenock Road, Inchinnan PA4 9HL Date: 11/06/2024 Position: Senior Development Officer Signature: 2. Name: Alison Cush Address: Date: 11/06/2024 Position: Director Signature:
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22 Checklist of accompanying documents To check that nothing is missed, please list any documents which you are submitting to accompany this form. Section 1 – you must attach your organisation’s constitution, articles of association or registered rules ‘IDT Articles of Association’ [PDF] Section 2 – any maps, drawings, or description of the land requested. ‘Container Storage Beardmore Cottages – Location Plan’ [PDF] ‘Container Storage Beardmore Cottages – Block Plan’ [PDF] Section 3 – note of any terms and conditions that are to apply to the request Section 4 – about your proposals, their benefits, any restrictions on the land or potential negative consequences, and your organisation’s capacity to deliver. Section 5 – evidence of community support This site will be incorporated into our wider management of Teucheen Wood. Evidence of stakeholder engagement and support for both our ownership and woodland management plan can be found in: ‘ECRPT 13177 Teucheen Wood WMP_Final_R1.1’ [PDF] Information letter for boundary residents: ‘Cube Site CAT Feedback Letter’ [DOCX]
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23 Minutes of Inchinnan Community Council Meeting (05/03/24): ‘ICC Meeting Minutes 5th March 2024’ [DOCX] Community involvement with maintenance of site: ‘Friends of Teucheen Wood – Storage Container Refurbishment’ [JPEG] Section 6 – funding Section 7 – Supporting Documentation IDT Finances: ‘FINAL – IDT 2022-23 Accounts LTD’ [PDF] ‘IDT Annual Report 2023’ [DOCX] Teucheen Wood Management: ‘ECRPT 13177 Teucheen Wood WMP_Final_R1.1’ [PDF] ‘Teucheen Wood Access & Infrastructure Plan’ [PDF]
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Teucheen Wood Woodland Management Plan December 2023
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