Minutes of meeting
Renfrewshire Council · 19 March 2025
Back to Community Asset Transfer Sub-committee — 19 March 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Minute of Meeting Community Asset Transfer Sub-committee Date Time Venue Wednesday, 19 March 2025 13:00 Microsoft Teams Meeting, Present: Councillor Michelle Campbell, Councillor Audrey Doig, Councillor James MacLaren, Councillor Iain McMillan, Councillor Andy Steel Chair Councillor Campbell, Convener, presided. In Attendance A Morrison, Head of Economy & Development and S Inrig, Assistant Manager (Employability) (both Chief Executive's); and N Young, Managing Solicitor (Litigation and Advice) and D Low, Democratic Services Manager (both Finance & Resources). Webcasting of Meeting Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Convener intimated that this meeting of the Policy Board would be filmed for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council's internet site. Declarations of Interest and Transparency Statements There were no declarations of interest or transparency statements intimated prior to the commencement of business.
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1 CAT Request Land, Beardmore Cottages, Inchinnan There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to a Community Asset Transfer request submitted in respect of the transfer of a site at Beardmore Cottages to Inchinnan Development Trust under Part 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 (the Act). The application was set out in full as an appendix to the report. The report provided an overview to Community Asset Transfer (CAT) legislation, the site, the applicant and the Council's process for determining applications. The CAT request was validated on 16 January 2025 and sought the sale of the site for £1. The purpose of the application was to allow for the group to incorporate the asset into the community’s ongoing work to improve habitat quality and connectivity around Teucheen Wood and to create a fully accessible nature space for community members of all abilities to enjoy. Following submission of the application, interested parties were entitled to provide written representations. No representations had been received. The application was initially considered by the Council's CAT Officer Panel on 28 January 2025 where it was agreed to recommend that this Sub-committee approve the request. The Head of Economy and Development advised that the subject of the proposed transfer was held on the Housing Revenue Account. Accordingly, any disposal of the land would require the approval of the Communities & Housing Policy Board in the first instance. Given the foregoing information relative to ownership of the land, Councillor Campbell proposed that consideration of the application be continued to the next meeting of this Sub-committee. This was agreed unanimously. DECIDED: That consideration of the application be continued to the next meeting of this Sub-committee. 2 CAT Request Former Falcon Day Centre There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to a Community Asset Transfer request submitted in respect of the transfer of the former Falcon Day Centre to Pachedu Multi Cultural Hub Ltd under Part 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 (the Act). The application was set out in full as an appendix to the report. The report provided an overview to Community Asset Transfer (CAT) legislation, the site, the applicant and the Council's process for determining applications. The CAT request was validated on 17 January 2025 and sought the sale of the site for £1,000. The purpose of the application was to allow the Falcon Centre to be used as a base for all of Pachedu’s projects and activities. In addition, the group proposed to let space to local organisations and had a model based on anchor tenancies delivering a range of services to the local community including, vocational training, creche facilities
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and cultural events. Following submission of the application, interested parties were entitled to provide written representations. No representations had been received. The application was initially considered by the Council's CAT Officer Panel on 4 March 2025 where it was agreed to recommend that this Sub-committee approve the request. Councillor Campbell proposed that the application be approved. This was agreed unanimously. DECIDED: (a) That the Community Asset Transfer request be approved; (b) That the sale of the asset at the discounted price of £1,000 offered subject to the proposed conditions at section 8 of this report be agreed; and (c) That the Head of Economy and Development and the Head of Corporate Governance be authorised 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 CAT Request Beechwood Community Centre There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to a Community Asset Transfer request submitted in respect of the transfer of Beechwood Community Centre to Your Community, Your Space under Part 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 (the Act). The application was set out in full as an appendix to the report. The report provided an overview to Community Asset Transfer (CAT) legislation, the site, the applicant and the Council's process for determining applications. The CAT request was validated on 17 January 2025 and sought the sale of the site for £5,000. The purpose of the application was to maximise the use of the Beechwood Community Centre for the benefit of the residents of Shortroods and wider area; to empower and connect the community through the management of the centre; and to support the physical, mental and social needs of the community. Following submission of the application, interested parties were entitled to provide written representations. 18 formal representations against the asset transfer were received from local residents and organisations. The application was initially considered by the Council's CAT Officer Panel on 4 March 2025 where it was agreed to recommend that this Sub-committee approve the request. Councillor Steel, seconded by Councillor Campbell moved that consideration of the application be continued to allow further legal clarification of the position; allow the applicant further opportunity to engage with the local community; and allow further information to be presented on the protection of the space as a community asset. This was agreed unanimously.
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DECIDED: That consideration of the application be continued to allow further legal clarification of the position; allow the applicant further opportunity to engage with the local community; and allow further information to be presented on the protection of the space as a community asset.