Community lease / transfer
Community based organisations - such as parish councils, incorporated groups, or community interest groups with a local connection - which provide a service to the whole community are eligible to make a request to transfer or lease assets to the community. This request takes the form of an expression of interest. Depending on the complexity and nature of the transfer requested, a business plan may be required.
Should any request be made to transfer all or part of the former Sandye Place Academy site, it is anticipated a business plan will be required as buildings are involved along with significant capital investment and ongoing revenue costs. Expressions of interest or business plans can be received at any time and in this case, any received would be presented to the Council’s Executive for their consideration alongside the outcome of the public consultation to inform their decision about the future of the site.
There are both risks and benefits in taking a transfer of a council asset. A request to transfer a council asset must:
- support the aims and priorities of Central Bedfordshire Council
- provide added value/benefit to the local community and, where applicable, reduce costs for Central Bedfordshire Council by improving services at a local level
- facilitate improved efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery when viewed from the perspective of both Central Bedfordshire Council and the group
- ensure that the group requesting the transfer has the capability and capacity to manage both the asset and/or service to be transferred
- support the provision of a service across the wider community. This does not mean that the organisation has to provide a service across the whole of Central Bedfordshire, more that its proposed operation does not in itself prevent any individuals or local groups from using the facility – for example by lack of disabled access or facilities for older people
Further information on how to do this can be found on our stronger communities web pages.