Community asset transfer policy 2025

Appendix 4: Business plan guidance (external use)

Your business plan should include:

1. Link to corporate objectives

How will your organisation and its services contribute to the council's corporate objectives?

2. Purpose of asset transfer and organisational objectives

objectives or aims for the asset (why you would like the site, how you intend to operate the site, for example directly, with a partner, through a commissioned service, etc)
details of operational partnerships if appropriate
activities/outputs and outcomes - what activities will you provide, and what outputs and outcomes you expect them to help deliver
who are your users?
needs analysis - what is the target market?
- supply - who else is in the target market - why can't they supply what is proposed?
- demand - what it is and how does the project meet it. How do you know? What measures have been taken to speak with the community?
- pricing - how have charges been arrived at?
how does your organisation and activity fit with the wider community?
how will you contribute to the community's economic and social development
examples of where the organisation have managed buildings and delivered activities previously with measurably indicators of success
plans for future management of the building (compliance and health and safety)
measurement of impact - how will you know you have succeeded?
marketing and promotion - what are your plans for marketing your services?
risk assessment, mitigation, and dependencies

3. Finance

organisational finance - organisational accounts, plus details of any funding received or applied for
financial Information regarding the asset - what is the anticipated investment or capital expenditure required for the asset (what work needs doing and how much will it cost)
three-to-five-year financial projections
what are the anticipated the running costs for the asset (what are the costs in operating the site and how will you fund these?)

4. Environmental

what environmental impact do you see your management of the asset and proposed activities having?
what can you do to mitigate any negative impacts? (for example, does the proposal reduce or increase energy use, or result reduced or increased emissions; does it contribute to biodiversity such as through landscaping and planting; does it encourage access by walking and cycling)

5. Equality and inclusion

how will you make your services/activities accessible for the most members of the community?
what adaptations can you make to your services/activities?

6. Governance

what is your current staffing structure?
do you have a sustainable number of staff/ volunteers to manage the asset and deliver the service?
what are your staff succession plans?
do you have the necessary expertise to manage the assets and delivery impactful activities/services?
do you currently have any skills gaps, and if so how do you intend to address them?
details of how you will work with operational partnerships (if appropriate)

7. Asset

detail how the organisation will manage and maintain the building and adhere to health and safety responsibilities
are there any specific risk assessments you will need to develop?