Community asset transfer policy 2025

Responsibility

To ensure that Gateshead Council are meeting our legislative obligations arising from the Localism Act 2011 and any subsequent legislation or guidance, relating to community asset transfer.

To ensure that Gateshead Council are acting in a way consistent with The Gateshead Council CAT Policy 2025, The Gateshead Compact 2024-2027, Volunteering Strategy and any other policies or strategies which may relate to community asset transfers.

Role

• to assess CAT applications, considering the Gateshead CAT Policy
• to make recommendations to Cabinet on those applications
• support the development and delivery of the CAT policy, as required
• develop resources to support staff and communities engaging in the CAT process
• support the preparation of an annual report to Cabinet

Membership

In order to ensure that all relevant parties can input into the CAT discussions, no less than one nominated officer from each of the following:

• Property Management, Property, Assets and Traded Services - to advise on any property and land considerations.
• Neighbourhood, Housing and Homelessness Services, Localities - Locality Coordinator from relevant area to advise on community benefit, community consultation and local community planning. Also, as lead service for governance support to applicants.
• Public Health and Wellbeing, Community Development - to advise on considerations for sport assets and the impact on the Playing Pitch Strategy.
• Environmental and Technical Services - to advise on any considerations for green and open spaces and to advise on existing volunteering arrangements.

And any other Gateshead Council officers as deemed appropriate according to the agenda of the group.

Meeting structure

Frequency

monthly (more frequently, if required)

Administration

Agenda item deadline - 2 weeks prior to meeting date
Key paper circulation - 1 week prior to meeting date
Circulation of minutes - 1 week after meeting
Approval of minutes included as an agenda item and dealt with at the start of the following meeting.
All the above will be dealt with by the Property Team.

Format

Microsoft Teams meeting

Decision-making

A proposal will be introduced, followed by a discussion and, if required, a vote.
The CAT Working Group will make a recommendation to the Localities, Communities and Volunteering or Culture, Sport and Tourism Portfolios (depending on the past/proposed use of the asset), followed by SMG Projects and Cabinet, for final approval.

Conflicts of interest

Conflicts of interest will be declared by members, reviewed by the group and, if required, an alternative officer will be identified, by the party who declared the interest, to attend the meeting in their place.

Accountability

The CAT Group will provide recommendations on CAT applications, as required, to Localities, Communities and Volunteering or Culture, Sport and Tourism Portfolios (depending on the past/proposed use of the asset), followed by SMG Projects, which, if approved, will then proceed to Cabinet.

The CAT group will provide an Annual Report on CAT KPIs to Cabinet.

Download the Community asset transfer policy as a PDF (PDF, 1 MB)