Why Re-focus? Drop in funding available to public sector TIS conference 24 March 2017 Community Asset Transfer – The East Ayrshire Council Experience Angela Graham, Senior Estates Surveyor E-mail: angela.graham@east-ayrshire.gov.uk Drop in funding available to public sector Changes in demography Increase in demand Listening to our communities and stakeholders Widening inequalities gap Welfare Reform National Drivers for change

Community Asset Transfer Why Re-focus? What is it? Transfer of the responsibility for an asset from the Council / public body to a community group or voluntary organisation. This can be done through either: a transfer of management responsibility, short term lease long term lease, or transfer of outright ownership. Drop in funding available to public sector Changes in demography Increase in demand Listening to our communities and stakeholders Widening inequalities gap Welfare Reform National Drivers for change

EAC approach - Why are we doing it? Why Re-focus? EAC approach - Why are we doing it? Transformation Strategy- Property & Estate Rationalisation Workstream Reduce the number of operational buildings by 25% More flexible use of the Council’s building stock with assets being better used, increased building occupancy and remove surplus capacity Greater community involvement in the running of buildings, leading to the creation of sustainable and vibrant communities How are we doing it? CAT Policy approved by Cabinet in October 2012 CAT team pursuing interest in list of 81 facilities approved by Leisure Trust and Cabinet in September 2013 and other non trust facilities Drop in funding available to public sector Changes in demography Increase in demand Listening to our communities and stakeholders Widening inequalities gap Welfare Reform National Drivers for change

Community Asset Transfer- the EAC Process 2 staged process initial expression of interest thereafter, detailed application and business case Assessed by a multi-disciplinary group with recommendation to Cabinet. Assessment looks at: Community benefits Risk assessment Financial appraisal Right of appeal

Working with Partners to support communities- What help is available? Why Re-focus? 1:1 and Group support from the CAT Team and other Council departments to develop applications and ideas CVO East Ayrshire Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS) Scottish Football Association Big Lottery, Sportscotland and other funders Drop in funding available to public sector Changes in demography Increase in demand Listening to our communities and stakeholders Widening inequalities gap Welfare Reform National Drivers for change

Why Re-focus? EAC Progress so far Website established - http://cat.eac.eu/ Grants programme to progress stage 2 applications established Extensive training and master classes for community groups to develop applications and identified training such as book-keeping xxx expressions of interest received and xx applications have been assessed as suitable to progress to the Stage 2 detailed assessment xx Community Asset transfers approved by Cabinet to date Drop in funding available to public sector Changes in demography Increase in demand Listening to our communities and stakeholders Widening inequalities gap Welfare Reform National Drivers for change

Examples linked to Tenants and Residents Groups Why Re-focus? Catherine Drive, Galston - Four plots of ground leased to Gauchalland East Resident`s Association Campbell Area TARA, Newmilns – area of ground used to create Memorial Garden Galston TARA – ambitious project did not proceed Drop in funding available to public sector Changes in demography Increase in demand Listening to our communities and stakeholders Widening inequalities gap Welfare Reform National Drivers for change

Why Re-focus? What's next for EAC? Review of CAT policy and procedures Linked to own learning and experience Emphasise on phased approach, building capacity Ongoing support post-transfer Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 Part 5 – Asset Transfer requests – effective 23 January 2017 Clean, Green and Vibrant Communities Charter launched in 2016 working with groups Streamlined process for groups looking to improve areas Drop in funding available to public sector Changes in demography Increase in demand Listening to our communities and stakeholders Widening inequalities gap Welfare Reform National Drivers for change

What’s happening in your area? Why Re-focus? What’s happening in your area? Any questions? Drop in funding available to public sector Changes in demography Increase in demand Listening to our communities and stakeholders Widening inequalities gap Welfare Reform National Drivers for change