Forestry Commission Scotland Community Asset Transfer Scheme Manchester December 2018

Under the Community Empowerment Act 2015 communities across Scotland were granted power to request a transfer of assets from Scottish Government bodies, either to purchase, lease or reach agreement to manage the assets, the bodies were tasked with creating a public process with agreed timetables to ensure that all applications were managed in a transparent manner. Forestry Commission Scotland created a successor to the previously available National Forest Land Scheme the Community Asset Transfer Scheme (CATS)

Originating an asset transfer request two sources Land notified to the community as on the disposal list Land identified by the community as a possible purchase, lease or subject to a management agreement All subject to the same basic processes:- Supply information about the Community Body’s (CB) to allow validation of the status (community of interest or geographic community) could be Company Limited by Guarantee, CIC, Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) Identify community benefits Create business plan Consult with the community In the case of sales there is a need to establish the independent valuation of the asset via an agreed joint valuation, normally using the District Valuer.

If application validated:- Set Validation date 6 months from validation to reach a decision Assessment and decision Independent panel of advisers ( the Evaluation Panel) will appoint one or more members to visit the site and discuss the project with the group The Panel will form a view based on Benefits Viability Community support Impact on the Management of the National Forest Estate Make recommendation to Forest Enterprise Chief Executive will make a decision – community can appeal to the Scottish Ministers There are then up to 6 months to agree terms and complete (can be extended by agreement)

Final points Key is to be able to demonstrate ideally with a ballot or with a petition that there is significant community support That the project is deliverable and sustainable The Evaluation Panel try to pick up and highlight any issues that they foresee and raise them with the CB but they are not there advise on solutions. The decision on whether or not a discount to the market price can be allowed is for the Chief Executive although the Evaluation Panel will express a view.