URL: https://reigate-banstead.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1234

Decision Maker: Head of Property Services

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: Officer Scheme of Delegation: A programme of community asset work was agreed through reports to the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Executive Committee and full Council meetings in September 2025. Specifically in relation to the decisions herein, on the 18 September 2025, the Council’s Executive agreed the following delegated authorities: That the Head of Service with responsibility for Property Services, in consultation with the Head of Service with responsibility for Community Partnerships, the Executive Members with responsibility for Assets and Community Development, the Chief Financial Officer, Procurement Manager and the Monitoring Officer, and in accordance with the Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy and Community Asset Support Scheme, when finalised, be authorised: a.To acquire property assets of community value, or dispose of property assets owned by the Council which are not required for operational purposes, in order to provide community value, and undertake all necessary supporting actions, including approval of acquisition and/or disposal terms and associated agreements, with regard to Key Decision Threshold Limits. f. Agree terms for and approve the award of resources to support the operation of community assets by external parties for the provision of community benefits, including in the form of capital or revenue grants, training, and/or advice, and including agreeing requirements for provision of community benefits by external parties. Consultation In agreeing the above delegations on 18 September 2025 the Executive noted that the Executive Member with responsibility for assets had committed to seek the advice of representatives of the wider membership of the Council through a proposed Community Asset Advisory Group (CAAG) as part of the consultation on decisions. The CAAG is made up of relevant Executive Members i.e. the Executive Members with responsibility for Assets and Community Development and leaders of established political groups. Officers in attendance at the CAAG have include the Deputy Chief Executive, the Chief Financial Officer, the Monitoring Officer, the Head of Property Services and the Head of Community Partnerships. The CAAG met on 16 and 19 March to consider all the business cases submitted through the Community Asset Transfer and Support Programme. The CAAG was supportive of the decisions set out below. It is also noted that all Members at Reigate & Banstead Borough Council have been invited to comment on applications at both the Expression of Interest and Business case phases of the Community Asset Transfer and Support Programme. Legal (including external legal support) and Finance team consultation has been ongoing throughout the programme via meetings and e-mails. It is noted that the disposals have been considered as property transactions and procurement input was therefore not required. Reasons For Decision The Council has completed a rigorous two-stage assessment process in line with the agreed and published Community Asset Transfer and Support Scheme policies, alongside undertaking appropriate due diligence in relation to the financial and legal considerations relating to these decisions. These due diligence checks have included: -Reviewing each organisation’s business case in accordance with the considerations and scoring criteria set out in the Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy and Community Asset Support Scheme (which are appended to this report). -Business cases were reviewed and scored independently by at least two suitably qualified and experienced officers, and moderated to reach an agreed officer score. -Initial eligibility checks at the expression of interest stage, with more onerous eligibility checks undertaken at the business case stage to confirm eligibility. -Carrying out a review of records held by Companies House / the Charities Commission (as applicable). -Asset checks, including checks to confirm whether assets are listed as assets of community value on the Council’s statutory asset register, comprehensive title reviews (aided by external legal advisors), checks to confirm whether assets are designated as statutory allotments, public open space, or common land. -Organisations were scrutinised to determine whether they had an appropriate track record of managing community assets of the type, size, and complexity that they were seeking a transfer of, as well as the requisite experience of managing the legal and financial liabilities associated with such assets. -Organisations were required to supply evidence to demonstrate that they could adequately manage liabilities such as insurance, maintenance and regulatory compliance. -The Council’s balance sheet asset values were scrutinised and tested, with support and advice from external legal advisors. -Advice was sought on the Subsidy Control regime, and securing best value pursuant to the duty under s.123 of the Local Government Act 1972. Offers are conditional on final evidence being provided to meet all the requirements of the scheme, for example the provision of all relevant quotes for building works and evidence of appropriate permissions such as planning being in place where required, and on the agreement of both parties to the associated grant and lease agreements. Further final checks will be undertaken on the organisations’ legal status, including any asset locks in place, to assure the Council that any community assets transferred would be adequately protected for the public / community benefit. The grant and lease agreements will contain all the appropriate conditions as set out in the policies that ensure any assets transferred will be protected for community use and that grants will be spent only for the intended purposes. It is noted that further business cases are being considered under the Community Asset Transfer and Support Programme and that it is anticipated that further decision notices will be published. An update on the programme and the decisions made is planned at the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee in June 2026. Annex 1 – Executive Paper Community Assets 18 September 2025 Agenda for Executive on Thursday, 18th September, 2025, 7.30 pm | Reigate and Banstead Borough Council Annex 2 – CAT policy Community Asset Transfer Policy | Community Asset Transfer and Support Programme | Reigate and Banstead Annex 3 – CASS policy Community Asset Support Scheme | Community Asset Transfer and Support Programme | Reigate and Banstead Annex 4 – Disposal policy (Public Pack)Addendum - Acquisitions and Disposals Strategies Agenda Supplement for Executive, 18/09/2025 19:30 Annex 5 – Details on the transfers and associated grants Annex 6 – Details of the grants awarded

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Date of Decision: March 20, 2026