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Community Asset Transfer moves forward

Published: 18/03/2016

The Council is committed to working with community groups and local people to ensure that asset transfer to local communities in Flintshire is successful and sustainable in the long-term. Gwernymynydd Village Centre is the latest facility to be taken over by a local community group under the Council’s Community Asset Transfer (CAT) scheme. The Gwernymynydd Village Centre Management Committee took formal responsibility for the centre earlier this week on behalf of the community following the completion of a formal agreement with the Council. Other former Council facilities already transferred to community groups under the CAT scheme include Carmel Village Hall and Caerwys public conveniences. 103 expressions of interest have been received and approved for 208 community assets since the Council re-launched its CAT scheme in November 2014. Of these, 12 business plans have been approved for 18 community assets with the aim of having between 7 and 12 full CATs by the end of March 2016. These CATs would potentially include; Trelogan Community Centre, Connah’s Quay Allotments, Gwespyr Play Area, Bagillt War Memorial, Connah’s Quay Swimming Pool and Argoed Community Centre (including Mynydd Isa Library). The estimated savings to the Council of transferring these assets are over £0.330m per annum revenue savings, as well as an estimated saving of £0.600m on maintenance costs. Over the next twelve months the Council anticipates that the number of CATs that could be completed could be doubled and may potentially include Holywell Leisure Centre, Hope Library and Saltney Library, which as well as protecting these facilities could save the Council a further £0.350m in revenue per annum. Cllr. Bernie Attridge, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment said; “With so many expressions of interest across a range of assets and geographical areas it is clear that many town and community councils, charitable and community groups see the real need to take on these assets and run them for the benefit of their local communities. I am confident that the CAT scheme will see many more much-valued community assets retained whilst also providing significant savings for the Council. I would like to acknowledge the commitment and enthusiasm of the Gwernymynydd Village Hall Management Committee in working so hard with the Council to ensure the future of this wonderful facility. Cllr. Aaron Shotton, Leader of the Council said; “We have had such a positive response to the CAT scheme from many of our communities. It is pleasing to know that, by engaging with our local communities, we are striving to find long term solutions which I hope will sustain our local services and assets and provide opportunities for regeneration and social enterprise. This is absolutely critical at a time of unprecedented national funding cuts to public services. Kevin Hughes, Chair of the Village Centre Management Committee, said: As a management team, we felt it was important to protect the Village Centre for the community. Our history, the community commitment and the fact that the committee was originally set up really well, put us in a good position to deal with taking over the lease. Although this process was complicated, we had great help from Flintshire County Council officers and solicitors who guided us through everything we needed to do. We are delighted to take on the lease and now look forward to making sure the Village Centre is used by the community for years to come. Further details about the CAT scheme are available from Flintshire Local Voluntary Council. You can contact FLVC by telephone on 01352 744000 or by email at info@flvc.org.uk Note to editors Pictured in the attached photograph (l to r) are: Ian Bancroft, Chief Officer Organisational Change, Kevin Hughes, Chair of Village Centre Committee, Helen Roberts, Treasurer of Village Centre Committee, Cllr Nancy Matthews, local county councillor and member of Village Centre Committee, Cllr. Bernie Attridge, Cabinet Member for Environment and Carl Jackson, Community Councillor and member of Village Centre Committee.