Issue - meetings

To consider the report.

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices and discussion, the Executive agreed

a.        The approval of the Policy for the Disposal of Assets. 

b.        To note that a subsequent Framework for Service and Asset Devolution will provide further supplemental guidance covering the devolution of Assets to City, Town and Parish Councils.

c.        A delegation to the Service Director for Strategic Asset Management, in consultation with the Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets, to make any minor amendments to the Policy for the Disposal of Assets.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED: As set out in the officer report

REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the officer report

The Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Governance and Communications, Cllr Bill Revans, invited the Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets, Cllr Ros Wyke, to introduce the report.

The Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets, Cllr Ros Wyke, introduced the report, highlighting: the published amended Policy and recommendations; the policy wording to clarify that a Framework for Asset and Service Devolution will be brought forward early in 2024, to provide supplementary guidance on how City, Town and Parish Councils can assist with some of the financial pressures to protect service delivery and to clarify that City, Town and Parish Councils are important strategic partners for Somerset Council; that discussions on asset disposals will be held with individual Local Councils as appropriate; the clear, transparent and robust policy and the importance of collective decision making; the importance of local knowledge and engagement with local Councillors and the continued building of relationships to ensure the input of local knowledge, and the challenging commercial market across Somerset.

The Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Governance and Communications, Cllr Bill Revans, invited comments from other Members present, questions and points raised included: the continued work to foster and develop the relationships, partnerships and collaboration between City, Town and Parish Councils and the strong voice for the sector; the communication and availability of asset information awareness and land ownership through Local Government and Central Government sources, including websites, ward members, local Councillors; the legal and property team internal resource capacity, challenges and management of public expectations regarding response times; Local Community Networks engagement; the developing framework for the new service and asset devolution to clarify consultation and discussion as appropriate with Parish Councils; the importance of managing a policy designed to cover the range of commercial and local assets; and the Standards Committee Member Code of Conduct work with City, Town and Parish Councils.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Executive unanimously agreed to add an additional recommendation:

c. A delegation to the Service Director for Strategic Asset Management, in consultation with the Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets, to make any minor amendments to the Policy for the Disposal of Assets.

The Executive proceeded to vote on the recommendations, which were agreed unanimously.?

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices and discussion, the Executive agreed

a. The approval of the Policy for the Disposal of Assets.

b. To note that a subsequent Framework for Service and Asset Devolution will provide further supplemental guidance covering the devolution of Assets to City, Town and Parish Councils.

c. A delegation to the Service Director for Strategic Asset Management, in consultation with the Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets, to make any minor amendments to the Policy for the Disposal of Assets.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED: As set out in the officer report

REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the officer report