Cllrs. Jo Bird, Kieran Murphy and Ruth Molyneux at Bromborough Library
Recently, Wirral Council agreed a refreshed Community Asset Transfer policy (CAT). But no voluntary sector organisations were consulted.
Going forward, organisations for social and environmental benefits will be treated the same as commercial organisations, when seeking to rent or buy Council properties. Council officers clarified CATs will be “like any normal property transaction”.
Cllr Jo Bird said, “Recent attempts at Community Asset Transfers have been very painful and taken many years. There is a lot to learn from experiences with Bromborough library & civic centre, Woodchurch leisure, Brackenwood golf, Leverhulme field cricket pitches and others sites.
The refreshed Community Asset Transfer (CAT) policy is a good start but shouldn’t be the finished policy. It includes a lot of reasons why the CAT should not proceed, including that limited companies are not eligible and starting with market rates. Even if a voluntary organisation gains a lease, the Council can impose a no-fault eviction at any time.
As Green Councillors, we urged the Council to kick this CAT into consultation. To consult with groups like the Wirral Council for Voluntary Service and the third sector, who we aim to work in partnership with. We urge the council to reconsider and engage in meaningful consultation so that the benefits of recent experience can be fully reflected in the refreshed CAT policy and practice.”
