Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Finance, Property and Transformation

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/008

Non-key decision

Contact: James Cater, National Management Trainee

James.cater@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Director of Property and Assets

Update to the Community Asset Transfer policy, as well as introducing a Community Leasing policy. These policies define how, where appropriate, the Council can devolve assets to local VCS groups at less than best consideration in recognition of the social value generated by those groups

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

a)    Approve the Community Asset Transfer (Annex 1) and Community Leasing (Annex 2) Policies.

Recommendation approved.

Cabinet had before it a report regarding two updated policies for transferring or leasing council-owned properties to community organisations to promote public benefit and community empowerment. These policies clarified processes, eligibility, and assessment criteria to better support local voluntary and community groups while safeguarding council interests.

Councillor Dan Levy, Cabinet Member for Finance, presented the report. He explained that the policy established a process for receiving and assessing applications from community groups, with working parties evaluating proposals against council priorities such as equality and public health. Ongoing monitoring would ensure that groups used assets as intended.

Councillor Levy moved and Councillor Hannaby seconded the recommendations and they were approved.

RESOLVED to approve the Community Asset Transfer (Annex 1) and Community Leasing (Annex 2) Policies.

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