Issue - meetings

The proposed new Property & Asset Strategy is attached at Appendix 1.  It aims to find ways of capturing the inherent value and value growth of land and property in Brent in order to help contribute to the delivery of Brent’s Borough Plan aspirations.  Fundamentally the strategy moves away from a presumption to dispose outright of property towards one of retaining and acquiring assets with a view to maximising revenue potential.  The strategy also recognises the importance of social value, rather than just monetary value. It introduces proposals for Community Asset Transfer as a way of promoting both social value and community resilience. 

that approval be given to The Property & Asset Strategy 2015-19 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report from the Strategic Director, Regeneration and Growth, including proposals in respect of Community Asset Transfer.

Councillor McLennan (Lead Member, Regeneration and Housing) introduced the proposed new Property and Asset Strategy attached at Appendix 1 to the report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Growth.  The Strategy aimed to find ways of capturing the inherent value and value growth of land and property in Brent and moved away from a presumption to dispose outright of property towards one of retaining and acquiring assets with a view to maximising revenue potential.  The strategy also recognised the importance of social value. It introduced proposals for Community Asset Transfer as a way of promoting both social value and community resilience. Councillor McLennan summarised the routes into community asset transfer and assured that each application would be considered on its own merits.

Councillor Mashari (Lead Member, Employment and Skills) stated that she was in agreement to requests made by the Preston Community Library supporters who had addressed the Cabinet earlier in the evening. She paid tribute to the work of library supporters and clarified that the intention was for a collaborative approach to co-design the space for school use. Councillor Mashari added that the strategy was not about specific buildings and the community would have the first opportunity to tender for use. The Strategic Director, Regeneration and Growth confirmed that the guidelines on how to take the strategy forward would be ready at the beginning of July 2015.

Members paid tribute to the work of the Preston Community Library campaigners which was a testament to what the community could achieve. Councillor Moher noted the supporters’ willingness to work with the council for the joint use of the premises.

RESOLVED:

that approval be given to the Property and Asset Strategy 2015-19 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report from the Strategic Director, Regeneration and Growth, including proposals in respect of Community Asset Transfer.