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11.1
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The
Executive Director Neighbourhood Services submitted a report
setting out a proposed approach to build a sustainable and
asset-based approach to Community Buildings, working closely with
stakeholders to do so. It seeks to enable priority work to begin
with a number of organisations and community buildings, whilst
committing to the longer-term development of
the policies, skills
and resources we need to deliver into the
future.
Members recognised the need to
reassure communities and organisations that use community buildings
that the Council is fully committed to explore the full
range of options and
opportunities in respect of the proposed approach to community
buildings and emphasised the need for Members and
officers to make this point absolutely clear in discussions with
such local communities and organisations. The Council is fully
committed to work with all of the stakeholders in our communities
and to take an inclusive approach to the development of policies
and supportive structures to deliver the Community Buildings Review
and officers are to redouble their efforts to clearly explain to
all relevant organisations what this proposed review
entails.
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11.2
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Councillor Joe Otten proposed an amendment, seconded by
Councillor Penny Baker, to delete officer recommendation 3 set out
in the report ((c) below).
On being put to the vote, the amendment was lost. (NOTE: The
result of the vote was FOR – 5 Members; AGAINST – 7
Members; ABSTENTIONS – 0 Members).
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11.3
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RESOLVED: That Strategy and Resources Policy
Committee:-
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(a) agrees to adopt the Community
Building Policy as detailed in Appendix A to the
report;
(b) agrees the proposal for a
Community Building Pilot in the South Local Area Committee area, to
inform the development of the revised future Community Buildings
Policy;
(c) agrees the proposal to
prioritise the review of 22 Housing Revenue Account funded
Community buildings (see Appendix B) across the city as part of the
Pilot; and
(d) agrees that the findings of
the pilot project will inform a revised Community Buildings Policy
which will be developed working closely with voluntary, community
and faith sector representatives and submitted to Strategy and
Resources Policy Committee within 12
months.
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11.4
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Reasons for Decision
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11.4.1
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The interim Community
Buildings Policy will allow the Council to work in a consistent and
proactive manner, setting out a clear, transparent the management
of Community Buildings. It will enable the Council to make
decisions on a number of historic Community Asset transfers that
have not been able to progress given the current lack of a policy.
As part of these policies the Council will continue to work with
local organisations to ensure that a range of initiatives are in
place to support the development of strong and sustainable
communities.
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11.4.2
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The
policy sets out a framework for elected members, council officers
and voluntary and community organisations to provide clarity on the
process the management of Sheffield City Council’s Community
Buildings.
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11.4.3
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The proposed Community Buildings Pilot will fully
inform a revised Policy which will ensure that full consultation
takes place with the community supported by the Voluntary,
Community and Faith Sector. The development of a revised policy,
working with stakeholders, will deliver a better quality, and more
sustainable approach to our Community Buildings in the
future.
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11.5
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Alternatives Considered and
Rejected
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11.5.1
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Do
nothing.
Continue to manage
and deliver Community Buildings as per the current
provision.
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11.5.2
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As part of the
Council’s Accommodation Review, its Community Buildings /
Assets have been considered. As well as these being managed in an
inconsistent way across the Council, it is also important that they
provide good quality facilities in the locations that the local
community need them and that they are in a good serviceable
condition and Health and Safety compliant (building safety), all
within an affordable financial
model.
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11.5.3
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To ensure that these requirements can be met, and
the community effectively supported through Community Building
provision new Community Building and Community Asset Transfer
Policies need to be implemented.
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(NOTE: The result of the vote on the resolution was FOR - 7
Members; AGAINST - 5 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 0
Members
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