Community Asset Transfer

The Council has set out its priority themes for 2026/2027 through its Corporate Business Plan, which are as follows:

• Tackling the climate emergency and enhancing nature
• Improving health and wellbeing for all
• Supporting our communities through change
• Growing a fair and sustainable economy

Under the supporting our communities through change theme, the Council sets out its commitment to increasing resilience for individuals, communities and community groups, as it moves towards local government reorganisation in Surrey, to ensure that communities can shape their futures and thrive.

Under this theme, a clear objective is set for 2026/2027, which is aimed to be met through this Community Asset Transfer application process. The objective states the intention to:

“Unlock community ownership by enabling local groups to manage assets 
and lead neighbourhood planning initiatives”

More information on how local authority property assets support income generation and service delivery is available on our Asset Management Strategy and Policies webpage.

• Asset Management Strategy and Policies

Several VCSE organisations operate services from buildings or land owned by us. These organisations in the main have lease agreements in place. In planning for the future, these organisations may want to consider longer term agreements to provide certainty for their organisation and to continuing to provide their services, activities and projects.

There are other organisations in the borough who may be seeking facilities for the first time, whether buildings or land, to develop existing or new services and projects, who may wish to relocate to give greater certainty for their future, who need bigger facilities etc. Both VCSE organisations currently in arrangements with the Council, and others, are welcome to express an interest in building and land assets through our Community Asset Transfer process.

Organisations are encouraged to consider whether taking full responsibility for a building or land asset is appropriate for them. Full responsibility includes not only the delivery of the services at the asset, but also the maintenance and management of a site, health and safety responsibilities and compliance requirements in line with legislation.

Therefore, organisations should consider the following questions initially when deciding whether a Community Asset Transfer is right for them:

• Does the organisation have enough staff and/or volunteers to take full responsibility for an asset?
• Do the staff and/or volunteers have the right skills and experience to manage the asset?
• Does the organisation have access to funding, or is able it able to generate enough money, to continue to maintain and improve the asset over time?
• Does the organisation understand what is entailed in taking full responsibility for an asset? 

Should the organisation decide that it does wish to apply for a form of Community Asset Transfer, the process below is to be followed:

Process for Applications for Transfer of Land/Property Assets - Plan details to follow

The starting point for all applications, regardless of whether your organisation is currently occupying the asset identified or not, is to complete a Stage 1 enquiry form. There is a separate form, dependent on whether the intention is to agree a lease or other management arrangement for an asset, or to seek to transfer the asset from the Council into the full ownership of the organisation. Use the links below to access the forms. A guidance document is also available on this page.

Expression of Interest Form - Lease/Management Arrangement

Expression of Interest Form – Transfer of Ownership of Asset

Guidance document (PDF 234 KB)

Within stage one of the process, we are asking for only limited information as an expression of interest, relating to the organisation concerned and the building/land asset that has been identified for a potential Community Asset Transfer.

The reason for this is to allow us to review the asset in which there is an interest and determine whether it is suitable for a Community Asset Transfer, before organisations are asked to submit more detailed information as part of an application. Not all assets will be deemed appropriate for a Community Asset Transfer, for a range of possible reasons, examples of which include:

• Restrictions on land that prohibits its transfer or which limits the activity that can be held there
• An identified building may be required to deliver existing or future council services
• A building or land site is potentially earmarked for development (e.g. linked to regeneration) or identified   as strategically important to the council.
• There may already be a tenant occupying the asset identified

The above list is not exhaustive, and the purpose of the stage one expression of interest is to consider whether any such restrictions exist, as well as allowing other relevant information relating to the asset to be collated.

Your expression of interest will be considered by us with one of two outcomes communicated to you:

1. The expression of interest is declined
2. You are invited to provide a full business case for the proposed Community Asset Transfer

It is our intention to respond to you within twenty-one days, however this may need to be extended dependent on the asset concerned.  In such instances, we will write to you to advise.

Should your expression interest be declined, a written response will be provided confirming this, and the reasons why the council have reached this decision.

Should it be felt that there is the potential to agree a Community Asset Transfer for the building or land that you have identified, a written response will be provided to confirm this and inviting the organisation to prepare and submit a full business case to the Council, under stage two of the process.

As the decision at this stage determines whether an applicant will be invited to submit a full Community Asset Transfer application, it is not possible to appeal that decision.

Submitting a full business case is required so that the Council is able to make a decision on whether it would be appropriate to agree to a form of Community Asset Transfer. Business cases must be submitted using the Stage 2 - Community Asset Transfer (Full Application) form.

Stage 2 - Community Asset Transfer (Full Application)

Guidance document

The business case is made up of several sections, these being:

• Organisation Details
• Information About the Organisation
• Proposed Arrangements and Use of the Identified Asset
• Support for Your Community Asset Transfer Application
• How the Asset will be Managed and Maintained
• Financial Planning and Sustainability Arrangements
• How the Proposal Meets the Corporate Objectives of the Council

Asking questions in each of the above sections are intended to provide a body of evidence to support a viable Community Asset Transfer, including:

• There is a plan in place for the management and long-term upkeep/enhancement of the asset
• There is a plan for how the asset will be used to further the ambitions and activities of the organisation
• How a Community Asset Transfer will benefit residents and communities is understood
• How you have engaged with others on your plan and the levels of support received from residents, the local community, businesses and other partners/stakeholders
• Details of how you will manage and finance your plans for the asset
• Confirmation of funding identified as required to achieve your ambitions, and the amount of funding that has been secured to date

Organisations are asked to complete all sections in full and provide as much detail as possible within the word count allocated to each question (where appropriate). The opportunity to attach documents that the organisation may already hold, such as financial forecasts, copies of accounts etc. is also available.

If elements of the business case are either incomplete or do not answer the question fully, it will not be possible to consider the application in full. As a result, delay may be experienced because of the council requesting further information be provided. Therefore, you are encouraged to provide as much information as possible in the first instance. 

The process diagram shows that following submission of a full business case, this will initially be reviewed by officers of the Council. It is intended that your application will be reviewed within twenty-eight days. At this stage, either, you will be contacted with a request for further information, which can then be submitted, or your application will be presented to Councillors at Corporate Management Committee for a decision to be made. Officers will notify you if this is the case and tell you the date of the meeting it is intended to be presented.

When a decision is made by Corporate Management Committee, you will be contacted and advised of the outcome and any next steps.

Should you wish to discuss whether a Community Asset Transfer is right for your organisation, require information on the current asset responsibilities and compliance requirements for the asset you are considering,  or clarification on any point when preparing your application, you can make contact in the following ways:

Website:  www.runnymede.gov.uk
Email:  AssetTrasfer@runnymede.gov.uk
Telephone:  01932 838383

The Council provides funding to Voluntary Support North Surrey (VSNS), an independent charity that supports voluntary and community organisations in Runnymede.

VSNS can provide a range of information, advice and support including:

• Fundraising and Marketing
  • Support with developing project proposals
  • Support developing fundraising strategies
  • Support to access potential funders and grant schemes
• Governance, Policy Writing and Regulatory Compliance
  • Trustee board recruitment, development and training
  • Policy writing
  • Charity regulation and how to meet compliance requirements

Contact details for VSNS are as follows:

Address:  6 The Sainsbury Centre, Chertsey, KT16 9AG
Telephone: 01932 571122
Website: www.voluntarysupport.org.uk