What is the policy/strategy/function/ trying to achieve/do?    

Under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 the Council has a statutory duty to ensure there is a robust process for assessing all Community Asset Transfers (CAT). The Council's CAT policy, process and assessment criteria reflect national guidance and local review following implementation.

Palacerigg Community Trust (PCT) has applied under the CE (Scotland) Act 2015 to lease an area of Palacerigg Country Park (former visitor centre and surrounding plot, long houses (x2), blue barn, rotary, meadow and crush fields) and have met the eligibility criteria for the application process. The decision required relates to running the visitor centre at Palacreigg and delivering activities for local communities, which is largely not currently delivered by the council, but reflects the proposed voluntary sector approach outlined in the Palacrerigg Masterplan.  This assessment is part of the decision-making process of the CAT.

Give details of the impact it has on groups and individuals

The applicant group has undertaken community engagement activity to evidence community need and support for their proposal. As part of the CAT process, the council must publish all applications and invite feedback from local communities.

Feedback from engagement was positive in relation to the proposal presented and in addition, the proposal fits well with the council's vision for a mixed management model outlined in the Palacreigg Masterplan where the role of the community and voluntary sector is outlined. Community engagement was also undertaken as part of the council's park masterplan process.

The approved process was used to assess the Palacerigg Community Trust application. The outcome of the assessment across council services, through the agreed decision-making process, was that this application should be approved in principle subject to conditions of lease and management agreement being in place. The reasons for this are outlined in the main body of the committee report.

The decision required relates to activity not currently delivered by the council but proposed for delivery by a community group. Further engagement is not required as the council is not removing or reducing an existing council service.

What actions/measures will be put in place or are planned to mitigate any adverse impact or promote equality?

The Palacerigg Masterplan outlines a vision for the park to be operated under a mixed management model with the community and voluntary sector playing a role in supporting community participation, delivery and activity. It is anticipated that approving this application in principle with conditions will enable wider targeting of specific communities and increased community participation. However, the activities proposed as part of the CAT application are not currently resourced by the council therefore the impact on specific groups as a result of the council approving the application cannot be assessed at this time.

The council's CAT policy and process is grounded in supporting and building community capacity, reducing inequalities and increasing community empowerment. The council's first point of contact officer and local capacity building officers work with local community groups to ensure they understand the process and criteria and that they are offered capacity-building support. Decision making takes into consideration several factors including community benefit, the capacity of the organisation and potential risk or impact on the operation of the council as an organisation. If the decision is approved in principle as recommended the group will continue to be supported to finalise their lease and agreement and also in terms of ongoing community capacity building and advice as required.

What is the result/recommendations of the assessment?

This report is not relating to the approval of a policy but relating to a decision in line with the approved CAT policy. The recommendation is that following consideration in line with the CAT policy that the application to lease part of Palacerigg Park as a CAT is approved in principle pending detailed lease conditions and management agreement.