Details of community assets included in Peterborough City Council’s localities review have been made public ahead of a meeting where members will discuss the scheme’s recommendations.
The authority commenced a Localities Assets Review last year to determine how best to manage its land, buildings and facilities, ensuring that taxpayers’ money is being spent in the most efficient way and that buildings are fit for purpose.
A total of 28 assets were identified for review as part of the first phase of the project, with officers and councillors engaging with the operators and users of the sites and attending several public meetings.
On Tuesday 30 January, members of the council’s Growth Resources and Communities Scrutiny Committee will discuss the review’s initial findings and recommendations for each of the assets, which can be viewed here.
The review has identified several sites that could be potentially disposed, invested into, repurposed and redeveloped. However, further engagement is required with members, operators of the site and the public before final decisions can be made on some of the sites, whilst some decisions have been finalised and others will now be progressed.
Cllr John Howard, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Governance, said: “We have made good progress with this review and I’m glad that we can now share this publicly. We fully understand some of the concerns that have been raised, but what we are proposing will lead to better facilities for some community groups.
"As a new administration we promised transparency and a greater interaction with Members and community users too. We’ve had really helpful conversations with groups and residents and will work to find solutions that are suitable for them, as well as meeting the council’s ongoing needs.”
Some of the sites listed will require more time to consider options and further proposals. This may include developing business cases for the repurposing of assets, alternative proposals and/or giving communities time to raise funds to either purchase their assets or to secure occupation by way for the Community Asset Transfer Policy.
Members will also hear that phase two of the project is set to focus on any unused assets at school sites (both academies and maintained schools).
Any feedback from the committee will be included as part of a report which will be considered by the council's Cabinet at a future date.