A ‘slicker’ process to enable community groups to take over assets from Argyll and Bute Council has been called for.
A report revealed 20 outstanding requests from organisations across the area to take over the running of playing fields, pavilions, parks and other facilities.
But council leader Robin Currie remarked that a bid for one area, which he said was ‘the size of a postage stamp’, was taking too long to process.
He told the council’s policy and resources committee: “I think we need to be slicker. There is one request for a tiny piece of land and it is taking years [to process the application]. It is the size of a postage stamp.
“There must be ways of cutting out the bureaucracy and allowing these transfers to happen.
“There is another request from a group which may be quite small, but they are asking for quite a substantial asset to be transferred.
“That can all happen and members do not know about it until at the end of the process. There could be uproar in the community if that asset was transferred and people were not kept informed.”
Ross McLaughlin, the council’s head of commercial services, said: “I am happy to look at the specific applications you are talking about, but depending on the nature of the group, there is quite often a requitement to ensure it is properly constituted.
“Do they have the right governance, and are they able to take on an asset? That involves quite a lot of heavy lifting for the group.
“We have moved from reporting annually to six-monthly, and if there is appetite for more regular reporting then I am happy to take that request.”
The requests include:
- Kirkmichael Park Changing Room – Kirkmichael Community Development Group wants to lease the pavilion and grounds for use as an office and to deliver wider services.
- Rhu Community Centre – a request for a lease to assist in applying for development funding for the building.
- Princess Louise Hall and Howie Pavilion, Rosneath – a request for a new lease of the hall and pavilion by the Princess Louise Hall Committee.
Cllr Gary Mulvaney said: “My concern is effectively there is no gateway process for communities prior to them putting in this request.
“We need to look at this from a proportionate point of view. There are 20 on the table not currently active, and it is how we deal with them.
“The leader made the point that if it is relatively easy, how can we get it done and dusted? It is something it is in our interest to do.
“But there is a balance to be struck, as we cannot do everything for our communities and at some point, we need to ask – are they OSCR (Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator) rated for charitable status?
“They need to have a bank account set up, they need officers, and we do not have the officers to manage them individually.”
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