Council considers disposing of land and buildings

A Surrey council is considering disposing of its assets ahead of the reorganisation of local government.

At its full meeting on Thursday, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council will discuss asking community groups to take over the buildings and land that it owns.

The authority faces abolition by 2027 as part of the reorganisation of local government.

If the plan is passed, organisations will be invited to join a bidding process for buildings such as community halls and sports pavilions, along with allotments and other open spaces.

Along with the rest of Surrey's districts and boroughs and Surrey County Council, Reigate and Banstead faces abolition over the proposed reorganisation.

The county's two-tier system would be replaced by a single tier of local government, with two or three unitary authorities taking over.

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The bidding process would be in two stages, with groups first being asked to express an interest before being invited to put in a formal bid.

The council said any of its assets "which deliver key council services, produce significant profitable income, or are required for future strategic reasons" would not be up for transfer.

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