Birmingham City Council Section 114: Community Assets Briefing Online Meeting

What impact will Section 114 have on community assets?
What expectations and opportunities are there for local Voluntary, Community, Faith & Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector organisations to take over the management of/ lease/ purchase Council buildings, land, property and assets?
What support will be provided to VCFSE sector organisations with regards to community assets?

Come along to an online briefing on Thursday 23 May, 2pm – 4.30pm

Hear from Council and VCFSE leaders and have your say

Background

Birmingham City Council issued a Section 114 notice on 5 September 2023 due to financial challenges.

The notice was issued because the City Council could not balance its 2024/ 2025 budget.

Section 114 bans all Council spending apart from essential spend, protecting: vulnerable people, statutory services and pre-existing commitments.

The Council received £1.255bn Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) from government to help address this. This is a loan to be repaid by ‘capitalisation’ using asset sales for revenue spend. Loan conditions also include savings delivery.

On 5 March the Council agreed £300m of budget cuts over 2 years.

Council assets, including buildings, property and land may now be disposed, sold or transferred, including to the VCFSE sector.

• What impact will Section 114 have on community assets?

• What expectations and opportunities are there for local Voluntary, Community, Faith & Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector organisations to take over the management of/ lease/ purchase Council buildings, land, property and assets?

• What support will be provided to VCFSE sector organisations with regards to community assets?

Come along to an online briefing on Thursday 23 May, 2pm – 4.30pm and find out.

This is an opportunity for you to hear from Council and VCFSE leaders and have your say.

Speakers

David M Harris, Assistant Director – Corporate Landlord, Birmingham City Council

Brian Carr, Chief Executive, BVSC (Birmingham Voluntary Service Council)

Jeevan Jones & Kathy Hopkin, Save Birmingham

Jo Burrill, Chief Executive, BCM (Birmingham Community Matters)

Draft Agenda

Please note that this agenda is subject to change whilst we confirm arrangements with all speakers.

2.00pm Event starts. All apart from presenters with cameras and microphones off.

2.05pm Welcome & Introductions by Chair – Brian Carr, Chief Executive, BVSC

2.10pm Birmingham City Council – David M Harris, Assistant Director – Corporate Landlord

2.30pm BVSC & VCFSE Response – Brian Carr, Chief Executive, BVSC

2.35pm Save Birmingham – Jeevan Jones/ Kathy Hopkin

2.50pm Birmingham Community Matters Community Asset Support – Jo Burrill, Chief Executive, BCM

3.05pm Questions & Answers

3.35pm Summary & Thanks – After this Birmingham City Council & Non VCFSE reps Leave

3.40pm Breakout Discussion Sessions – Introduction by BVSC Research Team

3.45pm Break – Please take a short break whilst we sort you into breakout rooms

3.55pm Breakout Discussion Sessions Start – Facilitated by BVSC Research Team

4.25pm Summary & Next Steps – Brian Carr, Chief Executive, BVSC

4.30pm Event ends

Asking Your Questions:

We have already submitted some questions received from you with regards to Community Assets to the City Council for response at the meeting.

If you have further questions you would like to ask speakers at this meeting please submit them by email to [email protected]

Sign Up:

Please click here to register to attend the event and provide your contact details.

This is an online TEAMS event and once registered you should automatically receive a TEAMS link.

If this does not come through please check your junk mail or contact [email protected] who will forward on details.

Further Information:

Briefing Event: Contact Elizabeth Goodchild, Strategic Partnership Manager, BVSC at [email protected]

Birmingham City Council FAQs: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50306/commissioners_intervention_and_improvement/2757/frequently_asked_questions_faqs_about_section_114

BVSC FAQs: https://www.bvsc.org/birminghams-city-council-section-114-notice

Statement for VCFSE Sector by Birmingham City Council: https://www.bvsc.org/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=ecce04e1-1fa7-4a1a-b761-4883bd516602

Birmingham City Council announces £300 million of budget cuts over 2 years

Save Birmingham: https://savebirmingham.org/

Birmingham Community Matters - Assets of Community Value: https://www.birminghamcommunitymatters.org.uk/resource/assets-of-community-value/

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