Formal Expression of Interest - Railway Carriage, West Grinstead

An opportunity has presented itself to consider the following asset A Mark 1 British Rail railway carriage, former West Grinstead Station for a possible Community Asset Transfer.

We are looking to work with suitable community group and/or organisation that are able to demonstrate through this process the ability to take on, manage and maintain this asset through a Full Repairing and Insuring Lease, with terms to be agreed, subject to contract.

Important: Please read the supporting documentation before you progress with your application as you will need to have all the information to hand when completing the Expression of Interest and the system does not allow you to save and come back to it later.

Stage One

A simple Formal Expression of Interest aims to allow potential community or third sector organisations to detail their proposals in outline.

Constituted community groups, voluntary groups and Town & Parish Councils working in partnership with local community groups are invited to apply for transfer of an asset identified under Community Asset Transfer for community use.

This process will be done online and there is a PDF copy of the questions to download you can use in formulating your responses.

The accompanying documentation, guidance, FAQ's and Strategy will help you in pulling together your responses.

For specific information on the buildings floor plan and running costs please email community.response@westsussex.gov.uk and these will be forwarded to you directly.

We are organising opportunity for site visits on the following date if you are interested please email community.response@westsussex.gov.uk as we need to book appointments.

Thursday 20th February 2025

You will have four weeks to submit your Formal Expression of Interest between Monday 3rd February 2025 to Monday 3rd March 2025

Submissions will be evaluated and successful EOI's will be invited back to the Second Stage Business Case which is expected to open on Thursday 3rd April 2025.

The County Council may decide to withdraw this opportunity at any time and will not be held liable or responsible for any costs incurred by bidders in this process. All discussions and negotiations will be Subject to Contract and subject to the County Council's governance process and formal approval.

All information provided by WSCC as part of this process is for guidance only and should not be relied upon as the basis for any financial modelling or business planning.

Applicants are advised to carry out their own due diligence and are recommended to seek independent legal advice.

Name and address of the Organisations and/or individual making the application

* required

This will be the organisation that will receive the asset should the application be successful. (The name of your organisation as shown in your governing documentation. The official or registered address of your organisation, including full postcode and full phone number)

What is the legal status of the lead organisation?

* required

Charity

Community Interest Company or other Social Enterprise Group

Community Group or Associations

Community Trust

Parish or Town Council

Other

If legal status is Other please provide a brief description

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

Please demonstrate how your work links with local community. If not legal status as Other please just put N/A

Registration number and Governing Body

* required

Please provide Registration number if applicable and Confirm your governing body supports the application

Does your organisations governing body endorse this application for Asset Transfer?

* required

Yes

If your Organisations governing body does not endorse this application please explain the reason(s) for the decision

* required

Is the organisation part of a bigger local or national organisation?

* required

If yes please provide details including contact details, the services they provide and confirmation that they are aware of your application for this transfer.

When was your organisation established?

* required

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

Please provide information about how long the organisation has been established.

What are the current services provided by your organisation?

* required

Please provide information about the current services provided by the organisation and whether they are targeted at particular groups. Include the geographical area covered and the groups that benefit from your services

10.

What is your reason for the Asset Transfer?

* required

Explain why you are applying for a community asset transfer and how this will benefit the wider community?

11.

How will your Asset Transfer Proposal will be focused on needs of the community?

* required

Please provide information in your proposal considering who, and how local people, would benefit from the proposals. Demonstrate any gaps in provision and how your proposal would look to meet that gap eg providing job opportunities in deprived areas, or aimed at key target groups currently excluded from the community activity.

12.

Demonstrate the support from the local community for your proposal

* required

This allows you to upload one word document to demonstrate that you have engaged and consulted with the local community regarding your Asset Transfer Proposal, these people do not have to be active members of the group, but need to support proposal this must include: - Details of engagement activity or local consultation you have undertaken to date (meeting minutes etc), Evidence of general Community Support for your group (petitions or signatures not required), Any relevant Community Partnerships and support from Local Member

13.

Email address (you will automatically receive a copy of your submission)

* required