Community centre set for trial scheme

Springhead Community Centre will be used as a pilot for passing council assets over to local people, if councillors agree next week.

The Ashes Lane building almost closed in 2007 but was saved when residents formed a community association and begun fund-raising. Now it is a thriving centre used every day of the week, from a pre-school to a pensioners’ dance club. On Wednesday, councillors on the Cabinet will consider making Springhead the pilot project for disposing of surplus council buildings to the community.

And if it is approved, Springhead Community Association will be offered a 25-year lease. The meeting will hear that the council’s approach to passing buildings to communities is inconsistent, with some on formal leases, some with no lease, and a new building with site rental of £5,000 a year.

Interim licences or leases will be offered to groups which currently have no formal agreement with the council. Partnership agreements will mean centres can also be used for drop-in sessions for statutory services such as police, encouraging neighbourhood working.

If any community associations are wound up in future the buildings will revert back to the council’s care.