289 Voluntary Sector Accommodation Implementation Plan update PDF 60 KB
Additional documents:
Decision:
Having considered an officer report, and presentations by the Cabinet
Member for the Third Sector, Councillor Joan Millbank, and 10
representatives on behalf of 6 Community Centres, the Mayor agreed that:
(1) the consultation feedback as summarised in section 6 of the report and
the full submissions in appendices B & B1-3 be noted; and.
(2) the recommendations for each of the 16 community centres:
Barnes Wallis Community Centre: Telegraph Hill Ward
Brandram Rd Community Hall: Blackheath Ward
Champion Hall: Bellingham Ward
Clare Hall: Brockley Ward
Evelyn Community Centre: Evelyn Ward
Ewart Rd Club Room: Crofton Park Ward
Goldsmiths Community Centre: Whitefoot Ward
Honor Oak Community Centre: Telegraph Hill Ward
Lethbridge Club Room: Blackheath Ward
Saville Centre: Rushey Green Ward
Scotney Hall: New Cross Ward
Sedgehill Community Centre: Bellingham Ward
Venner Rd Hall: Sydenham Ward
Wesley Halls: Downham Ward
Woodpecker Community Centre: New Cross Ward
as shown in section 6 of the report be approved and officers be instructed to
proceed to the next stage of implementation.
Minutes:
The report was presented by the Cabinet Member for the Third Sector,
Councillor Joan Millbank, who outlined the consultation process and
confirmed changes had been made to the original proposals following detailed
consideration of the responses received. She also set out the context of
Central Government funding reductions which had impacted on the provision
of all local services. She stressed that the majority of the centres reviewed
would continue to function, either in their current building or in a new building
funded by the provision of new affordable homes. She concluded by
acknowledging the process had not been easy and there was deep personal
attachment to various centres from individuals who had devoted a lot of time
and effort in supporting their local community.
The Executive Director for Community Services’s representative then outlined
the proposals for each centre and explained how the original plan for the
rationalisation of community provision had changed since July 2014. She
clarified that the Honor Oak consultation meeting on September 4 had been
called by the Association rather than the Council and all three Ward
Councillors had been in attendance.
The Mayor was then addressed by ten speakers representing six of the
centres.
Yvonne Peart of the Honor Oak Community Association called upon the
Mayor to reconsider the proposals for her centre and asked that a bid for a
Community Asset Transfer should be entertained.
Kristina Green representing Wesley Halls reinforced their written
representation saying they had no objection to the housing provision as long
as the existing community building was retained. She was supported by Helen
Bashford of Brighter Horizons, one of the Wesley Halls user groups, who said
the existing building was ideal for wheelchair users.
Sarah Hanks, Julia Adam and Celia Holman made a joint presentation on
Brandram Road calling for the retention of their centre. They expressed
interest in agreeing a full repairing lease but said they needed more time to
confirm the arrangement and would be helped by a Council agreement to a
sliding scale lease agreement. Officers indicated they could give further
consideration to a sliding scale agreement.
Jackie Bishop, the Chair of the Pensioners Forum said her group had been
based in the Saville Centre for 9 years and asked the Mayor to reconsider his
proposals, as she did not believe the alternatives identified would be
appropriate. She was supported by Bridget Sam Bailey of the Artful Dodgers,
a self support group for heart disease sufferers who also said identified
alternatives could not be used by her group.
Bishop Justus Mugbeh of the Milton Court TRA pleaded for the retention of
the Woodpecker Community Centre,saying it was a vital community hub in an
area of high deprivation.
Ken Wakeman spoke about the Barnes Wallis Community Centre, explaining
he had been the voluntary unpaid manager there for 11 years and he called
for the retention and expansion of the Centre.
The Mayor then received the views of Councillors Dromey and Best in support
of the officer proposals before considering ... view the full minutes text for item 289